Eclipsed By Shadow

It's a wildly exciting ride. You won't be able to put it down.

Eclipsed by Shadow, the Legend of the Great Horse, is a wonderful juxtaposition of fantasy against historical fact. It mixes genres in a way that will thrill fantasy, history and horse fans alike. I read it from cover to cover in one sitting and I can¿t wait for more.

From the very first chapter it¿s obvious that the book is written by someone who really knows horses, horsemanship, and the history of the horse, inside and out. Only a true horseman would know that, ¿horsemanship is both subtle and vast¿, that ¿horses attracted both eccentrics and flies.¿.

Royce took me on a wildly exciting ride from present day, to 20,000 B.C, forward to 700, B.C. then on to Rome in 100 A.D and finally to Central Asia in 1240 A.D. While traveling with Meagan and her horse Promise, I learned about man¿s relationship with horses throughout history. It was a fascinating tour through history on horseback, full of facts and information, but presented in such a fast-paced and exciting way that I forgot that I was actually learning. I can¿t wait to saddle up and ride along with Meagan and Promise in book two.

Laurie Scott, Pennsylvania

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great read - must give it a try, won't be disappointed!

After all of the great reviews it is getting, who wouldn't give this book a try! I can honestly say that I was not disappointed. It was a page turner from the beginning to end, and I can't wait until next summer to read more about Meagan's adventures. Unbelievable that this is the first book (of many I hope!) for this new author. His attention to detail and incredible wit make this a great read for any age. What a treat to find a book that my son and I can read and discuss together. I am looking forward to sharing it with his teachers and others, who I am sure will be equally fascinated by this rivoting tale. It is definitely on my Christmas list for friends and family this year. I am not an avid horseman but instead an avid reader of well written books. Prepare to be entertained and educated at a fast and furious pace.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm not a horse person, or young adu

I really enjoyed this book. I'm not a horse person, or young adult, but the story and action sequences kept me glued. I should also say that this was my second reading of the book, which I enjoyed even more than the first!

Megan, a horse obsessed young girl, gets a foal of her own, and learns all about taking care of the young horse, training it, waiting to ride it until it physically matures (leg bones harden).

But Promise is no ordinary horse. After several unsuccessful attempts by mysterious characters to acquire Promise, both by honest and illegal means Megan learns of the Legend of the Great Horse. Born on earth, descended from angels (with wings) sent to help mankind through some tough times, they become almost our equine guardian angels.But this couldn't be her horse, could it?

During a botched attempt to take her horse by force, Meagan mounts Promise meaning to lead them both away from danger. But she gets so much more in the bargain!

Using her modern skills both as a young adult and an equestrian she travels through several periods in history, tracing how the horse has impacted our civilization's development. From early man, to Rome, the Tartars and finally the Dark Ages, Megan navigates through history trying to get herself and Promise home to the present time.

First of a trilogy, this volume introduces the characters, the general plot and we're off! Certainly knowledge of horsemanship is helpful, but is not essential. The author skillfully carries the reader along on an incredible journey, made more believable by his skillful use of horse 'ology', common sense and good old fahioned action. Granted, the time travel angle was a bit much to swallow, but once past that you learn about the relationship between horses and history.

This book grabbed my interest early on and kept me intrigued throughout. Aimed towards young adult readers, I think if you have an interest in horses and history give "Eclipsed by Shadow" a try. Myself, I'm looking forward to the second volume "The Golden Spark" anxiously.

Great Equine Epic Adventure

I don't know if I will have enough adjectives to describe just how much I LOVE THIS BOOK! Although I would like to apologize to the author John Royce first. I've had this book for quite a while and have just now got a chance to share my review ~ it's one that was worth the wait though! And just in time to TOP my GIFT-WORTHY list.. Horse-crazy teenager Meagan Roberts is the proud owner of an amazingly rare Palomino Thoroughbred filly (girl horse) named "Promise". As Meagan dreams of the future and waits for Promise to grow enough to start training, many strange people start showing up and trying to buy the unusual filly from the Roberts family. The prices they offer are both staggering and suspicious. A strange old woman also comes to visit after the filly is born at dawn on June 21st ~ the summer solstice. She makes some odd comments before going on her way. There is a lot of interest in this "backyard" foal. Meagan receives an intriguing invitation for her and a guardian to luncheon at a mansion nearby. The mysterious hostess is Mrs. Bridgestone, the strange old lady who had come to see Promise. The reason for her interest becomes clear as she reveals that she believes Promise to be one of the legendary "Great Horses". These horses are those who were prominent in history, making their own marks along with humans and gods. Meagan believes Mrs. Bridgestone and wonders about the warning she gives her to not ride Promise. She feels this could bring darkness according to a hundred year old letter and verse written by the beloved horseman Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce : A hundred years hence on this westmost shore, The Great Horse comes to men once more. History lights the future's course, With lessons learned from the Horse; So born of loss and mother's grief,? The Great Horse takes a might leap. Eclipsed by shadow, the golden spark Shall wing her rider into the dark. Meagan's mother Jennifer doesn't believe the legend, even though almost every line seems to be referring to Promise. Jennifer won't let Meagan see Mrs. Bridgestone after the visit because she thinks the old lady is crazy. I won't go too much into detail as to what occurs next, but Promise and Meagan start on a journey where they visit other 'Great Horses' and make their own mark on the past of both humans and equines. The author is obviously a horseman himself. He writes about horses, their care and behaviour with the authority of one who has lived with them. His writing is very clear and very engaging. I saw myself in Meagan as I was one of those kids who would spend 10 hours cleaning the barn before I'd spend 1 hour helping in the house. (I'm still that way I'm afraid.) She is an endearing and very likable guide on this horseback ride through time. History, fantasy, myth, adventure and proper equine care all shine brightly in this first book in the trilogy. Royce weaves all of these elements together beautifully and young readers probably won't even notice that they are learning about history and horse care while on this great ride back through time. I learned quite a bit myself and I grew up on a horse ranch with horses always in my life. This was a "can't put down" book for me. There is a very small bit of violence (as there always is when war is involved) but I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone over about 10 or 11. Especially horselovers or adventurers. You

An amazing story of one truly amazing horse

Owning a horse was the only thing that teenager Meagan Roberts could think about. Owning a legendary great horse never crossed her mind. In "Eclipsed by Shadow", we see that Meagan's horse, Promise is just that. Unwilling to heed the advice of Mrs. Bridgestone, the keeper of the legend, that if this Great Horse is rode it would bring darkness, Meagan rides Promise. Instantly she is transported to another place and time. 20,000 B.C. to be exact. She finds herself among a tribe that is hunting horses. From there chaos ensues, as she is chased off a cliff with a herd of horses. Before falling to the bottom of the canyon, the Great Horse comes to her aid. Meagan now finds herself in the middle of a battle in the Black Sea. Running for shelter she finds herself in the middle of an ancient tomb. Again Meagan finds herself being transported to another time and place. Standing in the middle of an arena barely able to escape, she realizes that she is in Rome. She is now a slave, tending to the Emperor's stable. Along the way she makes friend, enemies, and collecting knowledge. Also, she witnesses the cruelty of each place she comes to. Meagan wonders why her beloved Promise, who is so sweet and gentle, could bring her into so much darkness. After helping the Emperor's chariot driver, Braedin win the races, she realizes that unintentionally she has brought disgrace upon the Emperor. Once again she finds herself in a fight for her life. The Great Horse now transports her to the year 1240 A.D. She now finds herself among the Tartars and Genghis Khan as they raid and pillage each village they come to. Able to escape Meagan takes with her, her only friend a pony she named Targa. Finding shelter among a group of Englishmen only to have to escape once more. Finding a Polish knight, Henryk, Meagan makes a new friend, only to discovery that they have lost their horses. Meeting a group of Franscian Monks, together they travel to the Tournament of St. John. Once they arrive Meagan finds herself the lady of a knight. Once again chaos once again follows,

With "Eclipsed be Shadow ", John Royce has created a wonderful legend sure to please historians and equestrians alike. Jammed packed with chariot racing, jousting and action galore one wonders how one book can hold so much. With each turn of the page a new adventure awaits.

Action-packed Adventure

Eclipsed by Shadow: The Legend of the Great Horse
BY: John Royce
COVER ARTWORK: Marti Adrian
PUBLISHED BY: Micron Press
PUBLISHED IN: 2008
ISBN-13: 978-0-9724121-3-1
Ages: Young Adult & Up
Reviewed by Billy Burgess


I was very impressed by this book, reading it in only two nights. The author, John Royce, has beautifully written a wonderful epic that combines fantasy with history, a mix between Harry Potter, the Lord of the Rings and the Time Machine. He uses his great knowledge of the history of horses to give us the first adventure of the Legend of the Great Horse. The dialogue and descriptions are cleverly written to entertain and educate both young adults and adults.

The main character is a teenager named Meagan, and she is a horse lover. Being an animal lover myself, I was instantly connected to her. You are hooked within the first few pages, as Meagan loses a loved one and gains a new friend, a palomino foal that she name's Promise. But Promise isn't like other horses, she is the Great Horse - a fallen angel from the time of Adam & Eve. Due to financial reasons, the Foal is sent to live on a pasture until she is old enough to be ridden. During this time, Meagan meets the mysterious Mrs. Bridgestone. Mrs. Bridgestone tells Meagan about the legend of the great horse and that she believes Promise is the great horse. Mrs. Bridgestone wants the horse for her own. Three years passes by and Meagan rides Promise for the first time. Magical, long white wings stretch out of Promise, flying Meagan back in time where she meets cavemen, Romans, monks, knights and other life-threatening dangers.

Eclipsed By Shadow is a fast, action-packed adventure from start to the heart pounding cliffhanger. The author did a marvelous job blending history and fantasy together in this first book of the trilogy. Fans of horse books and fantasy adventures will enjoy reading this. Once you finish reading the final page, you'll be longing for the next installment.

A Fantastic Equine Fantasy!

Every now and then a great storyteller comes along.......... An absolute must read!

Couldn't put the book down!

For once it is nice to read a horse book that doesn't make the knowledgeable horseman cringe with a writer's lack of horsemanship knowledge. The story really draws you in, even at age 30 I found my nose stuck in the book rooting for the main character. The book was the cause of a couple sleepless nights because I just couldn't put it down. It is a book I have recommended and will continue to recommend to fellow horse enthusiasts. I love to see this as a film just based on this first book just to see how close it is how I pictured it. Just to see the locations described and the character would be fantastic. I can't wait for the next book in the series, they really do leave you wanting more!

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