Am I the only one who loved this book?

[Allison]

After reading many reviews, it seems most of you are angry about Karigan taking a side trip into a Steampunk future. What are your thoughts?

[anilee]

I've got mixed feelings. On the one hand, I greatly enjoyed this book - it might be my favorite in the series, actually. I liked the future portrayed, and I loved that this book mainly focused on Karigan. It takes a skilled author to keep me truly interested in a multitude of plotlines following a variety of characters, and Britain's not there in my opinion.

But...ultimately, nothing grand scale happens, if we're considering the series as a whole, since Karigan coming back with knowledge of the future will inevitably change that future. Considering how long it can take for an installment to be released, this one seems kind of like a waste, more of an aside than an actual part of the series. I'm interested to know where it goes from here and how the time-traveling affects Karigan, but there didn't need to be a whole book devoted to establishing a possible future (as much as I might have enjoyed reading about said future). Considering the deviation to steampunk (which not every high fantasy reader enjoys, and even if they do, they might not want a high fantasy series to take a turn in steampunk-land) and the lack of momentum in terms of overarching plot, I think in this case, readers' anger or disappointment is justified.

[Karen]

I actually liked it. I don't know what everyone is making such a fuss about. They sound like a bunch of whiny children throwing a tantrum because they didn't get their way. Very much like Arhys!

[EJ]

Dedicated fans understand the issue.

[Karen]

I actually rather liked it. I think I liked it *because* it was a departure from the first four books. I was really disappointed in book 4 and so I didn't have high expectations going into this book. Also, I tend to get bored with a really long series; if they can't wrap things up by book 5 or make some dramatic changes I tend to give up on them. So I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it, and I will probably read the next one.

[Allison]

Karen wrote: "I actually rather liked it. I think I liked it *because* it was a departure from the first four books. I was really disappointed in book 4 and so I didn't have high expectations going into this boo..."

I completely agree!

[Donna]

It wasn't up to the standard of the first couple of books but I will keep reading. Hopefully she will wrap it all up in the next book. I'm no writer so I do appreciate the time and effort that goes into a work very close to the author's heart but as was said earlier, nothing much happens that moved the story along.

[Sheena]

I was upset with it. The book in general was not bad, but to me personally it seemed a bit sloppy. Like she didn't have things thought out, and the whole story line and characters were half baked and it didn't flow with the other books as well. And I don't like the way the book ended with Karigan and Zachary. It doesn't bode well for future books for them, I don't think.

[Sheena]

As for going into the future, I didn't mind that in general, since Karigan has also time traveled in the past books. But to spend the entire book, instead of just segments like in the past books, AND to leave out almost every character that was in Karigan's real time...come on. What was the point in building that world if you don't stick to it? And this book, to me, didn't seem to further move the story along at all.

Yes, Karigan came back with (minimal) information to help them from having a future like that. BUT...other than Amberhill, most of it was useless. No one will know what she's talking about when it comes to the technology and things from that time, and as for Amberhill, other than being able to tell the king that he is the one responsible, she didn't have jack else. Not what weapons he used, not if the dragon fly device was ever found, nada.

Like I said, I just feel it wasn't thought out properly, at least when it comes to terms of the Green Rider story line. I will, of course, keep reading them, but I'm not necessarily looking for to the next book that will come out in, oh lets say, 10 years from now...ugh lol

[Shawn]

I liked it. Quite a bit actually.

As sad as Cade and Karigan's love is now that it is nothing but a memory (and perhaps a child via Estora?).. it was nice to see her maturing and enjoying something for herself. I think the future of the series is going to be dark in a lot of ways and their brief love offered some light. It also allows her a way to eventually move onward from her love for Zachary which is pretty much as sealed in a coffin as Agemon can make it.

Beyond that.. It was interesting seeing the world that could be.. and its impact upon her and how she dealt with it. I think Yates drawing will help her remember a lot, which for the main story, will help prevent it from coming true.

Some critical plot points that we see... Mornhavon is definitely still around and that they still need to be working against him.. and not just the second empire -- she even has some limited information on how they will attack. She knows that there is a way to protect the kingdom from the dragons. Agemon will find it in the tombs. She knows people to watch. Webster Silk has been around a long time.. and is perhaps from her time. Amberhill's subplot.. the entire idea of dragons is overwhelming for this series.. there had to be a foil to prevent them or at least use them against mornhavon. This side adventure allows her to find it where nothing else ever could. (Britain neatly writes herself out of a corner she put herself in).. She knows to go after Grandmother because of what Garth tells her at the end.. and once she hears about the string bird taking Estral's voice.. she will know exactly who to go after. etc.

Overall.. it was a fun read. It was interesting. It was nice to see her deal with problems that didn't allow her to rush in and win the day with spirit alone. It was a good book. If someone enjoys the overall series.. they will most likely enjoy this one. Unless they are just rushing for the final book, and this one definitely sidesteps it for a little bit.

With all of that said... and admitting that I enjoyed reading it a lot.. I wish she would have cut the time travel story down to about 400 pages.. and given us more of the present. But.. I am not worried about it. She is no where near as bad as other authors (*coughGRRMcough*). Green Rider was published in 1998. So the series has been going for 16 years. And she has 5 books done, and if you look at the dates, she has been writing faster (and more) as she progresses. So it gives me hope. Can't wait for the next one!

[Tea]

@Shawn,

Thanks for the perspective. I enjoyed the book as well, but as if it were a stand-alone and because I love its steampunkishness.

As part of the series, I was severely disappointed. In truth, I was "rushing for the final book" – I've long been frustrated with the intervals between books – so I didn't really think about how all but one or two revelations could affect the past.

Although I promised myself I'd re-read to look for such things, I never got round to it. Now I will because you pointed out so much of what I hadn't considered valuable.

Thanks again!

[Shawn]

You are welcome ;) It is easy to get caught up in the 'rush for the final book'... especially with some of the other authors out there. But this was a solid book, that could almost be read stand-alone.. and yet impacted the major plot a lot. Some of it just gets hidden if you aren't watching for it.

It is no where near as bad as some authors like GRRM... his book 4 and 5 barely advance the plot and get you no where and took like 11 years just for the 2 of them. lol. As long as it doesn't devolve into that.. I am content to keep reading whatever Mrs. Britain chooses to give us.. because the story and Karigan have me hooked ;)

[Bianca]

I always feel a little cheated when one of those time travel things pop up. first you read a whole story and then it did'nt happen at all. worst thing is you know when you start reading it will come to that in the end. still; it was a good read and i'm looking forward to the next part.