Firebrand (Green Rider)

Well, I will say I was exceptionally hesitant to try any more books in this series. Mirror Sight (the previous book in case any of you are new to the series) was a disaster. Nothing short of an absolute disaster. The author took a fantasy series and switched genres for a steam punk novel that accomplished...oh, nothing. I decided to give this series one last shot, and while this book is definitely a vast improvement, I do not know if I'm interested in continuing it. For the record, I normally stick with series all the way to the end, even if I don't enjoy them, as I like the completion satisfaction finishing a series delivers, but Green Rider...well it's no longer what it was.One of my biggest complaints about this series is the lack of resolutions to a lot of the original plot lines. The wall? Still no progress. A couple books ago at least we were still in the "We can fix it! We can't fix it! We can heal it! We can't heal it! We learned something important! Wait, scratch that...that was a fail too" aspect that, while irritating, at least implied there might be a resolution to that original line (started in book 1 people, we're on book 6). And that's not even the only still open plot line.A second complaint is Ms. Britain is not a great author at shifting points of view. In fact, she's my absolute least favorite author to do so. And, unfortunately, Firebrand does it a lot. There were an annoying amount of her short point of view shift chapters, that didn't add a ton to the story, and could have easily been cut. Most of those point of view shifts added new thread lines (which, we do not need any more!), but thankfully most of them sort of resolved themselves so maybe a following book will be better (very much doubt this as she's been adding more and more view points each book instead of less). As a result, we see Karigan, but as she is the main character (or was, originally, I don't know if we can say that anymore), I would like to see MORE of her.While, yes, the book did return to it's main timeline, characters, and just a hint of it's old feel...there is just too much going on, and in a bad way. I like complex books, with multiple characters, races, and events going on, but only when it's done right. I'm starting to feel like Ms. Britain is overextending her ability, and I'd much rather a book with more intense focus on very specific characters than one that feels kind of like a meandering drunk.And the length for the story we were delivered was too long. With the multiple view points taking away from the feel, rather than adding to it, the book was easily about 300 pages too long. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE long books. It took me only 4 hours to read Firebrand, so it's not the fact it's a long book, but the fact it is a long, very often BORING one. I didn't care about the ice element. I didn't really care about Anna. Navi was not needed. I could care less about Estora (can she please get killed off already?!), and some of the other view point shifts were useful, but I would have preferred them from another source. As a whole the book failed to deliver because there was too much background noise (writing) to make it enjoyable.Also, let's not forget Karigan is still moping over her "boyfriend from the future" whose existence in the series at all pretty much destroyed it for me. It definitely changed our strong willed heroine, and not in a good way. She mopes over her "loss" of a man she shouldn't have gotten involved with (or remembered, don't even get me started on how Yate's pictures shouldn't exist...huge ball drop on that one, Ms. Britain), and then, to make matters worse. She still mopes over Zachary. Karigan has to be in her 20's now, and she's more of a lovesick child in this book than I find enjoyable. Unfortunately the Zachary/Karigan relationship agenda sort of progresses (which, if you care--I don't-- don't get your hopes up as it's just more of Ms. Britain's teasing) which may be one of the very few things that does.The ending also was too rushed. The whole book centered around Karigan's mission to find the lost race and try to form an Alliance with them. At the VERY end of the book (I think it was 15 pages) we get an introduction/conclusion all in one short go, which, following the rest of the story, was a huge disappointment. I feel like that section needed to be longer. Or, since it happened basically at the end of the book, something needed to happen after that continued the results of that event. The book is 800 pages - 15 pages dedicated to the whole point of the mission seems a bit stupid.Enver...I don't even know how to correctly express my lack of interest and frustration with this whole thing. He's just barely interesting, but the interactions with him and Karigan (especially at the end) were just forced, foolish, and really, why in the world would Ms. Britain add that part in?I also agree with fellow readers: Ms. Britain needs to stop torturing her main character for no reason. I am getting sick and tired of Karigan getting these extensive injuries for really poorly constructed reasons. One or two, fine, as she has a dangerous job, and it would make sense, but we're past that now, and I dislike authors who torture their characters as a cheat to keep the book interesting. Small hint: it doesn't. What it does due is irritate several of us readers, and make us even less inclined to pick up the next book. Given how many other reasons there are not to pick up the next book...it may be best not to add to them. I wouldn't mind Karigan getting injured on occasion for reasons that made sense, but I am sick of her just being forced through situations that feel drastically overwritten/played.So, yes, this book was better than Mirror Sight. We got back to the original feel (sort of) of the books. Despite that though, it was a huge disappointment, and I am not certain I'm sticking around for 7/8. At this point, I think the series needs a conclusion fast, and I think Ms. Britain's editors need to put a word count cap on her books (for the record, this comes from a reader who generally wants word count restrictions LIFTED) so she might actually resolve more of her plot lines, have less of these random side character point of views, and return even more to the original feel of the series.

Back when my daughter was 12 or 13, she was given The Green Rider by someone who thought she would enjoy a book with a strong female protagonist. I used to read what the kids were reading so we could discuss the same, and we both loved the strong, spirited Karigan who rode straight into trouble and managed to use her wits and bravery to accomplish her goals and save the day. We also enjoyed the next couple of books, although the lack of resolution of plot lines introduced in Book 1, coupled with the interminable wait between books, definitely dampered our enthusiasm for the series.I did not read Book 5 after reading all the negative reviews, but when my daughter - now graduated from college and married - mentioned she had started reading Book 6 and liked it better than Book 5, I decided to give the series another shot. This isn't a review for Book 5, but let's just say I'm glad I borrowed it and didn't spend money buying. As others have noted - completely off the story line, gratuitous violence (think of the imprisonment of the witch....), and a somewhat pathetic Karigan.On to Book 6. Ms. Britain is an entertaining writer, but I titled this review "Saddened" because I am - especially as I think back to reading The Green Rider and the good conversations I had with my daughter about the same. I would not recommend this series for young girls given the level of violence visited upon Karigan and other characters in the most recent books in this series. Tellingly, when you look to see how this book fares in different categories, it's popular in the category Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror > Dark Fantasy. Yes, horror and dark fantasy, words that would not be associated with the original Green Rider.There are too many characters, too many small, twisted, unresolved plot lines and finally, there is a Karigan that is hard to square with the original. After being tortured, she disappears from the story line as she tries to recover from the violence perpetrated against her. She does not seem strong or independent. She has become a victim, not the victor.Perhaps in several years, when another book finally comes out, I will have forgotten this review. Then again, I'm not sure I care at this point about the characters as they have been developed and whether there is ever resolution to their story lines.

I have been reading nothing but Green Rider books for the last few months and on the whole i have loved them [apart from the time wasting filler of a book that was Mirror Sight - less said about that the better!]. I wasn't too sure about Firebrand , I was hoping for a return to the original Green Rider story line and actually, I wasn't disappointed. Many of the of the main characters returned and some plot lines were resolved. The end of the book had me engrossed with the action and bringing King Zachary to prominence was a good move: I felt as readers we got to know him better.However, I'm in agreement with some other reviewers in that I feel this series is beginning to lose its way. Despite KZ saying Karigan was not to be sent on anymore missions off she goes in search of the p'ehdrose, unbelievably with just one Eletian and her b/f Estral who is looking for her father. Really? For such an important mission, despite all she's been through?Then we have the kidnapping of KZ. Didn't we have a kidnapping of the future queen in an earlier book? I suppose when the twins arrive they will be kidnapped and rescued single handedly by Karigan too. Did we actually need this ice elemental and Nari situation? For me it added nothing to the story line but perhaps in future books it will become relevant.As for the treatment of Karigan , it makes no sense. We now have our main character struggling to regain her former soldier skills and has it has already been put forward that she may never regain her former prowess as a Swordmaster what is Britain going to do with her? To suddenly regain her fighting ability after this is laughable. Also this KZ and Karigan romance thing needs resolving one way or the other, for me it's becoming tedious as I don't believe either character will succumb, not the way they have been portrayed previously. [ we already know KZ doesn't regret marrying Estoria and does care for her and that Karigan has declined being his mistress.] Karigan's lamenting over Cade doesn't work for me either but then I wasn't convinced of this affair in Mirror Sight. Please give this young woman a believable romance with a happy ending , it's the least she deserves after all the horror that's been heaped on her.As for the end of the book - what in five hells? The search for the p'ehdrose was a key element to the whole book and yet it was dealt with in a few chapters -2! Also, despite what was foretold of Amberhill in Mirror Sight there was no mention of him what so ever until the last two pages. Considering what he was to become I find this incredible.Despite how it sounds. there were parts of Firebrand that I really enjoyed but I think Ms Britain needs to stick to her story lines and stop introducing new threads until she is clear where she is going with them. Her talent as an author I am not disputing but fans of the series may well give up with her unnecessary padding out.

Firebrand is the Eletians name for King Zachary, just as they call Karigan 'The Galadheon'. We learn a little more about this spiritual, immortal race, [very much based on Tolkien's Wood Elves] through the character of Enver, who is half human/Eletian. Although they were Sacoridia's allies in the war against Mornhavon, they have always remained an enigma and Karigan has never entirely trusted them, always suspecting a hidden agenda, and at the end of the book we see why. Karigan and Zachary both suffer at the hands of Second Empire in this story, [no spoilers] and the whole Zachary/Karigan/Estoria thing continues unresolved - by the end of the book there are enough loose threads to indicate this second trilogy is not the end - how long must we wait for book 7? Finally, at last a map, showing the southern part of Sacoridia -its ok as far as it goes, but I would like to have seen the Lone Forest, the frontier town of North, the borders with Eletia and Rhovanny, all 'off the map'. I've read nothing but Green Rider books for all of 2017, guess i'll have to start on something else now.

This was a good return to form, however, my feeling is that it's time to wrap this story up. There seems to be interminable journeying for very little plot development in the continuous story arc and I suspect this model is going to continue indefinitely, as there are no signals that we are any closer to a satisfactory conclusion. However, I like stories that have an ending, and I have a reasonable fear that I will be retired or worse before the author finally gets there.

It is becoming clear that the author had not planned to write such a long series but the success of the earlier novels has encouraged her to expand the original plan in order to cash in on the public's interest.Have followed the story since the first book "Green Rider". That was enjoyable and I looked forward to the next couple of books but this latest "Firebrand" gives the impression that various sub plots have been added to the original (good) idea. This is such a disappointment as the rambling story line lacks any aim

I have been with this series from the first book was released, I crave each new release and addition to the tale. This one does not disappoint. I love that you see a LOT more of Zachary in this book. Making it one of my favourite to date! It picks up just shortly after the last (mirror sight) left off. I love how it ties in some of the early books with little nods here and there to events in them as well as bringing in new characters, carrying on with the over arching plots and taking us deeper into the minds of the characters both main and supporting.I spent a 2 day binge to read this from cover to cover, complete book hangover now but happy!I can't wait for the next one.

Yet another fantastic book from a great author. Kristen Britain has a wonderful gift of interesting characters, ones that you really care about. She blends horror and humour with great skill, one moment your heart is in your mouth, the next you're laughing. I would greatly recommend this book, or any book with her name on it.

This is back to the dynamic green rider of the first 3 books. Didn't want to put it down! Can't wait for the next now though...

Great continuation of the series, top form as always.Many series can get a little tiresome after the first few books however this series manages to keep engaging and remains interesting.Really good read and definitely recommend

OK just finished after a 2 day binge session of reading. Pleasure to rejoin all the characters and my heart ached for Karigan. Lauren Mapstone and Queen Estora got on my nerves. I loved the action and angst in this book versus politics of past. Thoroughly enjoyable installment.

Another installment in the adventures of Rider Sir Karrigan G'ladheon. Can't wait for the next book already. Such great character and plot development, and great to see Estral featured so much.

Could not put this book down. Really good to read. Can hardly wait for more from Kirsten Britain. Excellent author.

Akways emjoyable, but not so good as th earlier novels in the series. I felt there was some unnecessay padding about feelings, etc! I like a quick-moving plot!

Brilliant addition to the series, the story is progressing well and with interest. Rollercoaster of a book this one, both beautiful and heart breaking.

Tense, dramatic, emotional, exciting... This latest Green Rider book has it all. I've been reading it at every possible opportunity for the last three days, lost sleep and neglected family and chores, and it was worth every minute.

Enjoyed all green rider stories but they don't come quick enough, I had to re-read all my Kirsten Britain books before reading the newest book, even though it's about the Berry Sisters and not Karrigan.Excellent books I really enjoy them