Product Description

Karen Hancock's novels quickly became the standard for excellence in Christian fantasy. Her vivid worlds, compelling characters, and intricate plots continue to captivate readers, and her breathtaking stories are regularly gaining new fans. Now Kiriath and the surrounding countries have fallen fully under the oppressive control of the Shadow. After his exile, Abramm Kalladorne has been compelled by force and fate to take a roundabout journey through far-flung army outposts and scorching desert wastelands, fighting constant battles against despair and frustration. Lost and alone in an ancient desert ruin, he comes upon secrets of the past that offer startling answers to his world's oppression. Legends of the Guardian King - Book 4

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #326735 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 464 pages

Review
"...a worthy finale to this lengthy saga." -- Tim Frankovich, christianfictionreview.com

"...holds to the same high standards set in the previous books, making the whole series keepers on my shelf." -- Cheryl Russell, crosswalk.com

"...readers will leave these shores satisfied that the story has been told in its entirety." -- Heather Hunt, Titletrakk.com

"Hancock has written another excellent book that her fans will want to rush out to get." -- Debbie W. Wilson, Christian Book Previews.com

About the Author
KAREN HANCOCK'S novels have received numerous awards and honors, including four Christy Awards for Arena, The Light of Eidon, The Shadow Within, and Shadow Over Kiriath. Along with writing, Karen is a watercolorist. She resides with her husband and son in Tucson, Arizona.

Customer Reviews

The Review Unwritten
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.

A Satisfying Ending
Do you recognize this?

'Abramm let his eyes drift over the hills below, pockets of bright yellow jumping out from the green here and there. "I think I will be back here one day ..."

"Yes, I think you will be, too."

"He looked around, surprised, and the stranger met his gaze, a pair of dark and friendly eyes looking out of his weathered face. And it almost seemed he knew who Abramm was.

"Hey, up there!" called one of the men from the yard. "They say with the wind that's sprung up we'd best leave soon t' thread the pass before it snows. If ye want t' come, ye'd best get yer baggage gathered up."

"Thanks," Abramm called down to him. "I'll do that."

He turned back to the man who had been beside him, but the stranger was already gone.'

So ended Shadow over Kiriath, all but for a short postlude written in the antagonist's point of view. Abramm's world had collapsed. He learned of the plot against him instigated by his puppet-brother at the behest of his true enemies, engineered his wife's escape, even as he allowed himself to be captured. Tortured to make him renounce the Light, he is ultimately assigned public execution. However, his uncle mounted a clandestine rescue. Abramm took on his middle name Alaric, and after healing from injuries, made his way toward Chesedh.

Return of the Guardian-King picks up the story from that point. Abramm as Alaric does not make it over the pass before the snow comes. Meanwhile, Maddie, his wife, believes he is dead, as does the entire nation, because an impostor was executed in his place. Except ... except ... as she grieves, she continues to dream of him, and cannot put him from her mind--certainly cannot entertain any thoughts of remarriage as her sister-in-law urges her to do as a political expediency.

From that point on, the story moves from one exciting turn to another, the political intrigue and the spiritual battle intertwining as they have throughout the Legends of the Guardian-King series.

Without a doubt, fans of the series will be pleased by the final installment. There are lots of surprises, dangers, moments of despair and of triumph.

Strengths. Once again, Karen Hancock has situated an interesting story in a dense fantasy world. I say "dense" because of the in-depth development of each society, each faction, whether it is the opposition to Abramm in Kiriath, the simple people he finds himself traveling with, the royal Chesedh court, or the brutal enemy Esurite system.

Weakness. The "faith elements," quite transparent in the earlier books of the series, seem even more so in this final chapter. The happy-ever-after ending we all suspect from the beginning is stretched too far, in my opinion--one particular point involving one of Abramm's sons makes the end seem like just a bit too neat a package to feel real.

Recommendation. Those who were hooked by the end of Shadow over Kiriath and have been waiting for this book for over a year will be ecstatic and will not be disappointed. The characters they've come to love are front and center and once again tested to the max.

This is most definitely not a "stand-alone," however, and publisher Bethany House did a disservice not to promote it as a Tolkien-esque unit. We've all seen the development of "Potter-mania" as hundreds of thousands of fans wait for the release of the next book. It builds enthusiasm and excitement, and that same approach would have benefitted Hancock's books. I highly recommend Return of the Guardian-King to fans who have read the first three books. For others who love fantasy, get The Light of Eidon and start the series from the beginning.

Finale not to be missed
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.