MicronPress – Page 8 – THE LEGEND OF THE GREAT HORSE trilogy

Bookwatch: “Well written, exceptional story, interesting characters, and a learning experience”

In this book I learned so much about [the horse’s] 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.—Shirley Johnson, Bookwatch

March 2, 2009 | The following is a new review of Eclipsed by Shadow by Shirley Johnson, Senior Reviewer for The Bookwatch at Midwest Book Review.

Shirley Johnson | MBR Bookwatch

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, arriving this Summer with a fresh and original look at the colorful role of horses in civilization. The story follows the time-travel adventure of a modern horsewoman lost in history.

Further information about this unique and imaginative ‘creative non-fiction’ novel can be found at TheGreatHorse.com.

Weatherford Daily News: Fantasy & horse lovers of all ages will enjoy “Eclipsed by Shadow”

Fantasy and horse lovers of all ages will enjoy a new book titled ECLIPSED BY SHADOW, the Legend of the Great Horse, written by John Royce. This is book one of a projected three book series.—Dee Ann Ray, “Books are my Bag” Weatherford Daily News

The following review of Eclipsed by Shadow appeared in the February 21, 2009 issue of the Weatherford Daily News.

Dee Ann Ray | Books are my Bag

Fantasy and horse lovers of all ages will enjoy a new book titled “Eclipsed by Shadow, the Legend of the Great Horse”, written by John Royce. This is book one of a projected three book series.

It is published by Micron Press, 71 Prince Street, Suite #35, Boston, MA 02113. Micron Press has a website which will accept email at inquiries@micronpress.com.

Megan, her mother Jennifer and father Tom Roberts live on a farm which allows them to have a horse named ‘Moose’. Jennifer raised ‘Moose’. She and her daughter share the love of horses and are excited about the upcoming birth of Moose’s foal.

“Legend of the Great Horse” begins with the death of ‘Moose’ in order to save the life of her foal. The beautiful foal is a palomino, unusual for a thoroughbred horse. The foal survives and thrives. Megan and Jennifer name the foal ‘Bright Promise’. Tom loves Megan and Jennifer and pays the horse bills.

The body of the story begins three years later when the vet clears ‘Bright Promise’ for riding. Lurking through the years awaiting the development of the foal is someone who sees all kinds of racing purses attached to the hoofs of Bright Promise. At first opportunity, the thief steals the horse. The horse outwits the crook to return home, but is quickly found by the thief. Megan is drawn into the drama when she is delighted to see the return of her beloved horse, but can see ‘Bright Promise’ has been mistreated.

The thief arrives to take the horse again and threatens both Megan and ‘Bright Promise’ with a gun. Seeing an opportunity to jump a fence and escape, Megan throws herself on her horse’s back. To Megan’s surprise, ‘Bright Promise’ not only jumps the space, but goes back in time with Megan aboard. So begins the adventure of tracing the history of horses.

A glossary of horse terms is included for those who need it.

This book can be obtained at your favorite bookstore/on-line book source, library or directly from Micron Press at the address given earlier in this column.

Further information about this unique historical fiction novel can be found at TheGreatHorse.com.

Amazon Top 50 Reviewer: “Captives on a Carousel of Time”

This sweeping historical fantasy should have an impact on its reader that penetrates far beyond the boundaries of the usual Young Adult novel. It teaches lessons about history and horsemanship, and what it really means to be ‘civilized.’—E.A. Lovitt, Amazon Hall of Fame Reviewer

The following is a review of Eclipsed by Shadow by Top Amazon Reviewer E.A. Lovitt (Starmoth)

E. A. Lovitt “Starmoth”
HALL OF FAME • TOP 500 REVIEWER

This sweeping historical fantasy should have an impact on its reader that penetrates far beyond the boundaries of the usual YA (Young Adult) novel. It teaches lessons about history and horsemanship, and what it really means to be ‘civilized.’

Eclipsed by Shadow reminds me of “The Carousel,” a ballad by Buffy Sainte-Marie: “Flying horses they are just/ Little girls who wish too much…” Teenage equestrienne, Meagan Roberts gets the filly of her dreams, born on the summer solstice of the new millennium. Unfortunately, the foal’s mother dies and the little palomino filly comes with an ancient warning:

“…So born of loss and mother’s grief, the Great Horse takes a mighty leap. Eclipsed by shadow, the golden spark/ Shall wing her rider into the dark.”

When Meagan takes that first ride on her filly, she is swept backward into Time and is forced to experience the dark side of the relationship between horse and human.

The overall vision of Eclipsed by Shadow is difficult to comprehend, because this is only Book I of a projected trilogy. The narrative ends abruptly and reads more like a series of short stories as Meagan occupies brief periods of prehistory and history. Each segment vividly describes our evolving relationship with the horse: slaughter and eat; sacrifice to the gods; kill for pleasure (I wish Meagan could have visited Xenophon’s Greece instead of Trajan’s Rome).

Bad guys are painted with a broad brush, but good guys are delineated with respect and care. I wanted to stay in Rome with Horace, the poet/gladiator. I hated to cut my visit short with Chouchou, the laid-back medieval warhorse. The author’s portrait of Meagan and her equine friends is especially sensitive, illuminated with the touch, scent, and emotion that only a true horseman could know and understand.

Further information about this unique and imaginative novel can be found at TheGreatHorse.com.

Midwest Book Review: Eclipsed by Shadow “Sure to Please”

ECLIPSED BY SHADOW is a new fantasy that is sure to please fantasy fans and horse fanatics alike.—Midwest Book Review

The following is a review of Eclipsed by Shadow by the Midwest Book Review.

Midwest Book Review | Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

The horse is the only animal that has the chance of wrestling the title of Man’s Best friend away from the dog.

Eclipsed by Shadow: The Legend of the Great Horse is the tale of a young equinophile who is swept into time. Armed with only her extensive knowledge of horses, she must find someway to survive the strange circumstances laid out in front of her.

Eclipsed by Shadow is a new fantasy that is sure to please fantasy fans and horse fanatics alike.

» See original review online

Further information about this unique and imaginative ‘creative non-fiction’ novel can be found at TheGreatHorse.com.