Return of the Guardian-King

Karen Hancock's final book is spellbinding and a fitting end to this wonderful fantasy/allegorical series. The faith and love of Abramm, Maddie and Trap are tested more than ever before and their responses are genuine and heartfelt. The reader has little difficulty imagining the land, the people and the intricate politics of the warring countries as Karen's writing is of the highest calibre. The characters' individual struggles are portrayed so well that I was fully invested in the outcomes of their choices. The tension between Trap and Carissa and their languishing marriage was excellent and juxtaposed beautifully with Abramm and Maddie's seemingly unfounded commitment to each other despite their physical separation. Staffids, shapeshifters and the purging of physical evil by the cleansing light of Eidon are vivid allegorical descriptions of our own lives. Return of the Guardian King is engrossing, entertaining and challenging. The message at it's heart is powerful and not to be missed. This is a landmark series to be enjoyed more than once.

I finished reading it late last week and I cannot get it out of my head. I envision shadowspawn in my laundry basket, I see dragons in my dreams. I have so much to write, but my hands are bound. I can't spoil it for you! That would just be wrong. So, I'll say nothing. Nothing at all. Well, okay. Just a little. You will never forget the simply delicious new character, Draek Tiris. Handsome, eloquent, rich, and set to win Maddie. And to think he's - Uh oh! There I go. I can't tell you or it will ruin everything. Okay then, here's something. There are so many emotionally poignant moments. I broke down and cried when Maddie discovers her sons are - Oh! I can't tell you that either! Never mind. But I can tell you about Abramm, of course. Abramm and the importance of the dragon insignia on his coat of arms, and the same emblem tattooed on his arm. Remember that? From the first book? It is all woven together so beautifully and comes to a magnificent climax when - No! Gillard! You'll be blown away, truly blown away by Gillard's - Sigh. Not even that. I can't tell you anything, except read it. Read. It. And if you haven't read the previous books, you should, but you don't necessarily have to, to enjoy this one, but why wouldn't you? Just read them all.

In a fitting finale to the _Legends of the Guardian King_, _Return of the Guardian King_, brings this wonderful epic to a close in a spectacular manner. First, I should say, if this is the first book in the series you've been looking at to read, do yourself a favor and start at the beginning, for these four books are not so much a story as a journey, and what satisfying conclusion is reached when you begin at the end? After waiting (maybe not so patiently at times) for the last installment, I can honestly say it was well worth the wait. One of Hancock's greatest strengths is that she can make you care deeply about the characters and what happens to them. Also, her worldbuilding is superb, and the addition of a new culture in this book is welcome as it adds yet another dimension to the richness of the novels. I found myself quite surprised in a few places as where I expected the story to go as the plot developed and where it actually did go weren't as expected. Above all, the developing lives of the characters show a deepening faith that I know I can learn from, and from which to draw truth in my own life. Light Of Eidon (Legends of the Guardian-King) The Shadow Within (Legends of the Guardian-King) Shadow Over Kiriath (Legends of the Guardian-King)

Not going to write a really long review. Return of the Guardian King is a fantastic ending to a fantastic series. Honestly, it may be the best of the four. A wonderful representation of the self-life man and finding our true rest in Christ and dependence on him. Awesome representations of spiritual warfare with one of the biggest principles being: the refusal to believe the enemies lie over our Lord's truth. And on top of that...just a wonderful wonderful story with great characters. Hopefully Karen will revisit this world.

Like its neighbor nations Kiriath has fallen. The Shadow rules with an iron fist oppressing any opposition. While most of his countrymen assume he is dead, a few close advisors are fleeing with distraught Abramm Kalladorne as they are forced to take flight way from his beloved Kiriath to take temporary sanctuary in the desert. He hopes to reach his wife Maddie in Fannath Rill in the last realm of Eidon's Light, mountainous Chesedh. Once there he plans to assist his father-in-law fight the Black Moon legions of the Shadow. However no matter how hard he tries to reach his spouse's side, he stumbles until finally Abramm assumes that for whatever reason Eidon has a different fate in store for him. Meanwhile her family insist Abramm is dead having fallen nobly in combat and that to save their country from being the next and final domino to fall she must marry a suitor who can provide the realm galleys that could turn the tide in their favor. Without this aid, Chesedh will lose. Maddie tries to resist the pressure as she believes in her soul she would know if her beloved died, but saving her people and her family seems the right thing to do as the conquerors head in their direction. The fourth tale in the "Legends of the Guardian-King" (see THE LIGHT OF EIDON, SHADOW OVER KIRIATH and THE SHADOW WITHIN) continues the exciting fantasy war between the Dark Moon forces of the Shadow and that of the Light of Eidon. However in this tale the hostilities play more of a doomsday countdown backdrop to the dilemmas of Abramm and Maddie as each ponders what to do next as duty supersedes their personal relationship. Fans of Christian Armageddon sagas will enjoy the fight between the light and dark due to the quandaries confronted by the lead pair, who put human faces on the supremacy war. Harriet Klausner