Return of the Guardian-King by Karen Hancock

Back Cover: Believed dead by all but the handful of supporters who rescued him from his Mataian enemies, Abramm Kalladorne has fled his homeland to the high mountains of northern Chesedh. Traveling under a new name with a group of bitter and increasingly desperate fellow exiles, Abramm hopes to reunite with his wife in Chesedh, where he will offer his services to her father in fighting the invading armies of the Black Moon. But with every step he is hindered, delayed, and diverted from the direction he desires to go, and it soon becomes clear Eidon has other plans for him.

In the royal city of Fannath Rill, Maddie alone believes Abramm still lives. But since she has no proof, her friends, family, and public opinion press her to remarry. With its neighboring realms now under enemy control, Chesedh has become the last bastion of Eidon’s Light. Desperately overmatched, it cannot survive on its own. Yet the rich, handsome eastern warlord who is openly courting Maddie has a vast fleet of galley ships that could turn the tide in Chesedh’s favor….

Editor’s Review: An excellent conclusion to this great series.  The characters, settings, and writing are very well done.  And once again, the allegorical elements are deep and meaningful.

My one complaint is that the ending seemed rushed to me.  I don’t want to ruin anything for those who haven’t read it, but suffice to say that I felt there were easily enough events to make a 5th book in the series.  Instead, some of the plot resolutions seemed rather hasty.

Aside from this, it is a great ending.  One of the best fantasy series out there.