Horse Punk
by Linda Jisun Lee

"Lovers of horse stories will be particularly enamored with this one, but the interplay between Rose and her friends is likely to give the novel wider appeal. An immersive fictional exploration of teen identity, Southern Californian music culture, and the power of human-animal connection."

                                      — Kirkus Reviews

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True love for animals never dies...

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After discovering a cryptic family secret, Korean American high schooler Rose Moon escapes to where her mysterious identity doesn't matter: a local punk music show. The raucous night spontaneously ends at her childhood barn where she meets Starla, a horse who quietly reawakens Rose’s innate connection with animals.

Starla is in a disturbing predicament with her opportunistic owner Lula May, who views the mustang as a disposable prop for her corrupt and faltering art career. As Rose and barn manager Ethan navigate a plan to ensure Starla’s safety, Rose's ability to tap into the energy of animals ultimately expands and unveils her own life path.

This time-bending glimpse of Southern California—from radio shows to zines to crosstown culture clashes—confronts exploitation, art, and the magnitude of choice and rebellion in human and nonhuman coexistence.

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About The Author

Linda Jisun Lee is a writer, curator and researcher. She previously worked at the RAND Corporation in Santa Monica, directed a contemporary art gallery in Los Angeles, and lobbied at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, helping to secure the adoption of a human rights resolution. She has a BA in International Relations and an MA in Public Art Studies from the University of Southern California. ​​