Legends of the Guardian King by Karen Hancock is Great Christian Fantasy - Book Series Review

With Return of the Guardian King, the fourth and final book in her "Legends of the Guardian King" series, Karen Hancock takes the threads from The Light of Eidon, The Shadow Within, and Shadow over Kiriath, and weaves them almost seamlessly into the exciting and rewarding last chapter. Return of the Guardian King answers most of the questions raised throughout the saga of Abramm Kalladorne's life from prince, to religious scholar, to galley slave, to gladiator, to King of Kiriath.

Each chapter in Abramm's life has led him to greater sacrifice and greater reward as he seeks to serve his God. He has already faced what appeared to be the ultimate sacrifice when he was asked to renounce his God or face torture and execution at the cliff-hanger ending of the third book, Shadow over Kiriath. This time Abramm must make the choice between saving his wife, children, and best friend, or following God in a completely different direction. The results of Abramm's choices in Return of the Guardian King are exhilarating.

Not since Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia have I found characters so fleshed out and believable while the fight between good and evil is depicted so clearly. Hancock has found that rare balance that allows her characters to experience significant spiritual lessons while she refrains from clumsy, heavy-handed insertion of apologetics or scripture. Scripture is definitely woven in, but the delivery is subtle, timely and eloquent.

I have seen many new books compared to Lord of the Rings or claimed to be the next Harry Potter while failing to entertain. Hancock entertains and she delivers with the Guardian King series, mixing monsters, myth and ministry into an exciting and uplifting story. The only fault I find is mainly in the third book where a couple of "look what happened when you weren't looking" events occur, inserted as past events.

I highly recommend the Guardian King series to anyone who enjoys Christian fantasy or good literature. Each time a new book in the series has come out, I have reread the first books again, and I have not tired of them yet. Return of the Guardian King provides a worthy conclusion to the "Legends of the Guardian King" series. I am only sorry that the tales of Abramm Kalladorne, Maddie, Carissa and Trap, have finally come to an end with Return of the Guardian King. I hope Karen Hancock is weaving her magic again with a new set of characters whom I can enjoy getting to know in future books.

Source:
Return of the Guardian King

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