Green Rider (Green Rider Series #1) by Kristen Britain

From the Publisher

Karigan G'ladheon, running away from school, is traveling through a deep forest when a galloping horse pounds up to her, its rider impaled by two black-shafted arrows. With his dying breath, he tells her he is a Green Rider, one of the magical messengers of the King. Before he dies, he makes Karigan swear to deliver the message he's carrying, and gives her his green coat, with the symbolic brooch of his office. Pursued by unknown assassins, following a path only her horse seems to know, Karigan becomes a legendary Green Rider—for when given to the right person, a Rider's brooch awakens the magic inside....

Publishers Weekly

Britain's first novel is a classic quest tale set in a standardized medieval fantasy world. It begins when protagonist Karigan G'ladheon is expelled from an exclusive school. In a forest on the way home, she encounters one of the magically bound Green Riders, who carries a vital message for King Zachary. The messenger is dying with assassins' arrows in his back, so with more loyalty than caution, Karigan takes over his magic brooch. This also means taking over his mission and becoming a Green Rider herself, an act that flings Karigan into a cesspool of intrigues both magical and mundane, some of them well-handled by the author, some not. Karigan is an engaging protagonist, although the feisty female is now a penny a cartload in high fantasy, and some of the scenes of magic and/or combat rise to a high standard. Britain also makes notable use of class distinctions as motivators, a tact not often seen in fantasy. But, overall, her plot lacks originality; most of her characters (other than Karigan) are, at best, archetypes; and her pacing may be sufficiently uneven to deter readers from coping with the book's standard plot and considerable length. This is a respectable, not outstanding, debut, although Britain shows enough talent to warrant a follow-up. (Nov.) FYI: In its 25 years, DAW has published only one previous first novel in hardcover: Tad Williams's Tailchaser's Song.

VOYA

Karigan G'ladheon is suspended from school in Selium for winning a sword fight with the governor of Mirwell's son. Instead of waiting for her father to come and get her, Karigan runs away from school, hoping to beat the dean's letter and tell her father her side of the story first. Just as she enters the Green Cloak (an immense forest in Sacordia) a Green Rider on horseback bursts from the undergrowth and falls at her feet with two black arrows stuck in his back. Before he dies the Rider makes her swear to take his message to the king. Karigan reluctantly promises to deliver the message, but she ends up with more than she bargained for when she is pursued by soldiers, attacked by a hideous insect-like creature, is followed by a "shadow rider," and faces other life-threatening perils on her race to Sacor City and King Zachary. The horse becomes her guide and ally on the journey. The original messenger's spirit follows her and helps when he can, and his brooch has magic powers that she can use to foil her enemies. When she arrives in Sacor City, Karigan helps to fight the Mirwellians who try to take over from the king and is instrumental in saving the kingdom. This captivating fantasy is filled with adventure, action, and heroes that teens will enjoy reading about. Throughout her journey, Karigan encounters people who help her and become true friends. Karigan grows tremendously as a person and in the end finds her own place in this world. The characters, including minor ones, are well-developed and the plot is complex enough to get the reader thinking. This is a real page-turner. VOYA Codes: 4Q 4P S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses, Broad general YA appeal, Senior High-defined as grades 10 to 12).

Kirkus Reviews

Karigan G'ladheon, unjustly suspended from school for drubbing a bully, runs away instead. On the road she encounters a dying Green Rider, or king's messenger, F'ryan Coblebay. Hunted by evildoers, and pierced by two black arrows, the Rider makes Karigan swear to deliver his vitally important message, then gives her a magic brooch that renders her all but invisible. Karigan also acquires Coblebay's mount, The Horse, who seems to know better than she does how to find Sacor City and King Zachary. While enjoying various adventures, she's chased by agents of Lord-governor Mirwell—-she'll eventually learn that he's supporting the rebel Prince Amilton's bid to seize the throne. Worse, another conspirator, a magic-powered, elf-like Eletian renegade called Shawdell, has broken the D'Yer Wall, whose spells protect Sacoridia from the evil creatures of Blackveil Forest. Finding within herself unexpected talents and survival skills, Karigan eventually reaches King Zachary—-but the message she brings is worthless. Then she remembers that Coblebay also entrusted her with a love letter. It's this that contains the real message, a warning of the plot against Zachary. A fresh, well-organized fantasy debut, with a spirited heroine and a reliable supporting cast.

What People Are Saying

Terry Goodkind
A wonderfully captivating heroic fantasy adventure.

Marion Zimmer Bradley
Terrific.

Product Details

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