The following is a review of Eclipsed by Shadow by Shirley Johnson, Senior Reviewer of the Midwest Book Review. (see original citation page)
Midwest Book Review – Bookwatch | Shirley Johnson
Meagan, like her mother, loves horses. When a new foal is born and the foal’s mother dies Meagan begins a bond with this horse that will take her on an adventure of a lifetime.
A mysterious neighborhood lady shares with Meagan and her mother a legend, one of “The Great Horse,” a horse that has been part of history since the beginning of man. A horse that is supernatural, one that was meant to help Adam and Eve. She tells them she believes Meagan’s horse may well be the next “Great Horse.” Meagan’s mother dismisses this tale as just a myth, but Meagan is not so sure.
It seems others are interested in her horse as well and plan to have him at any cost.This puts Meagan and the horse in grave danger. While trying to escape from a horse abduction, Meagan mounts her horse and to her surprise is taken to flight above the earth, and travels in time, and so Meagan and her horse begin the ride of their lives and the adventures begin. We are taken from prehistoric America, to Rome and medieval times, and are introduced to characters both cruel and tender as Meagan desperately tries to piece together what is happening and bring both herself and her horse safely home. Quite a ride!
I enjoyed this book. I really had no idea of the extent the subject matter would have in educating me to the history of the horse. I truly admire horses, although I have never been one to ride them, I have always enjoyed their beauty. In this book I learned so much about their past and what an important role they played in the development of mankind. Some of the events left me disturbed, others were intense, but each episode was definitely a learning experience. The characters were well developed and the locals were defined in an exceptional way, definitely bringing you right in the center of the action.
Final analysis: Well written, exceptional story, interesting characters, and a learning experience. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Eclipsed by Shadow is the first book of the new fiction trilogy, The Legend of the Great Horse. The second volume, The Golden Spark, is due to be published in 2010.
