Eclipsed by Shadow – Page 31 – THE LEGEND OF THE GREAT HORSE trilogy

The Nashville News: “A delightful read for history buffs and horse fans alike”

This engaging book will especially appeal to young adult readers and educators. The story combines fast-paced adventure with accurate information about horsemanship and the various historical periods explored.—Mary Barrett, The Nashville News

March 2, 2009 | The following is a new review of Eclipsed by Shadow by Mary Barrett (“Let’s Read”) appearing in The Nashville News:

Mary Barrett | Let’s Read!

This book brings to life man’s fascinating partnership with the horse. Teenage and adult readers will thrill to this remarkable story featuring the horse’s role in history. Readers become part of the adventure as they travel back to the days when primitive man stalked horses as prey, and witness the development of horsemanship in ancient and medieval cultures. This engaging book will especially appeal to young adult readers and educators. The story combines fast-paced adventure with accurate information about horsemanship and the various historical periods explored.

This is a delightful read for history buffs and horse fans alike. The second book will be The Golden Spark. Eclipsed by Shadow won the Eric Hoffer Award for Young Adults and placed 2nd in the 2008 Reader Views Literary Awards for Fantasy.

Eclipsed by Shadow can be found at your local bookstore, by using the website TheGreatHorse.com or through online booksellers like Amazon.com.

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

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

Eric Hoffer Award: “Thrilling and intelligent fantasy”

The following is the Eric Hoffer Award review of Eclipsed by Shadow that was featured in the 2009 edition of the US Review of Books.

[See featured review]

Eric Hoffer Awards | 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.

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

The Great Horse “Incitatus”

chariot-racing-coin A new review by Mara Dabrishus of the blog Whitebrook Farm mentions Incitatus, a famed Roman chariot-racing stallion favored by the third Emperor Caligula (24-41 AD) to the point of obsession.

The book passage mentioning Incitatus comes during a visit to the strange library of Mrs. Bridgestone, an eccentric woman who has made a collection of evidence about the “Legend of the Great Horse.”

Meagan was stopped before a crumbling box mounted on a low pedestal. The object was corroded and gray from age.

“It doesn’t look it, I know, but that is said to be the remains of the manger of the Roman Emperor Caligula’s favorite race horse, Incitatus. Caligula had a stable of marble and gold built for the stallion, complete with furnishings and servants. Though horses are strict vegetarians, Incitatus was fed mice dipped in butter and marinated squid.” Mrs. Bridgestone added more quietly, “Of course, the man was considered dangerously insane.” [pg 48, Eclipsed by Shadow (pbk)]

Incitatus was said to have never lost a race, and was showered with gifts and honors by the Supreme Leader of Rome. The stallion was given a stable of marble and a manger of ivory, and is said to have been been fed an extreme diet of delicacies (though he reputedly ate only from his bowl of barley mixed with gold flakes.) Dignitaries were “invited” to dine with Incitatus, whose palatial home was furnished with fine art.

Troops were stationed in the neighborhood of Incitatus‘ marble stables before a race to ensure the stallion’s rest, and the Emperor was said to have conducted a long household debate as to whether to marry the horse to secure his dynasty. In a final insult to the Senate, Caligula planned to make Incitatus a consul of Rome.

After Caligula’s timely death from assassination, Incitatus was reportedly down-graded to a stall in a regular stable without complaint (and probably much relief). Unfortunately Caligula’s corruption was an omen. Rome was able to rid itself of the megalomaniac leader, but never could return to the citizen government of the Republic and escape the insanity of absolute rule.

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

John Royce’s debut novel “Eclipsed by Shadow” has won the Eric Hoffer Book Award for Young Adult (YA) Fiction for its fun and engaging portrayal of the history of horsemanship in civilization.
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prweb

‘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
71 Prince Street, #35
Boston, MA 02113
(617) 301-2901

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

Review copies available on request.