''Blood Red Horse'' is a 2004 young adult historical novel by author

K M Grant Katie M Grant (born 1958) is a children's writer, based in Scotland, who is best known for her ''DeGranville Trilogy'', published by Walker Books. Early and personal life Born Katharine Mary Towneley, she is the third daughter of Sir Simon T ...

. The book was published in 2004 by Puffin Books and Walker Children's. ''Blood Red Horse'' is the first novel in the De Granville Trilogy and was followed by the books ''Green Jasper'' and ''

Blaze of Silver ''Blaze of Silver'' is a 2007 young adult historical novel by K M Grant and the final book in the De Granville Trilogy. The book was released on April 3, 2007 by Puffin Books in the UK and Walker Children's in the US. Plot summary The book ...

''. In 2006 the audiobook version of ''Blood Red Horse'' won an AudioFile Earphones Award and in 2007 was one of YALSA's recommended audiobooks for 2007.

Plot summary

''Blood Red Horse'' follows Will and Ellie, two young teens growing up during the time of the Crusades. Ellie has feelings for Will, yet has been promised in marriage to Will's brother Gavin. When King Richard announces that he will launch a

Crusade The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated, supported, and sometimes directed by the Latin Church in the medieval period. The best known of these Crusades are those to the Holy Land in the period between 1095 and 1291 that were i ...

, both Will and Gavin are sent off to fight. Will chooses the scrawny Hosanna to ride into battle, drawn in by the horse's allure. Along with his horse, Gavin doesn't want Will to find a way to survive the battle and return home.

Reception

Critical reception for the book has been mostly positive, with the School Library Journal praising the audiobook's narration. The Guardian cited the factual detail in the battle scenes as a highlight, calling the overall book "soundly researched" and "well-structured".

Kirkus Reviews ''Kirkus Reviews'' (or ''Kirkus Media'') is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus (1893–1980). The magazine is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fic ...

gave a negative review, criticizing ''Blood Red Horse'' as "overblown and under-plotted".

References

{{reflist, 1 2004 British novels British young adult novels Children's historical novels British historical novels Novels set during the Crusades Children's novels about horses 2004 children's books Puffin Books books Children's books set in the 12th century