Find out what Mumsnetters' children though of The Secret Horses of Briar Hill by Megan Shepherd and illustrated by Levi Pinfold

[UrsulaMumsnet]

Set in the midst of WW2, The Secret Horses of Briar Hill is a novel about the enduring power of storytelling and the imagination, complete with drawings by award-winning illustrator Levi Pinfold.

We ask all winners to share their thoughts about the book on this discussion thread. However, you don't have to win a free copy to take part in the discussion - anyone who has read The Secret Horses of Briar Hill can post their feedback here (and you can buy the book now).

Everyone who posts on this thread before 1 December will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2shop voucher.

This giveaway is sponsored by Walker Books

The book was both magical and realistic which kept it interesting.
My daughter and I enjoyed reading this and it encouraged us to use our imagination. The illustrations are lovely as well.

I couldn't wait for my daughter to finish this so I could read I myself. I've always loved horse stories and this one was a bit unusual. I'm not sure that I liked it but I didn't dislike it either. I have to sit on the fence with this book and maybe I need to read it again although dd certainly loved it.

I don't like horse stories usually - I didn't like them as a child either. However i saw this for my niece and thought it was intriguing as it's a good way for youngsters to gain exposure to stories set in recent history. I actually enjoyed the story, although not sure my niece took the same meaning from it that I did.

beautiful book, very realistic and a great read

very easy to escape into the writers world, loved it.

A very different horse story. Really enjoyable.

my teenage daughter & i have both read the book firstly the illustrations are absolutely amazing some covering a double spread they are so intricate & really add to the reading experience. The book itself is really magical and has the reader gripped the whole story is put together so well it is centred around a hospital & winged horses who live within the mirrors and she discovers one in the gardens of the hospital. It was quite a quick read & would recommend it to adults aswell as it has alot of meaning and emotional aspect the perfect book to read and share with your older children.

I have such a poor imagination. However that being said, I really did like this book it really opened up my mind to a world of imagination because of the great illustrations to go alongside it.

I've just started it. Illustrations are lovely and love reading it :)

My eldest daughter loved the book as she loves horses

a wonderful story

A magical mystical journey. the world war is a great setting for a story. beautifully illustrated.

Well written. Keeps the reader captivated.

I thought that this was a lovely book. The story line was really good and encouraged he use of your imagination. The pictures really were beautiful and just helped set the scene perfectly. Xx

I'm not a big fan of reading, but this is an absolute must!

I love the illustrations

A beautifully written and illustrated book but I wasn't able to suspend my disbelief quite enough to find it really satisfying.

Heart warming story, beautifully written and illustrated. A little bit of magic and a lot of imagination. Lovely read for children, thank you for the book. Its a keeper.

Beautifully illustrated book - the drawings are wonderful and really bring the horses to life. Sadly, I was less impressed with the story. It felt a bit contrived and didn't really seem to go anywhere. Not really my kind of book.

This is a lovely novel set in World War II at a children's hospital, it is about magical winged horses that are invisible to all but Emmaline who sees them in the mirrors.
It is a novel which is beautifully written and brings to life a world where darkness can be defeated by those who are brave enough to fight it.
Looking forward to Megan's next novel

This book has had mixed reviews from my 9 year old son.....though hhas been pretty much favourable. The drawings were enjoyed the most!

its a beautiful book. the illustrations are all flowing and its like entering a Narnia type novel obviously with different subject but it has that flowing magical way with it.yet its still told realisticly so it its fake or fairytale esq and get the point across.

A lovely, thoughtful magical book. It is well worth reading. I enjoyed it as did my 9 year old grandaughter. Well written.

Beautiful illustrations.

Very enjoyable book with first class illustrations throughout which add to the magical storyline. Many thanks.