Rating: 
Summary: Not bad for a beginner
Review: I picked this book up on a whim when I was spending a gift certificate that a friend had given me. Perhaps that's why I'm better disposed to it than I would think I would be.It's not a particularly bad book. I was entertained by it, it went by quickly, and there were no glaring errors in characterization or plot. I didn't throw it across the room in disgust. I suppose that's a plus. Basically, the book has a "been there, done that" feel to it. Name a fantasy trope, and this book contains it. Magic from long ago coming back into the world. A hero (or, in this case, heroine) who starts out as a nobody, who gets drawn into world-shattering events against her will, and yet is able to persevere against all the odds. What really annoyed me about the book is how little Karigan actually does for herself until late in the book. Time after time, she is saved by one thing or another (I can't go into detail without providing spoilers). At times, it shows her strength that she is able to keep going in each situation, but the ultimate solution always seems to come from outside of her. It got on my nerves. Only late in the book does she start doing things on her own. If you can find this book in a library and the plot description sounds interesting to you, I'd say go ahead and get it. It's not really a waste of time. However, I would say it's money that could be better spent elsewhere if you are going to buy it. It is an excessively average book, which is why it gets 3 starts. Probably would be 2.5 stars if we could give half stars.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the Best
Review: I love this story. It's been a while since I've read such a good book. If you like Tamora Pierce, Mercedes Lackey, John Peel, Bruce Covile, Jane Yolen, or J.K.Rowling you'll love it. It's awesome. Can't wait for the sequel.
Rating:
Summary: A Fantastic Read!
Review: I read this book for a book club of mine and was very pleased. The story takes place during a Midevil period with a young king. The king's messenger service: the Green Riders are daring young people who are called to the service by a brooche and each discover a secret power hidden in the magic of the brooch, also known as 'Greeny magic'. These daring young riders don't usually live long because of the dangerous lives they live. One day, a merchant girl, Karigan, runs away from her school and on her way home, encounters a dying messenger. In his last attempt to live up to his loyalty to his king, he gives the message and his horse to Karigan to take on the mission. I found that this book had many parts where it almost ended, but I thought to myself, how is that posible when I'm only a fourth way through the book? Each day, Karigan encouters many obsticles which could lead to death at any moment. With the help of a ghost and her horse, with some friends she meets on her journey... well, you'll have to read to find out. At the end, Ms. Britain manages to finish this book as though it could continue on in a sequel, which I'm very happy to hear. This book is a quick read, but give it a chance by at least reading the first one hundred pages if you aren't enjoying it right from the start, as I did.
Rating: 
Summary: Great reading selection!
Review: This book was really good. In fact, it's one of my favorite still. It wasn't that complex or deep, but it had a good plot. The plot kept moving too. The book kept on bringing in new events that kept it interesting. The eas good, and it set itself up for a sequel rather nicely. I sincerely hope that Kristen Britain will writes another.
Rating:
Summary: By Bright of Light in Laurelyn's Step...
Review: Ok, this book was awesome. But that's kinda the idea here, right? Yep. I fell in love with the cover. It's beautifully illustrated and caught my attention immediately. Obviously, I love horses and trees; I mean lots to trees, or rather a whole five hundred-acre forest! Now where was I? Oh yeah... Books captivate me. There's no other simpler way to put it. Books like this fascinate me. They're my sacred treasure upon my book self. In this case, the library's bookshelf. One look at the plot inscribed in the inside cover of the book and I was caught. Of course, I love to read. Books and words are my life. For a thirteen year-old girl, It's kind of hard to read while juggling your homework for school and daily chores. Who would want to watch television while they can read? Anyway, getting to the subject... Green Rider was written like not just any other book. I found myself sick to my stomach when Karigan G'ladheon was caught and being taken to the Shadow Man. It was very upsetting while this carried on. My favorite part had to be when she was escaping from them. She used the sword efficiently and well. But of course, F'ryan was there with her. Of course people died in this book. From all of the influences today's society has from the media and newer generations, there had to be a bit of killing to catch anyone's attention. Look at the Jurassic Park movies, for example. But, the deaths in this novel weren't caused by some exceedingly large dinos. Killing was a way of life for people who lived in Karigan's time. The book made me laugh, cry, and view forests differently. I loved it! If you've never picked up a fantasy book up in your life, don't be afraid to try this one. I never viewed this book as a fantasy as much as I did Harry Potter (you haven't lived until you've read the HP series); there were no dragons or unicorns. Only a little bit of magic ever made this look like an actual fantasy novel. I read this 504-page book in two days. Now it's your turn. Beware the Shadow Man...
Rating:
Summary: I Wish...
Review: I am waiting with bated breath for another book by Britain. Light-hearted at times, yet filled with urgency for the completion of tasks at other times, this book is well-written and definitely a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Let's See A Bit More Britain
Review: What a wonderful find this is. Exactly what I was looking for to keep my attention occupied. I highly recommend it if you love a good story and would be perfect for someone who has never read fantasy before. It was written with decency, which is hard to come by in fantasy novels lately (no obligatory sex or violence). Her fight sequences focus on movement and who's in control instead of who cut who where with how much blood. Her writing doesn't always flow smoothly, and she doesn't elaborate as much as I would like, but she has written a wonderful story that I would definitely like to hear more of. My only real wish would be for more character development. This story is about a young girl named Karigan who unwitingly gets herself embroiled in the affairs of the kingdom in which she lives. She runs away from school and comes across a dying messenger that charges her with delivering his message to the king saying it's a matter of life or death. Karigan meets up with some very interesting characters along her way. Among them are an eagle and a pair of eccentric sisters. I look forward to the sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Another Adventure
Review: I got this book from school just this school year (7th grade). I was in the library with our reading class. Looking around for books that would get me a good number of points for a school contest, I found this. I am generally very picky about the books I read. The summary has to be enticing, and the first few sentences of the book have to prove that it's written by a good author. I didn't start reading the book right away because of its length. I would save it for a weekend, I decided. And, of course, what else would happen, but me devouring the book as if I wouldn't see it again. My mother would have to [practically] shout at me just to get my attention and my growling stomach would be ignored until it was too unbearable. In conclusion, this book is definitely good, and if you don't want to buy it, it's worth the time you might spend looking for it in a library.
Rating:
Summary: Applause for a fine author and more than fine book!
Review: Other reveiwers mentioned the refreshing lack of myriad characters. I heartily agree, the one-person-only approach lets us pass through an interesting world without the unweildy escort. There are echos (and more than echos) of classic fantasy, and quite a number of new inventions. I particularly liked that this novel does not end with the delivery of the all inportant message, the disarming of the threat, and 'they all lived happily ever after'. We sense a more interesting 'after' for Karigan, and the arival at court certainly isn't the end of the book. While there are certainly enough conventional fantasy elements in this book, it provides a pleasently different original read. I hope Ms.Britain comes out with another book soon, she has promise!
Rating:
Summary: Extrodinary
Review: I loved this book!!! It was absolutly amazing. I was never shure of what the outcome would be. Always waiting to see what dangers would await Karrigan on the next page.I'm positive I was working up a sweat just reading it. I almost thought I was Karrigan taking F'ryan Coblebay's letter to the king and fighting off the strange creatures of Khamoran Vain myself. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about strange creatures that lurk in the dark, magical forces, or just wants to be amazed by the way the book twists and turns. I hope that anyone who reads this is book is just as excited as I was. P.S. The book was so good I'm reading it again and I also hope there is a second book to this novel.
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