Blackveil
Ratings14
Average rating3.9
15
Ratings14
Average rating3.9
Karigan G'ladheon was a regular girl until she stumbled across a dying man. There were two arrows embedded in his back, and wherever his horse was taking him, he was going to die before they got there. He gave Karigan his horse, his cloak and his brooch - the symbol that he was one of the King's Green Riders - and, with them, his mission. To deliver a message to the King. He made her swear to do it ... even though the Shadow Man who killed him would be hot on her trail. That mission made her a Green Rider. Now, her first legendary mission is long complete. Karigan has learnt to wield the magic her Green Rider brooch allows her to access, and she's used it to defy some of the most terrifying dark magicians of the age. But while Mornhavon the Black has gone, he's not defeated. His restless spirit haunts Blackveil, the lethal, corrupt forest that stands beyond a failing magical wall at the edge of King Zachary's territory. Karigan's destiny is leading her there, and when her King asks her to join a mission to Blackveil to save the remnants of a dying race, it seems she has little choice but to follow it ...
Series
7 primary books9 released booksGreen Rider is a 9-book series with 7 primary works first released in 1998 with contributions by Kristen Britain.
Reviews with the most likes.
I enjoy these books, but this one was a little less fun. It was still good, and felt very similar to the books written by Terry Brooks. I felt it got a little more adult and dark for me.
True to the title, Blackveil sees Karigan and the green riders venturing into Blackveil Forest. For centuries the forest has been kept at bay by the Dyer wall, but as the wall grows weaker, Second Empire seeks to unleash the evil within. Yet the riders are not alone in their venture, for the Eletians have taken an interest in the forest as well. To what ends they will not fully reveal. Together the Green Riders, members of the King’s army, and the Eletians will face off against the cursed beings of the forest. But will they be able to contain it?
The audiobooks for The Green Rider series are always such a joy to listen to. The narrator, Ellen Archer, brings the characters to life with such soothing tones. And the variety at which they are able to capture each different character in such a wide cast is astonishing.
In Blackveil politics starts to become a larger presence in the story. But the level of subterfuge displayed in the story will further engage the reader in Karigan’s fate. There are members of the court obsessed with the future queen’s success and see Karigan as a barrier to it. Though future queen Estora would never harm her friend, those of her own retinue would not hesitate. And while Karigan is away in Blackveil, members of the own King's court plot to secure the marriage in other ways.
For those who enjoy romantic subplots, The Green Riders series has one steadily growing with each passing book. It has both the hint of a love triangle and forbidden love, but the characters themselves aren’t really sure what direction they will go in. While they understand they do have feelings, duties call them away and force them to reevaluate each book. And make no mistake, it isn’t the highlight of the series. There is still a major focus on dealing with a greater evil and discovering the past truths of magic long buried in history.
Blackveil was an immersive and compelling addition to The Green Rider series. Kristen Britain has a beauty with words and developing the world piece by piece. Such an intricate series is given careful attention in each passing story, building a stronger foundation and allowing characters to stretch beyond their limits. And with the way this one ended, readers will demand the next book immediately.
Originally posted at www.behindthepages.org.
