Shadow Over Kiriath

The three part series of Kiriath has been a fiction to dive into, it is so well written. This is the last of the series, I wish it wasn't since I have lived with the characters thru thick and thin. Author's style is clear and straightforward. Karen Hancock is a great author, I have also her other books. Shortly: if you buy this series of books, you will never regret it!

After his encounter with the morwhol in The Shadow Within, Abramm Kalladorne is recovering from the wounds he received during the fight. Though he has succeeded in taking his rightful position of king of Kiriath, there is an upward battle to securing Kiriath's peace and security. Abramm is also coming to grips that his injury has scarred and crippled him for life, which evokes depression on his part. It seems that everything that can go wrong has come about. The evil has again begun plotting his demise, but is taking a different tack this time. While Abramm is promised to be married with the princess of Chesedh, to create an alliance with the neighboring country, he has found himself dangerously attracted to her younger sister. Lady Madeline also is beginning to have feeling for Abramm, but understands that by being a second daughter, she could never act upon them. As the wedding of Abramm and Princess Brellian approaches, Abramm continues working to restore his countries defenses and ferreting out those who are conspiring against him. Once again, Hancock has written an excellent fantasy. I have loved this series since I read the first one, and I have eagerly awaited each subsequent book. And each time, I have found the next to be better than the one before. Filled with romance, faith, betrayal, and joy even in suffering, Shadow over Kiriath kept me enthralled throughout the whole story. I found I could not put it down until I had finished it. Definitely a must read for all who love fantasy.

I'm a huge fan of Karen Hancock. Her latest book is as amazing as all her other award-winning novels. SHADOW OVER KIRIATH continues the Legends of the Guardian King with rich use of language and powerful symbolism. Abramm faces his most glorious victories and his darkest suffering-all with a new level of maturity and wisdom. I especially enjoyed his blossoming relationship with Maddie, and the swashbuckling adventure of the story. I was also inspired by the example of a man who battles the same temptations I do-fear, doubt, confusion and constant awareness of scars and weaknesses. Hope grew in my own heart as I read about a man who comes to the end of himself and finds he is never alone. Be warned that as part of a series, the book ends with some intense issues unresolved. But even with more to come, there is enough hope to keep me going until the next book. I can't wait for the next installment. If you haven't yet discovered this series, now is a great time to start.

The third installment of the four-part Legends of the Guardian King opens on Abramm's coronation day. Beset by threatened disaster and his first horrified look at the scars from his fight with the morwhol six months before, Abramm isn't at all sure he'll be accepted as king, even now. Thus begins Abramm's next trial of trust. "The road ahead will be more difficult than anything you have yet faced, though its blessings are beyond anything you can imagine," he is told. Will he accept the path Eidon has for him, or choose the way of temporary relief from suffering? Shadow Over Kiriath is a masterful work, full of Karen's now-trademark blend of romance, intrigue, and adventure. This is also her deepest spiritually-she so perfectly captures the proving of true faith in the fires of disappointment and loss. This part of the story was both easier to read than I expected, but harder too-and left me awash in the wonder of God's grace and unfailing love. As always, her characters continue to leap off the page, living and breathing in their own right. Her storytelling remains tight, her description vivid, and my only complaint is at having to wait a whole year again to read the series finale.

The king of Kiriath, Abramm Kalladorne, knows that though he has defeated several foes, the invincible Black Moon army of Esurhmarches towards his country crushing the feeble opposition along the way. Esurh plans to control all land that touches the Sea of Sharss including Kiriath. To Esurh, Abramm will always remain the "White Pretender" slave who fought in their arenas at one time. Abramm also has internal dissension fostered by the still popular Mataio religious order, whose insurgency failed, but remain openly defiant and objects to his rule. Abramm accepts a marriage of alliance with the ruling family of nearby Chesedh; he will wed Princess Briellen, but Abramm is more attracted to her younger sister Lady Madeleine, who feels the same way as he does. If they go down that path they will fail their respective nations at a time when their enemies near. The third epic tale in the award winning Legends of the Guardian-King saga, SHADOW OVER KIRIATH, is a fantastic allegorical fantasy that contains several major subplots that tie back to the main superb story line. Though he has defeated his internal opponents such as his brother (who sold him into slavery) and the Mataio order, both and others remain a threat to his reign and to his country. Those machinations pale alongside of the coming invaders as even the monarch has doubts that Eidon will save his people from slavery. He also ponders how to marry the woman who stirs his blood without alienating Chesedh or Eidon. Karen Hancock provides a powerful stand alone epic tale that is excellent as a stand alone, but is incredible when read back to back to back with its predecessors (see LIGHT OF EIDON and THE SHADOW WITHIN). Harriet Klausner