First Rider’s Call, by Kristen Britain

At the end of the first book, Karigan G’ladheon believed that she was done with being a green rider. She went home with her father to Corsa to continue on her path to becoming a merchant. Yet she cannot seem to settle back in. Hoof beats are always sounding in her dreams, she can’t seem to like wearing anything other than green, and she keeps feeling a pull to be riding away from everything. But somehow she resists the call, until one night when it becomes too strong to resist. For Sacordia needs her, and even the spirit of the first rider, Lil Ambriodhe, won’t rest quietly until Karigan takes her necessary place. For the cracks in the wall surrounding Kammorhane Vale have spread, splitting a section of the wall. Ancient evil is stirring there, and it remembers a past so long ago that it is relegated to myths and legends. But this past will overtake the present, unless Karigan discovers and uses all the powers she possesses. For although she is a reluctant hero, she loves Sacordia and all its people and will do anything to keep them safe.

Kristen Britain keeps introducing new and wonderful ideas to her Green Rider books. In the first, we see some of the spirits of the dead, notably F’ryan Cobblebay. In First Rider’s Call, the spirits of the dead no longer rest as quietly as they once did, and they still long to protect Sacordia. Lil realizes that she might be breaking some rules in doing what she is, but she cannot help it any more than Karigan. For they share the same brooch, and the same spirit is in each of them. Karigan is more connected to the First Rider than she knows, but she discovers how much very quickly.

I love the surges of magic and what it does to the kingdom, I love Lil and her sense of humor, and I love the time sequences. I dare not say more than that, but I can’t bear not to mention them. First Rider’s Call lives up to Green Rider and more. It is more polished, tighter writing, and the plot is just as thrilling. I love adventure. Get ready to ride!