Rider at the Gate

Rating:
Summary: PLEASE write more "nighthorse" books, Ms Cherryh
Review: A great idea suprisingly poorly written. Good humour used is its saving grace. To abuse a much used phrase that decribes the slow and painfull way in which the story moves : <cattle>!!

Rating:
Summary: Not a materpiece
Review: A great idea suprisingly poorly written. Good humour used is its saving grace. To abuse a much used phrase that decribes the slow and painfull way in which the story moves : <cattle>!!

Rating:
Summary: Rider at the Gate is gripping and well written
Review: C.J. Cherryh has created a world populated by both people and creatures that both fascinate and terrorize at the same time. Her writing style in protraying the telepathic link between humans and nighthorses as well as her world and character build up creates a novel that has the reader feeling as if they were there. While most writers would just descripe the weather in passing Cherryh makes you feel the cold blast of winter winds and snow down your collar and the strugle to put one foot in front of the other. As for the terror and suspense of the novel she delivers the same quality of writing making the reader shiver not from the cold but from the feeling that it is happening to them. Where some writers have a hard time developing just one basic plot, Cherryh gives due time and effort to all of her plot lines greatly increasing the depth of the novel as she overlays, merges and sometimes plot twits them. This is a definite must read page turning novel.

Rating:
Summary: An absorbing (and chilling) look at telepathy by Cherryh
Review: Cherryh is one of my favorite writers, both because of her ability to construct a realistic setting and because of her characters. This book is typical Cherryh--strong personalities facing challenges enough to wear them down to the bone--but they hang on and survive, usually gaining a new level of maturity or a new perspective. I like development in a character, and Cherryh does that well here with Fisher.
This book adds an almost gothic horror feel to the process as well. The Tarmin village scenes were incredible--really sent a chill up my back. I hope Cherryh decides to do a third installment some day--Finisterre is a great addition to her worlds.

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Summary: Rider is More than a Book
Review: I have been a reader of Fantasy/Sci Fi for a very long time and I was a bit skeptical to start something that was an old game with the telepathy and other animals. This novel shocked me and swept me off my feet. Not only is it more realistic form of telepathy (the animals are not the heroes and Cherryh does not pretend to underline that) but the world explodes in your eyes, ears, your nose and your well being. Cherryh's writing is unmatched as far as her style. She really plays with the words and phrases in such a way that she makes you feel everything around you. In this book you get Cherryh's writing, great ecology, genuine charactes,impeccable plot, and a heck of a mystery with a twist.

Rating:
Summary: PLEASE write more "nighthorse" books, Ms Cherryh
Review: I love the nighthorse books. I am devoted to my horses, and although we have a pretty good bond, I wish we had the same communication as these horses and riders.But I would prefer to stick with their diet of hay. I can't picture a barn full of bacon.. I bought the hardback edition of Cloud's Rider as soon as it was published. The only other author I buy in hardback is Dorothy Dunnett. I am anxiously waiting for the next nighthorse book and all of those that follow.

Rating:
Summary: Grabs hold and doesn't let go.
Review: This is a combination science fiction, fantasy, and semi-horror story and a great story it is. The first thing I look for in a fiction book is a strong story and C.J. Cherryh is a first class story teller. The book almost made me feel as though I were part of the story. The characters are all well developed and mostly interesting and the interplay between humans and night horses is charming and also well done. There is a high level of suspense here and the book just really plays on the emotions.

Rating:
Summary: Grabs hold and doesn't let go.
Review: This is a combination science fiction, fantasy, and semi-horror story and a great story it is. The first thing I look for in a fiction book is a strong story and C.J. Cherryh is a first class story teller. The book almost made me feel as though I were part of the story. The characters are all well developed and mostly interesting and the interplay between humans and night horses is charming and also well done. There is a high level of suspense here and the book just really plays on the emotions.

Rating:
Summary: A GRIPPING SF MYSTERY THRILLER
Review: THIS ONE THE BEST BOOKS BY CHERRYH. SHE TAKES INTO A LOST COLONY WORLD WHERE RIDERS WHO HAVE A TELEPATHIC LINK WITH THEIR HORSES. CHERRYH ALSO ASKS WHAT IF ONE THESE HORSES GOES INSANE? THE ANSWER IS A GRIPPING AND ATMOSPHERIC TALE OF MURDER AND BETRAYAL IN A WORLD THAT RESEMBLES A NIGHTMARISH FUTURISTIC WESTERN.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, simply Beautiful
Review: This series was so rich and complex that I could not believe it. I bought it hoping for a rich, Dark Fantasy along the lines of The Coldfire Trilogy and The book of the New Sun, And I definately got it. Although it is more Science fiction then fantasy it was still worth it. The deep, in depth characterization is something horror writers often skip out on, not letting you know the frame of mind the characcters have. I really believe that people who read horror should start reading Dark Fantasies and Sci-fi's. Then they will see what true terror and suspense is about. This book(and its sequel, "Clouds Rider") Brought out the human psychological state in a beautiful way. This was by far the most terrifying book I have ever read.(I was even afraid of the dark fore a while when I was reading it!) I definately like a good story, and this book had it, the terror was a great side effect. I really hope there will be a third installment of this series soon. C.J. Cherryh, if you are reading this, please take this to heart and good luck on your writing path!