First Rider's Call (Green Rider, Book 2)

Rating:
Summary: Finally a Sequel...
Review: After dealing with Jordan for a good 10 years at that point, I was fed-up with sagas that got drawn out. Still, just like with Jordan and Martin, I was a faithful fan of Britain. I'd periodically check the web for any news (usually after I'd get bored and re-read the book for the hell of it, I've read it about six times in total), but to no avail. It seemed as if the name Britain was destined to be a forgotten name in high-fantasy. After letting a friend borrow the book last year, I slowly forgot all about it (it may have had a LITTLE to do with never seeing the book again, hehe, he was never known for returning things) Imagine my surprise when I was at Books-A-Million last night (almost 11pm, closing time) grabbing Modesitt's Recluce saga for a bit of light reading, and Herbert's Dune cycle for some extra fun to get me through the holidays, I saw a cover. I nearly had a heart-attack. I honestly took a double-take, for I knew it had to be the sequel, simply because of the cover artwork. Sure enough, the name matched, and it was a real book! Well, needless to say, I spent an additional $7 and snagged the book. I spent the next six hours thoroughly engrossed in possibly the best book I've read all year. I really couldn't have hoped for a better sequel to one of the best books I've read in a long time. I am amazed at Britain's prowess and I am anxiously looking forward to more of her work. Heck, I may even check out what it would take to be able to write a collection of short stories based on the triumphs and tragedies surrounding the Green Riders. I have some very good ideas, although I probably should focus more on getting MY first book out, which is exceedingly hard when your first book is already turning into a huge collaboration with two fellow writers, and the estimated length is steadily increasing (unless we add another extra chapter or two, it should be about 1500-1600 pages, we still have a half dozen possibilities for additional chapters if Troy and Jean decide to go ahead and flesh out those ideas)

Rating:
Summary: I am once again reminded why I love reading books.
Review: Absolutely incredible. The Green Rider series (I suppose it is a series, now) is much simpler than many other fantasy series out there, but that doesn't dimish the emotional impact of the books. Besides, it's almost refreshing to read a series that has one main character - one person that we follow along for the whole ride.

And what a ride it is. The story is constantly drawing you in - there's one "main" plot, and several subplots throughout the novel that are interesting and involving, never feeling too tangled or disjointed. I won't spoil it, but something pretty incredible starts happening about midway through the novel - "incredible" because of the way the characters involved have been so built up throughout the book. You honestly feel like you're meeting a legend in the face, or bearing witness to a historical event that changed the world. And when you actually experience a feeling of awe as you read a story...you know you're reading something special.

There's a varied cast of characters that bring you closer to the story and events, all of which are easy to like and admire (and hate!), and all of which make you care about this world even more. Almost every character is drastically changed by the end of the book - there's no "flat" characters...everyone is interesting and feel like real people you can care about. There is one definite main character throughout the book, but we also get the perspectives of other characters to bring them more depth, and help move the story along.

The problem with having just one main character is that if you don't like her, it might taint the entire book for you. But Karigan isn't some Shining Knight with a Good and True Soul, or even an Everyday Jane Who Just Wants to Live Her Life But Gets Caught Up in Epic Events - she acts like a real person, and she goes through some surprising, startling changes throughout the book. She shows some surprising darkness at parts, something I wasn't expecting (I thought she'd be the Everyday Jane), and she has some wonderful revelations about herself.

The writing is well done - descriptive, flowing, always just carrying you along through this wonderful story.

My ONLY complaint about this book is the ending - it almost made me wonder if some pages were missing. Many things were left unresolved, but of course you can expect that from a fantasy series. My problem is that it just didn't leave you with a sense of closure - it just kind of...stopped. Right in the middle of a final revelation, an emotional scene. Well, I suppose it may have been a fitting ending (or at least acceptable) - but I just didn't WANT it to stop. I was trembling when I closed the book. You care about these characters so much...it's like you wanted to tuck them into bed and kiss them goodnight, but instead had to settle for waving goodbye after dropping them off on their doorstep.

Still, it was a magnificent book, and the "Green Rider" series is now among my favorite in fantasy. I cannot wait for the third one. I hope we don't have to wait another six years!

Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: I truly loved this book. After reading the first one, I was delighted to find a sequel had already been published. Though the end was slightly dissapointing, the rest of the book was a thrilling ride. From ghosts, to old evils, to time traveling to new plots that could mean the end of Sacoridia, this book keeps you craving for more. This sequel contains a significant amount of depth and truly delves into the characterization of Karigan and several others. This book is definatly a good read.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent! Can't Wait for the Third to Come Out!
Review: Luckily for me, I did not have to wait long to read First Rider's Call after finishing Green Rider. I did like Green Rider and especially the characters in the novel, but it wasn't very exciting or original (at least the first half wasn't) because of the blending of ideas from other great fantasy novelists. The second half of the book however did get more adventurous and stimulating as Karigan finally got to interact with humans and civilization again.

For many reasons, First Rider's Call was much more interesting than its prequel. In this novel, there is more characterization; the reader gets to understand and "know" the main characters in more depth. I usually don't like past-and-present/time travel scenarios (because they're usually boring), but the history behind Lil Ambrodhe and the Long War were definitely interesting. It gave an insight of the past that's going to shape the future of Sacordia. And of course, there was more romance (element that truly makes a novel entertaining and memorable). Karigan and Zachary got to communicate more, so if they do end up together, the reader won't be skeptic about the development of their relationship/love.

First Rider definitely exceeded my expectations with its more original plot and narration. The novel really never gets boring (something that happens a lot with the sci-fi category)and it's more developed than Green Rider. I'd recommend it to all sci-fi/fantasy/adventure reader because it's definitely worth picking up.

Rating:
Summary: How long will we need to wait for the third?
Review: I enjoyed Green Rider quite a bit, and I have to admit to being a little disappointed that it took First Rider's Call so long to come out. I hope that the third in the series will not keep us waiting for so long.

I thought that Green Rider was a remarkably smooth and well-written book, which drew maybe a little too heavily on the fantasy traditions of other people. The good news about First Rider's Call is that it has much less fantasy cliche and Britain seems to be finding her own voice to work out her own ideas.

The bad news is that the writing is much less smooth, and the structure occasionally feels jumbled and jumpy as though it had been reworked and re-edited a few too many times. I also found myself getting a little irritated with the Karigan in this book-- much more was made of the reluctance and I thought that Britain leaned too heavily on Lil Ambriodhe to provide Karigan with motivation.

Still, given how long the book took to appear and given that this is a sophomore effort, I was happy with the book and find it a good second series entry. I hope that Britain has since hit her stride and that we will be able to keep the originality in the third book and go back to some of the smooth writing of Green Rider.


Rating:
Summary: Please, let there be a third!
Review: While First Rider's Call may have been a bit slow, I still read it straight through. I was captivated by the first one and hooked by the second. The only problem was I was so dissapointed by the ending that I wanted to cry. I say, if there's a third there's still hope, but if that is where the second one ends then I'm tragically caught in a web over a large rivine in concern to Kristen Britain's Green Rider books.

Rating:
Summary: AMAZING
Review: I don't think I have ever read a book more captivating! I couldn't put it down. I like everything included in this book. I loved the magic, fighting, love, and emotional conflicts. I felt like I got to know the character and her friends. I think the author did a wonderful job and I will be waiting impatiently for the next book!

Rating:
Summary: The Second Book in a Great Series
Review: This book more or less has it all. A plot that's interesting though at times a bit transparent, but with enough twists occassionally to keep things interesting. This book goes farther into the history of the Green Riders than the first and at the same time events in the first book are referred to in this book and not forgotten.

For those who were curious in the first book about the Long War this goes into much of that history and that of Mornhavon the Black who is ultimately the main antagonist of this book. Most of the plot revolves around tainted wild magic that is coming through the hole in the D'Yer Wall and causing strange things to happen, such as people disappearing, plants and animals turning to stone, and armor coming alive and trying to kill people.

One remarkable thing about this book and the first is that they're CLEAN. Something fewer and fewer fantasy books seem to manage. This book has a great story with no unnecessary detail about things you aren't reading the book for.

Rating:
Summary: Ripoff of Valdemar Series...
Review: Most of the major elements in this book are a ripoff of Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar series. The Rider/Heralds are called, they wear only the color green/white, they have a unique magic power, their horses are actually the spirits of past Riders, etc, etc, etc. Just about every element of the Riders is taken directly from the Herald series. I got the book from the library and I'll save my money for the purchase of books that have some originality.