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.
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
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
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
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
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
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 relates the ‘creative non-fiction’ time-travel adventure of a modern horsewoman lost in history.
