THE ISLAND STALLION'S FURY

One cannot deny the appeal this sequel to will have among the devotees of flying manes, but we deplore some of the violent elements here which have not appeared in Mr. Farley's earlier books. Beating a horse with a bull whip, and the brutal activities of a demented sadist on the loose, are undoubtedly arresting episodes, but hardly necessary in juvenile fiction, we feel. The story, specifically, concerns the inhabitants of Azul Island in the Caribbean -- young Steve Duncan, who had tamed with love the magnificent stallion, Flame gentle Phil Pitcher, intent upon investigating archeological clues to the island's past; and a band of wild horses. Steve, with Pitch's help, finds and rescues an orphan foal from death, and both Steve and Pitch weather the menace of cruel Tom, Pitch's insane brother, who finally crashes to his death over a cliff. The tremendous Farley following assures the success of this one, although there is too much blood spilt for our taste.