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series Reading Order

Black Stallion Books in Order

20 Books
1941 – 1989 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order

If you are ready to dive into the world of Alec Ramsay and his wild stallion, the best way to experience the saga is in publication order. This allows you to experience the natural progression of Alec's career and the expanding horse-racing universe created by Walter Farley. The main series consists of 20 books published between 1941 and 1989.

The Original Black Stallion Series (Publication Order)

  • The Black Stallion (1941)
  • The Black Stallion Returns (1945)
  • Son of the Black Stallion (1947)
  • The Island Stallion (1948) – Introduces Flame and Steve Duncan.
  • The Black Stallion and Satan (1949)
  • The Black Stallion's Blood Bay Colt (1950)
  • The Island Stallion's Fury (1951) – Second Island Stallion book.
  • The Black Stallion's Filly (1952)
  • The Black Stallion Revolts (1953)
  • The Black Stallion's Sulky Colt (1954)
  • The Island Stallion Races (1955) – Third Island Stallion book.
  • The Black Stallion's Courage (1956)
  • The Black Stallion Mystery (1957)
  • The Horse-Tamer (1958) – A flashback novel told by trainer Henry Dailey about his youth.
  • The Black Stallion and Flame (1960) – The first major crossover between the Black and Flame.
  • The Black Stallion Challenged (1964) – Crossover match race between the Black and Flame.
  • The Black Stallion's Ghost (1969)
  • The Black Stallion and the Girl (1971)
  • The Black Stallion Legend (1983)
  • The Young Black Stallion (1989) – Co-authored with Steven Farley. A prequel detailing the Black's origins.

Chronological Caveats & Flashbacks

While the publication order works perfectly for a first read, there are two major deviations in the timeline:

  • The Young Black Stallion (1989): Chronologically, this prequel takes place before the events of the first book, detailing the Black's early life in Arabia. However, because it was written decades later and co-authored by Steven Farley, it is best enjoyed after you are already familiar with the characters.
  • The Horse-Tamer (1958): This is a standalone historical flashback. Henry Dailey tells Alec Ramsay a story from his youth about his brother Bill Dailey, a legendary horse-whisperer. You can read it anytime, but it fits nicely in its publication slot.

The Island Stallion Spin-Offs

In 1948, Walter Farley introduced a separate storyline starting with The Island Stallion. These books feature Steve Duncan and Flame, a wild red stallion living in a hidden valley on Azul Island. While initially separate, the two series officially collide in The Black Stallion and Flame (1960) and The Black Stallion Challenged (1964). Reading these in publication order ensures you know who Flame and Steve are before they meet Alec Ramsay and the Black.

The Steven Farley Sequels and Spin-Offs

Following Walter Farley's death in 1989, his son Steven Farley took up the reins. He wrote several new novels continuing Alec's adventures and created a new spin-off series for younger readers:

Steven Farley's Main Series Novels

  • The Black Stallion's Steeplechaser (1997)
  • The Black Stallion's Shadow (2000)
  • The Black Stallion and the Shapeshifter (2009)

Young Black Stallion Spin-Off Series

Steven Farley also wrote a six-book series focusing on Danielle Connors and a black colt named Raven at Alec Ramsay's stables:

  • The Promise (1998)
  • A Horse Called Raven (1998)
  • The Homecoming (1999)
  • Wild Spirit (1999)
  • The Yearling (1999)
  • Hard Lessons (1999)

Frequently Asked

QWhere is the best place to start reading the Black Stallion books?

You should start with the first novel, The Black Stallion (1941), which tells the iconic story of Alec Ramsay taming the wild stallion after a shipwreck.

QHow many books did Walter Farley write in the series?

Walter Farley wrote 20 books in the main series between 1941 and 1989, ending with The Young Black Stallion, which he co-authored with his son, Steven.

QWhat is the chronological order of the books?

While publication order is recommended, chronologically the prequel The Young Black Stallion comes first. The Horse-Tamer is also a flashback novel set in the late 19th century, telling the story of trainer Henry Dailey's youth.

QAre the Island Stallion books part of the same series?

Yes, they are a spin-off subseries featuring Steve Duncan and the stallion Flame. The two storylines cross over in The Black Stallion and Flame and The Black Stallion Challenged.

QWho continued the series after Walter Farley passed away?

Walter's son, Steven Farley, continued the legacy by writing several sequels, including The Black Stallion's Steeplechaser and a spin-off series for younger readers starring a colt named Raven.

QWhat are the crossover books in the series?

The two main crossover books where Alec Ramsay's Black Stallion meets Steve Duncan's red stallion Flame are The Black Stallion and Flame (1960) and The Black Stallion Challenged (1964).