Title: The Race is On!
Author: Melisa Calcote
Publisher: Urlink Print & Media, LLC
ISBN: 978-1684867844
Pages: 76
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Reviewer: Liz Konkel
Hollywood Book Reviews
Fireball is awaiting his first race and has captured everybody’s attention as they’re eager to see what he is made of. The consensus is that he’ll be a star. While the horse is at the center of the story, there are humans whose lives interconnect, such as a married couple and their various relatives. Jenny and David have been happily married for a few years and are now anticipating what is next for their future. Meanwhile, Jeremy makes an unexpected discovery when he senses a spirit conversing with Fireball which leads to an investigation into the spirit’s identity. Together, the family members work to figure out what interest the spirit has in Fireball and what connection they have to it. The mystery coincides with the upcoming big race that finds Fireball going up against a lovely filly and it’s anyone’s guess who will win.
The story revolves primarily around Fireball with the anticipation of a race approaching and a majority of the premise focusing on getting him ready for it. Despite being a horse, Fireball has the same level of personality as the human characters whose lives are interconnected around him. The horse’s attitude and characteristics are quickly introduced, allowing readers to form an attachment to him even though he’s an animal without any dialogue. He’s unpredictable with how his antics catch people off guard, particularly Jeremy, which creates a nice layer of humor and permits you to genuinely get to know him. He’s an essential part of the story and is a catalyst for why a spirit is hanging around which places him in the middle of the mystery. Giving Fireball so much life is a clever inclusion in the story that will appeal to those who enjoy stories that focus on animals. The story also gives a brief look behind the scenes at horse racing, reminiscent of aspects of a Dick Francis novel, specifically focusing on how seriously it’s taken and the importance of horse lineage. The tone remains light with events occurring at a fast pace, making this ideal for those seeking something short with engaging dialogue, horses, and family dynamics. The Race is On! has a paranormal inclusion with a spirit lurking around Fireball and seemingly connected to Jeremy who sees it first. This creates a mystery that draws the different family members together to narrow down the spirit’s identity.
The spirit is written interestingly as it doesn’t directly communicate and instead has a lurking presence that always appears to be watching it. This creates almost eeriness in the story as you are unsure what the spirit’s motive is which effectively catches your attention and holds it. This aspect of the story is interesting as the clues and answers to the spirit’s identity come from the family, particularly Jenny’s parents (Jill and Roger), which makes it feel more personal. Author Melisa Calcote doesn’t waste time providing answers and quickly establishes how everything is connected while taking time to have quiet moments and explore different elements of being human. These moments are effective as you see Jeremy become more comfortable with Fireball and Jenny’s sweet interactions with her parents who are staying with them.
The genuine back-and-forth between Jenny and David and the desires they have for their future give a realness that balances the paranormal aspects well. Calcote plays with different dynamics that reflect components of Jenny and David’s relationship such as Jill and Roger who have a lovely quietness between them that feels comfortable. The inclusion of Joseph and Caroline grounds the story as their presence supports the passion and dedication people have to race which they use to fill a void after experiencing a loss. Meanwhile, Jeremy’s arc is rooted in exploring the bond between him and Fireball which is a connection that helps him learn more about himself and what he wants in life. Despite the length of the book, each person has a reasonable journey that reaches a satisfying conclusion.
A fast-paced story ideal for those seeking a quick read, The Race is On! has a lovable horse, endearing characters, and elements including mystery, a spirit, racing, and family.