**Some light Spoilers**
Recap - In the 5th book of the series (Mirror Sight) Karigan wakes up in a future time where the realm has lost to the empire. The entire book, while entertaining and well written, had numerous flaws that made it the worst book so far. Not the least of which was its irrelevance to the story and plot. However, Karigan experiences great loss when she loses her lover (who came out of nowhere) and that loss and Karigan's inability to recover feature heavily in the 6th book.

In Firebrand, Karigan's losses just continue. The book is a little darker but has many positive attributes. Karigan has returned to the Sacoridia of her time and we are again immersed in the characters we know and some new characters like Anna Ash. Karigan, her friend Estral, and an Eletian named Enver journey north to attempt to establish contact with the lost race of the p'ehdrose in anticipation of the escalating fights with the second empire. I enjoyed the opportunity to continue Estral's part of this story but was rather disappointed with its conclusion or lack thereof.

In Sacor city, we are introduced to Anna Ash, a maid/servant who shows bravery and seems to have a future tied to the green riders. She manages to protect the Queen during several attacks by elements etc. Meanwhile, Zachery is kidnapped first by an elemental creature and then by the second empire when he escapes the elementals clutches.

Instead of finding the P'ehdrose, Karigan and Estral find themselves captured by the second empire as well. Karigan endures extreme torture during their captivity. Through the aid of her friends and others she escapes and they manage to save the king. A final confrontation ensues where losses occur on both sides. The torture that Karigan was subjected to becomes a main focal point of the series as it grows introspective and adds realistic elements of trauma. Karigan was already weakened by her losses and continued focus on them before the torture and now grows even more withdrawn and depressed. This continues (annoyingly) for quite some time and takes up a significant focus of the next book. For those that enjoy a grungier more realistic take on trauma, this might be a good portrayal.

Overall, I'm happy to at least be back in the main storyline and in a novel where the plot progresses (barely). However, this book introduces us to many new facets of the world and magic that seem to come out of nowhere and while they are entertaining, it seems like lazy writing and just a continuation of the ongoing filler material. Examples include the P'ehdrose, some weird plot line with Eletion unfoldings, Cats that are not cats, and personified elementals holding millennia-old captives. ( )

I have so many million feelings about this book I feel like it's impossible hold them entirely still, and that's why when I finally got to talk to a friend about it after finished the last pages a few weeks ago, we ended up talking about the book, series, direction, choices for almost two hours straight after a party had cleared from her house.

I love the direction this book is headed, and I love that a lot of it feels like it's all natural progression. Revelations about the far past, and about the current goings on everywhere. I love the romances, and how they are noble, tangled in duty, family, character growth, gain, and loss, well fitting to all the positions all the people are in. I love the new sides of the Elt and magical creatures we got.

I feel like there are so many things I want to say and too many of them are spoilers that were just *So Well Done* in the book. I can't stop recommending this series more and more, especially the further on in it gets and how beautiful this woman's writing continues to grow. ( )

The Green Rider series has always been a series I have greatly enjoyed. I do think the first few books are the strongest in the series but there are other books later in the series that are quite good too. My biggest complaint is the slow speed at which these books are published. These are a fun high fantasy read. ( )

Okay 5 stars. 1 Quick start into action. 2 familiar characters. 3. A hinted transition for another story. What more can an adventure fan ask? Besides we now have three suitors for Karigan... ( )

.... I just can't even right now with this author... I loved these books. was ecstatic to get mirror sight, only to have my hopes crushed by what was presented to me. I gave it one more book, but this was not a well written book and basically repeated the same plot as the third book.

Also, I'm not the best at grammar. I usually keep my nose out of grammar in published books, but this book contained so many commas I'm not quite sure there are any left for the other authors.

KB also tried on multiple occasions to put an elegant feel to how she phrased things, similar to the works of Tolkien or The Brontë sisters, this didn't work cause it wasn't a constant style.

I know what most will say about this review after they see it. 'don't read it if you don't like it'. I'm here to tell you that this will be the last green rider book that I read and this will be the only review that I write. I am simply posting my irritation for other to see and possibly enjoy if they have similar feelings. I am not looking for an argument, so please don't respond unless you want to discuss intellectually about this book.

Thank you KB for the first wonderful books, and for giving me more confidence in my writing ability. ( )