Customer Reviews

Eclipsed by Shadow

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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

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.

"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"

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.

Ecliplsed by Shadow is great reading for all ages! It does what all good storytelling promises: filling the reader's imagination with characters and events that are believable and compelling. Horse lovers will appreciate the author's attention to equestrian details and the reverence shown for one of God's most noble creatures - The Great Horse. As a high school English teacher, I appreciate how the author combines literary genres with an authentic narrative voice. This novel's appeal is its eclectic blending of historical fiction, fantasy and suspense; all these elements work together to tell a mythical tale about a young girl's coming of age amidst the grim realities of the Roman Empire and the barbaric brutalities of the Medieval era. The novel is so entertaining that the reader forgets that there is a history lesson on every page.

Middle school and high school librarians should include this book on their shelves; it's a great independent reading book that teachers can feel confident recommending.

Tara Klasna

English Teacher, Aliso Niguel High School, Aliso Viejo, California

If you want a story that combines suspense, mystery and humor in a journey that brings our partnership to life with horses, you have found the right book. Megan Roberts, the young girl, faces all these dangers and more as she travels back in time when primitive man stalked horses as prey, and witness the fascinating development of horsemanship in ancient and medieval cultures. Megan has given us a believable character as the young girl set for an adventure through time. She has many doubts and fears but overcomes them by finding the source of her inner strength. The plot moves along briskly and keeps us entertained with Megan Roberts many adventures. The setting is also nicely detailed; I look forward to more books by this new writer.

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!

I received this book from Librarything member giveaway in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this novel. There are a lot of strengths to this novel. It's engaging, especially for anyone who has ever been enthralled by horses (I definitely was!). It is very well researched- I was fascinated by the history of horses and how different cultures interacted and thought of them. I really enjoyed the elderly lady that took interest in the Legend of the great horse. And for the time travel, I thought that her time in Rome and her time in Asia, were exceptionally well done. I loved her interactions with Father Bartholemew and the kind gladiator in Rome. Finally, the book is well written.

There are some downsides to this book, but this should not be an issue with the following novels in the trilogy. The problem was mainly Meagan going to time periods where A) it was so far in the past that language had not been developed yet or B) she did not speak the language (like in the Genghis Khan section). The lack of connection with other characters made it fall flat during this time, which is an issue that doesn't really have an easy solution. The author minimized this issue by making those sections much shorter, which was a very good idea. Again, I think that as Meagan gets closer to her own time, this will no longer be an issue.

This novel is definitely a worthwhile read, and I'm looking forward to the next installment!

I checked this book out because I am expecting the second volume of this three volume series (The Legend of the Great Horse) as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program. As a child, I was forced to read Walter Farley's The Black Stallion series. I found those books readable, but generally a bit dull. So I come into this series predisposed to dislike it and have been genuinely pleased to find the first volume of t his work to be exciting, readable, and far from dull.

From the book's description I expected a young girl's lighthearted romp through history on the back of a winged horse. Accept that description at your peril. First, there is a lot of graphic violence (including references and threats to rape) so if you ARE looking for something lighter for your young ones (ages 11-16?) to read, this is not your book. The violence is not a criticism but a description for the potential reader to consider. Understand that if you're going to write about the use of horses throughout history that much of it is in the service of warfare.

This work is a crisply written taut tale that moves along nicely. I finished its 273 pages in one sitting. The main thrust of the book falls in two areas: horses and horsemanship; world history. I personally found the author's expertise in horses and horsemanship to be the most compelling and interesting part of the book.

Not formally being an historian, I'm loathe to criticize the historic aspects of this book, including accuracy and interpretation. I did find the settings interesting and compelling, but suspect that this is the area that will be most contentious amongst those who do have a deeper understanding of the specific time periods and their cultures in which the protagonist finds herself.

I found myself continually impressed with the quality of the writing. Rhetorically, this is a well written, well edited book. Whatever quibbles one might have with the slippery facts of history (or horsemanship), this is a finely tuned tale that leaves me anticipating the sequel with a positive predisposition.

(the reviewer has also placed this review on LibraryThing)

I really loved this book, it was fun jumping from time to time.

Being able to experience a feeling that you are traveling with the protagonist is beautiful.

My favorite time was the caveman era, but it was a short part of the story,

but just to be able to read something from that long ago was nice.

The way the protagonist Meagan can relate to the horses makes the story more entertaining,

it is like she has an upper hand in each era just by adoring and relating to horses.

Some details are hard to understand but that is why you get a dictionary in the back,

but if you don't look at the dictionary it doesn't take away anything from the entertaining story.