The Legend of the Great Horse » equestrian

Amazon Hall of Fame Reviewer: The Golden Spark “Clothed with Thunder”

Admin2 — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:05:10 +0000

Clothed with Thunder
By E. A. Lovitt “starmoth”
Amazon Hall of Fame Reviewer | Top 100 Reviewer

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Nov 29, 2011 | See all Reviews on Amazon.com

Book II of The Legend of the Great Horse continues John Royce’s sweeping historical fantasy about horses and horsemanship, and I am very much looking forward to learning why 16-year-old Meagan Roberts was flung backward into time. Don’t listen to anyone who tries to label this trilogy as a work of juvenile fiction. It is much more than that.

In this middle volume, Meagan travels to Mexico with Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro, the Spanish Conquistador who brought about the fall of the mighty Aztec Empire, partially through his employment of horses, which the Aztecs had never seen. Meagan wins the approval of the Spanish Captain by caring for his war stallion during a storm at sea.

Her next time-jump lands Meagan in the court of Louis XIV of France, the Sun King. His Manège du Grandes Ecuries du Château de Versailles (the Riding School of the Grand Stable of Versailles) influenced the development of equitation in 17th Century Europe. Although the author accurately portrays Louis XIV’s passion for elaborate equestrian performances, the King’s relationship with Meagan, who is posing as an English stable-hand, is scarcely believable. Although Louis spoke French, Latin, Spanish, and Italian, I don’t believe he ever learned English (he had no reason to), and he was an absolute monarch who distanced himself from ordinary people behind an impenetrable thicket of court etiquette. One had to be a nobleman just to empty the King’s chamber pot.

However, Meagan’s relationship with Nero, the high-strung dressage gelding is the highlight of this adventure in time. The horses are the true nobility in this book, not their sometimes cruel and ignorant masters.

John Royce saves the best for last: Meagan’s final time-jump in The Golden Spark lands her in with the family of a horse trainer in Regency England. The description of our heroine’s participation in a neck-or-nothing foxhunt is alive with the colors, scents, and sounds of a spectacle that has now been voted into extinction in the country of its origin. This author’s narrative is the next-best thing to actually saddling up and following the hounds.

Book II: The Golden Spark reviewer: “Very entertained…”

Admin2 — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 21:37:27 +0000

The following is a review of The Golden Spark from the LibraryThing Early Reviewer program:

“Very Entertained” | LibraryThing Early Review

This is the first book I read by Royce and I have to say I was very entertained. Time Travel is my favorite genre, so I knew it would appeal to me on some level. However I would not have thought a book that helps you to understand the equestrian “how to’s” would be interesting. But I enjoyed it very much.

This would make a good “Choose Your Own Adventure” book so you could determine when she jumps through time. This book made me recall a scripture in Job that talks about the strength, power and fearlessness of the horse:

“It laughs at dread,and is not terrified. Nor does it turn back on account of a sword.” Job 339:22

See the original review on LibraryThing … or in The Legend of the Great Horse Media Kit

The Golden Spark is the 2nd volume of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy, a time-travel adventure through history … on horseback. The title was named an Independent Publisher Highlighted Title – Summer 2011.

Eclipsed by Shadow review … “fun and engrossing”

admin — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 14:18:12 +0000

The following is a book review of Eclipsed by Shadow by Julie Dees of One Book Shy of a Full Shelf (see original review source):

“A book adults and kids can both read and discuss” | Julie Dees

History, fantasy, myth, adventure and proper equine care all shine brightly in this first book in the trilogy. Royce weaves all of these elements together beautifully and young readers probably won’t even notice that they are learning about history and horse care while on this great ride back through time. I learned quite a bit myself and I grew up on a horse ranch with horses always in my life. This was a “can’t put down” book for me.

There is a very small bit of violence (as there always is when war is involved) but I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone over about 10 or 11. Especially horselovers or adventurers. Young horsemen and horsewomen will see themselves as I did in the bond that is shared by Meagan and Promise and that which Jennifer had shared with Moose ~ Promise’s dam. (Dam is what the mare is called when she gives birth or foals.)

This is definitely a book that adults and kids can both read and discuss. There is a thorough glossary in the back that would be an extremely useful tool for all. On the learning side, I think this would be a fantastic series for riding instructors and first time horse owners as well. For the adventure and fantasy lovers, some other readers have compared this to an equine version of the “Harry Potter” series. It’s a fun and engrossing story that has just begun and none of us will want to end!

Update: The 2nd installment, The Golden Spark is available now. I CAN’T WAIT!!!! This is one of those series where I could read all three books in one long session if I had them – it’s that addictive. Go HERE to learn more about the author and the series.

See the original review on the “One Book Shy of a Full Shelf” site … or in The Legend of the Great Horse Media Kit

Eclipsed by Shadow is the 1st volume of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy, a time-travel adventure through history — on horseback. The title has won multiple national awards including the Eric Hoffer Award for best Young Adult Fiction, and the Mom’s Choice Award for best family-friendly Young Adult Fantasy.

Eclipsed by Shadow (Book One): “Interesting & Intriguing”

admin — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:37:40 +0000

The following is a review of Eclipsed by Shadow by Vikki Gremel for Review the Book:

“Fantastic for any horse lover – boy or girl.” | Vikki Gremel, Review the Book

Eclipsed by Shadow is such an interesting book! I learned so much about horses in history – it really was intriguing. I think that this book would be fantastic for any horse lover – boy or girl. There are so many different characters interwoven into the fabric of the story that it would appeal to a variety of young adults.

I enjoyed the “journey” very much. The opening chapters of the book provided a good background for the story, and I’m very anxious to read Book II. The end of the book leaves you hanging by a thread… wondering where the next adventure will take place.

Meagan, the heroine of the story, is a clever, levelheaded girl. She loves horses, and more importantly, KNOWS horses. Any future horsewoman can glean much from this book.

The importance of kindness both to people and to animals is prevalent throughout the story, and is not “preachy”, just appreciated.

I enjoyed this book! Well done, John Royce!

See the original review on the “Review the Book” site … or in the Great Horse Media Kit

Eclipsed by Shadow: “Powerful and thrilling”

admin — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:19:12 +0000

This following is a review of Eclipsed by Shadow (Book I of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy ) by Amanda of Novel Addiction:

“As a bit of a History nerd, I was in love with the accurate details during each time period.”

“The back of the book really doesn’t do this series justice. It makes the whole story sound flippant and childish, even. But really, I found this book to be far more powerful than the blurb. Yes, we do follow a young girl (she’s 15 through most of the book), and yes, she does travel through time, but these aren’t easy things Meagan is dealing with. And despite the young age of the main character, I’m not sure I would give this book to a fifteen year old … unless he or she was very mature. There are definitely some harsh moments in “Eclipsed by Shadow.” Not to give too much away, but death, rape, slavery, beatings, etc, are all issues Meagan has to see and live in fear of. All this lends to a very powerful and thrilling tale, definitely, but this book should definitely not be taken lightly.

…

I’m going to give “Eclipsed By Shadow” a FIVE out of FIVE. I truly think this book deserves such a good rating – the history was accurately done, even down the smallest detail, the journey is amazing, and Meagan really rose to each occasion she was thrown into. I do hope to find the rest of this series and continue reading them, and I hope everyone checks out “Eclipsed by Shadow” by John Royce.

(see original review online … or in media kit)

Eclipsed by Shadow is the 1st volume of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy, a time-travel adventure through history — on horseback. The title won national awards including the Eric Hoffer Award for best Young Adult Fiction, and the Mom’s Choice Award for best family-friendly Young Adult Fantasy.

The Golden Spark review: “…appropriate for almost all ages”

admin — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:52:02 +0000

Book Review of The Golden Spark:

LibraryThing Early Reviewer | SusieBookworm

“Appropriate for almost all ages”

Just as good as the first Legend of the Great Horse book.

I like John Royce’s writing because he manages to write historical fiction that includes not only good historical details, but also details about the history of domestic horses and the evolution of horse riding. Not only does he include a lot of facts about horses, he manages to make those facts interesting for people who are not really that interested in horses.

Royce also keeps his books appropriate for almost all ages of readership: teenagers are able to get into and enjoy the books, yet they are still appropriate for much younger readers.

After traveling to prehistoric times, the Mongol invasions, medieval Europe, 1500s Mexico, 17th century France, and early 19th century England, it will be interesting to see where the Great Horse takes Meagan next.

See the review in the Media Kit

Read reviews on LibraryThing…