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svaughn's review against another edition
3.0
This was better than previous book, but that’s not hard. This one was also a bit of a let down, with one of the major plot points not really happening throughout and then being resolved in the last 50 pages... I wish the book had spent more time on that. This series started so strong but now has turned into low brow fantasy, but it’s low brow fantasy I enjoy because of the horses and riders. I’m going to take a breather from the series but I’m sure will eventually read the next book.
jasonhsauntry's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
hypergalaxies's review against another edition
3.0
Overall I'd say I liked this book, when you compare it to the previous one, Mirror Sight, which I absolutely hated. Considering my feelings for that one, it probably wasn't too difficult for this book to be a better one, as long as it didn't follow the same route as Mirror Sight. It didn't, thank god. It's still nowhere near as good as the first few books in the series though, which is a shame.
I found this book hard to stop reading, and I definitely enjoyed it to an extent, but there are still elements here that I didn't enjoy, just didn't work for me, and problems Britain has throughout this book and some of the other ones now too.
My biggest issues would be: how so many storylines are just dragging along, and remaining unresolved, there's a lot of past storylines (like the wall) that just don't get anywhere at all, and are barely mentioned in this book. Why include mentions of the wall at all, if nothing of note was going to happen there?
Then there's the issue of Karigan seemingly always being kicked when she's down, and sometimes it feels so unnecessary, as if Britain just enjoys torturing Karigan and throwing endless amounts of pain and conflict Karigan's way, for no good reason?
And then, there's the whole Karigan and Zachary thing. I'm pretty much over it after like nineteen years of this 'will they, won't they' and 'oh now they can't' 'but wait maybe...', the constant teasing of these two that continues throughout the books but never gets anywhere. Either do it or don't, but can we just let it get somewhere soon?
I did enjoy seeing more of Zachary himself, and outside the castle, and I enjoyed seeing the other Green Riders and Captain Mapstone, as I always do. I enjoyed Karigan's journey through the forest as well, and I was pleased that overall this book had a much less miserable and depressing tone than the last, despite Karigan's own, understandably, depressed nature at times. It wasn't as gloomy a read as Mirror Sight, which I appreciated.
All in all it was okay, but sadly not the best in the series, but if another book ever gets written I'll probably give it a read!
I found this book hard to stop reading, and I definitely enjoyed it to an extent, but there are still elements here that I didn't enjoy, just didn't work for me, and problems Britain has throughout this book and some of the other ones now too.
My biggest issues would be: how so many storylines are just dragging along, and remaining unresolved, there's a lot of past storylines (like the wall) that just don't get anywhere at all, and are barely mentioned in this book. Why include mentions of the wall at all, if nothing of note was going to happen there?
Then there's the issue of Karigan seemingly always being kicked when she's down, and sometimes it feels so unnecessary, as if Britain just enjoys torturing Karigan and throwing endless amounts of pain and conflict Karigan's way, for no good reason?
And then, there's the whole Karigan and Zachary thing. I'm pretty much over it after like nineteen years of this 'will they, won't they' and 'oh now they can't' 'but wait maybe...', the constant teasing of these two that continues throughout the books but never gets anywhere. Either do it or don't, but can we just let it get somewhere soon?
I did enjoy seeing more of Zachary himself, and outside the castle, and I enjoyed seeing the other Green Riders and Captain Mapstone, as I always do. I enjoyed Karigan's journey through the forest as well, and I was pleased that overall this book had a much less miserable and depressing tone than the last, despite Karigan's own, understandably, depressed nature at times. It wasn't as gloomy a read as Mirror Sight, which I appreciated.
All in all it was okay, but sadly not the best in the series, but if another book ever gets written I'll probably give it a read!
lhirl's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
argentrabe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lvh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lilkris191's review against another edition
5.0
I understand completely the need for the future story and magic we learned about in Mirror Sight. It absolutely setup the plot for Firebrand.
The story continues to grow the world's discovery of forgotten lore, magic, and creatures to the joy of this reader. I don't think I'll ever tire of the Green Rider adventures.
Britain has left enough loose ends to write the next book and more. I cannot wait to watch Karagain grow in to her abilities and position. She will have more courtly pressures placed upon her and time will tell if military friends will keep Karagains and Zachary's expressed feelings a secret.
And Amberhill. We did not hear from him but he's poised to make an entrance, hopefully, in the next installment of The Green Rider Series.
The story continues to grow the world's discovery of forgotten lore, magic, and creatures to the joy of this reader. I don't think I'll ever tire of the Green Rider adventures.
Britain has left enough loose ends to write the next book and more. I cannot wait to watch Karagain grow in to her abilities and position. She will have more courtly pressures placed upon her and time will tell if military friends will keep Karagains and Zachary's expressed feelings a secret.
And Amberhill. We did not hear from him but he's poised to make an entrance, hopefully, in the next installment of The Green Rider Series.
goodeyreads's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.25
VERY MUCH CONFLICTED.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
I jumped back into this series on a whim and woooooo boy I am CONFLICTED.
The romantic plot lines of this series will be the end of me. I’m at this point of having invested too much time not to see this through, but also I’m going to be enraged if things don’t follow through for Karigan. She is getting the short end of the stick EVERY DANG TIME. In, seriously, everything. Her moments of peace are few and far between and I feel for her in having to pick herself back up over and over again. I would want to stay down for a bit too.
The action and politicking stayed steady. I liked the flow of action and where The Second Empire drama continued on. There were some characters missing, but the ending led me to believe it’s going to come full circle in the next book? Which makes sense and I will be picking up ASAP.
I am also incredibly conflicted about King Zachary. While a good King, he is a bit wishy washy for me as a man. He wants to make every decision correctly but after deciding does not commit fully and the wake being left behind is hurting my heart. I did love that we got his POV much more in this installment and his understanding and choices at least were easier to understand. I love the multi-POV and the writing style. It is perfect as an audiobook.
Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy
- Language: very little
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: PTSD (from torture), torture, whipping, near death experiences, cheating/infidelity, loss of loved ones, loss of life
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
I jumped back into this series on a whim and woooooo boy I am CONFLICTED.
The romantic plot lines of this series will be the end of me. I’m at this point of having invested too much time not to see this through, but also I’m going to be enraged if things don’t follow through for Karigan. She is getting the short end of the stick EVERY DANG TIME. In, seriously, everything. Her moments of peace are few and far between and I feel for her in having to pick herself back up over and over again. I would want to stay down for a bit too.
The action and politicking stayed steady. I liked the flow of action and where The Second Empire drama continued on. There were some characters missing, but the ending led me to believe it’s going to come full circle in the next book? Which makes sense and I will be picking up ASAP.
I am also incredibly conflicted about King Zachary. While a good King, he is a bit wishy washy for me as a man. He wants to make every decision correctly but after deciding does not commit fully and the wake being left behind is hurting my heart. I did love that we got his POV much more in this installment and his understanding and choices at least were easier to understand. I love the multi-POV and the writing style. It is perfect as an audiobook.
Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy
- Language: very little
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: PTSD (from torture), torture, whipping, near death experiences, cheating/infidelity, loss of loved ones, loss of life
vaderbird's review against another edition
3.0
I am glad the book is once a year and not more often as I would be tired of the characters.
I am feeling the series is on a decline and should aim more on wrapping it up, then continuing the same cookie cutter type of story.
I am feeling the series is on a decline and should aim more on wrapping it up, then continuing the same cookie cutter type of story.