To Ride a Rathorn

By: P. C. Hodgell

Narrated by: Jennifer O'Donnell

P. C. Hodgell’s latest high fantasy novel is the sequel to Seeker’s Mask, which in turn follows God Stalk and Dark of the Moon (collected in the Meisha Merlin omnibus Dark of the Gods).

These are the chronicles of Jamethiel Priest’s-bane, otherwise known as Jame, as she struggles to find a place in a universe full of danger, intrigue, and more than a bit of downright lunacy. The current novel’s title, To Ride a Rathorn, comes from the Kencyr phrase that refers to someone attempting something insane, but it is too dangerous for them to stop. The reference is also to a certain young rathorn (think of an armor-plated, carnivorous unicorn with a nasty temper) who is after Jame for killing his mother and about to catch up with her.

At Tentir, Jame faces cut-throat competition and finds even more buried, poisonous family secrets. Not only is the Caineron heir sent to humiliate her, but a charming Ardeth Highborn arrives hell-bent on seducing her. Then too, what is she to make of the mysterious White Lady who haunts her dreams, or of the growling monster that prowls Tentir’s hallways and is said to eat young cadets for breakfast? For she is learning Tentir has secrets of its own, and it is fighting for its soul. Under political pressure that threatens to compromise its independence, it looks to its Commandant, an honorable man; but also a Caineron. As the college tests Jame, so she tests it.

“Some things need to be broken.”

©2006 P. C. Hodgell (P)2020 Recorded Books

good book

no castle are destroyed by jame is this book. scorched yes.

jame has to confront the rathorn

Classic Fantasy done right

This series is a total package. The story is first rate with amazing world building, including a mythology that is imaginative. The main character is a strong female lead. Hard to peg this as low or high fantasy. No magic academy or msgitech here. But at the same time, there are people with abilities, fantastical creatures and vile curses. The narrator did a good job with the reading

Sequel to Seekers Mask, Read Prior Books First

I don't know how I missed this book for nearly a month. I've been checking frequently after I finished The Seekers Mask and someone didn't see this until I saw Bound by Blood pop up and looked specifically for this title because I could not imagine the books being published out of order.

Jennifer O'Donnell does a great job of narrating this series. Not easy considering that there are loads of unusual fantasy names and words, but she does not fail.

So don't try to start this series with this book. It won't work because this book is deep in the season and while Hodgell tries to fill in for new readers, the paper book had a lot of maps, floor plans and a glossary, aids not available in the audiobook.
This book like the previous one is about 20 hours long. I would have happily listened to another 20 hours but I am also a great fan of Hodgell's books with their complex interweaving of politics, humor, and fantasy.

I hope O'Donnell is working on the remaining books in the series. Now on to listen to Bound in Blood.

Oh, and there is also a Kencyr wiki. I presume that might help new readers. I can't say for sure because I don't really like fan fiction.

To Ride a Rathorn was an excellent novel.

The mysteries were propperly intriguing, and the storytelling was topnotch. The character’s actions and reactions were believable and the pacing wasn’t too bad. The narrator took some getting use too, but she grew on me.

Love it

Amazing story narrated beautifully.
P. C. Hodgell, thank you for bringing all these people into my life. Jennifer O'Donnell, thank you for letting me allow you these stories Wash over me as I go about my life.