Emily Hinton for the US Review of Books

“Meagan heard shouting behind her as Promise reached for the safety of speed… Wind rose in Meagan’s ears, and time stretched into a series of still photographs as the young thoroughbred gathered and stretched. The ground blurred and together they lifted into the air.”

Eclipsed by Shadow, the first installment of Royce’s Legend of the Great Horse trilogy transforms a majestic beast into a thrilling and intelligent fantasy. The story focuses on Meagan, a twelve-year-old girl, and her foal, Promise. As the two grow older, it becomes clear to Meagan that Promise is a horse of legendary potential, and when ridden, Promise takes Meagan on a journey through time. Meagan must use her knowledge of horsemanship to survive as she joins in periods of remote human history and sees the roles horses have played. The Great Horse is actually a Pegasus who drops her into ancient history to fend for herself. Perils await a young girl with no money, no family, and only her wits and knowledge of horses to help her survive as she battles to return to her own time.

Royce is targeting teens, but the story is accessible to a wider range of readers. The action and thrills of the story are subtly interspersed with colorfully drawn history lessons perfect for engaging readers, and the writing delivers such elegant turns of phrase as to keep teens and adults intrigued. Royce is even makes a quiet ploy for the mainstream teaching of Latin, but in a way that makes the language vibrant. As the summer gets underway, Royce has provided a great blend of academic and adventurous reading that is beach-ready.

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 the summer of 2010.

Contact the Publisher:

Micron Press
www.TheGreatHorse.com
inquiries@MicronPress.com

US Review of Books | Emily Hinton

“Meagan heard shouting behind her as Promise reached for the safety of speed… Wind rose in Meagan’s ears, and time stretched into a series of still photographs as the young thoroughbred gathered and stretched. The ground blurred and together they lifted into the air.”

Eclipsed by Shadow, the first installment of Royce’s Legend of the Great Horse trilogy, transforms a majestic beast into a thrilling and intelligent fantasy. The story focuses on Meagan, a twelve-year-old girl, and her foal, Promise. As the two grow older, it becomes clear to Meagan that Promise is a horse of legendary potential, and when ridden, Promise takes Meagan on a journey through time. Meagan must use her knowledge of horsemanship to survive as she joins in periods of remote human history and sees the roles horses have played. The Great Horse is actually a Pegasus who drops her into ancient history to fend for herself. Perils await a young girl with no money, no family, and only her wits and knowledge of horses to help her survive as she battles to return to her own time.

Royce is targeting teens, but the story is accessible to a wider range of readers. The action and thrills of the story are subtly interspersed with colorfully drawn history lessons perfect for engaging readers, and the writing delivers such elegant turns of phrase as to keep teens and adults intrigued. Royce is even makes a quiet ploy for the mainstream teaching of Latin, but in a way that makes the language vibrant. As the summer gets underway, Royce has provided a great blend of academic and adventurous reading that is beach-ready.

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 the summer of 2010.

‘Eclipsed by Shadow’ Wins Eric Hoffer Book Award for Young Adult (YA) Fiction

Boston, MA (PRWEB) May 27, 2009 — John Royce’s debut novel, Eclipsed by Shadow, has won the Eric Hoffer Book Award for Young Adult (YA) Fiction. The Hoffer Award is presented each year to honor freethinking writers and independent books of exceptional merit.

“Eclipsed by Shadow” is the first book of a new fiction adventure trilogy, “The Legend of the Great Horse,” a fun and engaging portrayal of the history of horsemanship in civilization. This volume begins the journey of a modern-day teenager traveling back in time to explore how horses were used in the past. History comes alive as readers encounter prehistoric horse-hunts and experience the hysteria and thrills of chariot racing, ride with the thundering hordes of Genghis Khan and witness the pageantry of jousting.

Vivid writing and colorful characters (both two- and four-legged) create a fresh, page-turning adventure that educates as it entertains. Library Journal recommends the book, saying “Veteran horseman Royce combines history and myth with action and adventure to create a fast-paced, well-informed tale…” and other critics have ponied up their praise: “Sure to Please!” (Midwest Book Review), “Lots of Horsepower Here!” (Free Lance-Star) and “One of those works you will remember forever.” (2009 Reader Views Literary Award review)

The author, John Royce, is a horseman from Texas with over 25 years of experience in competitive riding, training horses and coaching students. His unique story is the product of 10 years of research. Mr. Royce explains the enduring popularity of horses: “Horses have been with mankind since the beginning–the history of horses is the history of civilization.” The author currently resides in Boston, Massachusetts.

The story is a delightful read for history buffs and horse fans alike, Young Adult (YA) 15+ to adult.

Eclipsed by Shadow (Micron Press | 2008) by John Royce
ISBN 978-0-9724121-3-1
292 Pages, Softcover $15.95

ISBN 978-0-9724121-5-5
304 Pages, Hardcover $24.95

Contact the Publisher:

Micron Press
Robert Hall (r_hall@micronpress.com)
Boston, MA

First Chapter, Bio, Press Kit, and more online at: www.TheGreatHorse.com

Review copies available on request.

- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (via PRWeb) -

Contact: Robert Hall
Email: R_Hall@MicronPress.com

Mysterious Horse Legend Sends Girl on Time-Travel Journey

Once there was a Great Horse, so the legends say–according to one elderly woman. But Meagan cannot believe her horse, Promise, is the one the legend speaks about. Then dishonest horse trainers try to steal Promise, and Meagan’s rescue efforts send her on a most unexpected adventure.

BOSTON, MA September 18, 2008 — Horses have been mankind’s companions since the dawn of civilization. Today many people no longer have relationships with horses, but author John Royce reminds us how closely people and horses have always been linked in Eclipsed by Shadow: The Legend of the Great Horse, Book I of III (ISBN 9780972412131, Micron Press 2008).

When Meagan Robert’s horse, Promise, is born, everyone is interested in the special palomino, especially Ms. Bridgestone, who tells Meagan the legend of the Great Horse throughout history. Ms. Bridgestone believes Promise is the next in line of the Great Horses, but Meagan cannot believe it until crooked horse trainers attempt to steal Promise. Trying to protect her horse, Meagan mounts and is astonished when Promise sprouts wings and turns into “The Great Horse.”

Meagan’s astonishment has only begun. Soon she finds herself traveling back in time to 20,000 B.C. and then forward through history, learning how the horse has been used since the dawn of civilization. She becomes a Roman slave tending chariot racing horses, and visits the Crusades where horses were blindfolded to participate in jousting matches. Throughout her experiences, Meagan uses her 21st century equine insight to survive while helping people understand the true nature of horses.

Eclipsed by Shadow is Book I of III in the “Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy. The legend of the Great Horse is one of an angel who asked to serve mankind when Adam and Eve were cast from Eden. The Lord granted the wish by turning the angel into the Great Horse. Since that time, the Great Horse has returned again and again to serve humanity. This first exciting volume tells the story of the Great Horse through the Middle Ages, while successive volumes will carry the story back up to the twenty-first century.

Author John Royce spent considerable time studying the historical role of horses in cultures throughout the world–from food for prehistoric man to their role in warfare and sport. Royce states that he wrote Eclipsed by Shadow because “the horse is our common legacy” and he wants to remind people no longer familiar with horses of that important relationship. Readers will find themselves caught up in both the instructive history and the fascinating historical episodes Meagan and Promise witness. The novel’s sequels will be eagerly awaited.

About the Author

John Royce is a writer and horseman from Texas who now lives in Boston, Massachusetts. The move to Boston fueled his interest in history, which he combined with his twenty years of training and competitive riding to create his spell binding ode to horsemanship, Eclipsed by Shadow.

Eclipsed by Shadow: The Legend of the Great Horse, Book I of III
(ISBN 9780972412131, Micron Press 2008) can be purchased through local and online bookstores.

For more information, visit www.TheGreatHorse.com.
Publicity contact: Robert Hall (r_hall@micronpress.com)