Prince of Egypt meets Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron in Lavay Byrd’s The Guardian, a fantastical equine-based retelling of the biblical Exodus. In the kingdom of Barazar, Prince Nadir of the royal Capricorn family turns twenty and learns his true identity: Demetrius, a common horse like the Capricorns’ slaves. Fleeing his royal brother’s hatred, he gallops into an unexpected journey of faith and restoration. Thanks to a cast of memorable talking horses and vivid descriptions, Lavay Byrd builds an allegorical adventure set in a fully equine world. A few typos might make some readers stumble on the way, but can be overlooked on this well-equipped tale with surprise twists that conclude this first book of The Aetheon Chronicles.

Best for: Teens age 15 and older, lovers of horses and adventure.

Discern: Slavery, a near-death experience with a sand serpent, deaths of firstborn foals, occasional peril in fight/battle scenes.