Rating: 
Summary: A Page-Turner!!
Review: I am an avid reader and a sophmore at High School. I have unfortunately never been interested in reading books such as SF or Fantacy because I though of them as being ridiculous (I had stereo-typed them into alien books ect...). Then when I was looking through a local bookstore, I came across and interesting binding picture with a horse with a girl rider (I was heedless to notice that it was in the dreaded Fantacy/SF section). I have always enjoyed action packed adventure books and especially if those books have a heroine. So, after quickly scanning over the back cover, I decided to take a chance and read the book called Green Rider by some unknown fiction writer.
Later that night, I was unable to put the book down and was amazed when I looked at the clock to find it was 2:00 A.M. I found the plot to be intruiging and it was action-packed (it didn't have all those boring information sections such as Gone With the Wind). I was facinated by the imagery and creativity put into the winding roads and adventures through the forest. The shadow man seemed to be a rather uncertain character which added to the thinking process I had to put into action in order to fully under stand the underlying meanings and events that were happening. Never the less, I was unable to guess who he was (much to the credit of the author Britain:)
The only problem was that the ending lacked the strength of writing that Britain had put into the rest of her book. It seemed like a meat puddle with a bunch of different ideas thrown together to conclude what was actually happening during the ride through the woods. Although, I liked the little bit of romance that Britain had thrown into the heroine's life. I still think that she could have added more depth in the romance and characterization between the two.
I am hoping that since this was Britain's first novel (A VERY good first novel) that she will continue to improve upon her writing style. I look foreward to her writing of the sequel and hope that all the loose ideas and unanswered questions will be answered in that sequal. The only problem is that it isn't comming out until 2003! That is four years after Green Rider was written (I'm expecting it to be VERY good). You can count on me being there at the bookstore in Jan. 2003 waiting in line to buy the sequel. After reading that book (It is now one of my favorites!) I have earned a respect for the writers of fantacy and SF and I now actually search out to read books by authors such as Carol Berg and Lynn Flewing (sorry, no alien books please:) I recomend this book to anyone of any age, It is without a doubt one of the best books in plot that I have ever read (and I am a major book nerd!). Read it and become captivated in her facinating tale!
Rating:
Summary: Full marks!
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I liked how once Karigan got to the
king the story didn't end. The Berry sisters were my favorite characters, they were so happy and cheerful. I lked how they spun off on other tangents with the other green riders being killed(not the fact that they were being killed). The note really being the the "love" note was suprising. It was disappointing that Karigan did not chose to be a green rider, I know that that would defeat the purpose of the book and all, but who would want to be a merchant when you could have exciting adfventures as a green rider. Green Rider is a superb book for almost anyone. I wish that there was a sequel!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: An essential for any fantasy-reader...
Review: Kristen Britain is one of those rare authors that can pick up a pencil and write a story that is action-packed, vivid and enthralling. I could not put this book down, and read it straight through one day. I am now on my 6th time reading it, and am still picking up subtle twists that I missed the first time. Perfect for any fantasy reader, of any age. The characters were life-like, and the fact that they all had problems made them so realistic you just couldn't wait to meet them. The action was perfectly spread out to leave you begging for more, and yet it wasn't enough to cause an overload. I found myself laughing, crying and falling in love with the characters of the Green Rider, and recommend it to anyone who wants to do the same.
Rating:
Summary: The Wild Ride
Review: Absolutely fantastic for Kristin Britain's first book!
We meet Karigan G'ladheon as she is running away from the University of Selium in the light of a fight she was involved in. On her way home she runs into a dying man, one of some few messengers called the Green Riders, who serve under the King. With his dying breath he makes her swear to continue his journey and deliver the letter that bears a 'life or death' message to the King. He bestows upon her a golden winged-horse brooch which is a symbol of his office. Before he dies he warns her to 'beware of the shadow man...'
Karigan's world is turned upside down! With the help of Bunch and Bay Berry, two elderly sisters, Abram a woodsman, her magical brooch, and others she makes her way to the city pursued all the while by the shadow man and his men.
The turn of events will keep you glued to the book! I am anxiously awaiting the sequel, coming out in 2003, which will hopefully let the readers know who is Karigan's love interest and conitnue the adventure!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent read for any fantasy lover!
Review: This is one of my favorite books! It is filled with action, adventure, mystery, and even a hint of romance. There is the traditional magic touch, and any fantasy reader would love this book. Especially important to read because the sequel will be coming out in January of 2003. The main character, Karigan, really reflects most readers, especially a teenage girl like myself. I feel readers of all ages, and for children and pre-teens up to a challenge, will be thoroughly engrossed in this book!
Rating: 
Summary: A Very Good Debut
Review: Kristen Britain managed to write a very good debut novel. In my opinion the first 300 pages of the book were excellent. The final build-up to the climax is somewhat of letdown and prevented the Green Rider from being a GREAT fantasy novel. That said, I would highly recommend it and look forward to her next book.
I will highlight a few of the weaker and stronger points of the book. There were certain elements that did not come across well or were simply not needed. First, I would have built up the effort of Karigan to finish the quest and end the book with her reaching the King. Work in a way to have the Shadow Man killed in a dramatic chase scene, with the help of the Green Riders. To me, the King was not a strong character and found it hard to believe that he actually had not fallen to rebellion earlier. He was loved, yet did little for his people, was not a strong enough leader to warrant his respect. The whole Anti-Monarchy Society involvment was a waste. Did not need to be in the book at all. It was not supported enough and in the end was not really resolved either. Finally, the use of magic was so limited in the first 3/4 of the book, why go crazy at the end? One other thing, with a world this detailed, a map would have been nice.
As for strong points, there were many. First, Britain creates a vibrant and detailed fantasy world. She wrote in a way that you yearned to know more of its people and lands. The magic was done with quality and quantity for a good part of the book leaving the reader content with its limited use. The most of the characters were written very well and the dialog was equally good. The story was well-paced with wicked villans, wild chases, and deadly battles written with vivid detail. A definate winner.
Rating:
Summary: A little gem
Review: What a great little book!
Young female runaway reluctantly takes over a mission from a dying 'Green Rider' a sort of Pony Express rider in a fantasy setting.
A pacy and entertaining read which I enjoyed as a 42 year old male as much as my 12 year old daughter did. Well constructed, well written and a hidden gem amongst the multiple volume fantasy stuff that is around at the moment.
This book is four years old now and I have never seen a follow up from Ms Britain which is a shame. I can only hope she is putting the finishing touches to something as good as this!
Rating:
Summary: A heroine
Review: Not many fantasy books have a heroine. There are some, but even if there is a strong woman, a ruler or a warrioress there is usually an even stronger man, some important champion that protects her, or the woman is a sidekick. What I want to say the women are rarely the most important thing in a good fantasy novel.
Karigan, the heroine of this book is a girl, who has just been expelled from school is important. She is not all powerfull but still no men or other women take her position in the book from her, wich I find nice and refreshing. She runs away and comes across a dying green rider, who has been shot with black arrows. He commits her to an imposible mission, to take the message he carries to the court, because it is supposed to be of great importance. He gives her a magic brooch, she takes his horse and starts a jurney wich soon turns out to be no pleasure criuse.
Her horse is a smart one, sometimes he knows better what to do then Karigan, there is friendly ghost of the dead messenger, magic (good and bad) and romance in the book.
The carachters could be better developed, and sometimes al our why-s are not totally anwsered, but still it is a good read.
Rating:
Summary: First novel might play into series
Review: "Green Rider"s heroine, Karigan is running away from school when she is magic'd into carrying a message to the King. Any fantasy that stars a girl and her plucky horse is okay by me, unless the horse is too cutesy. Talking horses are a bore too, but this horse (called 'the horse' for most of the book) is just right, even though his new rider needs a little work.Karigan is young and stubborn enough to decide that she doesn't want to be a Green Rider, no matter how many magical creatures, magical little old ladies, magical devices, and kings are pushing her into that career choice. Luckily, the horse is there at the beginning of the book to head her in the right direction, after the dying Green Rider bequeaths his message, magical brooch, and steed to his reluctant successor. As Karigan and the horse gallop deeper into the haunted forest with their message to King Zachery, they are pursued by minions of the King's evil brother, including a powerful sorcerer called 'The Gray One' or 'Shadow Man.' "Green Rider" does suffer from a plethora of magical 'deus ex machinas.' Karigan is repeatedly rescued from her enemies by her new brooch, which makes her invisible, two Victorian-era sisters, who show up deep in the forest (along with their house) and give Karigan a magical crystal and various other gizmos, and a magical eagle who rescues her from a spider-like creature of the Dark. There are also helpful elves, a mysterious Protector of the King's Forest, and a host of ghostly Green Riders who save her from the Gray One (at least temporarily). But Britain writes an interesting fantasy that is not completely clichéd, in spite of the elves, the spider, and the Strider character. The plot gallops right along, except for a few uphill stretches where the point-of-view switches from Karigan to the bad guys, or to her father. The dullest going occurs after Karigan finally delivers the dead rider's message to King Zachary, but no one accepts its importance. She sulks around the King's palace while various Green Riders try to persuade her to become one of them. A couple of guys fall in love with her. The King invites her to a ball. There is much needless political infighting by the King's advisors (minor characters at best). I was beginning to wish for the bad old days in the forest with Horse, when---bang! The Shadow Man reappears and bolts downhill with the plot. Karigan is kept busy for the rest of the book, rescuing King Zachary, her father, and her Green Rider friends, not to mention thwarting the Gray One's evil magic. "Green Rider" comes to a satisfying and somewhat surprising conclusion, although there are enough loose ends to develop into a sequel. I'll be watching for the further adventures of Karigan, the horse, the Green Riders, King Zachary, and (if he isn't dead yet) the Gray One. And what about that wall the Gray One cracked, at the beginning of the book, in order to let evil magic back into the world?
Rating:
Summary: THANK YOU
Review: By the title you should guess this book helped me. My dad loves to read and i never enjoyed it. The books i read were ones the teacher hands out and of course they are the less fun you can get. When i found this book i got it because of the cover. When i started reading about this world of magic. i was hooked i couldn't put it down. And i thank you Kristen Britain for writing this wonderful story and i hope many others. I also thank you for opening my eyes to all the new worlds and people in the pages of books. and to the real review great book one of the best! and in my mind always will be the best. hope to meet this author and thank her in person. ...And how long has the Kristen Britain web site been "under Construction"?
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