Wildfire

"Wildfire" by Zane Grey is a story set in the American West, centered on Lucy Bostil, a determined young woman tied to the desert around Bostil's Ford. The novel explores themes of romance, ambition, and competition through horse racing and the longing for independence. Lucy's connection to nature and her love for horses are challenged by her father's expectations and the rivalries within her community. As Lucy turns eighteen, her riding of a forbidden horse ignites the start of her adventure and reveals the tensions between her father, John Bostil, and their rival, Joel Creech. One major conflict is introduced involving a contentious race between Bostil's horse, the Sage King, and Creech's horse, the Blue Roan. This sets the stage for conflicts between Lucy's ambitions and the rivalries that will decide her fate.