The following is an archived review from Bob Spear of Heartland Reviews. Mr. Spear is no longer offering his standard review service, which is a loss to the industry. In his words: “My health and time constraints preclude me from offering free book reviews any more. If the mainstream reviewers such as Kirkus, Foreword Magazine, and Bowker feel comfortable in charging for their reviews, I just can’t justify providing a free service any more. Over the past six years, I have read and written reviews for almost 2,000 books, at a great personal sacrifice for my family and me.”

This is a great loss to readers, and yet another indication of the great changes being wrought in publishing in the aftermath of the massive corporatization of the field. The old gentleman’s (and gentlewoman’s) understanding of offering free reviews with integrity on behalf of the public has been almost lost. In a time when a failing school has its funds cut but a failing bank is given more, maybe we humans can pause to reflect on our priorities.

Mr. Spear’s review of “Eclipsed by Shadow” follows. It was the book’s first pre-publication review by the publishing industry, and led to the honor of being named a GRREAT Read (Gifted & Reluctant Readers Explore Amazing Titles).

This fascinating YA first book of a trilogy on the history of man’s relationships with the horse is particularly well done.

Meagan, a young teenager, witnesses the arrival of a new colt she names Promise. She enjoys socializing the colt and caring for him until it’s time for him to grow up with other colts. Several years later, the now young adult horse returns to Meagan’s horse farm to begin saddle training. Unfortunately, a crooked horse trainer is out to steal Promise. Meagan stumbles on the plot and manages to leap onto Promises back and jumps a fence in order to escape. Suddenly Promise sprouts wings and carries Meagan back in time to caveman times. Meagan falls off, only to find herself in the middle of a caveman horse hunt for fresh food. After a short time there, she jumps on another horse and finds herself as a slave in Rome , and then she moves forward to ride with the Mongols. After more hard times, she moves forward in time to the times of the Crusades, where the book ends with the reader anxious to know what is next.

This series teaches not only the history of Man’s relationship with the horse, but the history and day to day cultures of different civilizations of the past. We rated this first book five hearts.

Thank you, Mr. Spear, and best wishes for the future!