Book Review: Catch Rider by Jennifer H. Lyne

Title: Catch Rider

Author: Jennifer H. Lyne

Pages: 288

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Source: Netgalley

Publication Date: 6/4/2013

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Rating: 3.5/5

Sid has always had one dream: to become a catch rider. One of the best horse riders in the whole world, a catch rider is a person who can ride anything with hooves. But that’s easier said than done. Living in a home filled with memories of her dead father, her abused mother, and her half-drunk uncle, life’s never been that great. But that’s all about to change with one simple turn of events.

Now working with her uncle, Sid’s taking care of some rich folk’s horses. But when an amazing opportunity to show case her riding abilities arises, Sid’s world is turned upside down. It’s a dream come true, a chance that she could never say no to. Little does Sid know that dreams are easily destroyed; all it needs is the right push.

Sid was a great character to read about. Filled to the brim with excitement and troublesome behavior, there is no end to the problems Sid winds up in. From having a fight with the rich girl who owns the stables she works at, to maybe even falling in love with said rich girl’s boyfriend, things are about to get interesting in Sid’s life.

This is a truly engaging story. As the adventure and action increased, time flew by faster and faster, with me barely noticing. As Sid faces her dreams, hopes, and interests, this is a completely new journey to read about. I thoroughly enjoyed viewing the world through her perspective, especially what she thought of typical school society (popularity and teachers).

One thing I did not like about this book was its introduction and conclusion. When I first picked up this book, there was no real introduction. No, instead readers were thrust into Sid’s life with little explanation. As the book progresses, there is more explanation to what Sid does and how she lives, but that is something the introduction sorely lacked. I didn’t like the conclusion because of how suddenly it ended. All of a sudden the book draws to a close, leaving the reader hanging. In some books, this type of conclusion works, but in this one I felt that the conclusion was abrupt, lowering the book’s ranking in my eyes.

With a small sprinkle of romance, and a whole lot of action, dreaming and horse riding, this book is one that teens of all ages will enjoy. Read Catch Rider by Jennifer H. Lyne. I recommend this book to horse lovers and other teens. Other books like this one include ‘Silent Harmony’ by Michele Scott.