Mystic and Rider (Ace Fantasy Book) - The Library of the Uncommons

432 pages

English language

Published Feb. 28, 2006 by Ace.

ISBN:: 978-0-441-01303-6

(1 review)

National bestselling and award-winning author Sharon Shinn weaves a new world wrought with magic and mayhemGillengaria seethes with unrest. In the south, hostility toward magic and its users has risen to a dangerous level, though King Baryn has ordered that such mystics are to be tolerated. It is whispered that he issued the decree because his new wife used her magic powers to ensnare himThe King knows there are those in the noble Twelve Houses who could use this growing dissent to overthrow him. So he dispatches the mystic Senneth to assess the threat throughout the realm. Accompanying her is a motley band of magic-users and warriors including Tayse, first among the Kings Riderswho holds a hard view of mystics in general, and Senneth in particular.But as the unlikely allies venture farther into the south, they will face death in a land under the sway of a fanatical cult that …

National bestselling and award-winning author Sharon Shinn weaves a new world wrought with magic and mayhemGillengaria seethes with unrest. In the south, hostility toward magic and its users has risen to a dangerous level, though King Baryn has ordered that such mystics are to be tolerated. It is whispered that he issued the decree because his new wife used her magic powers to ensnare himThe King knows there are those in the noble Twelve Houses who could use this growing dissent to overthrow him. So he dispatches the mystic Senneth to assess the threat throughout the realm. Accompanying her is a motley band of magic-users and warriors including Tayse, first among the Kings Riderswho holds a hard view of mystics in general, and Senneth in particular.But as the unlikely allies venture farther into the south, they will face death in a land under the sway of a fanatical cult that would purge Gillengaria of all magic users. And they will come to realize that their only hope of survival lies in standing together

2 editions

ctaymor reviewed Mystic and Rider (Ace Fantasy Book) by Sharon Shinn

Review of 'Mystic and Rider (Ace Fantasy Book)' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

I wanted to like it. I really did. It had been highly recommended to me, and the world was interesting. The characters were interesting. The plot was even moderately interesting... BUT the writing is terrible. It's so forced. How many sessions did the characters have of lets all sit around in a circle and each tell about this one trait of ours so that the reader knows everything about us, and if one person doesn't get a chance in natural manner to tell about themselves, well we better make sure they do, even if it feels forced? At least 15 or 20. I'm guessing more like 50. It seemed to comprise half the book. It was like the author was uncomfortable leaving any stone unturned, except the single stone she designated as "The Plot Twist!" which was left alone for a while. I wanted to like it, really really wanted …

I wanted to like it. I really did. It had been highly recommended to me, and the world was interesting. The characters were interesting. The plot was even moderately interesting... BUT the writing is terrible. It's so forced. How many sessions did the characters have of lets all sit around in a circle and each tell about this one trait of ours so that the reader knows everything about us, and if one person doesn't get a chance in natural manner to tell about themselves, well we better make sure they do, even if it feels forced? At least 15 or 20. I'm guessing more like 50. It seemed to comprise half the book. It was like the author was uncomfortable leaving any stone unturned, except the single stone she designated as "The Plot Twist!" which was left alone for a while. I wanted to like it, really really wanted to but, but nope. I can't recommend this book at all.