I really like historical middle grade books because while they convey a good sense of a time period, they are focused more on personal stories than the bigger picture and combine the tragedy with beauty and magic. This book is no exeption. It's just as engaging to adult readers than to its target audience. The clear writing works really well and the setting and atmosphere are spot on. Emmaline is a believable protagonist, too, and her quest very appealing.
Some minor critiscm is that I wasn't invested enough into the non-magical elements of the book and didn't feel for the characters the way that I should. I think that is due to Emmaline focussing way more on the horses with everything else happening on the side. Also, in this magical realist kind of stories, I like the magical elements to aid the real life part of the story, but in this, it felt like when Emmaline pursued her goal she was actively going against that. It made sense, it just isnt my preference.
Still, I had a really good time with it and it truely had the elements of a classic story.