Mystic and Rider

The Twelve Houses, Book 1

By: Sharon Shinn

Narrated by: Jennifer Van Dyck, Sharon Shinn

Length: 15 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

The fire mystic Senneth crosses the country of Gillengaria on a mission for the king, trying to discover if noble marlords from the Twelve Houses are planning an uprising.

She is accompanied by the soldiers Justin and Tayse, two King's Riders who are unswervingly loyal to the crown. Also on the journey are the shape-changers Kirra and Donnal, and a young mystic named Cammon who can practically read minds.

It's soon clear that not only are marlords planning a rebellion, but that they are being aided by Daughters of the Pale Mother, a fanatical religious sect that hates mystics. While Senneth can clearly take care of herself, Tayse finds himself unable to stop watching her - determined both to protect her and to uncover her secrets.

BONUS AUDIO: Includes an exclusive introduction by author Sharon Shinn.

House hunting? Download more in The Twelve Houses series.

©2006 Sharon Shinn (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Tailor-made for the growing audience of fantasy fans who like a good juicy romance." (Publishers Weekly)
"Never tripping over the plot twists and complications, Shinn gives us an easy, absorbing, high-quality read sans gratuitous bloodshed and violence." (Booklist)
"Shinn's most successful book." (SF Revue)

A faboulous start to the series

This book is awesome and Sharon Shinn is very talented.The story captured my interest from the very beginning and held it to the end. The Narrator Jennifer Van Dyck suits the story with a very soothing but enthusiastic voice. Most enjoyable all round.

Great Series!!

I was going overseas and was looking for a series that would keep me occupied while I was away. I thoroughly enjoyed the series. I downloaded the first 4 books realising that it would have ended the story and so enjoyed it that, when I returned, I downloaded the last book, Fortune and Fate, and was again really pleased with it. The plot was great, the characters really well developed and having the different readers, while disconcerting at first, didn't cause any problems as the different parts of the book was related from different characters. I well recommend this series as a great listen. Enjoyable, interesting, lots of action, some romance, what more could one ask for?

Wonderful story

Shinn is a terrific writer and great story teller. I loved this one and recommend it highly. The narration is good too.

Books I have read several times over

Yes! Perfect narrator! Most excellent story-telling. I have read all of Sharon Shinn’s 13th house books, and her Summers at Castle Auburn books too. So fabulous, extraordinary is Shinn’s gift for transporting a person beyond place and time. Thank you Sharon, and Thank You Laurell K Hamilton for recommending of of your writer’s group Alternate Historians to us!

Enjoyable

It took me a few hours to get into this, and if I didn't need something to listen to while working out, I'm unsure if I would have finished it. But I am glad I did. It quickly became un-put-a-down-able and I'm looking forward to listening to the next reader. Speaking of which I like the reader.

Someone below remarked that this was a good light romance, and while there are romantic elements, it is more a fantasy (which generally has romantic elements) than a romance. I read both genres, and there is a distinction.

Wonderful version of the written book...

I got sucked into this series by a friend a few years ago and its been a go to / read a second or third time series for me since then. The reader does a great job bringing you into the world of Gillangaria and bringing the characters to life. I've got the second book ready to 'read' again when I am done with this one.

Fantastic

This is one hell of an intriguing story by Sharon Shinn & Jennifer van Dyck does credit to the book. Listening to ger reading the story was absolutely lovely, she added depth & layers with her performance.

Awesome!

I couldn't put the book down, and I didn't want the series to end. I became very attached to all the characters, and I was sad to see them leave.

One of my all-time favorites.

The combination of story narrator and characters has me listening again and again. I wish the author and narrator.had more collaborations.

Great character driven series!

This is a great series for people who enjoy light, character driven fantasy. In this series, mystics are people who have been given certain talents from various gods and goddesses, but instead of being valued, they are being increasingly persecuted. Not by the king however, and mystics are included in the ranks of those working with him to thwart uprising and war.

There are six main characters, so it took me a while to really lose myself into this first book. Getting to know everybody takes a little time! But by midway I was fully immersed. This book follows all the main characters, but it's Sennet the fire mystic, the most mysterious of our little band of mystics and King's Riders, who takes center stage.

If you're looking for lots of intense action and sweeping armies flooding the field of battle, these may not be the books for you. If you're interested in a more introspective, character driven collection of stories, these may be right up your alley. Fantasy first, expect a good dollop of romance and intrigue as well! Nicely written, as is all of this author's material.

This series does not keep the same narrator throughout! This first narrator is one of my favorites, but I quite like the following one too, once I got used to him. But be warned if that will bother you!