I was honestly very surprised by how much I liked this book! I went in expecting something for those that would consider themselves “horse girls,” and in that aspect I was spot on. But I was not expecting how philosophical and genuinely heart-warming it was. While it’s nowhere near a fantasy epic along the lines of Frank Herbert or George R.R. Martin, the story and world building held a depth that the cover and synopsis doesn’t betray.
As far as the audiobook goes, Emily Gray did a wonderful job narrating. Her voice is lovely and I appreciated that she was able to convey the emotions that the characters were feeling quite effectively. I don’t particularly like the over-produced audiobooks (with music, sound effects, etc.) but I honestly thought this could be a good candidate for one. The nature setting gives a lot of opportunity for this without it being too cheesy.
Overall, I found it very enjoyable and I would definitely recommend it for people who like YA but not necessarily romance, as well as readers who like a little mysticism in their books.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advanced copy of the audiobook for #TheHorsesKnow by Lynn Mann in exchange for an honest review.

I was really looking forward to this book because at heart, I am a horse girl so I expected great things. I didn't expect to just feel meh about the story and the characters. Amarilla wasn't a very likeable character. I didn't hate her but I didn't root for her as she was very immature and I kept having to remind myself that she was 16 in the book. I would have preferred her been written to be older and more mature. The narration was okay but the story just kind of dragged.

I haven't read the rest of the trilogy but this book kind of just reads like a training montage without much of a plot. Definitely aimed at a young audience (I would say children rather than teen/YA), the characters are all very annoying and I'm not a fan of the accents the narrator used (although it did help me to tell the characters apart which would be useful for a younger listener).

All in all I found it shallow and unenjoyable, it wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Post Hypnotic Press for an audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First off, I chose this book because of the beautiful cover and I'm a bit of an animal lover. Secondly I would like to say that this books seems to have gotten a lot of criticism for improper portrayal of horse training. I say POO! to you people! This is a Fantasy/Sci Fi book about horses that communicate and bond with people. How on earth can you imagine this story to be factual. If I wanted a book about training horses, I would pick a NON-FICTION book. I give a little with the fact that the cover is possibly a tad bit misleading because of the horse, but please read the summary and then don't diss a book because it wasn't what you thought it was.
Any way, this was a sweet fantasy book that I think teen girls could fall in love with. It is a simply a story about a girl and her horse, albeit one that speaks and is ages old.

The concept of The Horses Know was really interesting. I liked how the horses and humans related to each other. I love horses and was drawn in by the mysterious title. Great pace and unusual plot.

I did adaptive horse riding as a chold/teen, and always wanted to relate better to my horse. I would wonder what they were thinking and feeling. Horses and riders have a strong bond, and this shows that. I loved the audiobook and all the different characters. It's very atmospheric, imaginative and completely unforgettable.

Lynn Mann is very talented. It's my first book by her and I'm looking forward to the next book.

Thanks to Lynn Mann and Post Hypnotic Press for my audiobook in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

5 stars but it deserves more. A must for horse lovers anywhere.

First, thanks to NetGalley, author Lynn Mann, and publisher Post Hypnotic Press for free access to this audiobook.

I wasn’t sure about this book, as I like horses, but the premise is a bit outside my normal reading. In the end, I liked it. It’s a cute YA book set in a somewhat dystopian future. Some of the book was a bit too empathic / holistic in vibe for me. It started as a YA adventure with a female main character who didn’t fit in with everyone, but you could tell she would come into her own one day. I liked the idea of the Skills, and the Horse Bonded.

But then things got more esoteric. The main catch phrase is “All is as it should be”, which makes everything seem somewhat pointless. I’m not a big fan of existential crisis, which is the feel I got from the second half of this book. By the end, this 17(?) year old girl is infinitely wise and all-knowing, which made it less interesting to me.

The audiobook narration was good and I felt it suited the story nicely.

Still, it’s a cute story and great for young readers who love horses and like the idea of communicating with and bonding with horses. It’s just not for me, so I do not plan to read the rest of the series.

I had previously read the book version. Let me tell you the audio version was far better for me. To listen to the different voice for the horse was phenomenal. This story really hits home for me as this is the way I would love to be able to communicate with my horse. If you are truly a horse person, this story is for you. I can’t wait for the audio version of book 2. As I have already read it. Thank you NetGalley, author and publisher for selecting me.

Thank you NetGalley & Post Hypnotic Press for access to the digital Audiobook of The Horses Know. As a life long equestrian who’s dreamed of owning their own horse since childhood this one hits all the marks. Major themes: equestrian, new world, fantasy, magic. This title is filled with whimsy and touches of surreal fantasy. There is new perspective brought to the table about soul bonds and what that could look like between people and horses. It’s truly fantastic, I can’t wait to finish the trilogy. If you love horses and fantasy I can promise this one should be on your TBR! The narration is wonderful and took me right back to the happy place I discovered when reading Emily Wildes Encyclopedia of Faeries. I loved everything about it; I want to be horsebonded too!

It was a good book just didn't catch my interest to much. It just wasn't for me. I still reccomend reading it though.

‘The Horses Know’ written by Lynn Mann and narrated by Emily Gray.

I looked forward to listening to this book and was hopeful throughout that things would take a turn and I would begin to enjoy the story. I found myself often wondering what was happening and how it all would connect. I often found myself focused on how the horse felt with a rider. This was an interesting take, but overall I really struggled with being able to stay tuned into the narrator. I really don’t know how to describe the book, it could have been an interesting story, but I felt like it was very disjointed and didn’t flow well. I found myself struggling to listen to the storyline and wanting to just skip to the end. I hate not finishing a book, but this one was a real struggle.

Thank you #NetGalley and #Post Hypnotic Press for the opportunity to preview this book in exchange for a review. All opinions and thoughts are those of my own. #TheHorsesKnow #NetGalley

Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC. This was definitely a unique story. Female lead characters is a 16 yo and the setting is most likely the United States in the future. Our world destroyed itself by giving into fear via war and isolation and now there are communities of “the new” who live like our original settlers. Except there’s weird magic/“skills” that people can perform. And there are some people that have special connections with horses and they leave their families to spend their time with their horse, together helping people to live in harmony with one another. And then they throw in reincarnation. So, very unique. There’s a lot going on in this book and I’d argue it’s just a little too much. It was an entertaining book to listen to and it was very clean, which I do appreciate.

This audiobook I think is aimed more for a younger person interested in horses. A lovely intuitive audio about a young person who cares for and has her own bond with a beautiful horse. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced audio in return for an honest review.

This dystopian fantasy takes a little while to get into. Set in an alternate future where civilization has nearly decimated itself and nature, 'The Horses Know' ties in mystical and fantasy elements. Strong female protagonist Amarilla develops as her bond to her horse strengthens and she matures with her peers. At times a bit long-winded, Lynn Mann paints a detailed world both without and within. A great read for tweens and teens who like horses or fantasy. Themes of self-actualization, working out conflicts through discussion, and acceptance of others' differences abound.