Library Thing Early Reviewer | MrsRenee

I was excited when I found out that I had won a copy of The Golden Spark to review. Many thanks to Library Thing and the Early Reviewers group for the opportunity to review this book!

The Golden Spark, book 2 in The Legend of the Great Horse series opens with the last chapter of book 1 in the series, Eclipsed by Shadow. It follows the adventures of a young horse-loving teenager, Meagan who is lost in history trying to find her way home to the 21st century.

Meagan’s first magical journey finds her waking up in a horse stall with a magnificent horse as a fierce storm is tossing the great ship to and fro. She soon finds out she is in Mexico around 1519 and she has only her love of horses and her 21st-century horse knowledge to help her as she struggles to get home.

History comes to life as her journey takes her from Mexico 1519 to Medieval Europe, Rome, the Black Sea and to 20,000 B.C. North America. With each stop Meagan searches for the Great Horse whom she believes is responsible for her time travels and is the only one who can help her find her way home.

My kids and I LOVED this book! It brings history to life and we sat on the edge of our seats while we read this book.

I do, however recommend reading these books in order as it was a bit difficult to follow along with the second book without having read the first one. I’m looking forward to reading book 1, Eclipsed by Shadow!

See review on LibraryThing…

The Golden Spark is the 2nd book of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy, an intriguing and fun time-travel adventure through history — on horseback. (Published Spring 2011)

Book I: Eclipsed by Shadow won national awards including the Eric Hoffer Award for best Young Adult Fiction, and the 2010 Mom’s Choice Award for best family-friendly Young Adult Fantasy.

Library Thing Early Reviewer | jll112

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 review on LibraryThing…

The Golden Spark is the 2nd book of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy, an intriguing and fun time-travel adventure through history — on horseback. (Published Spring 2011)

Book I: Eclipsed by Shadow won national awards including the Eric Hoffer Award for best Young Adult Fiction, and the 2010 Mom’s Choice Award for best family-friendly Young Adult Fantasy.

The equestrian site HorseGroomingSupplies.com opened its forums to offer their members an Advance Review Copy of Eclipsed by Shadow.

Comments came back from readers all around the United States and Canada.

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The equestrian’s version of the Harry Potter series

I think I made record time in finishing the book… I couldn’t pull myself away, once Meagan got to Rome I was stuck in the book.

The character is someone most horse women will be able to identify with, whether they are the character’s age or long past I believe we all dreamed of equine adventures like hers, being able to be strong, yet compassionate.

What really surprised me was the equine and historical accuracy; the author must be a horseman since he managed to avoid a lot of the misconceptions that a lot of books/tv shows/movies fall for. I really can’t wait for the next book in the series and will be recommending it to others. To me this is the equestrian’s version of the Harry Potter series; I can’t wait for the next book to see what happens to our young equestrian dreamer.

Sabrina, California

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Up front I want to say that I loved the book

For anyone that loves horses and love to read, it is an excellent well written story and I look forward to reading books II and III.

The descriptions of places, things, people and horses is great. There is not ‘too much’ or too little. I think there are many authors who try to go into too much description, and thus lose the reader to them instead of keeping on track with the story. That is not the case here, but there is enough description to paint a picture of everything, and the interactions and words spoken by the characters helps to paint that picture.

I love the different times. The author did a wonderful job of doing research into the eras mentioned to include daily life and the culture. The characters from each of these times contributes to the era through their actions and words and helps the reader to understand that era better.

The end of the book is a cliffhanger and I cannot wait to read the next book. It is a great way to lead readers into wanting to read the next book to find out what happens to Meagan. I look forward to reading Book II. Thank you for allowing me to be a Pioneer Reader, and if you have any specific answer you want as to my thoughts on the book, please write back!

Thank you,

Crystal, Camp Ramadi

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The perfect reading experience

Eclipsed By Shadow is definitely one of the best horse books I have ever read. The research was impeccable, and told the truth, not just the romantic, nice parts about it. It was nice to finally find a book that wasn’t too fast or too slow. I often find myself rushed throughout a story, as if I can’t catch up, or bogged down with the details. This book was the perfect reading experience, that provided a strong image of exactly what was going on. I was never lost, or confused, nor did I have to go back and re-read parts that I didn’t understand.

I couldn’t put the book down from start to finish, and nearly died when I read that the next installments wouldn’t come out until later. Definitely a page turner, with a suspenseful ending that left me pining for the next one.

Thank you so much for this awesome experience!

Anika, Georgia

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Take a chance; pick it up and read it – you won’t regret it!

I can honestly say that Eclipsed by Shadow is one of the most amazing books I have come across in my lifetime.

I am an avid reader of horse books, and always have been, but I can’t say that I have ever been terribly interested in history. For the author, John Royce, to combine history with horses was an absolutely brilliant idea and the outcome is incredible. Not only did I get to enjoy reading about horses but I also learned a whole lot about the history of our world and how things once were. The author seemed to capture the essence of the horses in the story, which I think is a big part of what makes it such a fantastic book.

I had a very hard time putting this book down once I started reading it and I am positive it will be the same with the next two! With its interesting plot, good character development, descriptive nature, and educational qualities, I would highly recommend this book to anyone. I don’t think I can put into words how much I enjoyed this book, so you will have to check it out yourself. Take a chance; pick it up and read it – you won’t regret it!”

Cayce V | BC, Canada
Miniature Horse Breeder

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From start to finish I did NOT want to put it down

I have just finished with Eclipsed by Shadow and I have to say it has been one of the most well written horse stories I’ve read in a long, long time. From start to finish I did NOT want to put it down. I was riveted from the first page to the last, and I was very saddened that the next book will not be out until next fall.

I am very grateful that I was able to get an advanced review copy, and would do it again in a heartbeat. I have recommended this book to all my horsey friends.

The writing was incredible!

- Jessica P, North Carolina

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