Young Adult – Page 8 – THE LEGEND OF THE GREAT HORSE trilogy

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

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.

The Free Lance-Star: “Lots of Horsepower Here!”

Author John Royce promises that ECLIPSED BY SHADOW is the first in a trilogy of books about the Great Horse. Though there is some graphic violence, there’s also a good read within its pages. Young adults will learn about how horses have been used throughout the ages and a good bit of world history. They’ll also find themselves engrossed in Meagan’s adventures. —Laura L. Hutchinson, Free Lance-Star

The following is an editorial review of Eclipsed by Shadow by Laura Hutchinson of the Free Lance-Star:

Free Lance-Star | Laura L. Hutchinson

“Great Horse” takes Rider on Trip Through History

Meagan Roberts names the foal born on the summer solstice, June 21, 2001, “Promise.” The horse is unique in many ways. But when an old woman tells Meagan and her mother that Promise may be the latest in a long line of Great Horses, they doubt the old woman’s sanity.

But Meagan soon finds the woman’s tales to be true, as she is transported back through history. She finds herself in the days of cave men, who slaughtered horses for food. Then she winds up in Rome, where horses are brutally used in chariot races. She finally finds herself riding with Genghis Khan and his raiders, then with the knights of the Crusades.

Author John Royce promises that Eclipsed by Shadow is the first in a trilogy of books about the Great Horse. Though there is some graphic violence, there’s also a good read within its pages. Young adults will learn about how horses have been used throughout the ages and a good bit of world history. They’ll also find themselves engrossed in Meagan’s adventures.

>> See original entry in The Free Lance-Star [PDF]

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

Rebecca’s Reads: “An Adventure Young & Old will Love to Read”

ECLIPSED BY SHADOW is an adventure about the love of horses that young and old will love to read. The history of the horse is only part of the book. Meagan’s interaction with the people of each era is amazing to read. The intertwining of horse history with the fantasy of winged horses makes for a book you can enjoy and learn from at the same time.—Allison King, Rebecca’s Reads

The following is a new review of Eclipsed by Shadow by Allison King for Rebecca’s Reads.

Rebecca’s Reads | Allison King

John Royce brings to life the story of a young, horse-crazed teenager named Meagan and her horse named Promise. Even as the summer solstice brings happiness in the birth of Promise, mystery surrounds her from that day forward. People start coming around Meagan’s house asking questions about Promise and wanting to purchase her. An older lady in particular talks to Meagan and her mom about the history of the Great Horse. She feels that Promise may be that horse, but of the “dark” variety. The only way to know is for the owner to ride the horse. Meagan and her family don’t know whether to believe this woman or not, but one night some men try and steal Promise. Meagan takes it upon herself to save Promise, but the only way to do so is to ride her. You can only imagine the look on her face when Promise sprouts wings and takes Meagan on the ride of her life. This is where the story really begins.

Her adventure takes her from the time of the caveman to Ancient Rome to Genghis Khan to the Crusades. As time and history goes by, she sees how the horse has gone from something eaten for food to being used as weapons in attacks. She realizes that she must use her equestrian knowledge to help her survive these different periods in history. Each time, she waits for Promise to come back to take her home.

Eclipsed by Shadow is an adventure about the love of horses that young and old will love to read. The history of the horse is only part of the book. Meagan’s interaction with the people of each era is amazing to read. The intertwining of horse history with the fantasy of winged horses makes for a book you can enjoy and learn from at the same time. The book will pull you in to the darkness of history and not let you stop reading until you get to the end. I can’t wait for the next book to come out!

The Publishing Contrarian: “Smart Dialogue and Jaw-Dropping Action”

History truly “comes alive” as Royce turns Meagan into a living, breathing participant among historically accurate depictions of events. The dialog feels real. (”Be you a Tatar? For the nones, say be not a Tatar!”) The action never ends. (Charioteers, rampaging Mongolians!) The fear is palpable. (I won’t give it away!) And always, there are the horses.—Lynne Scanlon, The Publishing Contrarian

The first pre-publication review of Eclipsed by Shadow was given by Lynne Scanlon, aka The Publishing Contrarian.

The Publishing Contrarian | Lynne Scanlon

Smart dialogue and jaw-dropping action make Eclipsed by Shadow a surprise page turner. Although it is a kind of road trip book, there is no clicking your heels together three times to get back to Kansas in this story. The journey Meagan, the 15-year-old heroine, takes is nothing akin to traveling the Yellow Brick Road in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Eclipsed by Shadow is the first volume in a new trilogy, The Legend of the Great Horse. Knowing that, the reader also knows there will be a cliff-hanger ending, and there is. The author, John Royce, who really knows his horses and his history has crafted an extremely erudite novel that pitches Meagan and the reader into the thick of events you remember reading about in History classes lo those many years ago.

This time history truly “comes alive” as Royce turns Meagan into a living, breathing participant among historically accurate depictions of events. The dialog feels real. (”Be you a Tatar? For the nones, say be not a Tatar!”) The action never ends. (Charioteers, rampaging Mongolians!) The fear is palpable. (I won’t give it away!) And always, there are the horses.