4 out of 5 stars

Rise to the Horizon by Hyunah Kim is a heartwarming novella about a horse named Poseidon and Axel, a young rider who will enter his life and improve it at a time when most would have given up. Anyone who has worked with horses, especially horses with traumas, will relate to the bond between Poseidon and Axel. The character descriptions are beautiful and connect the reader to the characters’ emotions.

Poseidon is badly injured in a barn fire and is sent to Axel, a rider known for working with the more difficult cases, for training and emotional and physical healing. The story progresses as Axel and Poseidon work together and gain the other’s trust throughout months of hard work. The supporting cast of Poseidon’s owners and Axel’s family and friends add to the ambience of healing and recovery through relatable stories of overcoming setbacks and loss.

There are two areas of note with this novella: Throughout the story, Kim describes and explains the competitive world of show jumping for the readers who might not be as knowledgeable about these areas. However, what Kim describes is an exposition of show jumping from parts of Europe and may not completely mesh with American readers’ knowledge of the sport. This is not a distraction, only a chance to expand knowledge for those who already love the sport. Also, Kim’s language base is extraordinary and encompasses various languages. Most of the spelling is based on British English, and the English syntax used is lyrical and poetic in ways that may appear unusual to some readers.

I received a complimentary copy from the author. This review is honest and voluntary.