Green Rider

Green Rider: 1

ISBN: 0-88677-824-7 Order from: Amazon.com

A juvenile-type adventure with adult-level detail and solidity, this novel has magic, sword-fighting and struggle of courage against cruelty and ambition.

Reviewed by David on November 08, 1998

Genre: Fantasy (Coming of Age, Juvenile)

Synopsis: As a treasured daughter of an intelligent, ambitious self-made merchant magnate G'ladheon, Karigan is a student at one of the most prestigious schools in Sacoridia. Unfortunately, neither her intelligence nor her skill at the fencing lessons are likely to spare her contempt and enmity of the scions of ancient nobility studying there. When her hot temper and the political pressure engineered by her school foes cause her suspension, Karigan decides to leave for home. On the way, a fatally injured royal messenger leaves her in a dilemma: continue her jorney home to join her father's business, or fulfill the dying request of the Green Rider and deliver his perilous message to the court.

Unfortunately, Karigan has little time for deliberation: the enemies who killed the messanger are determined to stop the message. Pursued by experienced warriors and powerful magic, Karigan faces the challenge of her life as she runs toward the capital. However, little does she know that delivering the message is a small part of her job, as the royal court hides treachery and murder no less than the dark forest trails.

Full Review: Karigan, a young woman of intelligence and health, has little chance to develop skill or wisdom as she is dragged into dark plots, faces overwhelming odds as she is assaulted by ancient and powerful magic as well as armed persistence of skilled and desperate warriors. Luckily, she gets help on the way, including from ghosts, good witches, and well-meaning, if sometimes ignorant, royal subjects. The plot is solid, and the pacing, on the whole, appropriate, although the book seemed a bit padded at times.

The absent-minded "English countryside" sorceresses who reminded me Amberglass from Wrede's The Seven Towers were a bit over the top. There is a small amount of foreshadowing, enough to secure a couple of sequels. There is a mild amount of romantic potential, but the book is firmly centered on the plucky Karigan, her adventures and quick maturation. The implausibly important role of young Karigan, is, in fact, what makes this novel seem like a young adult story.

On the other hand, this keeps the plot focused, and her refreshingly sensible attitude (she is adamant about preferring helping her father in trade to riding about having adventures) make her a good vehicle for the story. Some of the secondary characters are interesting, one of them showing an intriguing conflict of love and honor.

The world is a bit sketchy: the peril is pretty standard, along with the ancient evil magic and ambitious aristocracy. The Green Riders with their mounts, their missions wrought with honor, obscure magic, and high risk, remind a bit too much of Lackey's Heralds in Arrows of the Queen and other books.

There is a somewhat more original but barely explored republican movement, set against both evil and good kings, with some satire thrown at the liberals. And there is also a minor environmental sub-plot, which is blessedly not too preachy.

On the whole, a solid, entertaining but not outstanding novel, quite impressive for Britain's first.

The sequel, First Rider's Call has been published in 2003.

Note: there is more information on the author's Web Site.

Version: 2

Overall: 6; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 5.5; Style: 5.5; World-building: 5.5; Originality: 6;

ISBN: 0-88677-824-7 Order from: Amazon.com