The Shadow Within (Legends of the Guardian-King, Book 2) [Paperback]

Karen Hancock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2004

Legends of the Guardian King, book 2, from the award-winning author of Arena. Karen Hancock brings to imaginative life the supernatural battle between good and evil, the preconceptions that keep us from embracing truth, and the distortions that trick and trap us. Four years have passed since the conclusion of The Light of Eidon. Abramm has been living peacefully abroad, but when he hears of trouble in his homeland, he returns to claim the crown he thought he'd never wear. But he has many enemies, including his murderous brother. The only thing that will save him is the Light that lives within him, but to appease his critics, he hides this. Before he can ful¹ll his kingship, he must reveal the truth and be reminded, painfully and powerfully, that his destiny can only be realized through humbly acknowledging his own weakness and the utter suf¹ciency of the One who created his destiny in the ¹rst place.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Hancock's The Shadow Within is the second entry in her Legends of the Guardian King series, following The Light of Eidon. The series is a heavily plotted medieval epic distinguished, as is all of Hancock's work, by intricate world building. The story opens with the epic slaying of a sea monster that is part Beowulf, part Moby Dick, but mostly Star Trek, since despite all the gore, there's little sense of menace. Nonetheless, young Abramm's heroism in killing the monster shows that God--or Eidon--is on his side and enables him to return to his home kingdom to claim the crown. His authority is unimpeachable, but plots abound; in fact, the bulk of the novel deals with the slithering intrigues that Hancock first showed a knack for in Arena (2002). John Mort
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Review

"Hancock is in high form. A breath-taking plot whisks readers from one adventure to the next... a truly great story." -- Romantic Times

"The reading is exciting, the story engrossing, and the characters won't let you go." -- Bookloons.com

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Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764227955
• ISBN-13: 978-0764227950
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #430,926 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christian fantasy at its most enthralling, absolute best, June 24, 2005

By 

Daniel Jolley "darkgenius" (Shelby, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Shadow Within (Legends of the Guardian-King, Book 2) (Paperback)

This is only Karen Hancock's third published novel, but she's already my favorite writer of both Christian fiction and fantasy; a few more books as incredible as The Shadow Within, and she may just become my favorite writer period. I don't really want you to think of this book as Christian fiction, though; certainly, the foundation of the story is built upon Christian allegory, but you don't have to be a Christian in order to enjoy this rich, action-packed, emotionally poignant story. This is fantasy at its best, with extraordinarily compelling characters populating a vibrant, amazingly realistic environment - and Hancock is a remarkably talented storyteller.

In The Light of Eidon, the first book in the Legends of the Guardian-King series, readers were transported to a mediaeval fantasy world marked by religious and political conflict. There we met Abramm Kalladorne, the fifth son of the king of Kiriath, a seemingly weak branch on a noble family tree of warrior kings. To the shame of his family, he had pursued a life of service to the god Eidon; then, just as he was set to rise from novitiate to full member of the Mataion order, his whole world came completely unraveled. He discovered that his spiritual mentor of eight years was using him as a means to secure power for himself, and then his own brother sold him into slavery among barbarians in the southern kingdom of Esurh. The weak and passive young man developed into a gladiator of great renown, saved a kingdom by defeating a great source of evil in the land, and eventually found a new purpose in life by accepting the "heretical" Terstan faith.

In this, book two of the series, Abramm returns to Kiriath to claim the throne that should, by all rights, be his. The action starts out hot and heavy, with Abramm attempting to kill the kraggin, a gigantic sea monster terrorizing the bay outside the capital. This helps him win over a number of men to his side, and he does the improbable by successfully displacing his inferior older brother on the throne. Having become king, Abramm now faces an even bigger challenge - holding on to the throne. His brother Gillard is determined to seize power back into his own hands; many important lords are suspicious of Abramm's motives, fearing he will allow the Mataio to begin a purge of heretics and nonbelievers in the land; hired assassins lie in wait to end his reign quickly; and his old enemy among the holy Guardians of the Red Flame vows to destroy the new king by whatever means necessary. Abramm's greatest struggle is with himself, however. He wants nothing more than to reveal the golden shield upon his chest that marks him as a Terstan, but he has to hide his religious beliefs for fear that he would be branded a heretic and stripped of everything he holds dear. As one crisis after another arises, he struggles to understand Eidon's plans for him, seeking his god's guidance in doing the right thing for his friends and subjects. His faith in Eidon is put to the ultimate test, pitting him against his own brother as well as a supernatural creature made for the sole purpose of destroying him, and this makes for a shockingly impressive ending.

Hancock's skills at characterization are virtually unsurpassed. Abramm himself is a man of profound depth and feeling. Even as he struggles to put all of his trust in Eidon, though, his sister Carissa, who spent two years trying to rescue him from slavery and then turned her back on him when he accepted the Terstan faith, finds herself compelled to come to terms with the Shadow of religious doubt that has alienated her from her family, her friends, and her God. Her journey toward truth offers a great counter-point to Abramm's struggle to give himself over completely to Eidon's strength and protection. Even minor characters come completely to life in Hancock's able hands. The uncle whom Abramm must somehow win over to his cause serves to focus the power of the increasingly suspenseful action, but it is Lady Madeleine, the second daughter of a neighboring king, that increasingly steals the show. Plain of face, bold, and intrusive, she drives Abramm crazy at times, even as she is completely captivating the reader. She makes for an exhilarating addition to this fantastically rich fantasy world of Hancock's creation.

I fear I have hardly done this novel justice with this review. If you care anything at all about fantasy, you really must experience Karen Hancock for yourself. Don't let the Christian fiction tag scare you away, as Hancock blows apart every misconception there is about the genre. The Legends of the Guardian-King series proves that sword and sorcery with no shortage of violent action can indeed work as a vehicle of Christian allegory. Some have compared Hancock to Tolkien and C.S. Lewis; I'm not sure I would make such a comparison, as her writing is unique, but the Christian story is definitely in these pages and capable of inspiring and warming the hearts of those readers who want to embrace it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Christian Fantasy, February 21, 2005

By 

Ginny Sutton "servant of the Lord Jesus" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shadow Within (Legends of the Guardian-King, Book 2) (Paperback)

THE SHADOW WITHIN
By Karen Hancock

Karen Hancock has become one of my favorite authors. I knew I'd found a treasure when I read her debut novel THE ARENA. Then I was trilled to find she had begun a series called LEGENDS OF THE GUARDIAN KING.

This medieval epic is both excitingly new with its introduction of an unfamiliar world and all its unique characters and, at the same time, warmly familiar with its Arthurian similarities.

The pictures she creates, with her marvelous writing skill, almost make me feel like I am sitting back watching a movie, unaware that I am turning the pages. My surroundings fade and I am immersed in the scenery laid out before me.

The story is about Abramm Kalladorne as he returns to his home, Kiriathan, after 4 years of banishment. Most thought him long dead. They are very surprised at the transformation he has undergone as he makes his rightful claim for the throne. Many oppose him, especially his younger brother, Gillard, who assumed he would become King in Abramm's absence.

Abramm finds he must continually prove himself worthy of the crown and knows he is in constant peril from Gillard and those who are loyal to him. He must also beware of the Mataian's plans to use him as they had been preparing to do before he escaped being possessed by their demon god years ago.

His greatest battle comes from within. He must keep his faith in Eidon and trust that Eidon will accomplish His will through Abramm as long as Abramm doesn't give in to the dark side of his nature. The Shadow within is easily manipulated by the power of the Mataian god when it is allowed to direct his thinking and never ceases its attempt to control his will.

The author clearly demonstrates the supernatural battle between good and evil, the deceptiveness of prejudices that prevent us from seeing the truth, and the distortions of that truth that fool us and ultimately ensnare us.

This second book is a wonderful and exciting new chapter in the life of Abramm following the transformation he underwent in the first of the series, THE LIGHT OF EIDON. Several issues are left unresolved to lead you into the 3rd book. The ending is very satisfying but you can't help but long to get your hands on the next installment.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic fantasy, August 13, 2004

By 

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

This review is from: The Shadow Within (Legends of the Guardian-King, Book 2) (Paperback)

After renouncing the Holy Brotherhood of the Matis, Abramm the Prince of Kiraith was sold into slavery by his brother Gillard who wanted the throne for himself. At Abramm's lowest point, he reached out to the god Eidon who accepted him as one of his own. He proudly wears the shield that every true believer of Eidon has. It has been six long years since he has been to Kiraith but he returns to take the crown he never wanted because Gillard is leading his country to ruin. His return is a dramatic one as he kills a spawn in a ferocious sea battle with the help of the Light of Eidon.

He openly challenges the council for the throne, not showing them he wears the shield of Eidon. The members of the council are so impressed by the man he has become that he becomes the ruler of Kiraith leaving Gillard as only the heir-apparent. He knows war is coming from many kingdoms who think Kiraith is weak and open for a takeover but before he can deal with that problem, he must come to terms with his younger brother Gillard who would rather plunge the country into civil war than see his brother rule. Abramm must battle religious fanatics, creatures of the shadow and the duplicity of man if he wants to keep the kingship. He must have faith in Eildon's plans for him and acknowledge his faith if he is to become the man he is meant to be.

In Abramm's world, his god is close to his followers, speaking to them and if their faith is strong enough, obeying his instructions. This is the second installment in the LEGENDS OF THE GUARDIAN KING and it is every bit as good as the prequel (LIGHT OF EIDON). Evil takes many forms in this story and one must believe in the light to see the darkness. Karen Hancock is a great world builder who has created a fantasy series that is reminiscent of the Arthurian mythos.

Harriet Klausner