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A review by art_books_chemistry
Green Rider by Kristen Britain
adventurous
dark
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I almost gave up on this book at the beginning. The storyline began sort of slow while also firehosing you with world building information. The 7-Chimneys section of the storyline was an easy way for the author to throw a lot of information at the MC Karigan so as to introduce the reader to the story. It definitely felt like a newer author that wasn't sure how to integrate a ton of world building information into her planned storyline and needed a sort of fourth wall break without it being a fourth wall break. Ok that might not be entirely fair since the ladies introduced there did send Karigan away with multiple tools that came in handle multiple times and wasn't purely an informational visit but still. This section also gave me Black Cauldron vibes (yes I was that weird kid who loved that Disney movie and no I haven't read the book).
The very first chapter I also became a little disappointed in Christopher Paolini. I LOVE the Inheritance Cycle and shake my head at the people who claim it's just stolen LotR. But dammit he must have gotten some inspiration from this because the first chapter with "The Gray One" is very similar to the first chapter of Eragon with Durza the shade. The two characters in general have several similarities.
I realized about halfway through what my favorite book trope is when normally I claim to not have any. It's absolutely the Reluctant Hero trope. Bilbo, Frodo/Sam, Daine Sarrasri, Clary Fray, Harry Potter, Eragon, Tris/Daja/Briar, Calaena Sardothien. I'd include Katniss but I hated her through the books. Karigan literally resists being a hero to the end though she becomes introspective about it which made me laugh.
I am glad I pushed through the rough beginning. I enjoyed how the magic works in this world, I enjoyed how the plot wound up in the end, and I enjoyed several of the characters. Doing this as an audiobook, I mostly read it while doing menial work tasks and driving. At some point I realized I was grinning into space for (seemingly) no reason, sitting on the edge of my car seat, and cheering when certain events happened. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series to continue to follow Karigan's adventures and recommend it for others who enjoy a richly developed world.
The very first chapter I also became a little disappointed in Christopher Paolini. I LOVE the Inheritance Cycle and shake my head at the people who claim it's just stolen LotR. But dammit he must have gotten some inspiration from this because the first chapter with "The Gray One" is very similar to the first chapter of Eragon with Durza the shade. The two characters in general have several similarities.
I realized about halfway through what my favorite book trope is when normally I claim to not have any. It's absolutely the Reluctant Hero trope. Bilbo, Frodo/Sam, Daine Sarrasri, Clary Fray, Harry Potter, Eragon, Tris/Daja/Briar, Calaena Sardothien. I'd include Katniss but I hated her through the books. Karigan literally resists being a hero to the end though she becomes introspective about it which made me laugh.
I am glad I pushed through the rough beginning. I enjoyed how the magic works in this world, I enjoyed how the plot wound up in the end, and I enjoyed several of the characters. Doing this as an audiobook, I mostly read it while doing menial work tasks and driving. At some point I realized I was grinning into space for (seemingly) no reason, sitting on the edge of my car seat, and cheering when certain events happened. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series to continue to follow Karigan's adventures and recommend it for others who enjoy a richly developed world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Animal death