Customer Reviews

Green Rider

5 star:		(147)
4 star:		(52)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

"Green Rider" has some decent fight sequences and an occasional moment of cleverness, but honestly, if you're an adult looking for the next big thing in high fantasy, this isn't it. Kristen Britain's characters are lousy, her plotting is hodgepodge, and her writing is never better than Mercedes Lackey's worst books. Overall, this comes across as overhyped, underwritten junk for teenagers, a waste of time for any reader who's made it past the "Sweet Valley High" stage.

The main character is Karigan, a young girl who encounters a dying messenger from a guild called "The Green Riders". Forced to take over the man's mission, she soon gets caught up in a series of wild adventures and chased by eight-legged beasties and an assortment of not very frightening villains such as "The Grey One". (I think that name was only chosen because "The Dark One" was already taken.) Characterization is appallingly thin, with no attempt to move the central character beyond the stereotypical 'spoiled girl encountering the real world for the first time'. The author doesn't seem to understand that a story like this won't succeed unless the main character is likeable and sympathetic; her protagonist comes across more as irritating. Minor characters suffer even worse development, and they tend to blend together since they don't serve any purpose other than to gives Karigan advice or assistance for a few pages and then disappear.

Of course, a simple quest or adventure story can be enjoyable even if it doesn't aspire to be great literature. But for this to happen, something must occur to build up tension and suspense, or else the story just flatlines. You can never really feel that Karigan is in any danger in "Green Rider" because some new character or concept always get introduced to the story just in time to save her. And there's one scene where she manages to escape from two bad guys just because they start fighting with each other. But wait, why did they start fighting with each other? It's never explained.

One of the first things your high school English teacher probably taught you is the 'show, don't tell' rule. Kristen Britain must have been absent that day. When she wants to say that Karigan is angry, she just writes "Karigan felt angry", or has her say "I am angry", but she doesn't make the character's words or actions sound angry. This is a critical difference, and it is symptomatic of Britain's immature writing style. Also, she chooses too many of those unpronouncable fantasy names with too many apostrophes. So in summary, let me just say that I did not like this book. Will children like it? I doubt it.

Running away from the shame of her expulsion, Karigan G'ladheon travels into the forest called the Green Cloak, she meets a Green Rider -a group of legendary and elite messengers in the King's service-who is dying with two black arrows protruding from his back. The Green Rider, makes Karigan swear to carry a message to Sacor City for the 'love of her country'. As as he passes on, he whispers with his last breath; "beware the shadow man...".

Karigan takes over the Green Rider's mission. Through her mission she's faced with many dangers and troubles both magic and mundane. If the message doesn't get to the king in time then the people of the Sacor kingdom will be in grave danger. The same question always pops up just how willing is Karigan to deliver the message.

This is an incredible fantasy book, all the ideas are orginal and well-thought out. The characters are well developed. This is one of the best fantsy books I have ever read, sure it's long but I wouldn't want it any shorter. Karigan is one of those strong female heriones who will do everying in her power to do what is right and help her people. The horse, Condor, was a lovable character as well.

Ok why is everybody complaining about a name of a river??? Or how the names were unoriginal (look at todays society what kind of name is the Rio Grande or the Grand Canyon- So not original!!!) You are supposed to be reviewing the book!!!

This was a really good book that had an interesting plot and made you want to get your hands on the sequel. Not only was Britain's world compelling and unique but the book entrances the reader to finish the book. The main character is funny and can easily be related to many people. To say she is annoying is untrue because she acts like most people her age. Britain's book was highly entertaining and highly original!!!

My dad is in the army, and as a result, we move a lot. The first time that I realized what that meant, I was 16 years old. By then I was already a reader, so to take my mind off things, I went to the book store to get some books for the move. I found this book, and it stole my heart. It reminded me that things happen, and if we want to, we can overcome it, and become better for it. Now at 20, it still remains my favorite story that I read whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed.

This was one of the best books I have read in a very long time. Someone lent it to me saying how great a book it was, but I can't say I really believed them. They also lent me the second book at the same time. When I finished this book I couldn't wait to read the next one, First Rider's Call. The second was even more amazing then the first and I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone who likes a book with a little bit of everything mixed in. It's mostly adventure and fantasy, though. So read this book and hurry on to the next one! The third one's not out yet but I can't wait to read it so I can find out what happens. I couldn't believe that this book was Kristen Britain's first published novel. The whole plot of it keeps getting better as it goes. A full five stars all the way.

I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a straight-forward fantasy novel so much! _Green Rider_ was well-written and a lot of fun. Plenty of derring-do and high adventure, plus political intrigue and some very charming characters (the Misses Bunchberry and Bayberry, anyone?). A just plain out good read. If you like fantasy at all, you'll like this book!

I was looking for a book to take on vacation with me and found this book through Amazon's recommendation list. I ordered it and was eagerly anticipating reading it.

Once I started I was thoroughly disappointed. The book starts of with a good premise - Karrigan fleeing a conflict at school and meeting a dying Green Rider on the trail home. From there I felt like the book never offered anything original. The names of the characters in the book were weak ("The Horse", "North", etc...) and unoriginal. The premise of evil being locked away behind a barrier (the D'yer wall) was completely unoriginal - if you want to read a good example of evil held behind a magical barrier read either Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series or Terry's Goodkind's Wizard's First Rule.

And speaking of Terry Goodkind, there is an acknowledgement at the beginning of the book to Terry Goodkind for help and support during the writing process. This is repaid by naming a river after him (TerryGood river). Unoriginal!

I felt like every chance the book had to develop an interesting plot line was missed. I think the best part of the book was the villain - Britain did a good job making you despise the main villain Amilton. Other than that the book was a book that will be quickly forgotten.

Thankfully the vacation was much better than the book.

The first novel in the Green Rider series is amazing. The world author Kristen Britain creates in her first novel is original and very enjoyable. Karigan is running away from school when she crosses paths with a dying Green Rider, one of the King's messengers. With his dying words, he convinces her that she must finish his mission and deliver his message to the King. As the story progresses we discover, along with Karigan, that the King's brother is in league with an immortal sorcerer bent on dominating humans. While not quite on the same level as early Mercedes Lackey, or Lynn Flewelling, Britain's first novel is an engaging, fun read, and I can't wait to read more from this new author.

I totally LOVE this book! and I can't WAIT to read the sequel
Kristen Britain is really a gifted writer. I love the plot and everything in the story though I was a bit disappointed at the ending ( WARNING: SPOLER!) when Kari left for Corsa and I was wondering if she liked the king or Alton though I was hoping it would be Alton it seems to be the king but the story never said I quess thats what makes the waiting for the second one even more restless.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. It is well-written and exciting. The story gets right to the point when Karigan meets a dying Green Rider and is swept up into an adventurous journey to deliver an important message to the king.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves magic and intrigue.