Return of the Guardian-King (Legends of the Guardian-King, Book 4) [Paperback]

Karen Hancock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2007

The powerful finale to the Christy Award-winning novels in the LEGENDS OF THE GUARDIAN-KING series 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....

Editorial Reviews

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 three Christy Awards for Arena, The Light of Eidon, and The Shadow Within. Along with writing, Karen is a watercolorist. She resides with her husband and son in Tucson, Arizona.

Product Details

• Paperback: 461 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House (April 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764227971
• ISBN-13: 978-0764227974
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #238,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finale not to be missed, June 3, 2007

By 

Rel Mollet "RelzReviewz" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Return of the Guardian-King (Legends of the Guardian-King, Book 4) (Paperback)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Destined to Become a Classic, April 21, 2007

By 

E. Gieg - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Return of the Guardian-King (Legends of the Guardian-King, Book 4) (Paperback)

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)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars exciting fantasy war, April 5, 2007

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Return of the Guardian-King (Legends of the Guardian-King, Book 4) (Paperback)

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