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Submitted by Anonymous 
(May 15, 2002) Although extremely entertaining, this is not a great book. It is a little too derivative to be worthy of the greats. Nonetheless, I read it lightly several months ago and for some reason still think about how fun it was. When I finished it, I felt like I'd read an entire series instead of one book because so much had happened.
The prose is much better than your average writer can come up with and in a few places is even great, especially when Britain describes a scene more by creating a mood than by its physical characteristics. The story itself moves along fast and goes many places. I was surprised when I picked up the book a few minutes ago and saw that it was nearly 500 pages - it sure didn't seem it!
Once again, though, it is a bit derivative. But if I've ever read a fantasy novel that proves a book does not have to be original to be well done, this is it!
Note: Do not read the back cover too closely(like I did) because it tells too much about what's going to happen until well into the book. I've never seen such a long summary on the back of a paperback.
Submitted by Christopher Ware
(May 15, 2001)I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and really wanted to give it five stars, but I couldn't do it. There was just something missing that kept it from being, in my opinion, on par with works from Jordan, Goodkind, Brooks, Rawn, and Martin. I was never really able to figure out what it was. Perhaps it was the fact that the world, while vivid, wasn't quite as developed as those in other authors' books. It could have been the fact that the system of magic wasn't clearly explored or that the historical relationships between various characters wasn't delved into. Whatever it was, it just made the book seem like it was missing something. Aside from that, this was a wonderful read. The story was engaging, the pacing was perfect with action scenes alternating nicely with scenes of repose, the characters were vivid and lifelike, and the dialog was a joy to read. Ms. Britain has a firm handle on character interaction and plot development and has used that to craft a tight, focused book. While the plot wasn't all that original (a dark (or gray in this case), mysterious evil threatens the land), the way in which the story is told was. Karigan (the protagonist) isn't here to fight directly with the enemy. All she has to do is deliver a message to the king. Ms. Britain takes this idea and spins a yarn that engaged my imagination every time I picked up the book. Some readers might call this "fluff" fantasy. I kind of agree, but, every once in a while, that's what I'm in the mood for. However, to be more specific, I think the writing is a bit "fluffy", but the story itself is definitely not. A thorougly enjoyable fantasy read.
Submitted by Rodney Powell
(Nov 21, 1999)What a wild Ride! That's the impression you get when you end this gripping fantasy novel. A young woman
who has expelled from her school for thrashing a arrogant nobleman comes upon a mortally wounded green
rider. Green Riders are magically enhanced messengers for the king. This green rider bestows his horse
and his magic to this girl and she must get his urgent message to the king of a sinister conspiracy
against the crown but dark forces both natural and supernatural are determine that she and her message
doesn't reach the king. Britain has written a classic fantasy epic of a young woman who must rise to
the occassion to save herself and her kingdom from unspeakable evil. This novel boasts a large cast
of heroes and villians and chilling scenes of dark magic and nonstop action!
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(68 ratings)