Published: November 1998
Pages: 471
Series: Green Rider #1
Summary
Young heroine Karigan hardly has time to regret being expelled from school (for dueling) 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 by 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?
My thoughts
This was soooooo enjoyable. I picked this up on a total whim at the bookshop and I have never been so delightfully surprised. There’s a special feeling for picking up a book randomly and loving it – I think we need to pen a name for this feeling!
I love Karigan, she’s someone ill prepared that managed to get stuck in something she didn’t ask for and she gave it 100% her all. Yes, she was a bit grumpy with the hand she was dealt but she really ran with it and didn’t waste her time complaining about it. She’s sharp and attentive and very self aware. She transformed from this ordinary girl into something far more.
The pacing is full on, there is much that happens. My heart was racing alongside Karigan and the situations she found herself in. This is a high-stakes race against time with mysterious assassins, dark magic, and political intrigue. I was hooked on this book! There is a touch of romance. It was very small of something to come but I don’t think it needed it to be honest. I mean, if I was Karigan, some romance would be the very last thing on my mind.
I loved the supernatural element that even though Karigan has picked up the mission, the previous Rider will not let her do it alone. There is a great amount of team work in this book, people of all sorts coming together, some of which start to form their own little found-family. I really want to keep reading this series – and its not finished yet. I think I recall this will be 10 books or so? I hope it doesnt get dragged out but I will read on to find out.
I loved the world building, it was so vivid and as much as there was beauty even the darker parts of landscape were so imaginative. From country roads, to secluded houses and dark forests filled with creatures I absolutely don’t want to come across on my evening dog walks..
“Caving in to fear will be your death,” he once said. “There is no room for it on the battlefield. Being afraid is healthy, but fear is an enemy.”
Also we need to talk about her horse. I love horses in books with their own personalities. Karigan and Condor formed a bond and they really looked after each other. I think I’m used to sidekicks being smaller animals so having such a close, rare bond with a horse really shined in this book and I loved to read about it.
I was really surprised when I looked to Goodreads and saw many 1 and 2 star reviews. This is just another reminder that you really can’t trust online reviews. Especially Goodreads where I always see the negative ones first, I’m not sure what’s going on there but I am glad I didn’t check or I may have never picked this up.
“Never forget you are a creature of free will. Free will is everything. You may choose to abandon your mission. Choice, my child, is the word. If you carry that message against your will, then the mission has already failed. Do you understand?”
Would I recommend?
Yes, this is an epic story that takes this young girl across a dangerous country to deliver a message to the King. With a range of characters she meets along the way and the use of her wit to get her out of dangerous situations. I really enjoyed it and I hope you do too.
I loooove this series so much, i hope you enjoy the rest of the books!