Stephanie Sullivan: Review

TITLE: Sonora (audiobook)

RATING: ★★★

RELEASE DATE: October 28th, 2025

Summary (from Goodreads): Inspired by a true story of one of the first female horse divers, Sonora explores a world of daring feats and extraordinary adventures set in the heyday of the American carnival scene.

Sonora Webster is penniless but plucky, and despite the looming Great Depression, she follows her wanderlust, answering an advert to dive with horses. Little does she know that she is about to be thrust into a world teeming with danger, excitement, and fierce competition.

As Sonora delves into the cutthroat world of show business, complete with trapeze aerial acts and juggling bears, her undeniable talent and unwavering dedication propel her into the limelight, making her a sensation, and after marrying the show runner, her entire life becomes their act and their horses. But she soon learns that a diver—and her horse—are only as good as their last show, a show some are hellbent on shutting down. When a tragic accident changes her life forever, can Sonora muster the courage to climb the forty-five-foot tower and dive again, risking her life to save the show and their horses from falling into the wrong hands?

REVIEW: Before I picked up this book I had never even heard about female horse divers, so the subject matter was brand new to me, and I found it very interesting. I’m amazed at these women who risked their lives for the sake of entertainment. I don’t think I could’ve been so brave. (Also, I'm deathly afraid of heights so there’s that. LOL) From the very beginning, Sonora Webster is an admirable character, and I enjoyed learning about her life in the circus and the personal struggles she overcame. I’m thankful the author explained more details about the real Sonora and her life following the circus, since the story itself seemed to end kind of abruptly and left me wondering and wanting more information. I believe the book is labeled as adult fiction, but throughout the whole story I felt it leaned more toward the young adult genre. Overall, I would happily recommend it.

(DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own).