Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Green Rider (Green Rider #1)

4.07 of 5 stars 4.07 · rating details · 11,767 ratings · 677 reviews

On her long journey home from school after a fight which will surely lead to her expulsion, Karigan G'ladheon ponders her future as she trudges through the immense forest called Green Cloak. But her thoughts are interrupted by the clattering of hooves as a galloping horse bursts from the woods, the rider slumped over his mount's neck, impaled by two black-shafted arrows. A...more

Mass Market Paperback, DAW book collectors #1102 , 471 pages

Published April 1st 2000 by DAW Books (first published 1998)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Best "Strong Female" Fantasy Novels

47th out of 2,151 books — 5,609 voters

Best Kick-Ass Female Characters From YA and Children's Fantasy and Science Fiction

94th out of 1,146 books — 4,674 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Jun 29, 2012 Mike (the Paladin) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

This is a good beginning to a good trilogy*(Update...the "trilogy" has gone 4 volumes now, oh well). This is a mainly character driven book. The "courier" is in fact an interesting historical character in "his or her" own right. Traditionally given special consideration (passing through enemy lines in battle, traveling enemy territory allowing communication between hostile powers etc.) they are fascinating. Of course what I mention above is the "ideal" in reality a lot of messengers didn't actua...more

9 likes · like · see review

Oct 27, 2007 Roberta rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Any Lackey fans

Shelves: fantasy, favorites

When I read the back of this book, I thought wow; sounds like the Heralds of Valdemar, and if you point out some generalities, it sounds even more so. Young heroine, special horses, magical abilities, messengers for the king. Wow, sounds familiar--Talia--young heroine, special horses--companions, magical abilities--mind magic, messengers for the king--heralds act as messengers. But that's where the similarities end unless you want to add good writing, characterization, and plot to the mix.

The wo...more

22 likes · like · see review

Jun 10, 2007 Aaron rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone, really

So, I really feel like The Green Rider demonstrates what a fantasy novel should really be. Just enough world building to pique the interest, with a lot of the usual fantasy tropes bobbing to the surface (ancient wars, forgotten magic, elite bodyguards, aloof faeries/elves hidden in the forests, etc) but other details that make it uniquely its own. The world building is not so overwhelming that is swamps the action or waters down the characters too much.
The pacing kept quick and exciting, as Ka...more

11 likes · like · see review

Apr 01, 2008 Chelsie Unicornkind rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Looking through a bookstore one day I was immediately attracted by the cover. Upon reading the book I was rather pleased with the result. A nice novel with adventure, magic, and intrigue it remains a book I read over and over again.

The story begins with Karigan running away from school. She won in a fight with a rich kid and wants to tell her father her end of the story. However, she runs into a dying Green Rider with a life and death message for the King. As she swears to deliver the message, h...more

8 likes · like · see review

Dec 19, 2008 Becky rated it 5 of 5 stars

I picked up this book because of an eye-catching cover followed by a few good reviews I ran across while browsing around. I'm glad I did!

This is a fairly standard fantasy work in a lot of ways: Karigan is practically shoved into the role of heroine when circumstances lead her to come across a man, dying with two black arrows in his back, who pleads with her to carry his urgent message to the king. She is quickly thrust into life-or-death situations, meeting all sorts of strange people along her...more I picked up this book because of an eye-catching cover followed by a few good reviews I ran across while browsing around. I'm glad I did!

This is a fairly standard fantasy work in a lot of ways: Karigan is practically shoved into the role of heroine when circumstances lead her to come across a man, dying with two black arrows in his back, who pleads with her to carry his urgent message to the king. She is quickly thrust into life-or-death situations, meeting all sorts of strange people along her way, narrowly escaping trouble - especially as she evades the mysterious Shadow Man. Her race to the King is aided by The Horse, who was the steed of the dying messenger... and who seems to know just the right way to go, or when something bad is approaching. She discovers that the use of magic is alive and well in the world, both good and evil, while most people have thought it long gone. She encounters evil people and terrible creatures, and she stretches herself to the limit, using what few resources she has, finding friends where she can, and thinking on her toes. Karigan's growth as a person is apparent by the end.

A lot of elements in this story seem very familiar (I could draw a lot of Tolkien similarities, if I wanted to), but the writing style and strong feminine protagonist make the story feel fresh. There's just enough world background/history included to make the story feel rich without being overwhelming. There's political intrigue to complicate matters. There's enough foreshadowing that a second read would be well worth my while, to see what elements I may have missed or glanced over the first time through. I was happily impressed by the number of strong women characters included in the story, in a genre where men usually take the dangerous, action-packed roles.

My bottom line is that it was a very engaging fantasy, an entertaining read, and just enough of the right elements to make it a good story. While the first book in a series, the plot of this story is self-contained and makes this book stand on its own, if the reader wants to stop there. Myself, I'll be checking out the second book soon.(less)

6 likes · like · see review

Jun 11, 2008 Paxnirvana rated it 1 of 5 stars

Not good. Mary Sue main. EVERYTHING revolves around this girl. Which can be okay as a device if the author handles it right. This one didn't. *sigh*

The overall story also suffers from a common problem in fantasy world-building: TOO MUCH. If magic horses and riders aren't enough for the tired old the-throne-is-threatened-oh-no-must-save-it! trope, add bad elves, ancient magics, rich men who mysteriously fall for the heroine, shadowy bad guys, Disney-esque old ladies in isolated magical mansions...more

12 likes · like · see review

Dec 29, 2010 Susan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: hardback

Another of those "I picked it up because of the cover" (lovely artwork by the late Keith Parkinson!) that was a reward for adventurousness -- Enjoyed this book I've had to buy 4 copies because I need to spread the wealth :-)

I tend to send books to my sister and niece, plus I've been known to waylay strangers in the bookstore if they venture down the F/SF aisle (or the horror aisle).

5 likes · like · see review

Mar 20, 2011 Catie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, read-in-2011, series, ya

This is a perfectly serviceable little fantasy. The references to The Lord of the Rings, and even Star Wars are prevalent, but that in itself doesn’t really bother me. There are many successful novels out there that owe allegiance to the classics of fantasy (Harry Potter, anyone?). The only problem is, the constant LOTR references led me to compulsorily compare this book to its older, more experienced, more complex, better grandfather. And I say compulsorily, because I really didn’t want to. I t...more This is a perfectly serviceable little fantasy. The references to The Lord of the Rings, and even Star Wars are prevalent, but that in itself doesn’t really bother me. There are many successful novels out there that owe allegiance to the classics of fantasy (Harry Potter, anyone?). The only problem is, the constant LOTR references led me to compulsorily compare this book to its older, more experienced, more complex, better grandfather. And I say compulsorily, because I really didn’t want to. I tried very hard to just take this book for what it was, which is an appealing, light story, aimed at a young audience. But I just couldn’t. I kept wishing that the story was darker, that the characters were more complex, and that the conclusions weren’t so obvious.

The heroine of the story is Karigan, who has just run away from her boarding school after being suspended for offending the young son of a prominent family. On her rash journey home, she falls upon a dying Green Rider, who compels her to take up the important message that he carries and continue on his mission to the King. What she doesn’t realize is that she has been called there to take up the office of Green Rider herself, and begin a life of intrigue and adventure (not to mention, many close calls).

There are plenty of good characters in this story – Jendara the embittered mercenary, or Captain Mapstone the scarred Green Rider who has survived against all odds – just for a couple of examples. Unfortunately, Karigan just isn’t that exciting. She seems to succeed mainly because of extreme luck, or with lots of help, and not so much due to her own skills. There are just too many instantly available magical aids for my liking, with not enough elbow grease. Also, I got pretty tired of her constant denial by the end of the story. If I had to see her stamp her foot and say, “I’m NOT a Green Rider!” like a five year old one more time, I would have given up. I think that’s the main thing holding me back from reading the second book (for now, anyway). I just don’t think that I can stand to see her hem and haw and go through her little “inner struggle” and then finally admit that she’s a Green Rider. Just accept it Karigan!

Even with the above gripes, I would recommend this to fans of very light fantasy, and readers from ages 12-18 (and people who are young at heart). If you are a snarky adult like me, I would steer clear.
(less)

5 likes · like · see review

Mar 12, 2009 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone

I've read this book so many times, my copy is starting to come apart. I absolutely LOVE it. The main character Karigan is so believable, I can relate easily to her, and I know that most people would feel the same. The story is very original and engaging. It's definitely a must read for any fantasy book fan.

5 likes · like · see review

May 11, 2012 Lynsey (The Demon Librarian) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: heroine-i-love, high-fantasy, magic-tastic, unusual-creatures-beings-species, swords-and-socery, girl-power

Swords and sorcery, coming of age, adventure, action, magic, creatures of myth and legend, dark magic, evil power-hungry bad guys, magical horses, kidnappings, betrayals, triumphs, defeats. Any of that sound good? Then you should read this book!

It truly had a bit of everything. It's quite a long story but the pacing was pretty consistent and fast throughout. I instantly felt comfortable in the world-building, it was very easy to acclimate to. I have read a few swords and sorcery type books but n...more Swords and sorcery, coming of age, adventure, action, magic, creatures of myth and legend, dark magic, evil power-hungry bad guys, magical horses, kidnappings, betrayals, triumphs, defeats. Any of that sound good? Then you should read this book!

It truly had a bit of everything. It's quite a long story but the pacing was pretty consistent and fast throughout. I instantly felt comfortable in the world-building, it was very easy to acclimate to. I have read a few swords and sorcery type books but not so many as to become complacent with them so I put this feeling of easing into the world-building so effortlessly firmly in Britain's hands. At the start of the book it almost felt as if we were coming into a story midway through, due to the fact that Karigan, the main character, is on the run because of something bad that happened. At the time you just had to go with it and trust that all would become clear later. Which of course it did, and it all linked nicely together to combine characters and plots and all the various points of view into one excellent story of an ordinary young girl being put on an extraordinary path.

In the first chapter Karigan crashes headlong into a rider coming the opposite way with two black arrows protruding from his back. She quickly identifies him as a Green Rider- a type of royal messenger with rumoured magical abilities- and accepts his dying wish that she continue his mission to deliver an urgent message to the King of Sacoridia. She accepts, and fearing that whoever shot those arrows may be nearby, heads off swiftly to complete her new mission, taking the now dead Green Rider's horse and message with her.

And so starts Kari's journey, and it soon becomes evident that simple timing and a chance encounter may not have been the only reason the rider found Karigan that day, for Green Riders are called to their professions through magic, and the rider's broach has accepted her.

“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.”

All in all a great fantasy-filled adventure story. Suitable in content for younger readers but not written specifically for them. There is a definite sense that Kari's story has only just begun even though this book's story is completely wrapped up and could be read as a stand alone. There are clues throughout to Kari's specialness. I get a bit annoyed when people complain about books whose main characters have that "the chosen one" thing about them. I mean, okay, if it's bordering on ridiculous and they can all of a sudden do EVERYTHING without any training or previous knowledge, then that's one thing, but other than that, I want my main characters to be special. Otherwise why would I be reading their story?

Frivolous side note: I hope I'm right in my suspicions about a possible romantic sub-plot to come, that would be very welcome please thank you.

My only negative would be that there was very little detail given on the characters in terms of ages, physical descriptions etc and I like details to help me build up my mental image. It said things like "character x looked only around 5 years older than Karigan" but since I don't know how old she is, other than that she was at school/university and is considered a "young woman" so, that's what? 16-21 then? That wasn't much help. And there's quite a difference in maturity levels in those ages. So, yeah that was a bit annoying but that's about the only thing I can think of.

Recommended to Fantasy adventure fans!

4 Stars! ★★★★(less)

4 likes · like · see review

Dec 02, 2012 ☪ℒiℱ ☚☠☛ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

'Karigan G'ladheon, başını büyük derde sokan
bir okul kavgasından sonra eve doğru çıktığı
uzun yolculuğu sırasında Yeşim Pelerin denen
sık ormanlıkta geleceğiyle ilgili endişelerine
boğulmuş bir halde yürürken, aniden çalıların
arasından çılgın gibi dörtnala fırlayan bir atla
karşılaşır; atın binicisi iki siyah okla sırtından
vurulmuştur ve eyerde zorlukla oturabilmektedir.
Genç adam ormanın içinden geçen toprak yolda
son nefesini vermeden önce, Karigan'a kendisinin
kralın Yeşil Süvari olarak bilinen efsa...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 03, 2012 Kat Hooper rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: audiobook

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.

"Ride, Greenie, ride!"

Karigan G'ladheon, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, has been kicked out of school because she beat up the son of a nobleman. On her way home she crosses paths with a Green Rider, one of King Zachary’s messengers. The Rider has two black arrows in his back, but before he dies he coerces Karigan into promising to take a sealed message to the king. Reluctantly, Karigan sets out to fulfill her vow. Along the way she meets allies and en...more ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.

"Ride, Greenie, ride!"

Karigan G'ladheon, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, has been kicked out of school because she beat up the son of a nobleman. On her way home she crosses paths with a Green Rider, one of King Zachary’s messengers. The Rider has two black arrows in his back, but before he dies he coerces Karigan into promising to take a sealed message to the king. Reluctantly, Karigan sets out to fulfill her vow. Along the way she meets allies and enemies, fights battles with creatures out of nightmare, makes friends with a horse, and learns a bit about magic, and herself, too.

For years I’ve been planning to read Kristen Britain’s Green Rider, which was first published in 1998. I finally decided to take the plunge into this big fantasy epic when Penguin released it in audio a few weeks ago. Pleased with the story and the audio performance, I listened to the entire book in just a couple of days. Penguin Audio’s version of Green Rider is read by Ellen Archer, who was new for me. She has a pleasant voice and had no problem with the diversity and range of male and female voices in Green Rider. She is a good narrator for this series.

The world of GREEN RIDER feels real. In this first story we learn about some of its history, politics, myths, legendary heroes, and games. This is all done naturally and without extensive infodumps. The characters, too, are mostly well done, though the villains tend to be shallow and overtly evil. Karigan is not always likeable, but she’s a willful and spunky heroine who I hope will become less aloof as the series goes on. Karigan is supported by several characters that we can’t help but like, such as her father, the batty Berry sisters and their invisible servants, a few other Riders, and King Zachary himself. Oh, and the horse!

Britain creates a nice balance of tension and leisure in Green Rider. Though murder, treachery, and political intrigue abound, there are several sweet times, too. I foresaw many of the plot’s “surprises,” and the end of the magical battle at the climax of the novel was a bit silly, but that didn’t bother me. Mostly I enjoyed riding with Karigan and living in her world for a time. I will be happy to read book two, First Rider’s Call.

Green Rider is a nice choice if you’re in the mood for a traditional fantasy epic with some familiar elements used in a refreshing, but not revolutionary, way. Those who like Mercedes Lackey’s VALDEMAR series will be especially pleased.(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Jan 17, 2012 Rebecca rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favourites, favourite-covers, sci-fi-fantasy, magic

The book gets off to a slighlty awkward start, but it soon speeds up and eventually you can't put the book down. The plot captures your attention at just the right moments and the characters constantly surprise you. The book is about a girl called Karigan who, upon being thrown out of her school, finds one of the King's Green Riders with two arrows in his back. Making a promise and accepting a life that she underestimates, she embarks on an adventure which leads her to immense danger, to the mys...more

3 likes · like · see review

Sep 22, 2012 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, magic, teen, fantasy, medieval-fiction

I found this book in a search of available e-books for lend from my library. The description made the book sound interesting, so I reserved it. I'm really glad I did. This book draws you in from the beginning and you'll have a hard time putting it down. The story is intricately woven with many layers. The only thing I had trouble with was the age of the main character. When I started the book, I thought she was about 13, but after reading the book, I think she's closer to 16 or 17. I wish the au...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 14, 2008 Geneve rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Young adult readers, mostly

The story is nothing much new, but there's a surprising whiff of fresh air to it, mostly due to the characters, I think.

I liked the heroine; she came close to being cookie cutter here and there, but for the most part Britain makes an interesting, refreshingly flawed character out of all the cliches.
She was unapologetically belligerent, had enough bad judgment to be real, and by the end, it felt like she'd grown up a little, rather than perfect all along and simply misjudged.
The final battle see...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 09, 2010 Emma rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

I found this book on the floor of my friends room and started reading it for want of something to do. When the time came for me to go home, she let me take it with me, as I was so engrossed in the story.
We start with Karigan expelled from school, stumbling across a dying Green Rider, and she is shoved into the role of the heroine right away, as the Rider begs her to carry on his mission.
Yes, there are a lot of similarities with other books, there is magic, special abilities and a threat to the...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 29, 2013 Lise rated it 4 of 5 stars

I just finished reading Green Rider to my youngest son. When you have a dyslectic audience, reading to them is always IN. I cannot imagine how frustrating it must be to love litterature, yet be so hindered by something that I take so much for granted. Maybe it is somewhat like my need for a wheel-chair.

Anyways. Back to Green Rider.

As I read this book out loud, there are a couple of things I want to point out. Kristen writes beautifully. Names like Karigan G’ladheon just roll off my tongue. Readi...more

like · see review

Apr 01, 2013 Amy rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fantasy fans, fans of strong leading ladies

Shelves: fantasy

I actually bought this book years ago. I found it at a local flea market and it sounded appealing - even though I knew nothing about the book or author. I set it aside and read a few reviews of it that made the book sound dreadfully boring and pretty much erased my interest in it.

Fast forward until a couple of weeks ago.

I was looking at reviews at this very website for books that I was interested in and I thought about this one. I still had my sightly battered copy of Green Rider sitting on my s...more

like · see review

Mar 22, 2013 Hilary rated it 4 of 5 stars

Green Rider
The first novel by Kirsten Britain, hooked me from the start. I picked it up from a $2 store thinking it could be interesting but that it also looked standard fare of the fantasy available.
It was one of those books I couldn’t put down. The character development was strong, and the characters interesting. The world was similar enough to envelop me but different enough for the curiosity of more.
While Green Rider does have some fantasy cliches in it - the tall wall with brooding evil beh...more

like · see review

Jan 09, 2013 Kody rated it 5 of 5 stars

You are taught very early on that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Sometimes, it totally works for you, as happened for me when I saw the cover to Kristen Britain’s Green Rider.
My girlfriend decided to send me into this book with some preconceptions of her own, but I’ve never been duly affected by others opinions. That being said, I was left feeling a little as if the diligence put into the creation of the world and the languages was a little pretentious in light of the apparent juvenili...more You are taught very early on that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Sometimes, it totally works for you, as happened for me when I saw the cover to Kristen Britain’s Green Rider.
My girlfriend decided to send me into this book with some preconceptions of her own, but I’ve never been duly affected by others opinions. That being said, I was left feeling a little as if the diligence put into the creation of the world and the languages was a little pretentious in light of the apparent juvenility of the writing.
That soon changed, I actively saw Kristen Britain’s writing grow as the story went on, and by the time I was a quarter of the way through her writing had filled out and become something much more mature and intelligent. There are still times when her writing reverts to a sort of good side of childishness don’t get me wrong, with some inspiring words and phrase choices and story turns, but on the whole Britain writes very well.
Britain knows her languages, I think, because she uses them to great extent throughout this book, Linkages throughout history are portrayed through characters surnames, and a rich depth is exuded when you read of characters with names like Karigan G’ladheon and F’Ryan Cobble bay, mixes of the traditional with atypical naming structures that really add further polish to an already captivating story.
I admit a certain bias whenever I read a story those centuries around a female of late-teenage/early-twenty years, who is not incompetent or perpetually scared. They are my favorite story to read, and Green Rider has continued in that vein.
The story being wrought here is fascinating, with ties reaching back a thousand years, all brought together in the “present” around our main character, Karigan, and those that she meets. Karigan actually spends the first half of this book on her own, with no one following her more than a few chapters. You are left with the impression of a young woman running for her life, which is exactly the mood I imagine Britain wanted to portray.
But it is when Karigan reaches her destination and meets those that she will befriend that the story really draws you in, adding more and more characters to whom you are attached.
The story also continues to grow as the second half of the book continues, expanding what we know and hinting at much more. There is very little of the hated “he knows something but is too afraid to tell everyone and therefore the missing piece is still missing” trope, for which I am eternally grateful. Information is relatively free flowing, as is the story, if a little stroppy at times, with a few contrivances extending the storyline just long enough for the long-awaited confrontation to take place.
In the end, we are left with a very good, and somewhat contained, story, but a story that has a lot more to tell if you want it to, which definitely starts apace in book two. I really loved this book, and read through it in under a day, Putting the beautiful cover aside, this is a book that you would want on your shelf, as it is a story that is both captivating, intelligent, and excellently wrought in the telling. Cant wait to read the second book
(less)

like · see review

Aug 27, 2012 Zara rated it 3 of 5 stars

The first half of this book gets a 2 star, the second half gets a 4 star so it averaged out at a 3. I did really like the book, the ending really does make up for everything. The thing is there is a lot of bad re this book.
- Karigian is such a Mary Sue it is untrue. She manages to survive things that killed proper Green Riders with an annoying ease. But she also relies on other people to help, she's not even slightly independent.
- The start. Basicaly Kari has to get a message from point A to po...more The first half of this book gets a 2 star, the second half gets a 4 star so it averaged out at a 3. I did really like the book, the ending really does make up for everything. The thing is there is a lot of bad re this book.
- Karigian is such a Mary Sue it is untrue. She manages to survive things that killed proper Green Riders with an annoying ease. But she also relies on other people to help, she's not even slightly independent.
- The start. Basicaly Kari has to get a message from point A to point B but the entire first half consisted of leaving point A, getting really close to point B, getting attacked and taken back to point A, surving getting back close to point B, getting kidnapped and taken back to point A again. The story was really beginning to bore me.
- The writing really lacked developed description. The things that were describered were described over and over again: the weather, the green uniform etc.
- I felt like the author had a written the history of the entire country in her head along with every single miniscule detail that could be had about every part of the book, from the characters to the places, to the country as a whole I just don't feel like much of that information was included in the book, or bits were included but bits were left out.
- The were a lot of mysteries that could be explained brillinantly but were comepletely bypasssed- the Brooch.
- The elderly sisters. They felt put in so tey could give Kari the moonstone and the flowers to help her. I feel like their storyline could be nearly entirely cut or really explanded upon but they weren't untalises well by the author at all. What's the point in visions if they're not utalised properly.
However, despite all this the story once Kari gets the message to the king (I'm not calling it a spoiler 'cause we all knew it's happen) the book really picks up and I really did enjoy it. The secondary characters were so well developed and really loveable/hateable depending on which side they were on. I really did care about the King and wanted him to win.
I read this book thinking fantasy, horses and a female lead. If you're looking for something really along those lines I wouldn't reccomend this book. The book is in the fantasy genre but more sci fi I would say. It has the telltale signs of fantasy, basically Europe before any technology at all but it's not fantasy to me.
The female heroine is good, but she's not a developed person, she feels like she tried to be a strong heroine but turned into a Mary Sue and lacked a lot of realism.
The horse gets some mention in the first half, but that half isn't the best and there's no relationship between Kari and the horse which is what I wanted, as an avid horse lover, when I started this book. I imagine it'd much more horse related than it was.
(less)

like · see review

Apr 15, 2012 Sabrina rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-and-sci-fi

This book came up as a potential read for fantasy month at my book club a couple times. It was never voted in, and now that I've read it...I'm kind of glad.

I understand this was Ms. Britain's first novel, and it shows. Teenage girl runs away from school after being wronged, happens across magical horse and sacred quest, is pursued by evil and helped by creates, kind old ladies with extravagant estates who appear out of nowhere, the ghost of the man whose horse and quest she inherited, unknown ma...more

like · see review

Dec 11, 2011 E. Stoops rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everybody

Shelves: bathtub-book

I bought this book after saving up for the hard-cover price the year it came out. I was so glad I got it as a hardback. This book sucks me in every time I read it, which is about every other year.

Karigan is a great role model, she's a great heronine and she's interesting (thought she gets knocked out a lot.) She is remarkably lucky, but it doesn't really feel contrived except once, which can be explained by the general premise of the book (not a rock solid explanation by any means, but a passab...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 28, 2011 Kyleigh rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-unowned

This was a straightforward book with some truly wonderful characters. The protagonist of the story, Karigan G'ladheon, is a spunky, courageous, and imminently lovable young woman. As the story progresses, her strength of character and inherent goodness are revealed. The friends that she makes along her journey disappear, making hers a sojourn of sorts, something that is uncommon to fantasy stories. Also uncommon is that of the enemies she meets early on, only one ends up being a problem for her....more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 02, 2011 Keilani Ludlow rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was an interesting book. It took me until about 3/4 of the way through to really get hooked, but even when I wasn't hooked there was something that kept me from just putting it down without ever finishing it. The second and third were quite good as well and I look forward to the fourth.

It's a little bit of a throwback to other stories. Evil magic has been locked away for centuries but now the wall that locks it away is beginning to crumble and the knowledge to repair the magic has long been...more

like · see review

Jan 26, 2011 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, fantasy

The first in a series of three, Green Rider, is a great fantasy novel. Britain does a great job of grouping adventure, magic, and danger in her book and draws the reader into a wonderful world.

Karigan has recently been expelled from school for fighting. Knowing she will be shamed in her father's eyes, she sets off not sure of what to do next. In the deep woods however she encounters a strange rider and his horse. He is dying, two black arrows embedded in his body, and he implores her to complete...more The first in a series of three, Green Rider, is a great fantasy novel. Britain does a great job of grouping adventure, magic, and danger in her book and draws the reader into a wonderful world.

Karigan has recently been expelled from school for fighting. Knowing she will be shamed in her father's eyes, she sets off not sure of what to do next. In the deep woods however she encounters a strange rider and his horse. He is dying, two black arrows embedded in his body, and he implores her to complete his task. He gives her his green coat, message satchel, a golden horse pin and mostly importantly of all, his horse and tells her to run. Having agreed to his bequest, she takes off on the horse into danger she's never encountered before. Though she hardly knows it, she has just taken up the duty of a King's Green Rider, magical messengers with uncanny abilities.

As Karigan rides she meets several different people. Kindly ladies who give her help and rest, evil men and creatures who want to kill her, followers of the King and not-so-followers of the King (there is a faction calling for no monarchy). In another part of the world too the King's scorned brother is planning revenge. She must deliver the message to the King at all costs but there are so many things going against her. Around every turn is danger and even if she reaches the King, who is to say that it will stop there? She has the magic of the Green Riders, but that may not even be enough.

Karigan is a wonderful heroine. She is brave but still has a touch of humility and is not so perfect as to be unbelievable. She has enough courage to face the odds and is really an inspiration as far as strong characters go. The bad guys are decidedly evil yet have human emotions as well which is refreshing. There were several times I found myself trying to skim as I had to find out what happened to Karigan and that she would be ok; it was wonderful to have such a connection to a character. I do have to say I often cheered for the horse too, he was one awesome horse and a great friend for Karigan on the journey.

Like with most fantasies it takes awhile to fully understand the world. Because it takes place in a different setting than Earth as we know it the names of cities and countries take some getting used to. Gradually though, Britain manages to make the reader have a reasonable clue of where and when they are. While most of the writing is unoffensive there is violence in this novel. It is not overdone but neither is it hidden either. My only complaint on the writing is that sometimes Britain left Karigan's tale and showed glimpses from the bad guy's view or her father's. While it was important to the plot it was somewhat distracting and broke the flow of the story.

A great fantasy novel I am certainly looking forward to the next in the series. Britain manages to weave a spell of magic not only in her book but also around the reader as well.

Green Rider
Copyright 1998
471 pages (less)

like · see review

Sep 19, 2010 Rachel rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I did enjoy this book, but not sure if I will continue with the series. Maybe if this was one of the first fantasy books I'd ever read I would have been more excited about it.

You can tell this is a blossoming author and this is one of the first she published. The plot and characters are kind of trite and typicial of many fantasy novels: spirited, spunky, smart, and beautiful girl gets draw into the old magic of her world. Strangers reminicent of fairy godmothers take her in and give her a littl...more

like · see review

May 17, 2010 Anila rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed, save-me-from-the-tropes

Most of my commentary on this book, actually, has to do with its similarities to Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar- after all, that was the reason I picked it up. But since other reviewers have addressed it, I'll just summarize it like so: Easy to see the parallels, and at the time it seems almost derivative. However, there are distinct differences.
So, addressing Green Rider itself-
If I recall, this is Britain's first book, and it does show. Could stand for some better editing- run-on senten...more Most of my commentary on this book, actually, has to do with its similarities to Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar- after all, that was the reason I picked it up. But since other reviewers have addressed it, I'll just summarize it like so: Easy to see the parallels, and at the time it seems almost derivative. However, there are distinct differences.
So, addressing Green Rider itself-
If I recall, this is Britain's first book, and it does show. Could stand for some better editing- run-on sentences and a general lack of punctuation where it could have clarified things. The story is a pretty straightforward fantasy- so much so that I predicted two major twists easily (three if you count the identity of the amber-haired man in Karigan's telescope vision). However, it does have some genuinely interesting, unique aspects under the tropes.
I loved the Berry sisters, for one thing, and the inclusion of the ghosts in the story. The Wild Ride was cool too, though it wasn't explained and reminded me far too much of the Wild Hunt. Karigan's ability had nice limitations and flaws, too.
I was a bit frustrated by one really significant thing- is it just that I didn't notice, or was there NO description of the appearance of groundmites in the whole thing? The name makes me think bugs, but they were supposedly carrying shields at one point, so I was more than a little bit confused.
Amilton was stereotype-evil without reason, which annoyed me. I get that he's loathesome, wonderful, let's move on to motive- what do you mean there isn't one? And why was Jendara so all-fired devoted to him, anyhow? She intrigued me as a character, and I would have liked to see that aspect of her.

Short notes-
Is it just me, or is Karigan being set up to have to make the CHOICE BETWEEN MENZ?
Mapstone and Stevic? Is this going to happen, or am I reading too much into it?
BERYL is awesome.
Eletians are stereotypical elves, which was a bit annoying.
Villains are DUMB. UNBELIEVABLY DUMB. Good heavens- way to ruin your whole plot, Gray One, by telling the heroes how to fix everything.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Dec 11, 2009 Raya rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book didn’t wow me, but it was still a fun read similar to novels like Lord of the Rings, where the fate of a kingdom depends on one unwitting person. The Green Rider centers on Karigan, a feisty young woman who must send a message to the king in order to save the kingdom. It relied on several conventional themes of fantasy novels, the old evil that threatens to rise again, the unlikely heroine that must go on her own journey to persevere and save the kingdom. And of course, it wouldn’t be...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 21, 2009 Lolly's rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: epic-fantasy, part-of-a-series

The first impression one gets from reading the back cover of Green Rider is the obvious parallels to the Heralds of Valdemar series by Mercedes Lackey. Both involve messengers of the regent, special horses, and magic. And while there are some similarities, Britain's book reads with less magic and more grit and politics. The world is rougher, more dangerous; the land of the story is broken into clans, much as Europe was broken into multiple kingdoms, fiefdoms, etc. several centuries ago; clans wh...more

2 likes · like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
SciFi and Fantasy...: Know any books similar to Green Rider Series with female leads?( Preferably a high fantasy)	9	112	Sep 23, 2012 11:09am
What's The Name o...: Fantasy: cover with girl on horse in forest [s]	77	350	Jan 02, 2012 03:21pm

combine
Other Editions (23)

More editions...

Genres

Fantasy

1,364 users

Young Adult

78 users

Fantasy > Magic

68 users

Adventure

57 users

Science Fiction Fantasy

57 users

Fantasy > High Fantasy

42 users

Fantasy > Epic Fantasy

34 users

Romance

24 users

Adult

22 users

Young Adult > Young Adult Fantasy

16 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Kristen Britain

Kristen Britain grew up in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, where she started her first novel - an undersea fantasy featuring herself and her friends - at the age of nine. She published her first book, a cartoon collection called Horses and Horsepeople, at the age of thirteen. After completing her degree in film production at Ithaca College in 1987 she made the logical (?!) leap from cin...more

More about Kristen Britain...

Books by Kristen Britain

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Green Rider

3 trivia questions
1 quiz

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from Green Rider

“You're a stubborn, ill-trained horse." she said
The horse snorted and walked towards the North Road of his own volition.
"Hey!" Karigan pulled back on the reins. "Whoa. Who do you think is in charge here?” — 6 people liked it

“I swear...I'll deliver the message for the love of my country.” — 4 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Green Rider
avg rating	preview: Green Rider Goodreads rating: 4.07 (11767 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/147843.Green_Rider?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309280332l/147843.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/147843.Green_Rider?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Green Rider by Kristen Britain[/url]

Green Rider (Green Rider #1)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website