Rough Magic

Think the next Educated or Wild. Palmer’s memoir of beating the odds to become a horse champion is an inspiring saga of perseverance — and a classic underdog tale.

Entertainment Weekly

Prior-Palmer's style is a fascinating mix of pep and poignancy. A really terrific story by a spirited new voice.

Sara Baume

[Prior-Palmer's] gorgeous, sensual depiction of this race is a literary marvel; it feels like you are riding alongside her across the desolate steppes; her verbal acuity makes vivid the most elusive of landscapes; her triumph becomes ours.

NYLON

In this sensual, spiritual memoir, Prior-Palmer recounts her grueling journey through immense physical hardship, and her surprising transformation from underdog to champion

Esquire

Absolutely riveting.

Buzzfeed

Filled with soulful self-reflection and race detail, this fast-paced page-turner is a thrill ride from start to finish.

Publishers Weekly

Feisty and exhilarating . . . Horse lovers will adore this inspiring and spirited memoir.

Kirkus Reviews

Prior-Palmer may be a gifted equestrian, but also she’s a born writer. . . . The journey, told through Prior Palmer’s voice, would’ve been interesting even without the satisfaction of victory

Refinery 29

Prior-Palmer writes with a dash and boldness few writers possess. . . Her narrative alchemy is remarkable

NPR

Such an addictive and likeable book. It’s not really about horse riding. It’s about female nonconformity and a desire to plug into the thrills and torments of existence *****

The Telegraph

An astonishing and hair-raising memoir that you, too, will race to finish.

Newsweek

A riot.

Metro

It’s the resistance to the obvious narratives that makes Rough Magic so appealing: the book undermines lazy women-in-the-wilderness tropes at every turn.

Sarah Moss, Guardian

Rough Magic is transporting, beguiling and terrifically entertaining.

Daily Mail

A heroic tale beautifully told

TLS