Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
DAW (2000), Edition: English Language, 480 pages
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Literature. Thriller. HTML:Magic, danger, and adventure abound for messenger Karigan G'ladheon in the first book of the New York Times-bestselling Green Rider fantasy series On her long journey home from school after a fight that will surely lead to her expulsion, Karigan G'ladheon ponders her uncertain future. As she trudges through the immense Green Cloak forest, her thoughts are interrupted by the clattering of hooves, as a galloping horse bursts from the woods. The rider is slumped over his mount's neck, impaled by two black-shafted arrows. As the young man lies dying on the road, he tells Karigan he is a Green Rider, one of the legendary messengers of the king of Sacoridia. Before he dies, he begs Karigan to deliver the �life and death� message he bears to King Zachary. When she reluctantly he agrees, he makes her swear on his sword to complete his mission, whispering with his dying breath, �Beware the shadow man...� Taking on the golden-winged horse brooch that is the symbol of the Green Riders, Karigan is swept into a world of deadly danger and complex magic, her life forever changed. Compelled by forces she cannot understand, Karigan is accompanied by the silent specter of the fallen messenger and hounded by dark beings bent on seeing that the message, and its reluctant carrier, never reach their destination. With memorable characters, unique magic, and a story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, this action-packed, feminist fantasy is a must-read for lovers of the genre.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member justchris
Green Rider by Kristen Britain was another book loaned to me by a friend and another fantasy author new to me. I believe this is Britain's first novel, but the sequel was already in production at time of publication because advertising blurbs for it were in the end pages.
It was a charming story
This book would be very good for a young adult: the young protagonist trying to find her way at school and purpose in life, the heroic quest, the relatively straightforward plot with few twists or extensive exposition or complicated politics. And because the characters are very simple, there isn't much push to explore motivations, the only point where this occurs is with the one woman on the evil team, and the treatment is not very deep. The only potential issue is the size--it is easily over 400 pages, which may deter young readers, but it does go quickly and is very entertaining. I don't regret the time or the lost sleep, but I don't know whether I will look for the sequel.
It was a charming story
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that moved quickly right from the beginning and kept up the action to the end, which made it hard to put down and cost me a good night's sleep. It was well-written in terms of prose, dialogue, pacing, etc. The downside is that the characters are two-dimensional at best: the bad guys are all very bad, except for the one woman who might be redeemable, and the good guys are all very good, and you can tell because the bad guys are generally unattractive in various ways (physically, morally, etc.) and the good guys are all attractive and forceful. The story is also very formulaic: girl gets in trouble at school, on her way home she stumbles across a dying messenger, she takes up his quest to deliver the all-important dispatch to the king, and the forces of evil plotting against the king make repeated efforts to stop her, kill her, destroy the message. However, she wins through against overwhelming odds surprising everyone--bad guys, good guys, herself. But wait, there's more--nobody appears to take her apparently trivial message and warnings of evil on the loose seriously, and so the bad guys come in and try to overthrow the king. Once again, she's johnny-on-the-spot and saves the day. So this essentially high-school girl defeats incredibly skilled swordsmen, incredibly powerful magicians, and incredibly determined run-of-the-mill bad guys over and over through her force of character and useful objects found or given along the way. It is very reminiscent of The Fellowship of the Ring and The Elfstones of Shannara. It could be considered an homage to the former, since Britain acknowledges the profound influence of early exposure to Tolkein.This book would be very good for a young adult: the young protagonist trying to find her way at school and purpose in life, the heroic quest, the relatively straightforward plot with few twists or extensive exposition or complicated politics. And because the characters are very simple, there isn't much push to explore motivations, the only point where this occurs is with the one woman on the evil team, and the treatment is not very deep. The only potential issue is the size--it is easily over 400 pages, which may deter young readers, but it does go quickly and is very entertaining. I don't regret the time or the lost sleep, but I don't know whether I will look for the sequel.
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LibraryThing member storyjunkie
Karigan G'ladheon finds herself caught up in Kingdom-wide events when she crosses paths with a dying man on the run. He is a Green Rider- of the King's Messenger Service, and his mission is to get a message warning of danger to the King. Karigan takes up his mission as he instructs her with his
Aided by folk who don't get involved with just any errand, and pursued by enemies who don't act on whims, Karigan becomes a wild card in a game between highly skilled players, set before her arrival. She enters the story and forces everyone to readjust, becoming the deciding factor simply by being where she is, and acting as herself, at any given time.
Britain's characters are utterly real. Emotions ring true, and as irrational as emotions should be, as characters perform actions that are true to themselves as well as service the plot. She used the roving third-person limited POV to great advantage, as each character gets a distinct voice, and the reader gets more information essential to the story at the same time as learning the people. Also good with the dramatic tension, as neither reader nor characters have all the information.
The elements of the story are tight, in that there are no stray ruminations or information, no tangents simply to show off some aspect of the world Britain has built. All things presented arise organically from the story rather than the setting. Characters act in character as they're presented with plot events, which resolve in one way vs another due to the actions of the characters.
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last breath, and thus launches herself along a path only legends are made to travel.Aided by folk who don't get involved with just any errand, and pursued by enemies who don't act on whims, Karigan becomes a wild card in a game between highly skilled players, set before her arrival. She enters the story and forces everyone to readjust, becoming the deciding factor simply by being where she is, and acting as herself, at any given time.
Britain's characters are utterly real. Emotions ring true, and as irrational as emotions should be, as characters perform actions that are true to themselves as well as service the plot. She used the roving third-person limited POV to great advantage, as each character gets a distinct voice, and the reader gets more information essential to the story at the same time as learning the people. Also good with the dramatic tension, as neither reader nor characters have all the information.
The elements of the story are tight, in that there are no stray ruminations or information, no tangents simply to show off some aspect of the world Britain has built. All things presented arise organically from the story rather than the setting. Characters act in character as they're presented with plot events, which resolve in one way vs another due to the actions of the characters.
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LibraryThing member blodeuedd
This is the beginning of a fantasy series with Riders who uses long lost magic and a kingdom on the brink of war. A good start is what I would say.
Karigan was a brave young woman who left her school cos she fought an aristocrat and she was only a merchant daughter. Not fair at all. When she then
The kingdom has lost its magic. There are still some magic left and the Green Riders uses some of it. I always do like when magic is lost and found again. And these Riders risk everything and still they are only seen as messengers, but they have a calling that they follow.
I have to say that there is a hint about romance. I truly mean a hint, one flutter in her heart, but I have hope for more in coming books.
A good start with likeable heroine who says what she wants to say. There is adventure, wild rides, magic and a race to save a kingdom. I will read more to see what happens next and I do like a fantasy series with a fantasy series that is normal. Not too tough, not soft, but still willing to do what is right.
Karigan was a brave young woman who left her school cos she fought an aristocrat and she was only a merchant daughter. Not fair at all. When she then
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met the Rider she could have said no (of course the magic urged her on), but she wanted to do what was right and she also wanted an adventure. And that she sure got because on her journey she met funny old ladies, monsters, bandits, and saw the how angry the people in the north are. I liked her because even though it got tough she never gave up. Then we have the evil guys. The king’s brother wants the throne and the Grey Man uses magic to make people do his will. He is an evil killer and he has also made a crack in a wall that separates the badlands from the rest of the world. I liked the Grey Man, as much as one can like an evil guy. He was just a good bad guy. All evil and nothing at all to like about him.The kingdom has lost its magic. There are still some magic left and the Green Riders uses some of it. I always do like when magic is lost and found again. And these Riders risk everything and still they are only seen as messengers, but they have a calling that they follow.
I have to say that there is a hint about romance. I truly mean a hint, one flutter in her heart, but I have hope for more in coming books.
A good start with likeable heroine who says what she wants to say. There is adventure, wild rides, magic and a race to save a kingdom. I will read more to see what happens next and I do like a fantasy series with a fantasy series that is normal. Not too tough, not soft, but still willing to do what is right.
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LibraryThing member dk_phoenix
My apologies to those of you who adore this book and the series, but... WHY?!?!
I'm willing to listen to arguments for it, and I'm willing to give the rest of the books a try if you can convince me.
I wanted to like this book, I really did... but I fell asleep on multiple occasions while reading it
I found the main character to be flat and uninspired, and I didn't really care whether she lived or died. I didn't like any of the people she met along the way, save the cliche "kindly woodsman" (though you'd have to be pretty heartless not to like kindly woodsmen), and the monsters were far from frightening.
I got no sense of development from the main character until the very end where she Suddenly Saves The Day in conjunction with a convenient "bad character has an epiphany" moment, and *ta-da* all is well again.
Maybe I'm being too harsh... maybe I've been spoiled by reading such wonderful world building and character development by other fantasy authors lately *ahemBrandonSandersonahem*... but I wanted to like this one and was very, very disappointed that I didn't. I have no desire to read more of Britain's work... but I'm willing to let myself be convinced to give her another go.
Ack. Maybe that's just asking for trouble... but if trouble means giving an author another chance, I might be up for it.
I'm willing to listen to arguments for it, and I'm willing to give the rest of the books a try if you can convince me.
I wanted to like this book, I really did... but I fell asleep on multiple occasions while reading it
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(during the ,i>day), put it down on other occasions and didn't have any inclination to pick it up again, complained about it to my husband, and finally finished reading it only because I wanted to understand why people enjoyed the book so much.I found the main character to be flat and uninspired, and I didn't really care whether she lived or died. I didn't like any of the people she met along the way, save the cliche "kindly woodsman" (though you'd have to be pretty heartless not to like kindly woodsmen), and the monsters were far from frightening.
I got no sense of development from the main character until the very end where she Suddenly Saves The Day in conjunction with a convenient "bad character has an epiphany" moment, and *ta-da* all is well again.
Maybe I'm being too harsh... maybe I've been spoiled by reading such wonderful world building and character development by other fantasy authors lately *ahemBrandonSandersonahem*... but I wanted to like this one and was very, very disappointed that I didn't. I have no desire to read more of Britain's work... but I'm willing to let myself be convinced to give her another go.
Ack. Maybe that's just asking for trouble... but if trouble means giving an author another chance, I might be up for it.
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LibraryThing member multilingualmaid
Green Rider takes place in the fictitious kingdom of Sacoridia. Karigan G'ladheon has just left school under rather adverse circumstances and is attempting to travel home. On her way, she is accosted by a dying Green Rider, one of the king's messengers. When he begs her to complete his mission, she
Evil magic is at work, and those wielding it are desparate to keep Karigan from reaching her destination. But for Karigan, the end of her mission is just the beginning of her adventures. The D'Yer Wall, which has kept out the tainted, evil magic of Blackveil Forest, is crumbling. Now, not only magic, but also some very wicked creatures are seeping into Sacoridia. As if this were not enough, the rumor of political intrigue surrounds the city as well.
Green Rider is one of those rare books that has stuck with me over time. I was thoroughly drawn in by the plot and the characters. There is appeal here for both adults and young adults. The plot may not be anything groundbreaking in the fantasy genre, but the story is good. The characters are interesting and generally well-developed. Britain's descriptions show her love of nature, and allow the reader to see the beauty of the setting without being overdone. The fairly quick paced storyline will keep readers wondering what will happen next, and keep them anxious to read the second book!
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accepts, and so begins a journey of incredible adventure and peril.Evil magic is at work, and those wielding it are desparate to keep Karigan from reaching her destination. But for Karigan, the end of her mission is just the beginning of her adventures. The D'Yer Wall, which has kept out the tainted, evil magic of Blackveil Forest, is crumbling. Now, not only magic, but also some very wicked creatures are seeping into Sacoridia. As if this were not enough, the rumor of political intrigue surrounds the city as well.
Green Rider is one of those rare books that has stuck with me over time. I was thoroughly drawn in by the plot and the characters. There is appeal here for both adults and young adults. The plot may not be anything groundbreaking in the fantasy genre, but the story is good. The characters are interesting and generally well-developed. Britain's descriptions show her love of nature, and allow the reader to see the beauty of the setting without being overdone. The fairly quick paced storyline will keep readers wondering what will happen next, and keep them anxious to read the second book!
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LibraryThing member Violetthedwarf
I found this very hard going. The concept was like catnip to me, but the writing and the pacing spoiled things. The writing was often clunky, over-explaining and clumsy. The pacing was off, so that there were long periods in the middle of the book that were tiring and dull to read.
It's not a
But look at that cover! Gorgeous.
It's not a
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terrible book, it's just not great either. I don't think I'll be re-reading it, and I probably won't get the next one.But look at that cover! Gorgeous.
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LibraryThing member feeroberts64
Green Rider by Kristen Britain is the first book in the Green Rider series. Karigan G'ladheon has run away and finds herself in a situation that is fraught with danger.
This is a beautifully written adventure of a young girl trying to find her way. Great world building and wonderful characters have
This is a beautifully written adventure of a young girl trying to find her way. Great world building and wonderful characters have
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made this one of my favorite stories. Show Less
LibraryThing member MorganGMac
Britain jumps into the action and carries a quick pace throughout, which makes this an entertaining fast read. Karigan is a stubborn young woman, who gets in a fight at boarding school, is suspended, and runs away. On the road, she discovers a dying messenger with two arrows in his back. She agrees
This is the second time I've read the book, and I have to say I remember liking it better the first time. The fast plot and the main character are both great, but at times, it feels quickly written, too, almost like it needed one more thorough editing. Still, I'd recommend.
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to carry his message to the king, and she's immediately swept into a long, twisting chase scene. This is the second time I've read the book, and I have to say I remember liking it better the first time. The fast plot and the main character are both great, but at times, it feels quickly written, too, almost like it needed one more thorough editing. Still, I'd recommend.
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LibraryThing member Kiddboyblue
While the concept of the "Green Rider," seems pretty original, it is unfortunately about the only aspect of the novel that could be claimed to be so. It also seems to be the only part of the novel Britain spent much time developing before writing the book. The areas in the book where the history,
Once again a fantasy novel that puts a random person in the right place at the right time to send them on an adventure they are wholly unprepared for, yet seem to somehow ultimately succeed at.
While I find this style of Fantasy to be overused, it wasn't even the worst part for me. It seemed the main protagonist Karigan was constantly getting into harrowing situation after situation, and would then be rescued by some luck. Typically with a new character entering and saving the day. It seemed a lazy way to introduce characters to the story line, and for the most part, none of the characters introduced came into play except in the one instance, which was to save her, and then give her more information she didn't have before.
It all felt overplayed and redundant. Perhaps these characters come into play later in the series, but regardless, it all felt far to coincidental and trite. Sloppy storytelling. Karigan very rarely got herself out of trouble in the book, and yet by the end was praised as a hero.
Also, as in other fantasy novels of this ilk, Karigan shows clear signs of being out of her element and of very little skills in a fight, and yet somehow by the end of the novel can hold her own against someone who claims to have studied sword skills for over 400 years. Again, lazy storytelling.
The writing had it's moments where it seemed actually good, and then Britain would fall into over-explaining or simplifying mode and the writing would dwindle.
Overall, it was at the very least a decent read, in which I can tell the author was trying to go somewhere, but ultimately failing. Perhaps the series gets better. I would think it would have too, since there are now six books to it. However, this first installment left me fully convinced it ranks as one of the more forgettable fantasy series out there.
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or concept of the Riders is discussed are in depth and fully realized, while the remainder remains less so.Once again a fantasy novel that puts a random person in the right place at the right time to send them on an adventure they are wholly unprepared for, yet seem to somehow ultimately succeed at.
While I find this style of Fantasy to be overused, it wasn't even the worst part for me. It seemed the main protagonist Karigan was constantly getting into harrowing situation after situation, and would then be rescued by some luck. Typically with a new character entering and saving the day. It seemed a lazy way to introduce characters to the story line, and for the most part, none of the characters introduced came into play except in the one instance, which was to save her, and then give her more information she didn't have before.
It all felt overplayed and redundant. Perhaps these characters come into play later in the series, but regardless, it all felt far to coincidental and trite. Sloppy storytelling. Karigan very rarely got herself out of trouble in the book, and yet by the end was praised as a hero.
Also, as in other fantasy novels of this ilk, Karigan shows clear signs of being out of her element and of very little skills in a fight, and yet somehow by the end of the novel can hold her own against someone who claims to have studied sword skills for over 400 years. Again, lazy storytelling.
The writing had it's moments where it seemed actually good, and then Britain would fall into over-explaining or simplifying mode and the writing would dwindle.
Overall, it was at the very least a decent read, in which I can tell the author was trying to go somewhere, but ultimately failing. Perhaps the series gets better. I would think it would have too, since there are now six books to it. However, this first installment left me fully convinced it ranks as one of the more forgettable fantasy series out there.
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LibraryThing member knielsen83
I read this book a few years ago, along with the second book. The third just came out this year so I decided to read them again. This book is full of adventure and struggle. I love the main character Karigan and how she struggles against becoming a Green Rider but always ends up helping her kingdom
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by taking on the role without meaning to. It is a great series and I will hopefully get onto the second book so I can read the newest edition of Karigan's adventures. Show Less
LibraryThing member KatieLovett
I'm glad I persisted through this book, but I confess that I almost gave up. Little seems to happen until halfway through, and the few things that do don't seem relevant to the plot. Also, the magic in this story has no rules that I can see, and several things appear to be awfully convenient as a
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result. However, Karigan is a great character, one you want to root for, which is what kept me going until the plot became more interesting. It ends nicely. If for nothing else, I'd recommend it so you can then read the sequel, which is much better than Green Rider. But that's another review. Show Less
LibraryThing member SunnySD
An old premise, but a good story. Stumbling on a dying messenger, a young runaway is dragged willy-nilly into major political intrigue and great personal peril. She must act, or the kingdom will fall.
A good beginning, although I agree with some other reviewers that the sequel, First Rider's Call,
A good beginning, although I agree with some other reviewers that the sequel, First Rider's Call,
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is the stronger of the two books. Show Less
LibraryThing member FRLTAG
This is a totally awesome book!!!!!!!!
It is a fantasy, but it is very original, not like many of the newer fantasy books.
It is a fantasy, but it is very original, not like many of the newer fantasy books.
LibraryThing member irishkitsune
Kristen Britain weaves an entertaining story about Karigan, a girl who gets thrown into the middle of a strange and magical quest that she never wanted to be a part of. Taking up the mantle of a fallen Green Rider, one of the King's trusted messengers, she has to dodge all sorts of danger to get an
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important message safely to its destination. Show Less
LibraryThing member velvetsnape
Awesome! You will get swept up in this amazing tale of adventure, danger and strong magic. A must read!!!
LibraryThing member eabolyard79
Picked this book at the library and fell in love. I even got my husband to read it and he is rather picky about what he reads.
LibraryThing member MusicalKeara
In my humble opinion, I like the story, my one concern was the overly narrative writing and observations ~ I like a good weather or nature report but please not all the time! I like the setting to be describe in a way that i've got the picture now give me a story! However I'm into the 2nd book
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presently and so far its good ~ I'm enjoying the journey Show Less
LibraryThing member LeHack
The writer mentions she was influenced by Tolkein's LOTR. This doesn't come near to achieving what Tolkein did, but it was an enjoyable story.
LibraryThing member cat8864
A bit of a shaky start for a first novel but still enjoyable. The characters and the world take a while to get fleshed out and there are a few cliches. However it still makes me laugh every time I read it. The characters become relatable and believable, not to mention human. Its an enjoyable read,
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that ends with room to either continue to the sequal or stop reading. I recomend it. Show Less
LibraryThing member humouress
This is the story of Karigan G'ladheon, a rich merchant's daughter, who has run away from school after a fight with the son of a nobleman. On her way home through the forest, she is accosted by a dying Green Rider - a messenger of the king - who charges her to finish his mission for the sake of
This is a good first book with lots of action, magic and intrigue.
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their king and country. She inherits his horse, his green coat and his Rider brooch, as well as his dangerous adventure, as she tries to reach the capital, pursued by his killers, and aided by mysterious Rider magic.This is a good first book with lots of action, magic and intrigue.
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LibraryThing member rbtwinky
This was a straightforward book with some truly wonderful characters. The protagonist of the story, Karigan G'ladheon, is a spunky, courageous, and imminently lovable young woman. As the story progresses, her strength of character and inherent goodness are revealed. The friends that she makes along
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her journey disappear, making hers a sojourn of sorts, something that is uncommon to fantasy stories. Also uncommon is that of the enemies she meets early on, only one ends up being a problem for her. Despite some allusions that one of his lackeys will be against her, personally. As the book marches towards its conclusion, however, the dastardly bad guy shows up, and things start to take a predictable course of action. The progression of her journey was very choppy. From leaving her school to reaching North there is no feeling of movement. Perhaps this was due to not having a map, but despite all the running and backtracking that happened, it seemed like she wasn't going anywhere. Then in the span of two days she goes from deep in the forest to North, and then on to the castle itself. It was like Britain decided she needed to hurry up and end the story. Another detraction from the story were the superficial romantic allusions. Two men take a liking to Karigan once she reaches the castle, and she seems to have feelings for both. Although she seems to forget about one of them altogether. I thought they both added elements to the story, but her wishy-washy reactions to them were boring, lame, and diminished Karigan's integrity. Show Less
LibraryThing member plunkinberry
I wasn’t sure about this at first, but it got better as it went. I wasn’t happy about Karigan’s indecision and self doubt, but I understand that it is more about who she is than about the overall story. Good characters and good plot. I liked the way magic flowed throughout the story. I liked
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the Berry sisters and kept expecting them to play a more intricate role as the story went on. I like F'ryan and the other ghosts. I hope many of these characters play a role in the future books in the series. This was a unique tale of a unique land. I eagerly anticipate the other stories in this series. Show Less
LibraryThing member Garridon
This book is like an old friend--it's so good that I periodically go back and reread it again. I'm looking forward to the next one coming out this year.
LibraryThing member jbrubacher
A girl is kicked out of school, and on her way home she encounters a dying messenger. She agrees to deliver his message, not realizing it comes with a whole host of incredible problems including deadly creatures, invisibility, and long-forgotten magic.
The writing is good and it seems this is an
The writing is good and it seems this is an
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epic story in the tradition of Lord of the Rings, where surreal thing after surreal thing happens and the adventure continues with a host of strange characters. I read 120 pages and then stopped, though, because it was not what I wanted. I wanted more character development for our protagonist, and a more orginal plot rather than a series of fantastical events. Some people will adore this story, I'm sure. It just wasn't for me. Show Less
LibraryThing member kendosam
This is the first novel in an exciting new fantasy series. The Green Rider is a fast paced story about a feisty girl named Karigan, a run away from boarding school who gets caught up in a strange adventure when all she wants is to get home. This is a great read if you want a fresh, fun, classic
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fantasy read. You will not want to put it down. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
IAFA William L. Crawford Fantasy Award (Finalist — 1999)
Original language
English
Original publication date
1998
Physical description
471 p.; 4.2 inches
ISBN
0886778581 / 9780886778583