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ddremerson's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
isi__1's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I loved this! This is quite a hefty book page-wise, but I flew through it so quickly, it could’ve been only 400 pages long.
Even though there’s an overarching plot in this series, the first and second book both feel like they’re each telling a story which is relatively contained in itself. I quite enjoy this, because it makes it easier for people who read these books shortly after release and who then had to wait quite a few years for the sequels.
I liked this book quite a bit more than the first one and I can’t wait to read book 3! I would love to read it right now, but I have to prioritise other books first, unfortunately.
My main criticism is that most of the issues in this book seemed to be resolved way too easily. Whenever the main character was in immediate danger, the situation was resolved before I could even think, “How is the character gonna get out of this?”. This wasn’t the case ALL the time, but it happened quite often and it was definitely noticeable enough to start bothering me.
I really enjoyed learning more about the world, its history, and its magic. I’m excited to see, how this story is gonna progress in the following instalments, especially considering that this is already a relatively lengthy series that isn’t even finished as of writing this.
There’s also a bit of a romance subplot in this book that I actually enjoyed quite a lot, because it’s just that. A subplot. It never overtakes the rest of the story. I wish all books could be like this. I can’t wait to see where we’re gonna go from here, considering how the two involved characters left off at the end.
Even though there’s an overarching plot in this series, the first and second book both feel like they’re each telling a story which is relatively contained in itself. I quite enjoy this, because it makes it easier for people who read these books shortly after release and who then had to wait quite a few years for the sequels.
I liked this book quite a bit more than the first one and I can’t wait to read book 3! I would love to read it right now, but I have to prioritise other books first, unfortunately.
My main criticism is that most of the issues in this book seemed to be resolved way too easily. Whenever the main character was in immediate danger, the situation was resolved before I could even think, “How is the character gonna get out of this?”. This wasn’t the case ALL the time, but it happened quite often and it was definitely noticeable enough to start bothering me.
I really enjoyed learning more about the world, its history, and its magic. I’m excited to see, how this story is gonna progress in the following instalments, especially considering that this is already a relatively lengthy series that isn’t even finished as of writing this.
There’s also a bit of a romance subplot in this book that I actually enjoyed quite a lot, because it’s just that. A subplot. It never overtakes the rest of the story. I wish all books could be like this. I can’t wait to see where we’re gonna go from here, considering how the two involved characters left off at the end.
jkramp's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
beautyinruins_ca's review against another edition
4.0
With this year marking the 20th anniversary of the Green Rider series, I stepped back into the series with The Dream Gatherer earlier this month, and it rekindled the magic . . . just as I’d hope it would. I vividly remember reading – and enjoying – Green Rider, and I can only figure that it was the 5-year gap between books that kept me from continuing. My younger self’s loss, and my present self’s gain.
Despite the years between books, I found myself slipping back into Kristen Britain’s world with ease, reuniting with the cast of First Rider’s Call just as if I’d put down the first book last week. That’s a testament to the characters, the world-building, and the writing.
There’s been so much said about the series over the years, I’m not sure what I can add, but the world-building here is incredible. The mythology of the Green Riders is deep and detailed, with the broaches connecting them to the Call, as well as to the ghosts of past riders. Those ghosts play a huge role here, most notably with Karigan and Lil Ambriodhe, the First Rider, but also on a smaller scale with the ghosts of the castle catacombs.
History plays a crucial role here as well, exposing more about the world, the conflict that defined its last age, and the connection between characters. There are some genuine surprises there, and conflicts that add additional layers to the story. It also provides the story with a legitimate force of evil that haunts every aspect, and which threatens to bleed out from the Blackveil, one of the cooler pieces of haunted geography I’ve come across in epic fantasy.
Is it a perfect book? Not quite. The pacing is a bit uneven, and there are some secrets held too close to the chest for too long, making for a confusing read. Also, there was a strikingly poor choice in layout, with the font used to capture the Journal of Hadriax el Fex extraordinarily difficult to read. Those are minor quibbles though, and the strength of characters and the quality of the writing overcoming all else, driving me to order The High King’s Tomb, Blackveil, and Mirror Sight over the weekend.
https://sallybend.wordpress.com/2018/10/23/book-review-first-riders-call-by-kristen-britain/
Despite the years between books, I found myself slipping back into Kristen Britain’s world with ease, reuniting with the cast of First Rider’s Call just as if I’d put down the first book last week. That’s a testament to the characters, the world-building, and the writing.
There’s been so much said about the series over the years, I’m not sure what I can add, but the world-building here is incredible. The mythology of the Green Riders is deep and detailed, with the broaches connecting them to the Call, as well as to the ghosts of past riders. Those ghosts play a huge role here, most notably with Karigan and Lil Ambriodhe, the First Rider, but also on a smaller scale with the ghosts of the castle catacombs.
History plays a crucial role here as well, exposing more about the world, the conflict that defined its last age, and the connection between characters. There are some genuine surprises there, and conflicts that add additional layers to the story. It also provides the story with a legitimate force of evil that haunts every aspect, and which threatens to bleed out from the Blackveil, one of the cooler pieces of haunted geography I’ve come across in epic fantasy.
Is it a perfect book? Not quite. The pacing is a bit uneven, and there are some secrets held too close to the chest for too long, making for a confusing read. Also, there was a strikingly poor choice in layout, with the font used to capture the Journal of Hadriax el Fex extraordinarily difficult to read. Those are minor quibbles though, and the strength of characters and the quality of the writing overcoming all else, driving me to order The High King’s Tomb, Blackveil, and Mirror Sight over the weekend.
https://sallybend.wordpress.com/2018/10/23/book-review-first-riders-call-by-kristen-britain/
starsal's review against another edition
4.0
Far FAR better than the first one. The first one wasn't bad, but it didn't make me want to read the rest of the series, despite the fact that I had heard they were good. The plotting, characters, descriptions, and relationships take a serious step toward being deeper, better written, and not as twee.
They are a bit like the Herald of Valdemar books, but with actual horses (well-written ones!) not just heavenly beings in horse form.
Read these! Persevere past the first one.
They are a bit like the Herald of Valdemar books, but with actual horses (well-written ones!) not just heavenly beings in horse form.
Read these! Persevere past the first one.
annadixon76's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
tirameeksu's review against another edition
3.5
I didn’t remember most of this one so it was good to reread. It feels a little like everything happens because “magic”, maybe a tad farther, but I suppose it’s fantasy so that’s okay. I also felt annoyed with Karigan in the end, but so it goes with characters.
abookandacup's review against another edition
5.0
Another fantastic book by Kristen Britain!! As good as the first one, we discover more and more of the history of the world Karigan lives in, and the relationships between the characters become even more interesting.Not to mention the evil to come....
seaglasspoet's review against another edition
4.0
Very much enjoyed. I love the tropes associated with fantasy, and this incorporates them well in a way that feels fresh.