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Historical FantasyHistorical fantasy, suspense, action, adventure, fiction and horses "The Legend of the Great Horse" cover all genres.
Book I of III Eclipsed by Shadow by John Royce "Eclipsed by Shadow" is the first book of a new adventure trilogy, The Legend of the Great Horse. The series is a kind of "road trip" book, telling history from horseback as an exciting adventure. The story tells of a young horsewoman's journey through history, traveling through the past ages of mankind. Readers will enjoy themselves as they learn about both history and horses. This first book begins the journey, and takes the reader back to prehistoric times and then advances toward modern day. Included in this volume are periods up through the Medieval age, including the ancient Roman days of chariot racing and the Mongolian hordes fomented by Genghis Khan. Eclipsed by Shadow was named by Heartland Reviews as a Grreat book (Gifted and Reluctant Readers Explore Amazing Titles), and is a rewarding book for the avid or gifted reader because it explores our history through engaging and literary writing. The book is a good choice for less motivated readers (especially if horse-interested) because the story is accessible and compelling--once the main character travels back in time, the story takes off and provides an incredible adventure to encourage even a reluctant reader. Eclipsed by Shadow named "2008 Reader Views Literary Awards for Fantasy."
When "Eclipsed by Shadow" won the Eric Hoffer Book Award for Young Adult Fiction. John stated "I'm very excited to have written something that appeals to readers outside the horse world, since my goal is to help grow interest in and education about horses."
To read more about the historical fantasy series The Legend of the Great Horse.
Eclipsed by Shadow This fascinating YA first book of a trilogy on the history of man’s relationships with the horse is particularly well done historical fantasy. Meagan, a young teenager, witnesses the arrival of a new colt she names Promise. She enjoys socializing the colt and caring for him until it’s time for him to grow up with other colts. Several years later, the now young adult horse returns to Meagan’s horse farm to begin saddle training. Unfortunately, a crooked horse trainer is out to steal Promise. Meagan stumbles on the plot and manages to leap onto Promises back and jumps a fence in order to escape. Suddenly Promise sprouts wings and carries Meagan back in time to caveman times. Meagan falls off, only to find herself in the middle of a caveman horse hunt for fresh food. After a short time there, she jumps on another horse and finds herself as a slave in Rome , and then she moves forward to ride with the Mongols. After more hard times, she moves forward in time to the times of the Crusades, where the book ends with the reader anxious to know what is next. This series teaches not only the history of Man’s relationship with the horse, but the history and day to day cultures of different civilizations of the past. We rated this first book five hearts.
John Royce is a new voice writing about very old things: history & horsemanship. Twenty years of training and competitive riding combined with an interest in history to spark his spellbinding ode to horsemanship. Mr. Royce currently lives in Boston, another Texas transplant drawn to the weather. His broad background in horses includes competitive experience in western events, eventing and junior jumpers. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he founded the University Equestrian Club and served as its President from 1985-1988. In 1987 Mr. Royce organized a national Collegiate jumping event with eight universities from around the country. The event's success led to an opportunity with the national horse show management company, Stadium Jumping, helping to promote the Show Jumping World Cup being held in Tampa. His later career in accounting took him from the arena, until the conception of the idea which became "The Legend of the Great Horse" trilogy brought him back. After almost a decade of research and writing, Mr. Royce has produced the first volume of this original and compelling novel, motivated by the desire to share knowledge of horses and perhaps spark curiosity in parts of history for some readers. Mr. Royce believes horses are living history, and that horsemanship's timelessness and tradition are still important for the modern society it helped make possible.
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