165th out of 2,203 books
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5,815 voters
First Rider's Call (Green Rider #2)
In this long-awaited sequel to Green Rider, Karigan G'ladheon finds herself in a world of deadly danger and complex magic. Compelled by forces she cannot understand, she becomes one of the legendary Green Riders-magic messengers to the king. Pursued by the ghost of the First Rider, Karigan will re-enter the life of the Green Riders-just as an ancient evil is reawakening...
Mass Market Paperback, 596 pages
Published
August 3rd 2004
by DAW
(first published January 1st 2003)
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Forbidden Love in Fantasy/ Paranormal/ Supernatural/ Historical Fictions
3rd out of 129 books
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I really struggled between giving this book two stars or three, but ultimately had to admit that I liked it. I am a sucker for series, and this book really had some good moments. I found myself drawn in and actually reading the book before bed, where with most books I reserve them only for my commute.
So now for the bad...GOOD LORD is this book a rip off of Lord of the Rings! Just like the first one is! Allow me to list the similarities (of course, some of these are carry-overs from Green Rider,...more
So now for the bad...GOOD LORD is this book a rip off of Lord of the Rings! Just like the first one is! Allow me to list the similarities (of course, some of these are carry-overs from Green Rider,...more
Definitely pretty good, overall. I had read the first book at least 2 years ago, so for the first 50 pages or so, I felt pretty lost, like I'd skipped a book. But then the details started trickling in, bit by bit, and I was appreciative of the fact that there hadn't been a huge info-dump at the beginning. It made the story flow better, and the reader curious to find out what was going on.
The reason that this doesn't get 5 stars is that too often, there was telling and not showing. And while it's...more
The reason that this doesn't get 5 stars is that too often, there was telling and not showing. And while it's...more
Kristen Britain's fabulous story of the Green Riders continues in this second installment, First Rider's Call. As a recap (and possible spoiler if you haven't read the first book) we were introduced to Karigan, a young merchant's daughter who had been expelled from school for fighting. By a stroke of coincidence, or perhaps she was called, she encounters a Green Rider in the woods. He had been mortally wounded and asks that she take up his horse and deliver his message for him. The Green Riders...more
This is the sequel to ‘Green Rider’, and a well done sequel at that.
Karigan G’ladheon had gone home to follow in her fathers footsteps, to be a merchant, determined to leave the world of kings, advisors, and Green Riders, behind. Everyone told her she wouldn’t be able to resist the call of the Riders, that once chosen, you stayed chosen, but she would have none of it. She didn’t want to be a Green Rider, she didn’t want to be a messenger. The brief period she had spent finishing the job of a de...more
Karigan G’ladheon had gone home to follow in her fathers footsteps, to be a merchant, determined to leave the world of kings, advisors, and Green Riders, behind. Everyone told her she wouldn’t be able to resist the call of the Riders, that once chosen, you stayed chosen, but she would have none of it. She didn’t want to be a Green Rider, she didn’t want to be a messenger. The brief period she had spent finishing the job of a de...more
Yet more (even stronger) allusions to LOTR among others - one scene was practically identical. The herione is permitted to look into a bowl filled with 'magic' water that's owned by a tall, mysterious creature in the middle of the woods to find out her destiny. Sound familiar? Heroine starts to be 'possessed' by 'dark' powers and can barely remember her life before... Blalala. Long dead men rise from barrows to wreak havoc upon the earth, called by their 'master'... Blatant plagiarism, but hey h...more
Well thus is the second book in the green rider series! I thought this was solid read nothing special but good enough! We start off 2 years after the events of Green Rider where Karrigan has become a full time green rider. So basically from the beginning weird things are happening sacordia such whole forests being turned to stone and people just vanishing and other events. These are being cause the re emergence of dark magic that seeping through the crack in dyer wall.
This continued the developm...more
This continued the developm...more
That was a long book. :P
I understand now what other GRs have been saying about how un"real" this book has become... If you considered the whole medieval era real, then this book amped the unrealness with the time travellings. At some point it was just weird. Although I loved it every time the story revolved around Kari. To the point that I would get annoyed when the POV shifts to someone else.
(view spoiler)...more
I understand now what other GRs have been saying about how un"real" this book has become... If you considered the whole medieval era real, then this book amped the unrealness with the time travellings. At some point it was just weird. Although I loved it every time the story revolved around Kari. To the point that I would get annoyed when the POV shifts to someone else.
(view spoiler)...more
A solid sequel that in many ways improves upon the first volume.
The basic concept behind the original novel was interesting and it was fun to explore this new band that shared some similarities to the Herald of Valdemar, but was clearly more inspired by the authors work as a Forest Ranger than a direct rip-off. Unfortunately the previous book leaned too hard on the deus ex machina to get its heroine out of trouble, making it less compelling.
Book 2 is a direct sequel, but reading the first volume...more
The basic concept behind the original novel was interesting and it was fun to explore this new band that shared some similarities to the Herald of Valdemar, but was clearly more inspired by the authors work as a Forest Ranger than a direct rip-off. Unfortunately the previous book leaned too hard on the deus ex machina to get its heroine out of trouble, making it less compelling.
Book 2 is a direct sequel, but reading the first volume...more
A solid second entry into a complex and quite fulfilling fantasy series, First Rider's Call finds Karigan thrust once again into the treacherous and deadly world of magic, intrigue, love and loss that accompanies the life of a Green Rider. The author has created a vibrant and complex world that is at once foreign and realistic. Her characters aren't just good or evil, black or white. Most have facets to their personalities, giving them a greater depth and more believability. However, I think wha...more
I almost gave this one 3-stars like the first book, but let's face it friends--any 600 page book that you finish in 2 days is a 4-star at LEAST. Not a great work of literary prowess, but a GREAT STORY. This time around I cared a lot more about the characters--especially Captain Laren, Lord Alton, and Lil--the "First Rider." I LOVED the time travel aspect of the story. That can just never get old to me--so many possibilities. The world and the magic are entrancing.
That being said, it still bugs m...more
That being said, it still bugs m...more
Dec 02, 2011
Anne Nikoline
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of strong fantasy
Recommended to Anne Nikoline by:
goodreads
At first I thought First Rider's Call by Kristen Britain was an epic fantasy novel, but then I read Jenny's review and suddenly my opinion changed from oh-my-god-this-is-the-most-epic-read to wow-deja-vu. This suddenly feeling of deja vu is because of the many similarities First Rider's Call have en common with magnificent Lord of the Rings trilogy.
"So the main character, Karigan (Frodo?), gets dragged into this quest because she inherited a magic object, which is a golden brooch (ring?). This...more
"So the main character, Karigan (Frodo?), gets dragged into this quest because she inherited a magic object, which is a golden brooch (ring?). This...more
Most elements of this story could probably have been found in The Tough Guide to Fantasyland. I know about 80% of the characters are accounted for on tvtropes.org. At the same time, the author does use these tropes in some unusual ways, and there were plenty of surprises. Every time I started to roll my eyes, something came along that made me laugh or say "wow." Or at least "Huh."
Karigan has, of course, given in to the call of the Green Riders. There is, of course, a new and scary threat to the...more
Karigan has, of course, given in to the call of the Green Riders. There is, of course, a new and scary threat to the...more
The second book in Britain's Green Rider sequence was written several years after the first and does show an improvement in writing skill from the author.
Of course all the fantasy tropes and cliches are still present. In fact the Lord of the Rings elements become even more evident here as the Eletians are shown to be blatant elf substitutes.
If you can forgive the lack of originality though we are given more depth to the secondary characters this time round. Some of them even get a few viewpoint...more
Of course all the fantasy tropes and cliches are still present. In fact the Lord of the Rings elements become even more evident here as the Eletians are shown to be blatant elf substitutes.
If you can forgive the lack of originality though we are given more depth to the secondary characters this time round. Some of them even get a few viewpoint...more
Well where the heck did this come from? While I found Green Rider a moderately entertaining fantasy read with some potential, First Rider's Call is a spectacular sequel full of allegory and meaning.
Finally accepting the summon back to service, Karigan G'ladheon has become a full Green Rider and is tasked to follow-up on the awakening Eletians' activity. But when tragedy strikes, the Kingdom of Sacoridia is forced to scramble to try and respond to forces they no longer understand and cannot even...more
Finally accepting the summon back to service, Karigan G'ladheon has become a full Green Rider and is tasked to follow-up on the awakening Eletians' activity. But when tragedy strikes, the Kingdom of Sacoridia is forced to scramble to try and respond to forces they no longer understand and cannot even...more
2.5 stars So, despite my previous review I started reading the next book in the series shortly after finishing the first. I still don't know why, but it is a better read than book one, the main character has a stronger development arc and I found myself actually feeling for her during parts. Magic system still not really explored or explained to my liking, but I now have the sense that it never will be, which for some reason does not bother me, I think it is because the protagonist knows as litt...more
You know, it’s fairly standard for fantasy books of ‘original’ worlds to have a map in the front (or back). I love looking at these maps, and ironing out the geography in my mind. I like maps in general, especially old ones. So in Green Rider, the first book of this series, I was sad not to find a map of Sacoridia. And alas, this book still doesn’t have one. Maybe its deliberate on Britain’s part, because if a map says, ‘Frelling Empire’ you kinda assume the empire is going be mentioned, visited...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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This sequal picks up around 2-3 years after the first novel. Karigan has finally sucumbed to the call of the Green Rider and is well into becoming one of the King's Messengers. The breach in the Black Wall is causing havoc for the Green Riders with their innate magical abilties and Karigan herself is having visions of the First Rider.
I looked on Kristen Britain's website and took a quick glance at her blog. It was somehow not reassuring that in '04 she posted saying that the writing of book 3 w...more
I looked on Kristen Britain's website and took a quick glance at her blog. It was somehow not reassuring that in '04 she posted saying that the writing of book 3 w...more
Well... After finding the first book slow starting I was pleased to pick up the second and find it had begun with a much faster pace.
Karigan has taken up the Rider's Call and goes on to fulfil more of her duties as a messenger.
I particularly enjoyed the world... I found it intriguing and the magic that is interwoven in it is mysterious and imaginative.
The love interest is enough to make you cheer on certain characters, but not so much that it becomes the vital part of the storyline. It's a plea...more
Karigan has taken up the Rider's Call and goes on to fulfil more of her duties as a messenger.
I particularly enjoyed the world... I found it intriguing and the magic that is interwoven in it is mysterious and imaginative.
The love interest is enough to make you cheer on certain characters, but not so much that it becomes the vital part of the storyline. It's a plea...more
Karigan G'ladheon is from the merchant Clan G'ladheon and now a Green Rider. Karigan finds herself caught up in events not of her own making. It appears that Karigan can travel to the past and future to events that can shed light on current events in Sacoridia. King Zachary is presented with disturbing rumors and happenings that leave him ill prepared to handle the complaints from his subjects. King Zachary relies on Captain Mapstone's truth seeking abilities in his dealings with court but is wh...more
You may have thought the first book was awful, but sometimes you get it into your head that you are going to read a series. So, after contracting a horrible cold, and with not wanting to have to find something to else read, I went with book 2.
I must say, 5 years did wonders for Britain's writing capabilities. Like Green Rider, I felt like her use of foreshadowing was more like being bludgeoned. Also, there was still too much use of the whole deus ex machina thing, but it was certainly an improv...more
I must say, 5 years did wonders for Britain's writing capabilities. Like Green Rider, I felt like her use of foreshadowing was more like being bludgeoned. Also, there was still too much use of the whole deus ex machina thing, but it was certainly an improv...more
My thoughts:
This is then book 2 and a little time has gone by since the events in book 1. Karigan felt the need to come back to the capital and become a real Green Rider and that is what she is now. And of course even if the danger was averted in book 1 there is still the danger of the wall that now is broken in the north. And of a presence that is dangerous and mad and he wants destruction. Yes a crazy bad guy, one has to love those.
Karigan has come to terms (sort of) that she now is a rider, a...more
This is then book 2 and a little time has gone by since the events in book 1. Karigan felt the need to come back to the capital and become a real Green Rider and that is what she is now. And of course even if the danger was averted in book 1 there is still the danger of the wall that now is broken in the north. And of a presence that is dangerous and mad and he wants destruction. Yes a crazy bad guy, one has to love those.
Karigan has come to terms (sort of) that she now is a rider, a...more
This volume was noticeably better than the first, in my opinion. Kristen Britain's writing seems to have matured, and the plot and character development are definitely stronger. Britain also manages to successfully weave multiple story threads together in a way that makes the story richer, rather than cluttered, as if often the case when authors attempt to do so. Although the first volume was supposed to be exciting, I personally found it a little dull and generic, an obvious combination of Merc...more
I made it a third of the way through and just lost interest. The reason I liked the first book so much was because it was about Karigan being chosen as a Rider and finishing her predecessors mission while learning about the job and her own capabilities. Not to mention working with an overly clever and somewhat mentor-like horse. The focus was on the importance of the Riders as a group -couriers, spies, guards- and their purpose in the politics of the country. First Rider's Call throws all of tha...more
ha i just finished this book in two days and i loved it!
she left me suspencful and i was tempted to flip through the end of the pages soo many times to know. and then end is happy like the first but a cliff hanger which got me disappointed.
Kristen Briatin keeps her characters realistic and imaginable which is some thing that most writers seem to lack -personally for me no offence meant- but it was very intriuging and kept me pacing while i was reading the book! i want to read the third book ver...more
she left me suspencful and i was tempted to flip through the end of the pages soo many times to know. and then end is happy like the first but a cliff hanger which got me disappointed.
Kristen Briatin keeps her characters realistic and imaginable which is some thing that most writers seem to lack -personally for me no offence meant- but it was very intriuging and kept me pacing while i was reading the book! i want to read the third book ver...more
By the 2nd book in the series you start to realize that the chapters not devoted to Karigan (ahem, I'm talking to you Alton) really break up the flow of the book and your enjoyment of the story. Anything over say 2 pages away from protagonist makes it choppy. You have to slog through it the first time, but all subsequent reads you appreciate that they're separate chapters b/c you can just skip them!
The first book was quite brilliant. I very much liked this book, and the following, because Kariga...more
The first book was quite brilliant. I very much liked this book, and the following, because Kariga...more
I wasn't completely blown away, I mean Mercedes Lackey was doing the wicked smaht horse thing for decades before Ms. Britain happened upon that formulae. I'm sure we can all agree that someone else said something about that before then, although interpretations of the Greeks would have us believe the love wasn't mutual. All kidding aside, this is a great "bridge book" for 8-9 year olds coming out of the first chapter books and are looking for a first long read. Far and away I would recommend thi...more
A really good follow up to Green Rider.
The overarching plot for the series becomes clearer in this instalment. It's written, as Green Rider was, in third-person omniscient, which makes it feel very broad-sweeping and grand in scale. I like the way we sort of zoom in like a telephoto lens on different characters and scenes. I actually lost count of the number of different character POV's I experienced along the way, although of course the main character, Karigan, has the majority of the page time...more
The overarching plot for the series becomes clearer in this instalment. It's written, as Green Rider was, in third-person omniscient, which makes it feel very broad-sweeping and grand in scale. I like the way we sort of zoom in like a telephoto lens on different characters and scenes. I actually lost count of the number of different character POV's I experienced along the way, although of course the main character, Karigan, has the majority of the page time...more
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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
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“They come in injured and mangled, we put them back together, then they stand in my halls making demands. A thankless lot to be sure.”
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“Reveal yourself, mage! Only a coward stays cloaked in invisibility.”
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