Mystic and Rider

The Twelve Houses, Book 1

By: Sharon Shinn

Narrated by: Jennifer Van Dyck, Sharon Shinn

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.

I love the characters. This is probably the fourth time I have read this whole siri's and I always find something interesting.

I like this book and the six or seven main characters and all of the east eggs for the continuous storyline that revolves through this whole series. You see real relationships for Then you see, these relationships grow and evolve and it's a lot of fun.Characters are definitely not static.

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.

One of my favorite books in a very poor narration

Would you listen to Mystic and Rider again? Why?

I have read this book at least three times, one of my all time favorites. I thought it would be interesting to listen to it. I can't say that it was not enjoyable at all, but I didn't like the interpretation. I felt that Senneth, the main female character was completely misunderstood. But what was especially bothering me that the narrator gave a voice of a 12 old girl to a young man of 20. It would be interesting to see how she would solve the problem of suddenly changing the tone for the same character in the fourth book when he becomes the love interest of the future queen.....

A timely read, when light and magic are so needed

Would you listen to Mystic and Rider again? Why?

Yes! The reader is fantastic, and creates each of the characters in distinct and endearing ways----I found when I read the book as well, I could hear Jennifer Van Dyck's voice speaking from the page for each of the characters. I went on to devour the rest of the series, and would enjoy listening to the story that introduces the characters and plot that develops through the 5 books in the series.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the characters, and felt drawn into the cares and concerns, passions and idionsyncracies of Senneth and Cammon, Kira and Donnal, Tayse and Justin. I found the struggle between light and dark, mystical powers and oppressive forces compelling at this time, fall of 2016.

What about Jennifer Van Dyck and Sharon Shinn ’s performance did you like?

I liked their ability to create believable male characters with their female voices. I liked the expressiveness and passion of the women, and what drew the skeptical Riders to come to respect and trust them. The voice of the young Cammon is full of curiosity and wonderment, despite all he has lost in his young life.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

She Who Carries the Flame, He Who Carries the Sword