She Who Rides Horses: A Saga of the Ancient Steppe (Book 1) by Sarah V. Barnes | Book Review ~ Excerpt ~ Trailer ~ Inspiration from Author ~ Giveaway
A book blog tour from iRead Book Tours.
Thank you to the author, publisher, & Lauren at iRead for providing me with the information for this tour. 
Book Details
She Who Rides Horses by Sarah Barnes
Series: A Saga of the Ancient Steppe, Book #1
Published by Lilith House Press on 05/01/2022
Genres: Adult Fiction 18+, Historical Fiction
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 276
Source: iRead Book Tours, Kindle UnlimitedSet more than 6,000 years ago, She Who Rides Horses: A Saga of the Ancient Steppe (Book One) begins the story of Naya, the first person ever to ride a horse.
Daughter of a clan chief, bolder than the other girls but shunned by the boys because of her unusual appearance, Naya often wanders alone through the vast grasslands where her people herd domesticated cattle, sheep and goats, and hunt wild horses for their meat.
But Naya dreams of creating a different kind of relationship with the magnificent creatures. One day, while out roaming by herself, she discovers a filly with a chestnut coat as uncommon as her own head of red hair.
With time running out before she is called to assume the responsibilities of adulthood, Naya embarks on a quest to fulfill her vision of galloping with the filly across the boundless steppe.
Unwittingly, she sets in motion forces and events that will change forever the future of humans and horses alike.
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Book Trailer
https://youtu.be/4fuZnekXK7c
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Excerpt from Chapter One
It was long after noon the next day before Naya was at last able to slip away. This time she was better prepared. In a deer skin bag slung over one shoulder she carried flint tools and kindling for making fire, a flint knife and enough food to last a day, as well as a full water skin. Over the other shoulder was coiled a long length of braided rawhide, strong enough, she hoped, to restrain the filly…
She found the little band at dusk, when the sun’s afterglow cast blackening shadows across the landscape. She had just gained the top of a small rise and could see for some distance, despite the gathering darkness. There they were – blurred shapes silhouetted against the next range of hills. Succeeding ridges gained in height, verdant meadows giving way to forested slopes, behind which the sun had disappeared. The horses had led her to the edge of the grasslands…
Naya shivered in the rapidly cooling air. The horses appeared to have stopped for the evening. The mares’ heads hung low, muzzles almost touching the ground in deep relaxation and she could make out several darker shapes that must be the foals, lying in the grass at their feet. Only the stallion stood alert, scenting the air for danger before dropping his head to grab a few mouthfuls of grass. Moments later, his head lifted again, keen eyes scanning the landscape.
Naya settled herself in the deep grass and rested her folded arms atop her knees. From her vantage on the rise downwind from the small band, she could sit and keep watch without arousing suspicion… Eventually, cheek resting on her forearms, she closed her eyes, and slept…
At some point later in the night, she thought she awoke. Lifting her head from her folded arms, she checked the herd. They were as they’d been before, dozing in the lee of the hillside across from the rise where she sat. Even the stallion had relaxed his vigilance and stood with his head lowered. The full moon now rode high in the sky, bright enough to cast faint shadows. As Naya’s eyes adjusted to the night, the moon’s light illuminated a faint track leading down the rise at an angle from where the horses rested. She hadn’t noticed it before.
Rising, Naya moved as silently as she could, following the path in the moonlight. Soon, she found herself ascending another small rise, then descending, then rising again, until at last she stood at the edge of a ravine. Below, she could see a stream, shining in the moonlight, gurgling quietly as it flowed over its stony bed… Slipping and sliding, Naya made her way down the steep slope, scratching her skin against sharp rocks and thorny underbrush. At last she reached the bottom and looked around her. Along the ravine’s floor, smooth white stones marked the water course… Drawn onward, Naya followed the path upstream into a grove of trees.
There, a wondrous sight met her eyes. Oaks and birches encircled a small pool of water, fed by an underground spring. Reflected in the pool’s clear, still surface was the round orb of the moon, casting its light from high above the rocky cliffs which formed the pool’s backdrop. Beside the pool stood the red filly, burnished coat softly aglow. Naya froze, rooted as if she were one of the trees, and stared. The filly, startled by the girl’s approach, stared back. Neither moved. Eventually, Naya remembered to breathe. In the next moment, she realized that she had left her rope, along with everything else she’d brought with her, back on the rise. Still, she and the filly stood motionless, looking at one another.
In that moment, Naya’s senses underwent an almost imperceptible shift; the moonlight became just a little brighter, the stream’s murmur became just a little louder, the slight breeze rustling the leaves in the trees became just a little fresher against her skin. In the next moment, she seemed to feel the filly’s thoughts.
I will grant your heart’s desire, but only if you are able to grant mine. The musical voice resonated within the core of Naya’s being, even though no sound other than the splash of flowing water and whisper of the wind in the trees disturbed the silence of the grove. What is your heart’s desire?
Awestruck, Naya could only gaze back at the young horse, who now regarded her with luminous dark eyes in which fear had given way to curiosity. Finally, she found her own voice. “I wish to be with you,” she said simply. “I wish to touch your coat.” Then, from deep inside, another longing welled up, a yearning so audacious she almost couldn’t bring herself to speak. Hesitatingly, she uttered the words. “I wish,” she said, “to ride upon your back.”
Ah, the red filly seemed to reply, if this is indeed your deepest desire, then you must see with the eyes of your heart and create ties without the use of a rope. And when you have succeeded in granting my heart’s desire, then shall yours be granted also.
Before Naya could begin to ponder the meaning of the words, the filly brushed past her in a chestnut blur and was gone, disappearing through the trees toward the mouth of the ravine. Gazing after her, Naya shook her head, as if to clear her senses. Water still flowed in the creek and a breeze still rustled among the leaves. The moon still cast its dim glow – but the moment of utter clarity had vanished, just as suddenly as the young horse. Shaking herself again, as if awakening from a dream, Naya retraced her steps to the mouth of the ravine. There was no sign of the red filly…
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Purchase Links for She Who Rides Horses:
Amazon-OneLink for all countries BookShop/IndieBound
She Who Rides Horses: A Sag...Shop on Amazon
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My Thoughts on She Who Rides Horses
She Who Rides Horses: A Saga of the Ancient Steppe (Book One) by Sarah V. Barnes is an excellent historical fiction that takes the readers on a thrilling journey set more than 6,000 years ago. The story follows Naya, the daughter of a clan chief, who is ostracized by the boys in her community due to her unique appearance. Naya dreams of developing a relationship with horses different from that of her people. Her encounter with a red filly sets in motion events that will change the course of history, forever altering the relationship between humans and horses.
The book is well-written, with well-developed characters and a smooth pace that keeps the readers engaged. The plot is filled with adventure, peril, love, and betrayal, making it an enjoyable read. However, there are moments where it feels like an important bit of information was removed during editing, disrupting the flow of the story.
One of the most impressive aspects of the book is the extensive interdisciplinary research that underpins the narrative. The author masterfully imagines an encounter between a girl and a horse that is both timeless and grounded in fact. For readers interested in learning more about the historical facts behind the fiction, a section at the back goes into more depth.
Overall, She Who Rides Horses: A Saga of the Ancient Steppe (Book One) is an engaging and well-crafted historical fiction that seamlessly blends fact and imagination. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in historical fiction and the fascinating relationship between humans and horses. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love to read books through my Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription.
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About Sarah Barnes
Sarah Barnes, Ph.D. is both an historian and a horsewoman. When Sarah is not writing stories, she practices and teaches riding as a meditative art. She also offers equine-facilitated coaching and wellness workshops.
Sarah holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern University and spent many years as a college professor before turning full-time to riding and writing. She has two grown daughters and lives with her husband, her dogs and her horses near Boulder, CO.
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Guest Post from the author of She Who Rides Horses, Sarah V. Barnes
Inspiration
“What inspires you?” Since becoming a writer, I encounter this question often. Depending on the context, I have more than one answer. If we are talking specifically about the inspiration for my first book, She Who Rides Horses: A Saga of the Ancient Steppe, I can tell the story of how I had no intention of writing a novel until the idea came to me, completely unbidden, during a workshop.
If we are discussing the daily practice of writing, I can talk about finally settling, after years of moving around, into a home on a mountaintop with a cozy office and amazing views, where I have the space I need – both literally and figuratively – to hone my craft.
If we are talking about how to portray characters and their feelings with authenticity, I can point to my own experiences of grief and joy, plus all the shades of emotion in between.
As a writer, I find a frequent source of inspiration in other people’s words – particularly those of the poet and philosopher David Whyte. One of my favorite lines comes from his poem What to Remember When Waking. “To become human,” he writes, “is to become visible while carrying what is hidden as a gift to others.”
For me, this observation speaks to the essence of what we do as writers. Becoming visible means putting yourself and your words out there for others to read. Writing is an inherently vulnerable act. Even if no one reads what you write other than yourself, you are still making yourself visible, if only to yourself. You are revealing what is hidden – the gift of your true self – the gift each of us alone can offer to the world.
The whole poem is a powerful reminder of why each of us is here. Every time I read the words, I’m reminded why I write.
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Purchase She Who Rides Horses online from your local bookstore.
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Easy Amazon Links for She Who Rides Horses
Amazon-OneLink for all countries
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Please send me a note if your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share.
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Giveaway!
Please visit more tour stops for extra chances to win!
Official Tour Page for She Who Rides Horses
Full Tour Schedule:
May 1 – Liese’s Blog – book spotlight
May 2– History from a Woman’s Perspective – book review
May 2 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 3 – Kim’s Book Reviews and Writing Aha’s – book review / giveaway
May 3 – Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
May 4 – Celticlady’s Reviews – book spotlight / giveaway
May 4 – Welcome To MLM Opinion’s Review – book review
May 5– Character Madness and Musings – book review / giveaway
May 9 – Diane’s Book Journal – book spotlight
May 10 – Adventures of a Traveler’s Wife – book review / author interview / giveaway
May 10 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 11 – MacKade – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 11 – Books are a Blessing – book review / giveaway
May 12 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
May 12 – Books With a Chance – book review / author interview / giveaway
May 12– The Obsessed Reader – book review / giveaway
May 15 – The Pen and Muse Book Reviews – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 15 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review / giveaway
May 16 –FUONLYKNEW – book review / guest post / giveaway
May 16 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review / giveaway
May 17 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / guest post / giveaway
May 17 – Authors on iTours: Let’s Talk Books! – book review
May 18 –fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
May 18 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
May 19 –Writer with Wanderlust – book review / guest post / giveaway
May 19 – Adventurous Jessy – book review / giveaway
May 19 – Mostly Mystery Reviews – book review
May 19 – Bizwings Book Blog – book review / author interview / giveaway
TBD – Paws.Read.Repeat – book review / giveaway
SHE WHO RIDES HORSES Book Tour Giveaway
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This one sounds very interesting, Gina. I am going to add it to my wishlist. I like the idea that this young girl brought about a change in life for her people and beyond, also horse stories call to me.
It very unique, Carla. I can’t wait to see where the author takes us next.