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Blackveil (Green Rider #4)

4.13 of 5 stars 4.13 · rating details · 3,248 ratings · 323 reviews

Read Kristen Britain's blogs and other content on the Penguin Community.

The long-awaited sequel to Green Rider, First Rider's Call, and The High King's Tomb.

Once a simple student, Karigan G'ladheon finds herself in a world of deadly danger and complex magic, compelled by forces she cannot understand when she becomes a legendary Green Rider-one of the magical messengers...more

Hardcover, 664 pages

Published February 1st 2011 by Daw Books (first published 2010)

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Feb 17, 2011 Vinaya rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-loved, books-i-hated, favorites, the-real-5-star-deal, ya-fantasy, mixed-vibes, books-i-ought-to-hate-but-don-t

Okay, that's IT! I officially HATE KRISTEN BRITAIN! She has joined my hitlist alongside other eminent i'm-going-to-die-before-my-series-is-over greats, George R. R. Martin and Robert Jordan (who did, in fact, die before his series was over, damn him!).

An offering from the I Hate Kristen Britain society

I once told my friend Megan that when I was the queen of the world and got to make my own rules, I would make sure that nobody could get the first book of any series published until they had writ...more

94 likes · like · see review

Feb 10, 2011 Kaia rated it 2 of 5 stars

Warning: Spoiler-filled ramble ahead. Also - Trigger warning for rape, victim blaming, slut-shaming, misogyny and just some general WTF.

Wow. Fans are insane. Not that I didn't know this already, but even so, I'm still sometimes struck by their ability to turn rational, insightful thoughts into complete bugfuck insanity.

Something disturbing happens in Blackveil. I mention it in my status updates but until today hadn't intend to say anything about it. After all, it was a contrived situation, poor...more

29 likes · like · see review

Feb 02, 2011 Nikki rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Not sure how long this review is going to be but we will see. After a long 4 years, the author finally released the 4th book in the Green Rider series. I have been a die hard fan since book 1 and have been anxiously awaiting the release of the current volume. After the last book, she definitely had a lot of questions to answer. Did she? Yes, but not all of them. Are there more questions? Absolutely! And now I have another 4 years (average spacing between books) to brood over them.

Open ended que...more

6 likes · like · see review

Feb 03, 2011 Rachel rated it 2 of 5 stars

I've always enjoyed the Green Rider series until now. Waiting 3-4 years for each book was painful, but you usually got a good book in the end.

Not this time.

The book drags and it's darker than any of the other books. I'm majorly disappointed in the way some of the plot lines developed. But what really honked me off were two things:

1. A main character gets raped.
2. The book ends with a horrendously bad cliffhanger ending.

I could maybe deal with one, but not both. Having to wait another 3-4 ye...more

10 likes · like · see review

Mar 27, 2011 Jenny rated it 2 of 5 stars

Well, I can't same I'm surprised by the fact that this book was total fantasy drivel. Okay, it could have been worse. HOWEVER reading the author's website FAQs made me sort of hate her guts. Seriously? She had to put up a point that she's too busy taking FIVE YEARS to write one book that she asks her fans not to bother her with mail, you know, full of their little writerly attempts and dreams? And then the question of "why do you take so long to write" she answers by going into a bizarre descrip...more

5 likes · like · see review

Mar 01, 2011 Sarah rated it 2 of 5 stars

I was so excited for this book latest book in the Green Rider series. I was disappointed. The author had written an amazing series that was full of intrigue, romance & strong characters. Sadly, she joined the bandwagon that so many authors are on where they think that they will impress their audiences more by including sexual scenes in their books. FYI -- you ruin a story with such descriptions. For me, sex scenes in movies or books are a big message that the writer is trying to sell their b...more

7 likes · like · see review

Jun 13, 2012 Catherine Thompson rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

In Blackveil, Karigan G'ladheon, Green Rider of Sacoridia, is sent with five other Sacoridians and six of the mysterious Eletians into the depths of Blackveil Forest. Before the invasion of the Arcosians under Mornhavon, Blackveil was Argenthyne, home of the Eletians and their great queen Laurelyn. Now it is tainted with wild magic, which warps creatures and plants into dangerous forms: hummingbirds become vampiric, and trees are sentient. The Eletians claim they wish to see what has become of t...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 25, 2011 Emilyanne rated it 3 of 5 stars

I've been a fan of the Green Rider series since 1998 when the first book came out. I was so excited for this book and looked forward to getting to see the characters lives play out further-And while the characters remain well written-the story was underwritten but at the same time overwritten.Too much was not touched on enough and too much was just too drawn out. It was frustrating and I found myself skimming through filler wanting to get to the good parts-and the good parts were SOOO good. I fe...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jul 04, 2011 Alyssa Archambo rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, epic-fantasy, adventure, animals

I love the Green Rider series. I fell in love with it six years ago when my best friend handed me Green Rider and told me that I would probably be done with it the next day. She was right. Blackveil, however, just wasn't up to par for me.

What I liked:
The suspense is terrific and I am greatly enjoying how the overall storyline is progressing. Once again, Britain creates a world that I can just grab onto and completely immerse myself in. Blackveil is deliciously horrific and I am glad she held not...more I love the Green Rider series. I fell in love with it six years ago when my best friend handed me Green Rider and told me that I would probably be done with it the next day. She was right. Blackveil, however, just wasn't up to par for me.

What I liked:
The suspense is terrific and I am greatly enjoying how the overall storyline is progressing. Once again, Britain creates a world that I can just grab onto and completely immerse myself in. Blackveil is deliciously horrific and I am glad she held nothing back when it came to making it the scariest forest you could possibly imagine.

One of my FAVORITE parts about this book was that we got to learn a little bit more about Kariny, Karigan's mother. She is a character I have always been interested in, and I think the wait was worth it. Even though she's not alive in these books, she is still a complex character that I find myself caring for very much.

What I didn't:
I said I liked the progression of the overall storyline, however, the storyline of the individual novels is getting a bit formulaic -- there's danger, Karigan dives into it headfirst, and then almost kills herself.

Also, for me, this book was a bit drawn out. It was one of those novels where when it's good, it's really good, but getting to the good parts takes some effort. One of the things I disliked the most was all the indirect inner dialogue. What I mean by that is that we got a lot of "Bob was sure Nancy did that because (insert reason here)." I don't like being told characters' motivations very much, especially when they're through a different perspective. Did Nancy do that because of that reason? Maybe not. Bob thinks so, but it may not be true. Honestly, I don't think this sort of information adds anything to the story. It's much more interesting to incorporate Nancy's background and characteristics throughout the story, have her do the action, and then leave it up to the reader to decide why she did what she did. It's more of a creative process for both the reader and writer and allows for good discussions and debates to arise, which is one of the joys of reading.

Conclusion:
Do I recommend this book? For fans of the series, I certainly do. However, if you haven't read it yet, I suggest waiting and reading some other books on your "to read" list. This book has a ridiculous cliffhanger and considering the there was a 2 year gap between the third book and this book, answers aren't going to be coming anytime soon.

Will I continue reading? Absolutely. I still love the characters and the world Britain has built. I just hope it ends soon, because I've pretty much had enough of Karigan getting herself into trouble. If it isn't wrapped up by the sixth book, I'll probably quit this series.
--
For more of my reviews, visit my blog, Reader's Refuge (less)

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 01, 2011 Heidi rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have really enjoyed the Green Rider series but this book tortured me. I got into this series because of a friend and luckily she had all three copies and I only had to wait a few months for the 4th book. But this author likes to wait 3-4 years for the next one to come out. What is with that? TORTURE! And her characters are going through it too. I was sadden by so many things some of the characters went through. And then she killed someone who I had really started liking, ugh. I wish the author...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jan 30, 2013 Taylor Alcantar rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the fourth book in Green Rider series and things are just getting weirder and weirder for Karigan. Mornhavon the Black is still lurking in the future somewhere, King Zachary is marrying Lady Estora and lol, possibly worst, in the very first chapters Karigan confronts her father about the brothel he patrons. Awkward. Then it becomes known that Karigan is even more extra special then she already is and that is one of the reasons that she has to travel to Blackveil, the dangerous and deadly...more

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Dec 16, 2012 Jenni rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012

On one hand, I think Britain has further improved in many ways as a writer. On the other hand, it takes until halfway through the book before the main plot of the title actually starts, Spane is so utterly over the top as a villain (I mean, was it all really necessary? I think the only thing he didn't do was twirl his moustache and he was a much less effective villain for it), and the 'consummation' scene. Oh god that scene. (I don't think it would have been quite as bad had there been proper fo...more

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Jul 04, 2012 Dave rated it 1 of 5 stars

Terrible book, starts off with promise, and moves into a long, drawn-out snorefest for the middle third akin to JRR Tolkien's dithering at the start of Fellowship. Kristen Britain manages to take all of the exciting buildup and suspense she's earned about Blackveil and completely ignore it for 2/3rds of the book. The more I read of Karigan, the more I realise just what a sham she is. While Britain tries to sell her as a brave hero, all I got was someone who 'magiced' her way out of almost every...more

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Jun 16, 2012 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Usually by the fourth book of a series I am either bored of the characters who don't have enough substance to keep evolving, or thoroughly enthralled and get maddeningly frustrated when I reach the end and the next book is not published yet. I'm more than happy to say that it is the latter in relation to "Blackveil".
The separate threads that are currently being portrayed through the series are kept fresh with some new characters and new relations between characters against a backdrop of a world...more

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Feb 24, 2012 L.H. Cosway rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book in Britain's series certainly displays yet again what a great writer she is, and she writes just as well if not better with each new novel published. She can go from describing the inner turmoil and emotional trials her characters are experiencing, to creating an epic picture of landscape and scenery that can be either beautiful or thoroughly horrific.

However, despite the fact that Britain has yet again produced a highly entertaining read, one of the main problems with this book was a...more

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Oct 14, 2011 Charisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Sigh....these books are so crazy it's screwing with my head. Ok, so I really liked this book, except some J.K. Rowling must have got into Kristin Britain because she's killing off a bunch of good people lol. The only reason I gave this four stars is because the ending was...torturous. The ending leaves you hanging from a 5,000 foot cliff. Plus...I'm not really an Estora fan, she's alright, but I'm totally shipping Karigan and Zachary, and it just sucks that they ended up getting married while he...more

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 26, 2012 Nat_love_dragon rated it 4 of 5 stars

ok so when i first read this my opinion was very much along the same lines as many other reads; I was angry, frustrated and sad. However, after giving my self to calm down and go back and reread my opinion has changed. the writing style is even better than previous books and still has an entertaining and thrilling adventurer (although the ending felt a bit ruched). i know a lot of people are upset about the chapters that deal with politics and what goes on at the capital but life especially gove...more

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May 16, 2013 Jeffrey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, read-in-2013

The fourth book in the Green Rider keeps to trend as Kristen Britain continues to expand the number of Point of View characters, weaves additional threads to the plot, and takes risks as she broadens the scope of her universe beyond Sacoridia.

For the most part it works. Karigan and her entourage are dispatched to Blackveil, Alton remains at the wall, and the capital remains the capital. The new PoV, aside from our villains, is Amberhill, who has been somewhat promoted from his supporting charact...more

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Mar 14, 2011 Nancy O'Toole rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, library

The infamous Mornhavon the Black has been transported into the future. This has brought Sacoridia time, but that doesn't mean that the present is without it's perils. The Eletians have announced that they want to take advantage of Mornhavon's absence and travel to the ancient city of Argenthyne, located in the perilous forest known as Blackveil. King Zachary, suspecting that there is more to their mission, decides to send six Sacoridians to watch over them. Karigan, who has already survived the...more The infamous Mornhavon the Black has been transported into the future. This has brought Sacoridia time, but that doesn't mean that the present is without it's perils. The Eletians have announced that they want to take advantage of Mornhavon's absence and travel to the ancient city of Argenthyne, located in the perilous forest known as Blackveil. King Zachary, suspecting that there is more to their mission, decides to send six Sacoridians to watch over them. Karigan, who has already survived the horrors of Blackveil, is quickly recruited against the King's wishes. Karigan and her companions soon find themselves traveling through a dangerous realm where nothing is as innocent as it seems.

The biggest strength of The Green Rider Series has always been it's likable cast of characters, and Blackveil is no exception. I was so happy to be able to reacquaint myself with my favorite players, including Laren Mapstone, King Zachary, and Karigan herself, who remains one of my favorite fantasy heroines. For the most part, Blackveil has a slightly darker tone than previous Green Rider books, but it's not all dreary moments. There are some truly humorous ones as well (including a scene where Karigan must find a last minute outfit for a masquerade ball that had me giggling). Once Karigan leaves for Blackveil, there are some very satisfyingly scary scenes that feel as if they could have been plucked out of a well-done horror film. Interestingly, for all of the intense moments in Blackveil, they really can't compare with a couple of the shockers that take place in the capitol.

Before writing this, I skimmed over a few other reviews to get an idea of other people's reactions. There are a lot of people that are very upset that the larger plot lines (mainly The Second Empire storyline, and romantic tension between Karigan and Zachary) see so little development. I agree that I would have liked to see a little more development on the Second Empire plot throughout the book, instead just chapter after chapter of Grandmother and her companions wandering through the woods. It does get a little repetitive after a while. As far as the romance goes, given the context of their love (and the fact that Karigan spends most of the novel away from Zachary), it isn't really surprising. I don't think I'm out of line when pointing out that Blackveil is not a romance novel. An HEA isn't a given here. One thing I did have an issue with personally is that the ending feels haphazardly thrown together, which both surprised and disappointed me.

I was really chomping at the bit to get my hands of Blackveil, and was thrilled when my local library obtained a copy. I guess that's what happens when it takes four years to release the next book in a series. I can honestly say that I enjoyed the book, despite a few issues I had with it. I look forward to continuing the series, and hope I don't have to wait quite so long for book five!(less)

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Feb 02, 2013 KC rated it 1 of 5 stars

There are the usual plot twists that give our unlikely heroine a god-like advantage over a god-like being BUT THE CLIFF HANGER! I digress I know, but the whole story is two parties traveling slightly different routes through the same forest to meet up in the same spot to do two drastically different things.

I rated Black Veil A (single, one, uno, 1) star because I'm damn tired of Britain taking the sissy way out and using a plot device to save her characters ass. Seriously lady quit writing your...more

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Feb 16, 2012 Michele rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

I liked this book--maybe even almost enough to give it four stars. I enjoyed the pacing, the adventure, the time travel, and the court intrigue. It is probably one of my favorite books in the series; I liked the first one quite a bit as well. Karigan is on a new and dangerous quest--heading into the cursed and walled off Blackveil Forest with fellow Riders and Eletians as well. I particularly liked that this story seemed to flow better than the second and third books. The plot seemed to follow l...more

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Jul 09, 2011 Derrick rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, fantasy, disappointment, owned-in-hc

I started this book fulling expecting it give it one star. I was uber-pissed about the length of time between book 3 and this. I didn't care about Britain's "reasons" given on her blog or anything else she had to say.

As the story went on, I got over that. This was a half decent story with some real interesting possibilities and I was thinking, OK, this deserves 3 stars 'cause I'm liking this.

Then things got all romance'y. And by romance'y, I mean angsty, poke my eyes out with the characters whi...more

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Sep 23, 2012 Jyri rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was disappointed. Now don't get me wrong, the book is well written and it's more than readable, but after 3 amazing books, this one clearly is the weakest of the series so far and left me dissatisfied.

Before "Blackveil" Karigan had been one of my favorite female protagonists (along with Vin from the Mistborn series), but at the end of the book I was really hoping that KB would kill her off. Why a grown woman starts suddenly act like an angry teenager without any self-esteem? I think Karigan sp...more

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Jul 08, 2012 Beka P rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

I gave this book 5 stars because this series just keeps getting better and better!
Positives enter blackveil, still captivating detail, you cant put the book down, and new twists.
Negatives really nothing is solved, a main character gets raped, a marriage happens, and a horrible ending (cliffhanger).

Love and friendship is so often taken for granted that one could forget, or begin to believe otherwise.

The Eletians are making a trip into Blackveil to awake the sleepers and are accompanied by grou...more

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Jun 16, 2011 Inwei rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Honestly, it started off a little rocky. But, like the Little Engine That Could, it managed to build up steam and by the end I was reading it every spare minute I could. No small feat when you live a busy life!

The plot remained relatively linear, which was a little disappointing. I always prefer some intricacy but this seemed like a bit of a 'filler' book. It got a lot of those floating plot threads from point A to point B, which will be addressed in the next book...I'm hoping. (Please Kristen...more

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Mar 24, 2013 Kristie Robillard rated it 3 of 5 stars

If I didn't start this series in middle school, I probably wouldn't have continued after the first book. I was too young then to realise how poor the writing is and how truly underdeveloped and flat the characters are. Karigan is an obvious Mary Sue and we all know how irritating these types of characters are. All though this series is pretty brain dead I still enjoy reading them for some reason and this book was no exception.

However, I really feel like Britain throws in a LOT of unnecessary cra...more

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Feb 06, 2012 skippity_doo rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 11, 2012 Stephanie rated it 1 of 5 stars

It's not that I don't like the story... but really? I am infused with such a great sense of rage after getting to this point in the series. (Maybe it means great writing on Ms. Britain's part... but probably not.) I am a little sick of the disjointed mesh of stories. It's like the writer wasn't sure how she wanted to write it so instead pieced together incoherent parts of what she was thinking.

And I know... not all stories should be happy-go-lucky but really? Estora and Zachary? And the circumst...more

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Mar 06, 2012 Erin rated it 2 of 5 stars

wtf, Kristen Britain?! What are you doing to your formerly awesome series? It's heartbreaking. Like many others, I totally fell in love with the first book of the Green Riders series. At book two I was still highly impressed. By book three I was starting to get worried. And this: book four, sat next to my bed a long time before I actually had the courage to pluck it up and read it. I had a bad feeling the author was going to take the plotlines in a direction I would not be happy with. At all. An...more

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Aug 02, 2012 Leah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Another great installment to the Green Rider series. All of the characters have grown, and Britain has grown as a writer.

One thing really irks me, however. (view spoiler)...more

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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

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Quotes from Blackveil

“Do whatever you must, Karigan," he told her, his voice so quiet it would not carry, "to come back. You must come back. To me." ~King Zachary” — 21 people liked it

“It's good to leave behind all that is comfortable and known every so often. It opens one's mind to the wide world.” — 13 people liked it

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Blackveil (Green Rider #4)

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