Eclipsed by Shadow – Page 24 – THE LEGEND OF THE GREAT HORSE trilogy

Reader’s Review: “… this book would be fantastic for any horse lover—boy or girl.”

ECLIPSED BY SHADOW is such an interesting book! I learned so much about horses in history – it really was intriguing. I think that this book would be fantastic for any horse lover – boy or girl. There are so many different characters interwoven into the fabric of the story that it would appeal to a variety of young adults.—Vikki Gremel, Review the Book

The following is a review of ECLIPSED BY SHADOW by Vikki Gremel for Review the Book.

Review the Book | Vikki Gremel

Eclipsed by Shadow is such an interesting book! I learned so much about horses in history – it really was intriguing. I think that this book would be fantastic for any horse lover – boy or girl. There are so many different characters interwoven into the fabric of the story that it would appeal to a variety of young adults.

I enjoyed the “journey” very much. The opening chapters of the book provided a good background for the story, and I’m very anxious to read Book II. The end of the book leaves you hanging by a thread … wondering where the next adventure will take place.

Meagan, the heroine of the story, is a clever, levelheaded girl. She loves horses, and more importantly, KNOWS horses. Any future horsewoman can glean much from this book.

The importance of kindness both to people and to animals is prevalent throughout the story, and is not “preachy”, just appreciated.

I enjoyed this book! Well done, John Royce!

Eclipsed by Shadow is the first book of the award-winning fiction trilogy, The Legend of the Great Horse, a time-travel adventure through history—on horseback! The story follows the journey of a modern horsewoman lost in the distant past.

The title won the 2009 Eric Hoffer Award for best Young Adult Fiction, and the 2010 Mom’s Choice Award for best family-friendly Young Adult Fantasy.

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

#19- Maybe it’s a good kind of darkness

The woman’s tone was solemn. “My sources call her the Great Traveler, with power to bring darkness to the world. Of course, we wouldn’t be sure unless the Great Horse was actually ridden, but that must never happen.” Meagan’s eyes were wide. “I admit it is strange. In all my readings, Great Horses have never done evil. Perhaps this event has something to do with the millennium change. I can’t explain it.” ~ Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

Meagan gets some not-so-good news about her horse…

The old woman spoke softly. “Seven female foals were born in California at exactly dawn on the summer solstice of 2001. I have acquired all of the foals. All, that is, except yours.”

“Of course, Mrs. Bridgestone,” Jennifer said breezily, “you don’t take this seriously?”

“Oh, but I do, dear. Most seriously.”

“Mrs. Bridgestone?” Meagan asked, hesitating at her mother’s expression. “Do you really think Promise could be the Great Horse?”

“Yes, dear, I do.” The woman’s tone was solemn. “My sources call her the Great Traveler, with power to bring darkness to the world. Of course, we wouldn’t be sure unless the Great Horse was actually ridden, but that must never happen.” Meagan’s eyes were wide. “I admit it is strange. In all my readings, Great Horses have never done evil. Perhaps this event has something to do with the millennium change. I can’t explain it.”

“Maybe it’s a good kind of darkness,” Meagan suggested hopefully.

“Unfortunately, I have found other references that are less reassuring.”

Jennifer interrupted. “Less reassuring?”

Excerpted from pg. 61 of Eclipsed by Shadow, the award-winning 1st volume of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy. (Hrdbk)

Book II: The Golden Spark will be published Fall 2010.

Read the 1st Chapter online!

#18- How to know a Great Horse

“First, a Great Horse is born at dawn. That is an unusual time for mares, as they usually foal near midnight. Secondly, no one can ride a Great Horse without the owner’s permission.” ~ Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

Mrs. Bridgestone tells all…

“First, a Great Horse is born at dawn. That is an unusual time for mares, as they usually foal near midnight. Secondly, no one can ride a Great Horse without the owner’s permission.”

“That’s a good rule,” Meagan said grinning, satisfied with the discussion.

“And third, only the owners of a Great Horse will believe the legend.”

“Why? It makes sense to me.” Meagan squinted at the last line. “What is this word, ‘ichone?’”

“That is how they spelled ‘each one.’ So much of Old English is spelled strangely to us yet has the same sound. Each one of the masters, the owners, is told by a previous owner of the Great Horse. As I am telling you.”

“You owned a Great Horse, Mrs. Bridgestone?”

The wrinkled face clouded. “No, actually not.”

“So why—”

“It is a very nice story.” Jennifer hushed her daughter with a glance. There was no need to disturb this nice woman’s fantasies.

Excerpted from pg. 59 of Eclipsed by Shadow, the award-winning 1st volume of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy. (Hrdbk)

Book II: The Golden Spark will be available Fall 2010.

Notes on “The Mageste Beste” excerpt: Humanity isn’t a constant

Civilization has not been a straight path upward: human empathy and progress have faltered before.

Humanity isn’t a constant; human consciousness ebbs and flows. The recent excerpt “The Mageste Beste” posted from “Eclipsed by Shadow” is written in Old English. Creating this passage from 1190 AD sent me off on a whole tangent of research.

History can scare you

Civilization has not been a straight path upward: human empathy and progress have faltered before. The last great ebb in Western Civilization was the Middle Ages, or medieval era, after the fall of ancient Rome, when humans lost civilization and reverted to brute conditions of bestial poverty.

Thoughts preserved in writings from ancient Rome are actually more modern than the more recent Middle Ages. As an example, the ancient historian, Tacitus (56-120 AD) is often insightful:

“Abuse, if you slight it, will gradually die away; but if you show yourself irritated, you will be thought to have deserved it.”

“Crime, once exposed, has no refuge but in audacity.”

“The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.”

For comparison, the opening translated lines from the Old English work Beowulf, written 7 to 10 centuries after Rome — we aren’t even sure! — begin a work filled with homage to violence and patrimony:

“So. The Spear-Danes in days gone by and the kings who ruled them had courage and greatness.

There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes, a wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging among foes…

A foundling to start with, he would flourish later on.

In the end each clan on the outlying coasts beyond the whale-road had to yield to him and begin to pay tribute. That was a good king.“

Beowulf says this about human nature: “It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning.”

Centuries earlier, the old Roman Tacitus attempted an explanation: “Men are more ready to repay an injury than a benefit because gratitude is a burden and revenge a pleasure.”

A difference in quality of thought becomes evident when reading translations from ancient Rome and those, centuries later, from the Middle Ages.