About the Book
Book: The Light of Eidon: Legends of the Guardian King #1
Author: Karen Hancock
Genre: Fantasy (reprint)
Release Date: July 11, 2023
Special Hardcover Edition of a Classic Christian Fantasy
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.
Click here to get your copy!
Review
I would prefer if the magic system was better explained and explored a little bit more, because that is one of the most interesting aspects. How precisely do the antagonists control minds and bodies of their victims?
Also it needs to be noted that this is not a YA or children's book. It contains references to mature themes and an implied sex scene.
About the Author
Karen Hancock has won Christy Awards for each of her first four novels—Arena and the first three books in the Legends of the Guardian-King series, The Light of Eidon, The Shadow Within, and Shadow over Kiriath. She graduated from the University of Arizona with bachelor’s degrees in biology and wildlife biology. Along with writing, she is a semi-professional watercolorist and has exhibited her work in a number of national juried shows. She and her family reside in Arizona.
Excerpt from the Book
“WHY DO WE SERVE THE FLAMES?”
“Toward the realm from Shadow.”
“Why must we guard our purity?”
“To keep the Flames strong and bright.”
They sat cross-legged on the barge cabin’s single, narrow bunk, facing each other—Novice and discipler—their voices alternating in a steady rhythm of question and answer that had gone unbroken for nearly an hour. Since the noon prayer service, they had been reviewing the six codices of the First Guardian Station, codices Eldrin must know tomorrow for the final test of his novitiate. He had long since learned them so well he could answer without hesitation, but he didn’t mind the repetition. Right now it was just the sort of superficial mental occupation he needed to keep his thoughts off . . . other things.
“What is the source of the Shadow?” asked his discipler, one bony, ink-stained finger pressed to the page of the open catechism in his lap.
“The arrogance of Moroq conceived it,” Eldrin replied. “The passions of the flesh sustain it.” “Who is Moroq?”
“The dark son of Eidon and Lord Ruler of the rhu’ema. The Adversary. No man can stand against him, save One.”
“And that One is?”
“Eidon, Lord of Light, Creator of All, Defender of Man. Soon may he come, and swift be his judgment.”
The rhythm ended, and the silence that filled the void after it made Eldrin’s ears ring. He noticed the heat again, the sweat trickling down his chest beneath his wool tunic, the stifling mantle of his long, unbound hair weighing on his back. A fitful breeze danced through the high, open portal in the bulkhead, carrying the river’s dank odor and a disharmonious chorus of voices from the crowds on its bank. Thunder rumbled out of the distance.
Anxiety, held at bay by the long recitation, came oozing back. Soon they would be docking, disembarking, and marching up to the temple to begin the long ritual that would end with his initiation as a Guardian of the Holy Flames. Or not, if things went badly.
His discipler, Brother Belmir, smiled at him over small, round spectacles. “Flawless, as usual. Shall we do another?”
“I defer to your judgment, Brother.” Eldrin uncrossed his legs and recrossed them in opposite order, wincing as feeling tingled back.
“We’ll do a random selection, then.” Belmir leafed through the catechism, yellowed pages just brushing the slender gray braid that dangled over his shoulder. He was a small, birdlike man, all bones and angles, with a deeply lined face and shrewd gray eyes behind the spectacles. He wore the four gold cords of his station at his left wrist and, at his throat, the ruby amulet all Guardians were granted upon acceptance into the Holy Brotherhood of the Mataio.
Tomorrow Eldrin should receive an amulet of his own.
It was a day he had anticipated for eight long years; now the closer it got, the more uneasy he became. What if he walked up to the lip of the great bronze brazier tomorrow and the Flames rejected him?
Blog Stops
Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, July 22
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 23
Texas Book-aholic, July 24
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 25
Romances of the Cross, July 25
Aryn the Libraryan, July 26
Locks, Hooks and Books, July 27
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 28
The Book Club Network, July 29
Blogging With Carol, July 30
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 31
Simple Harvest Reads, August 1 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Artistic Nobody, August 2 (Spotlight)
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 3
Through the Fire Blogs, August 4 (Spotlight)
Of Blades and Thorns, August 4
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Barnes & Noble Gift card and a hardcover copy of The Light of Eidon!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/26ba5/the-light-of-eidon-celebration-tour-giveaway