INTO THE DARK: “A wonderful story for families to share”

Into the Dark, Book #3 of the Legend of the Great Horse trilogy, won best Classic title in the Reader Views Literary Awards — the following is the award review:

“A wonderful story for families to share”

2016 Reader Views Award
“Into the Dark” concludes the Legend of the Great Horse trilogy by John Royce. Time traveler Meagan finds herself waking up in Texas in 1861, where she meets Dan Beardon, owner of the Great Horse Red, and her future soul mate. As Meagan travels through some rough times with Dan she finds herself appreciating him more and more, and is devastated when she is pulled into her next adventure, which is in New York, in 1919. Then she is briefly off to war-torn Poland in 1939. Still seeking a way home, Meagan ends up in the dreary future, finding herself desperate to either go home or be back with Dan. It is in the future that she gains the most knowledge about the past. She also discovers that her special Great Horse’s gift was for time travel. Other Great Horses have different gifts, such as healing.

There is no easy way to have a “happy ending” for a character who was placed on a journey such as this. Meagan learns a lot as she travels through time and experiences each of the Great Horses, as led to her by her special horse, Promise. Meagan’s experiences mature her beyond her years, so that even when she is able to return home, she no longer feels like she belongs. She must decide in her heart where she really wants to be, and figure out how to get there. Her journey is truly incredible.

“Into the Dark” allowed me to jump right into the third book of an incredible trilogy. Having grown up with an affinity towards horses, I found myself relating to the main character; I also gained a greater appreciation for these incredible animals, and the roles that they have played in helping mankind evolve.

I noticed that some websites promoting this book categorize it as being for children from 8-12 years with a 3rd to 7th grade reading level. I have to note that I completely disagree with this categorization. While there is no reason a child should not read this book, I felt that the reading level was much higher and as an adult, I did not feel at all like I was reading a children’s book. I would have loved to have read a novel like this when I was in the age range listed, however, I do not believe that an average reader in that category will find it to be easy reading. No matter what, everyone who reads this trilogy will find themselves truly captivated by the story.

I highly recommend “Into the Dark” by John Royce. I think it is a wonderful story for families to share. Paige Lovitt for Reader Views

» Reader Views Literary Awards – Review of INTO THE DARK

 Into the dark cover image

The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy is a well-researched adventure through history–on horseback. The story is told through the eyes of a modern young horsewoman lost in time.

Into the Dark (Book #3) won best Classic in the Reader Views Literary Awards (2015/2016).

__________

Quick Links:

Icon for The Great Horse on Facebook

Icon for The Great Horse on Facebook

Icon for The Great Horse on Facebook

INTO THE DARK wins best Classic in 2016 Reader Views Awards

INTO THE DARK (Book 3 of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy) has won the 2016 Reader Views Literary Award, for best Classic title!

Into the Dark (Book 3) book cover

Into the Dark by John Royce has won the adult Classic category of the 2016 Reader Views Literary Awards!

The awards are hosted annually by the review site, Reader Views, to acknowledge the best of independently-published American work.

» Reader View Literary Award Winners (2015/2016)

Into the Dark
Book III: The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy

Into the Dark is the third and final book of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy … the historical adventure speeds into modern times.

2016ReaderViewsAward_150w

“A wonderful story for families to share”

“Into the Dark” allowed me to jump right into the third book of an incredible trilogy. Having grown up with an affinity towards horses, I found myself relating to the main character; I also gained a greater appreciation for these incredible animals, and the roles that they have played in helping mankind evolve. Paige Lovitt for Reader Views

» Read full Review

gend of the Great Horse trilogy books (2015)Special thanks to Reader Views

The presence of Reader Views as an independent book resource has been especially important for the The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy.

For the first book, Eclipsed by Shadow, almost a hundred pre-publication review requests were sent out–but only TWO came through: a highly-respected industry recommendation from venerable Library Journal … and one from the independent reviewers at Reader Views! Wendy Cleveland of Reader Views gave the first review of Eclipsed by Shadow, Book I of the trilogy.

In 2009 Eclipsed by Shadow placed second in the Reader Views Awards for Young Adult Fantasy. Eclipsed by Shadow won other national awards including the Eric Hoffer Award for best Young Adult Fiction, and the 2010 Mom’s Choice Award for best family-friendly Young Adult Fantasy … yet the first was through Reader Views!

INTO THE DARK featured in Midwest Book Reviews Bookwatch

I’m catching up with the final two books … here is an older review.

Into the Dark was featured in the venerable Midwest Book Reviews in the June 2013 “Children’s Bookwatch”. It is a wonderful honor!

Cover of INTO THE DARK: The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy (Book 3)

MBR Children’s Bookwatch, The Fiction Shelf:

INTO THE DARK

The third and final novel of the award-winning Great Horse trilogy, Into the Dark is the culmination of a teenager’s mysterious voyage through time and history, in which she witnesses firsthand how horses have been a “silent partner” in human civilization.

Earlier books [ed: this one!] explored the horse’s critical role in the American West; “Into the Dark” continues the human-equine journey to the 20th century and beyond. Horse lovers of all ages will enjoy this thoughtful, character-driven adventure!

Also highly recommended are the previous novels in the series, “Book I: Eclipsed by Shadow” and “Book II: The Golden Spark”.

» Review on Bookwatch

» Review on TheGreatHorse.com

Legend of the Great Horse trilogy books (2015)

“The Legend of the Great Horse” wins the UBR Pitch Perfect Pick selection!

The Golden Spark won … ! The book was chosen as a ‘Perfect Pitch Pick’ by Underground Book Reviews and voted to victory by supporters on Facebook!

AWESOME

Underground Book Reviews sent the following announcement, and The Golden Spark was featured on the online magazine’s front page Wednesday (10/14):

Underground Book Review logoCongratulations!

The Golden Spark was selected as this week’s PPP winner, because it received the most likes and shares on Facebook. Your book will be featured as our Pitch Perfect Pick winner on Wednesday, and the pitch will go out to our 1,000+ magazine subscribers.

From the Underground Book Reviews About page:

At Underground Book Reviews, we think quality writing not only deserves thoughtful, patient analysis, it demands it. We also give indie & self-published authors the same respect we do traditional bestsellers.

I am especially grateful for independent review sites like Underground Book Reviews, who are helping bridge the gaps between independent writing and the system of today’s book industry.