I love books, and I read for the pure pleasure of reading, and for losing myself in the story. I often comb through used book stores trying to find lost or forgotten books that might not be noticed amongst the bright flashy new titles. Often all I find are piles of miss matched Starwars and Star Trek extended universe books. Now don’t take me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with those books, but they aren’t what I’m looking for. Every now and then though, behind a dusty copy of Daksaber or the novelization of Encounter at Farpoint, I will find a true gem. An older book from years past. It was in the basement of one such book store, amid layers of dust and stacks of Star Trek books as tall as I was, that I came across a simple looking book entitled Green Rider (1998) by Kristen Britain.
The story of Green Rider follows the Karigan G’ladheon, the daughter of prominent merchant Stevic G’ladheon. The story opens with Karigan essentially running away from school after getting into a fight (which she won by the way) with the son of a nobleman. She’s walking through the forest trying to get back to where her fathers house before the letter telling him about the fight. As Karigan ponders he future a Green Rider, a member of the King’s Royal Messenger Service, burst through the trees. The young man, by the name of F’ryan Coblebay, has been impaled in the back by two black shafted arrows. F’ryan tells Karigan he has an urgent message for the king and that the safety of the realm depends on his message. He conscripts Karigan to deliver it to the capital of Sacor City. Having passed on his duty, F’ryan dies there on the road. Karigan takes his horse, sword, and winged horse brooch (the badge of a Green Rider) and heads off with F’ryan’s last words still in her mind: Beware the shadow man.
Green Rider is the first book in a series that follows the story of Karigan and the realm of Sarcordia. Over the course of the books you learn more of the history of the land, and more about the Green Riders, and the minor magical abilities that the Green Riders have to hide from most of the realm. The land of Sarcordia is phobic of magic, as a result of the long war with foreigners with strong magic. You learn about the mysterious Eletains, and the breach in the D’Yer Wall that has held back a malevolent forest for a millennium. You even learn about the origin of the name Galadheon. There are currently 4 books, Green Rider, First Rider’s Call, High King’s Tomb, and Blackveil.
The Green Rider Series bridges that grey area between high and low fantasy. In this realm, almost everyone who has an extensive knowledge of magic is dead, and most in the kingdom fear magic because of the oppression that mages from a distant empire visited on them nearly 1000 years prior to the start of the books. the only two pieces of magic left in the Sarcordia are the D’Yer Wall, and the secret abilities of the Green Riders. Unbeknownst to all but the King, his most trusted advisers, and of course the Riders themselves, each Green Rider possess a unique magical ability that is magnified by their brooch. As a result of these abilities, the Green Riders often serve as much more than just messengers. Over the course of the stories, the Kingdom faces a number of threats, from ancient evils to modern political intrigues. Throughout all of it, the Green Riders, and specifically Karigan, are right in the thick of it.
The books are written from a first person point of view, but who that person is will change every now and then. It usually follows Karigan, but sometimes you’ll see things through The Green Rider’s Captain’s eyes, or through the King’s, or one of the other riders. Although many of the characters can use some sort of small magic, the story isn’t about that. The story is about the people. It’s about their bravery, and dedication. It’s about their love for one another. There’s mystery and romance, action and intrigue. It’s story of very real very human people going up against forces greater than themselves because it is their duty. Some time those forces are nature, some are magical and some are political, and each one reveals just a little bit of an even larger picture, that hasn’t yet been fully relieved.
The story is so very human, (and a little bit equine) that it reminds me of a the works of Anne McCaffrey, and Marion Zimmer-Bradley. The writing isn’t as refined as either of those to giants, but the story has the same heart. What stands out to me the most though is the characters. Each character, especially the Green Riders is so real and quirky that they’ll make you think of someone in your own life. So whether you’re looking for a strong heroine, a frantic cross country chase, a little bit of magic, or just a good story, I strongly recommend that you check out Kristen Britain’s Green Rider.
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