Review - The Golden Spark by John Allen Royce

The Legend of the Great Horse continues....

TITLE:    The Golden Spark
AUTHOR:    John Allen Royce
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 249 pages
PUBLISHED:   Micron Press, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Author for Review

FROM GOODREADS:    A modern teenager is carried back into history by her Great Horse of legend, and uses her knowledge of horsemanship to survive humanity's past. Engaging and fast-paced adventure entertains with excitement, humor and a colorful cast of accurately-portrayed historical characters from the European Renaissance.


MY TAKE:    I love reading books in an outstanding series, although I do hate the wait when a new installment is coming out.  THIS new book was very, very much worth the wait.  Now I'm anxiously awaiting the third and final volume in this masterful story.

The author begins with a recap of the first award-winning book:  Eclipsed by Shadow.  While The Golden Spark can definitely be read as a stand-alone story, it is far more beneficial for the reader to read them in order.  In case you're new to One Book Shy, read my gushing review of Eclipsed by Shadow.  It was a 5 Jewel favorite, as is The Golden Spark!  You don't want to miss out on even a moment of this rollicking ride through history.

John Royce has created a fantastic heroine in Meagan Roberts.  Her love and knowledge of horses is critical to her surviving her adventure through equine history that is intertwined with our own.  We join her this time as she unwillingly rides with Hernan Cortes in his massacre of the Aztecs.  Her excellent riding skill brings her to the attention of King Louis at Versailles as she continues to move forward through time.  As she nears her own century, she thinks she may have finally found someone who understands about the Great Horse.  It'll be exciting to see where in the past she lands next.

This is such an addictive and witty story.  It is full of humor ~ especially while she is at court with King Louie.  There is also a large dose of high adventure.  You feel as if you're right there with Meagan as she's exercising the horses or mucking out the stalls.  You squirm along with her as she is introduced to infamous characters in history.   Mr. Royce's love and understanding of horses shines through in his writing as does his knowledge of the horse's permanent place in history.  His extensive research is apparent once again and I've learned several more horse facts, even though I've had them in my life from the beginning.  The blend of myth and legend along with historical fact has come together beautifully into a fictional masterpiece.

I highly recommend The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy to any lovers of fantasy, adventure and a dang good story.  You don't have to be a horseperson to enjoy this lovely recounting of the history of horses.  Even if you've never touched a horse, Meagan and her Great Horse will have you enthralled.  If you are a horsey-type, there is a lot to be learned about the care and background of your favorite equine pal.  While I mention the educational aspects several times, I want to note that there is never a feel of being taught.  It is just a highly entertaining story that happens to have some very good moral, historical and horsemanship lessons to share with the reader.

As I mentioned in regard to the first book, this would be an excellent story for parents and children to both read and discuss.  Riding clubs and instructors would find this to be an excellent resource for their students.  It really does have something for everyone.  In fact, my 71 year old cowboy father is reading and enjoying Eclipsed by Shadow now.  We've been talking about a lot of the horsemanship history. 

*This book has been recommended for adults and teens (Ages 14+).  I believe readers that are a bit younger (10+) will also enjoy this read if they are mature for their age.  Violence in the form of war and a bit of very light sexual inferences are present, but not prevalent.  If in doubt, I'd suggest parents read and enjoy the book first and then pass it on to the younger readers.  This is a series that has earned a permanent place on our family's "keeper shelves".

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon and The Book Depository

 

To learn more about this fantastic series be sure to check out the website:  The Great Horse.  You can also sign up for updates from the author and to be one of the first to know when the final installment in the trilogy is available.

The entire series could fall into many categories and genres: YA, YA fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, historical, adventure, animals, equine, action, children's fiction, etc.. This is an epic adventure that I could see making a fantastic movie. hint hint hint.....



 
~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - Eclipsed by Shadow: The Legend of the Great Horse by John Royce

Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of solitaire.  It is a grand passion.   ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

TITLE:    Eclipsed by Shadow

AUTHOR/EDITOR:    John Royce
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 273 pages
PUBLISHED:   Micron Press 2008
ISBN#:   978-0-9724121-3-1
HOW'D I GET IT:   Received from Author for Review

FROM GOODREADS:  "Eclipsed by Shadow" begins an award-winning trilogy adventure into mankind's past. A horse-loving teenager is lost in history with only her knowledge of horsemanship to help her survive.    

MY TAKE:  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.  Young horsemen and horsewomen will see themselves as I did in the bond that is shared by Meagan and Promise and that which Jennifer had shared with Moose ~ Promise's dam.  (Dam is what the mare is called when she gives birth or foals.) 

This is definitely a book that adults and kids can both read and discuss. There is a thorough glossary in the back that would be an extremely useful tool for all.  On the learning side, I think this would be a fantastic series for riding instructors and first time horse owners as well.  For the adventure and fantasy lovers, some other readers have compared this to an equine version of the "Harry Potter" series. It's a fun and engrossing story that has just begun and none of us will want to end! 

The 2nd installment,  The Golden Spark is available now.  I CAN'T WAIT!!!!  This is one of those series where I could read all three books in one long session if I had them - it's that addictive.  Go HERE to learn more about the author and the series.

MY RATING:    5/5

WHERE TO BUY IT:  Amazon, The Book Depository, IndieBound, Powell's Books

 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.