Shinn, Sharon. Mystic and Rider. The first in the Twelve Houses series, this novel introduces characters that I look forward to seeing again and again. Gillengaria is troubled by unrest, and King Baryn dispatches a group of five individuals to find out more about the situation: Senneth, a powerful mystic, is the nominal head of the group; Kirra and Donnal are also mystics and shape-shifters; Tayse and Justin are King's Riders whose responsibility is for the safety of the mystics, but who are themselves very distrustful of all forms of magic and mystics. The book opens as Senneth recognizes a serving boy as a mystic and frees him. Cammon, a sensitive, joins this band of uneasy allies as they continue their journey into the southern regions where dissent is greatest.Lots of adventures and interesting group dynamics as the group discovers that things are even worse than they feared. Mystics are being hunted and murdered and dissent is being fomented by members of one of the Twelve Houses and by the fanatical religious followers of the Pale Lady.
There is a hint of romance that slowly blooms, but for the most part, the adventure and increasing closeness of the team provide the focus of this novel. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Fiction. Fantasy. 2005. 440 pages.
Another review: A Chain of Letters
The colors on the cover match your profile picture. I've added this book to the list since you make it sound so good.
ReplyDeleteBooklogged - I really enjoyed it, and the pages flew by. Hope you do get a chance to read it.
ReplyDeleteI have one book by her, The Shape-Changer's Wife or something like that which I picked up cheap and is on my to-read pile. Though I have yet to read her I have to say that Sharon Shinn consistently has amazing book covers for her novels.
ReplyDeleteSharon Shinn is one of my favorite Science-Fiction authors. :] I am very glad you enjoyed this book. You're making me eager to pick up the book at this minute! Have you read her Samaria series? They are just as amazing in terms of plot and characters. Utterly unforgettable.
ReplyDeleteYAY! I'm a Sharon Shinn supporter!
ReplyDeleteCarl - I really love the cover on The Shape-Changer's Wife. Hope you enjoy the book when you get around to it.
ReplyDeleteOrchidus - I haven't read her Samaria series, but I intend to, and I plan on finishing this series as well!
LK - Me, too!
I've been interested in getting the Shape-Changer's Wife but didn't make the connection. I like a book with great characters so I'm going to have to read this one.
ReplyDeleteFramed - I do hope you enjoy it! The Shape-Changer's Wife and this one are completely different in style, but both are successful.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your review of Mystic and Rider. I hope you don't mind, but I've linked to it on my own.
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