Honey and her family went on a road trip and discovered a hidden valley where a herd of wild horses live. Once they cross the river to enter the valley, they can never find the bridge again, and must live in the valley for the next seven years. Honey and her little brother, Rumi, grow up riding the wild horses, planting crops and fishing for food, and enjoying an idyllic life of peace. But when danger threatens their family, Honey must trust the horses to show them the way out of the valley when the time is right.

This book is like a dream world of enchantment. The writing feels like a reverie in the way it flows along taking the reader for a journey into dreamland. The magic of the valley is never explained. You just have to accept that this is the way things are with mystic horses in an enchanted valley.

I loved the descriptions of how Honey's family survived for seven years in the valley. They have very cleverly used every resource that is available to them to plant crops and harvest fruit. They reuse every scrap of fabric and thread for their clothing. They even use plant fibers to create their own string and rope.

I loved the characters and their quirky ways. They have adapted to life in the valley and they have their own ways of talking and behaving. The children are especially innocent, but intelligent in unique ways. However, there isn't a lot of character development. Honey does develop a little, but she is mostly just reacting to what is happening around her, not changing in herself.

There are some really meaningful themes and special moments of introspection in this book. There is one scene where Rumi is worried and excited and happy all at once, trying to take in all the changes that are occurring in the valley. It really spoke to me. "Rumi breathed deep, pulling the beauty inside, all the sights, sounds, and sensations; the more he did it, the more it calmed his fear. He knew this peace wouldn't change what happened... - but it made him feel stronger..."
There are some beautiful lessons to be learned in this book, and it encouraged and inspired me!

I finished this book in one day because it was so delightful and refreshing!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.