Green Rider: The epic fantasy adventure for fans of THE WHEEL OF TIME - Softcover

Britain, Kristen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0575099852 ISBN 13: 9780575099852

Publisher: Gollancz, 2011

Synopsis

Karigan G'ladheon always seemed to be getting into a fight, and today was no exception.

But as she trudged through the forest, using her long walk home to contemplate her depressing future - and the expulsion it was bound to hold - a horse burst through the woodland and charged straight for her. The rider was slumped over his mount's neck with two arrows embedded in his back. Wherever his horse was taking him, he would be dead before they got there.

There's nothing Karigan can do, as the young man lies dying on the road. He had sworn to carry out his mission as a Green Rider - one of the legendary messengers of the king - and he has a life or death message that must reach King Zachary. Karigan may be unable to save him, but she can deliver his message. He makes her swear to it, to keep it secret and, with his last breath, he warns her to 'beware the shadow man ...'

Pursued by an unknown assassin, following a path only her horse seems to know, and accompanied by the silent specter of the original messenger, Karigan is going to become a legendary Green Rider herself. Caught up in a world of deadly danger and complex magic, compelled by forces she cannot understand, her simple promise to deliver a letter is about to become a race against time ... and a race for her life ...

About this title

Review:

This fat fantasy is the author's first published novel. Although the typical back cover quotes from Anne McCaffrey and Marion Zimmer Bradley overly praise it somewhat--"stunning", "terrific", "classic"--it's a good, highly readable debut. Kristen Britain tells her story at a headlong pace and with considerable charm. Young heroine Karigan hardly has time to regret being expelled from school (for duelling) before finding herself committed to the desperate errand of a murdered Green Rider. The Riders are an elite messenger corps using both horses and magic; the message is a terrible warning. Bad things from bad places are invading this fantasyland, their presence being only part of a devious, sorcery-aided human struggle for the throne. Karigan's wild ride is beset with a variety of enemies but aided by her own developing talents plus certain strange allies; these include the tormented ghost of the dead Green Rider himself--still pierced by and trying to resist the chief villain's black arrows that ensnare the soul. Delivering the message to a suspicious court is only half Karigan's job: can it be interpreted in time? The pages turn fast, the heroine is likeable and the villains hissable, and all ends as it should. --David Langford

Review:

?A wonderfully captivating heroic fantasy adventure.? ?Terry Goodkind ?Terrific.? ?Marion Zimmer Bradley ?Karigan is an engaging protagonist, and the scenes of magic and/or combat rise to a high standard.? ?"Publishers Weekly" ?A fresh fantasy.? ?"Kirkus Reviews"

About this edition

• Publisher: Gollancz
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0575099852
• ISBN 13: 9780575099852
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 592