Mystic and Rider

So, very, meh. Starting out, I appreciated the cozy, nostalgic tone of the writing, reminiscent of stuff from my childhood: wrede, feist, pierce &c. But there's just no *there* there. It isn't, 'flawed' per-se, the characters, the romance, the plot are all good enough for a solid supporting role, but none of them are good enough to pull the weight of a whole novel and it's just - flat. This was touted as a calm, positive, character-focused book, so I wasn't expecting excitement, but the characters just aren't strong enough to support that, though they'd be perfectly fine in a book with a more compelling plot. Or for contrast, see *The Goblin Emperor* for a book where even *less* happens that still feels satisfying because the show more protagonist is compelling enough. show less

The pacing of Mystic and Rider might be slow, but this first book in Shinn’s Twelve Houses series is so well-written I didn’t mind taking my time with it. World-building is excellent, as one would expect from an established fantasy author of Shinn’s calibre, and the slow-burn romance (which is not central to the story) is simply lovely.

I enjoyed all of it – the world-building, the prose, the characters, the magic, the romance. This is one of those character-led fantasy novels that draw you in with well-developed characters struggling to find their way in a world brimming with magic, fraught with political conflict and religious mania.

If you’re a reader who enjoys a slower pace and do not need to know why someone is capable of show more magic or how magic works, you will enjoy this. But if you insist on magic systems and a frenetic pace, this is not for you. show less

In my recent resurgence back into the fantasy series after loving “The Queen of the Tearling” and its sequel, I found “Mystic and Rider” on a recommendation forum of adultbooklr’s Goodreads group. I was drawn to it initially because of the advertised “strong female protagonist” which is a phrase that pulls me in pretty quickly. And I wasn’t disappointed.

Senneth, an infamous magic-user of the engrossing medieval-like setting of Gillengaria is off on an adventure with a cast of characters who, overtime, I grew to know and love. Nothing was predictable or too cliché and it was the relationships between the characters that really set the story into motion. Like Game of Thrones (oof, sorry for the overused comparison), there show more is a complicated set of politics that governs this kingdom and its 12 fiefdoms which gave “Mystic and Rider” an admirable and colorful backstory to surround our travelers.

Surprisingly, the romance was realistic and lovely, the kind of relationship that I was left thinking about long after I finished the book, reenacting scenes in my head unprovoked. While it wasn’t forgotten, it also didn’t dominate the story (or our protagonist’s every waking thought) and was the perfect complement to a rousing tale of adventure. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of fantasy, “Mystic and Rider” isn’t here to act like it’s better than it is or bore you to tears with details – Shinn weaves an entertaining story that doesn’t rely on filler to keep you on the edge of your seat. show less

This is a re-read, probably the third time. I was in the dumps, tired of all the mediocre books I started but couldn’t finish. I wanted to cheer myself up, so I turned to a book by the author who has never let me down yet. The novel lived up to my expectations: an enjoyable read with all the fantasy tropes present but with a twirl that makes them unmistakably Shinn. It’s a story of love and self-discovery, masquerading as a fantasy quest.
The novel opens a new series, set in the imaginary land of Gillengaria. The setting is as much a character in this tale as the protagonist Senneth, a mystic (sorceress), entrusted by the king to assess the mood of the kingdom.
With her citizens’ intertwined wants and desires, biases and show more convictions, Shinn’s Gillengaria emerges as a rich multicolored tapestry, with Senneth in its centre. Those who expect a straightforward epic fantasy will be disappointed in this book (as some reviews indicate). There are no overt battles or evil wizards here. The conflict is much deeper and much more subtle than in a typical quest story. This tale centers on the hatred of the different.
Alas, we all know such stories; history books and newspapers are crammed with them. Depending on the century and the location, such hatred has lifted its ugly head again and again: towards those with a different skin color or those who follow a different tradition or those who worship a different god. In this fictional account, the persecuted are those who can wield magic.
Because most of the action happens in people’s heads and hearts, the story seems slow on the surface, but as in any psychological thriller, tension runs high. Although nominal villains appear briefly (what fantasy novel is worthwhile without them?) they’re just figureheads, representing the enemies much more amorphous and much more dangerous: social intolerance and religious fanaticism, the twin themes that not many fantasy writers dare to tackle in such depth.
Despite the complexity of the theme, the plot is deceptively simple. Senneth, the king’s most trusted and most powerful mystic, travels around the country accompanied by a small, uneven team: three other mystics plus two King’s Riders, members of the king’s elite private guard. In the beginning, the mystics and the riders mistrust each other, but gradually, from one dangerous adventure to another, from one hardship endured together to the next, the dynamics in the group shift. By the end, the former strangers gravitate towards friendship.
Senneth is the catalyst of those changes. Her loyalty, courage and kindness force everyone – characters and readers alike – to reassess their own values. She is the glue that keeps these disparate individuals together; she is the torch to light their way. Nobody stays indifferent to Senneth, but one of the King’s Riders, Tayse, falls the hardest. He falls in love. Their romantic line punctuates the bigger issues of the tale, adding a personal melody and intimate overtones. Like the characters themselves, Senneth’s and Tayse’s love affair is multifaceted and fragile, studded with obstacles. Even the positive denouement of the last pages seems quiet and uncertain. Although the lovers finally acknowledge their attraction, nothing is resolved yet, not in their relationship, nor in the political arena of Gillengaria. The stage is set for the next book in the series.
I love this novel. It touches my soul and resonates with my worldview. I want to write like Shinn. show less

This book is a delight all the way through. Engaging writing, characters that are a joy to spend time with, and an intriguing plot.

it's always hilarious when everyone except the involved parties are doing their best to get them together. anyway LETS GO

Sharon Shinn and her abundance of smiles and grins. I don't think I've ever read another author who uses smiles so liberally as a way of characterizing. I'm not mad.

I really want to continue with the series - I like the characters and I'm truly interested - but the romance of book 2 is REALLY putting me off. Sigh

Loved it. This was very easy to read, which is always a good thing. I really liked the characters, especially Senneth (the main character) of course, but I also liked Kirra, Cammon, and later the two riders. In the beginning the riders are behaving annoyingly prejudiced, of course, but they stay relatively respectful. When they are not, it's because they do not like mystics, not because they have a problem with powerful women. The women are strong and realistic: they have skills (and impressive ones too), they have flaws, and they have emotions. When they need help, they accept it without fuss, not getting into a power struggle, or acting stupidly out of pride. The same can be said for the men, although one of them is a bit surly about show more it on one occasion. Not much though, and he totally expected to be rescued by Senneth, after making the smart decision of not fighting when the odds are not on his side. I like the camaraderie of the group, and how they grow closer together. This is mostly shown through incidents on the road, and although that works, it got a bit repetitive halfway through the book. Fortunately, the pacing changed a bit a little later.

I'm not happy that the next book doesn't follow Senneth, but follows Kirra instead, but I suppose I'll try to get over it. This one was very good, in any case. show less