Rating: 
Summary: By far, my favorite book...
Review: I first read this book about 4 years ago, when I travelled to Argentina for a little vacation, and I can still remember how fast the 16 hour flight went with that book in my hands. I can also remember reading Green Rider over 4 times within the span of one month. Some of you may think that's insane, but I only say that to prove how delightfully entertaining this book was to me. I have never been able to reread books, with the exception of this one, and one other, The Merro Tree. As you read this novel, you are simly swept away with Britain's inspired use of the English language. Her discriptions alone are worth reading the book. Not only is the plot wonderfully complex and complicated, it is an absolute page-turner. Several times during reading this novel I simply refused to put the book down. I could not do a single thing until I found out what came next. If you are looking for a sweeping, breath-taking book, you've found the perfect one. I recommend this for kids and adults of all ages!!
Rating: 
Summary: Strong debut novel with many predictable elements
Review: The book should be commended for its strong hooks, blessedly spare plot (for once, there aren't 25 lead characters who get split into different dimensions), and ability to build curiosity and suspense. While I was reading it, I genuinely wanted to read it, and the writing pulled me all the way through to the end.The book centers around a young merchant's daughter named Karigan who finds a dying messenger by the side of the road and promises to bring his message to the King, completing his mission. The big However attached to the book are the many familiar elements which were so familiar as to jar the reading experience. While fantasy can't avoid some derivative aspects, there are rather loud echos of Tolkien and Lackey that seem too close for comfort. This is not to say that the book's overall tone is derivative-- it isn't-- it's just that some of the specific elements will leave the reader with a nasty sense of deja vu. It also seems that Karigan ends up too much at the center of absolutely every conflict far too quickly, but-- okay-- that's an understandable trait given that she's the only main character. A book to hold on to, a writer to keep a close eye on.
Rating:
Summary: Its a wonderful world
Review: The first novel in the Green Rider series is amazing. The world the Britain creates in her first novel is original, and very enjoyable. Karigan is running away from school when she crosses paths with a dying Green Rider, one of the King's messengers. With his dying words he convinces her that she must finish his mission, and deliver his message to the King. As the story progresses we discover, along with Karigan, that the King's brother is in league with an immortal sorcerer bent on dominating humans. While not quite on the same level as early Mercedes Lackey, or Lynn Flewelling, Britain's first novel is an engaging, fun read, and I can't wait to read more from this new author.
Rating: 
Summary: Sort of bad
Review: "Green Rider" has some decent fight sequences and an occasional moment of cleverness, but honestly, if you're an adult looking for the next big thing in high fantasy, this isn't it. Kristen Britain's characters are lousy, her plotting is hodgepodge, and her writing is never better than Mercedes Lackey's worst books. Overall, this comes across as overhyped, underwritten junk for teenagers, a waste of time for any reader who's made it past the "Sweet Valley High" stage. The main character is Karigan, a young girl who encounters a dying messenger from a guild called "The Green Riders". Forced to take over the man's mission, she soon gets caught up in a series of wild adventures and chased by eight-legged beasties and an assortment of not very frightening villains such as "The Grey One". (I think that name was only chosen because "The Dark One" was already taken.) Characterization is appallingly thin, with no attempt to move the central character beyond the stereotypical 'spoiled girl encountering the real world for the first time'. The author doesn't seem to understand that a story like this won't succeed unless the main character is likeable and sympathetic; her protagonist comes across more as irritating. Minor characters suffer even worse development, and they tend to blend together since they don't serve any purpose other than to gives Karigan advice or assistance for a few pages and then disappear. Of course, a simple quest or adventure story can be enjoyable even if it doesn't aspire to be great literature. But for this to happen, something must occur to build up tension and suspense, or else the story just flatlines. You can never really feel that Karigan is in any danger in "Green Rider" because some new character or concept always get introduced to the story just in time to save her. And there's one scene where she manages to escape from two bad guys just because they start fighting with each other. But wait, why did they start fighting with each other? It's never explained. One of the first things your high school English teacher probably taught you is the 'show, don't tell' rule. Kristen Britain must have been absent that day. When she wants to say that Karigan is angry, she just writes "Karigan felt angry", or has her say "I am angry", but she doesn't make the character's words or actions sound angry. This is a critical difference, and it is symptomatic of Britain's immature writing style. Also, she chooses too many of those unpronouncable fantasy names with too many apostrophes. So in summary, let me just say that I did not like this book. Will children like it? I doubt it.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read From a New and Exciting Author
Review: Over the past three years this book has become one of my favorites having been read to the point that the cover is close to falling off. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a good, clean read that will take them away for a time.
Karigan G'ladheon, the heir to a rich merchant clan, suddenly finds herself in the middle of a vast forest after hastily leaving her school of neglected studies, Selium. A chance encounter with a dieing rider and a promise that she's not willing to break send Karigan hutling off into the adventure of her life, the adventure she craved.
With long-dead nightmares stalking her with very alive minions, Karigan flees to the capitol to deliver her vastly important message to King Zachary but that's not even the start of her worries with a pretender-prince ambitious for the throne and a battle unlike any she's seen before awaiting her.
Green Rider is an engaging, can't-put-down read that will satisfy anyones needs for a good conquers all tale.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books ever
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read. It is well-written and exciting. The story gets right to the point when Karigan meets a dying Green Rider and is swept up into an adventurous journey to deliver an important message to the king.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves magic and intrigue.
Rating:
Summary: Warning: You won't be able to put it down.
Review: Out all the books I've read, fantasy or otherwise, this is by far one of the most enjoyable. Thought provoking, action-packed and funny, Kristen Britain manages to keep her readers enthralled in a way that can only be compairable to J. R. R. Tolkein. In fact, this book is only barely surpassed in the reading world, and that is by the sequel, First Riders Call. Within the first chapter of the book, you already feel a personal bond with the main character, Karigan, an independent and strong young woman banished from her boarding school. Throughout the book, you have the overwhelming sense of danger and yet, through it all, Karigan,at first the unwilling heroine, triumphs. The help she recieves along the way introduces the reader to a plethora of rich and well-developed characters, as well as giving the reader a sense of comfort in the fact that Karigan doesn't have to do it alone. Overall, Karigan seems like you or me, just another person, who somehow finds the strength and courage to battle her worst fears. Yet it never loses that sense of humor, the little sprinkling of wit that lets you kow the author doesn't take herself too seriously. I made the mistake of finding and reading this book over 3 years ago, and the time I waited to read the sequel was agonizing. You'll understand as soon as you read the first few chapters; this is a book you will not want to put down.
Rating:
Summary: Why didn't I get this sooner?!?
Review: This book is what I've been waiting for!It is full of twists and turns that keep you reading throughout.Fantasy is my favorite genre and this is definitely one of the best fantasy books I've read in a while.I would recommend this book to pretty much everyone though I think it would appeal more to girls, but heck if you really like to read go for it!
Rating:
Summary: Proud to be the 220 reviewer
Review: You know a book made a bang when there is well over 200 reviews. This book is well worth your time and money. The story entails a very young girl, Karigan, who completes a mission for a Green Rider (sort of like the pony express). What I liked about Karigan is that she is a young girl, that doesn't act overly mature. She's not the best student or overly favorite of everyone she meets. In other words, she is a character with flaws, which makes her well rounded and interesting. There is a possibility of a relationship in future books with perhaps one of two characters, but it was only hinted at and Karigan's character does not acknowledge it, which also speaks well for staying true to her age. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Learning the Hard Way
Review: Green Rider is the first novel in the Green Rider series. Karigan G'ladheon is the daughter of a merchant of Corsa who only wants to travel widely like her father. She has been sent to Selium for schooling, but she just didn't fit in with most of the staff and students. When the dean suspended her for an indefinite period after she thoroughly defeated a bully in the practice ring, Karigan walked out and headed home by herself. In this novel, Karigan encounters a dying Green Rider, F'ryan Coblebay, who persuades her to deliver the King's messages in his place and then swears her to the service on his sword. Coblebay has been shot in the back with two black arrows. When Karigan takes over his task, she quickly finds that his murderers are now pursuing her. Karigan has taken Coblebay's sword and cloak as well as his horse. When she is confronted by the mercenary leader of the men following her, she finds that the cloak brooch can make her, and the horse, invisible to the pursuers. Later, she learns from the Berry sisters, who were kind enough to invite her to brunch, that she is being accompanied and protected by Coblebay's ghost and that the brooch is an arcane relic. Moreover, the brooch has accepted her as a Green Rider. In this story, Karigan soon regrets her oath, but perseveres anyway, despite monsters, mercenaries and the Wild Ride. She continually has reasons to rue her lack of scholarship, for she learns too many things the hard way as she tries to evade her pursuers and reach Sacor City. Meanwhile, her enemies are expending time and resources attempting to intercept her and the messages. Moreover, the Green Riders are also searching for her with considerable puzzlement. This story almost has too much excitement. Karigan is repeatedly found by her pursuers and then escapes with the assistance of her friends or her ghostly guardian. Nonetheless, the story remains interesting without ever quite reaching the level of melodrama. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys tales of plucky heroines reluctantly involved in high adventure.
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