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.

Shadow over Kiriath by Karen Hancock

Back Cover: After months of conflict and opposition, Abramm Kalladorne has finally stepped into his destiny as king of Kiriath–only to find himself facing more problems than ever. The Mataio remains antagonistic, the failed rebellion’s supporters have slipped through his grasp to plot anew, bad luck plagues his every attempt to build Kiriath’s defenses…and that’s just the beginning.

As the forces of the Black Moon advance toward Kiriathan shores, Abramm agrees to a desperately needed alliance-by-marriage with neighboring Chesedh. But with the hour for his union approaching, he is horrified to discover that he has become dangerously attracted to his fiancie’s younger sister, the headstrong Lady Madeleine. Even worse, he learns that his attraction is reciprocated–just the sort of situation his enemies can use to destroy everything he’s trying to accomplish. And Eidon just might let them succeed.

Treachery and faithfulness, guilt and forgiveness, the joy of desires fulfilled and the pain of tragic loss all weave the tapestry of one man’s destiny realized–where mind-boggling blessings come wrapped in a mantle of suffering that will test Abramm’s faith to the limit and challenge everything he thinks he knows about himself and the one who owns his soul.

Editor’s Review:  Another excellent book in the Guardian-King series.  Once again, superb worldbuilding and characters make this a great read.  I would definitely recommend reading the first two books before this one, however.

As with the first two books, the allegory is deep and thought-provoking.  The hero struggles with fears and doubts about his past, as well as constant weakness in the present and I found it easy to identify with him.  This book and The Shadow Within are my two favorites of the series.

The Shadow Within by Karen Hancock

Back Cover: Abramm Kalladorne has returned to Kiriath to claim the crown he thought he would never wear and to prepare his people for the inevitable attack of the Armies of the Black Moon. Though fiercely opposed by his own kin and reluctant to thrust his country into civil war at the worst possible time, he nevertheless believes this course of action is Kiriath’s only hope of salvation.

In the midst of this turmoil, a headstrong princess from a neighboring realm endeavors to uncover Abramm’s secrets—including his heroic exploits as the White Pretender and the fact that he wears a golden shield upon his chest—and her interference threatens to destroy any chance he has of maintaining his rightful place as king. 

Against a backdrop of somber council meetings and back-alley sword fights, of magnificent ballrooms and windswept mountain fortresses, plots and counterplots unfold as old alliances dissolve and new ones form. If he is to succeed, Abramm must come to terms with his own limitation—and the sufficiency of the one who controls his destiny.

Editor’s Review:  Simply one of the best fantasy novels out there.  I definitely recommend reading the first book in the series before this one, but it is still a great read even without it.  The Shadow Within picks up the story where The Light of Eidon left off.  As with the first book, I found the story-world deep and engrossing.  The characters felt real and were easy to identify with, because Hancock’s storytelling keeps you in the point-of-view character’s head.  Overall, her writing style is very good.

If I had to force a complaint it would be that at times the detail was a bit much for me, but some people will like that, so I’m not sure this is a true negative.

The Light of Eidon by Karen Hancock

Back Cover: Abramm has dedicated the last eight years of his life to becoming worthy to touch and tend the Sacred Flames of Eidon, and he expects to be blessed for his devotion and sacrifice. But on the eve of taking the vows that will irrevocably separate him from the life he was born to–as Abramm Kalladorne, fifth son of the king of Kiriath–he is betrayed by his spiritual mentor and sold into slavery by his brothers.

Swept along by the winds of a new destiny, Abramm is forced to compete as a gladiator. When the oppressed masses rally around his success, he discovers his suffering has molded him into something greater than he ever thought possible–to serve a purpose he never imagined.

Set in a world of swords and cloaks, of glittering palaces and mystical temples, of galley ships and ancient mist-bound cities, The Light of Eidon is the first volume of an epic series, Legends of the Guardian-King.

Editor’s Review: The Light of Eidon begins one of the best fantasy series I have ever read.  Karen Hancock creates a rich, believable world and vibrant characters.  In this first book of the series, it took me a while to understand the allegorical elements, but once I did, I found the spiritual meaning deep and insightful.

The only aspect of this book that could be considered negative is a scene of sensuality about two-thirds of the way through.  Although I do believe it is handled Biblically  (the character realizes his mistake and later regrets and repents of his actions), I would caution parents to give it a read before giving this book to your children.

The Sword and the Flame by Stephen R. Lawhead

Back Cover: The Dragon King who rules the land of Mensandor is none other than Quentin, whose courage and heroism have slowly transformed him from an orphaned servant into a war hero, respected leader, and a fierce man of faith.

But even the powerful can fall prey to weakness. The world is turned upside-down when the dark sorcerer Nimrood–long thought dead after a battle with the previous Dragon King–returns with a fearsome plan. Shattered by the death of a dear and trusted friend, the abduction of his beloved son, and the loss of his enchanted sword, Quentin finds his faith tested like never before.

In The Sword and the Flame, the final volume of Stephen R. Lawhead’s captivating Dragon King Trilogy, the fate of the entire world depends on the outcome of this climactic battle between good and evil.

The Warlords of Nin by Stephen R. Lawhead

Back Cover:  It has been ten years since Quentin helped Eskevar, the Dragon King, battle the monstrous sorcerer Nimrood. Since that time, there has been peace in the land of Mensandor. But everything is about to change.

An urgent message summons Quentin to Castle Askelon. The king, who is dying, wishes to name the brave young man his successor. But first, he sends him on an unfathomable mission.

What Quentin and his friend Toli, the Jher horseman, discover is not for the cowardly. The brightening Wolf Star is an omen of impending evil that might herald the beginning of the end of mankind on earth. It signifies Nin, a fearsome giant of a man who hopes to add Mensandor to his growing empire. Along with his merciless warlords, they are the fulfillment of a nightmarish prophecy.

In The Warlords of Nin, the second book in The Dragon King Trilogy, Stephen R. Lawhead continues the mythical saga that began with In the Hall of the Dragon King.

In the Hall of the Dragon King by Stephen R. Lawhead

Back Cover: Carrying a sealed message from the war-hero Dragon King to the queen, Quentin and his outlaw companion, Theido, plunge headlong into a fantastic odyssey and mystic quest. Danger lurks everywhere in the brutal terrain, and particularly in the threats from merciless creatures, both human and not-so-human.

While at the castle, the wicked Prince Jaspin schemes to secure the crown for himself, and an evil sorcerer concocts his own monstrous plan. A plan that Quentin and Theido could never imagine.

In the youth’s valiant efforts to save the kingdom and fulfill his unique destiny, he will cross strange and wondrous lands; encounter brave knights, beautiful maidens, and a mysterious hermit; and battle a giant, deadly serpent.

In this first book of the Dragon King Trilogy, Stephen R. Lawhead has deftly woven a timeless epic of war, adventure, fantasy, and political intrigue.

The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis

Back Cover: NARNIA … where dwarfs are loyal and tough and strong—or are they … where you must say goodbye … and where the adventure begins again.

The Unicorn says that humans are brought to Narnia when Narnia is stirred and upset. And Narnia is in trouble now: A false Aslan roams the land. Narnia’s only hope is that Eustace and Jill, old friends to Narnia, will be able to find the true Aslan and restore peace to the land. Their task is a difficult one because, as the Centaur says, “The stars never lie, but Men and Beasts do.” Who is the real Aslan and who is the imposter?

The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis

Back Cover: NARNIA … where the woods are thick and cool, where the Talking Beasts are called to life … a new world where the adventure begins.

Digory and Polly meet and become friends one cold, wet summer in London. Their lives burst into adventure when Digory’s Uncle Andrew, who thinks he is a magician, sends them hurtling to…somewhere else. They find their way to Narnia, newborn from the Lion’s song, and encounter the evil sorceress Jadis, before they finally return home.