Kathleen's Reviews > First Rider's Call

3.5 stars. Another good read, if slightly too long. I enjoyed the scenes in the ancient past, time travel with Legendary Lil, the first Green Rider. I also enjoyed the journal of Hadriax el Fex, with short, succinct entries. Vivid and scary scenes in the Black Veil.

Interesting plot development involving a secret society, The Second Empire. But hard to believe the Arcosians wouldn't have fully integrated after 1000 years. Only think how (comparatively) quickly the Anglo-Saxons accepted the invading French Normans. Hard to imagine an uprising between American Natives and the invading Europeans 1000 years onward. Arcosians involved in the secret sect would be considered lunatics, even by their own people, I would think.

Quibbles: Author REALLY needs to work on characterization. Karigan needs to be growing and maturing as the years progress. She is quick to take offense and petulant at times, and too slow to believe in magic, despite all she has seen.

Characters need to stay in character. For one example, the king's guards (his swords) would not need a 20-something rookie to save the day when the king is attacked. They can do it. Why else do we constantly hear that his Swords surround him in the shadows and that they are masters at arms? For another example, why couldn't the king or his advisors or his guards bring order to the room, when the crowd of petitions became too restive?

The characterization of Allessandros Mornhavon was hard to swallow. The optimistic, intelligent, and good-natured fellow depicted in childhood and during the voyage from Arcosia became an insanely evil sorcerer in Sacoridia. His sense of abandonment and his disappointments with empire-building did not provide enough impetus for a 180° character change. I suppose he went crazy from something in the water. Something he was smoking?

Secondary characters need to become real, not just red-shirt cannon fodder. Not just props for the amazing feats of Karigan the Courageous. Let them win sometimes. Let the whole team work together to solve some problems. I see some of this, especially with Captain Mapstone, but not enough. It's mostly all about Karigan.

As for pacing, it's not bad, but as I stated in a status review at one point: "After all that adrenaline, can't we all just stop for a breather? Gather round the table. Be warm, well fed, and safe. For just one little chapter?"