Downed Fences by Kate Roman

Title: Downed Fences
Author: Kate Roman
Publisher: Torquere Press
Length:: Novella/70 pages ebook
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Blurb:

Show jumper Cody Blackwell is used to taking orders both from his father, and from his trainer, with the hardest lessons learned after the lights are out. But when a fall in the jumping arena lands him in the arms of fellow rider Troy Griffiths, Cody discovers a range of feelings he’d never even imagined. Breaking free will open a whole new world, but also put his show jumping career on the line. Can Cody find the courage to make the toughest leap of his career?

Review:

Downed Fences is not actually incestuous, despite what the blurb would have you believe. Instead it’s an average story, heavily predictable, somewhat frustrating with little developed characters and a tidy ending. It’s not bad though and what saves this from being forgettable and frankly boring is the horse jumping description. In fact the book spends the most care and attention when describing the care, handling, feeding, showing, and jumping of the horses. The actual relationship and pseudo abuse drama revolving around Cody come in a distant second in importance after the horses. If you’re a horse lover, you’re likely more pre-disposed to this story than those that may not enjoy this offering as much.

The story opens up with rider Cody taking a bad fall at a competition and getting some help from sexy blue-eyed Troy. Immediately after though Cody’s cold father Martin and domineering trainer Gary are angry that Cody lost the competition. They couldn’t care less that Cody was injured and only care about results. Once Cody starts talking to Troy, he realizes how miserable his life is but he feels powerless to change it. Troy realizes Cody is frightened and scared and sets out to help.

The majority of the third person narrative, told from Cody’s pov, actually centers on the horses and action within competitions. There are extended descriptions of caring for the horses, feeding them, working, riding, and competing. In fact the majority of Cody’s character comes through in his handling of the horses. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. On the one hand, I found the description interesting and this alone kept me reading the story when the characters and action felt bland and predictable. On the flip side, those readers who have no interest in this will likely soon find their eyes glaze over and likely disinterested in finishing the story. It’s good description though, showing an intimate knowledge of how small scale competition is handled with clear horse knowledge.

Other than the detail of the horses, the characters provide little entertainment and interest. Cody is a fearful, frightened young man with absolutely no confidence and no backbone to change his life. While I am a sucker for an abused boy making good, Cody feels too weak and listless to really engage my interest and sympathy. I felt for him at the beginning but soon it became clear that Cody is unwilling to really change his life. Yes he has some considerable obstacles to overcome but he sinks into his misery, wallowing, rather than trying to change it. In fact the end resolution that gives him a happy ending comes about solely through a mixture of coincidence and Troy’s actions, so Cody never really learns to stand up for himself and become a stronger character.

Additionally the various other characters are similarly ill developed and remain rather flat. There is Troy, who falls for Cody immediately and easily, going out of his way to plan a future with Cody. However since there is very little, if any, development given to Troy his actions speak more to his loneliness in general than particular love for Cody. Likewise Cody’s father is a cold, calculating man caring only about profit and appearance and is totally unimportant other than to keep Cody afraid and quiet. He changes at the end for absolutely no reason and his actions are totally unbelievable. Cody’s trainer/sadistic lover Gary is no better. He’s the classic, mustache twirling evil man with no depth and no subtly. He supposedly sexually abuses Cody but all action takes place off page.

Overall the writing is decent but the entire story feels bland. There is nothing that sparks significant interest, engaging the reader to want to turn the pages. The languid pace follows the shallows characters and their horses through the action but this is one that likely to be forgotten as soon as you finish. It’s not horrible though and horse lovers especially will appreciate the detail afforded. I certainly didn’t hate reading this but it sadly didn’t make a strong impression. As always, see for yourself.