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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific book for fantasy, history and horse lovers alike., December 3, 2008
This review is from: Eclipsed by Shadow (Paperback)
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
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect blend of fantasy, suspense and history!, November 30, 2008
Author John Royce masterfully blends fantasy, suspense and history in Eclipsed by Shadow, the first installment in a trilogy about a young girl, Meagan Roberts, as she discovers her horse, Promise, is "the Great Horse"--a seemingly mythical horse from a legend told to her by an old woman who stops by her family farm to see the newborn Promise. Royce tells the story through vivid imagery that engages the imagination as Meagan tries to save her horse from thieves, only to take flight on the back of her young horse and travel through history. But the darkness of the horse thieves is not escaped as Meagan discovers herself lost in the barbaric Medieval period and Ancient Rome. Through her time travels Meagan learns about the horse's role throughout history, from the horse as prey through weapon of battle. While much of the book focuses on Meagan's interactions with her horse, Royce equally develops the human relations in his lucid tale. The plot will captivate and leave the reader turning pages, determined to see Megan and Promise to safety.
The story provides carefully researched historical detail, both of society and of human interaction with horses. While the horse enthusiast will appreciate the careful accuracy on the equine element of the story, Royce also weaves his story in a way that will engage non-horsey young adult and adult readers alike.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
History is a Tale of Horses, November 16, 2008
This review is from: Eclipsed by Shadow (Paperback)
"Eclipsed by Shadow" is an epic history of horses, complete with time travel, and educational material, but best of all, it is strong historical fiction.
The plot is pretty simple. Meagan learns from an eccentric neighbor lady that her newborn horse may well be "The Great Horse" of legend that has reappeared over the centuries. The Great Horse first originated as a horse meant to help Adam and Eve when they left the Garden of Eden.
I knew from what I had already heard about the book that it would include time travel and Meagan would experience how horses were used throughout the centuries by mankind.
When I started, I was a bit disappointed to see the first section went on for so long. I wanted to get right into the time travel, but once I started reading, I was thoroughly captivated by the plot and how well the author, John Royce, built up suspense in the first section. I actually think this was my favorite part of the book as Meagan learned about the legend of the Great Horse and also avoided having her horse stolen.
As for the time travel sections, the scene in prehistoric North America was brief and not quite as interesting as the later ones because after all it was prehistoric history, but I thought both the Rome and the medieval section were well done. Even though the book reads like a collection of short stories because of the different time periods that the characters do not cross over into, Royce successfully created some believable characters in each section.
Throughout, the book successfully blends fiction, character and plot with history and more than solely the history of horses. I am not interested in horses, but historical fiction, but I did come to appreciate the history of horses without ever being overly bored by the book containing too many details.
Anyone who loves horses or who loves history will love "Eclipsed by Shadow," and readers will be impatient to read the next two volumes in this trilogy about the Great Horse.
- Tyler R. Tichelaar, Ph.D., and author of "The Marquette Trilogy"
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