Shadow Over Kiriath (Legends of the Guardian-King, Book 3) [Paperback]

Karen Hancock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005

Legends of the Guardian King Book 3- Karen Hancock has created a beautiful and powerful fantasy series that continues to win new readers and remind them of who holds their hopes and victories in His hands. In Abramm's world, God is close to his followers, evil takes many forms, and one must believe in the light to see the darkness. While Abramm's coronation is still underway, rival leaders are already plotting their return to power.Worse yet, as the hour approaches for Abramm's marriage to the Chesedhan crown princess--required to seal the desperately needed alliance between their two countries--he finds himself deeply attracted to her younger sister. Will Eidon give Abramm ultimate victory, or will his enemies succeed in destroying him and his beloved realm?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A masterful work, full of Karen's... blend of romance, intrigue, and adventure....her characters... leap off the page." -- Shannon McNear, christian-fandom.org

"Like Narnia, Middle-Earth, or Hogwarts School..., this world is rich and detailed, the tales are complex and thrilling..." -- Infuzemag.com

"This is adult Christian fantasy at its best. Highly Recommended." -- Tim Frankovich, Christian Fiction Review

"[A] good book and an exciting read....Fans of Kiriath, ...Kallerdorne, and...Hancock will want to grab the nearest copy." -- Debbie W. Wilson, Christian Book Previews.com

"a fantastic allegorical fantasy.... excellent as a stand alone... incredible when read... with its predecessors." -- Midwest Book Review, January

About the Author

Karen Hancock's first novel, Arena, won the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, as did Light of Eidon, Book One in LEGENDS OF THE GUARDIAN KING. Along with writing, Karen is a watercolorist. She resides with her husband and son in Arizona.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House; Reprinted edition (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764227963
• ISBN-13: 978-0764227967
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #635,700 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic allegorical fantasy, November 5, 2005

By 

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

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This review is from: Shadow Over Kiriath (Legends of the Guardian-King, Book 3) (Paperback)

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

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They just keep getting better and better..., December 9, 2005

By 

Rebekah Martin (MI,USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shadow Over Kiriath (Legends of the Guardian-King, Book 3) (Paperback)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The saga continues!, November 24, 2005

By 

Shannon McNear "shenandoahdawn" (SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadow Over Kiriath (Legends of the Guardian-King, Book 3) (Paperback)

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.