This novel picks up where "Wrath of Ashar" left off. While not as popular as other mainstream fantasy novels, this is truly a splendid example of what great writing can go into the genre. Filled with intrigue and a deep plot drama, I would recommend this novel to anyone with a taste for good authorship and fantasy.

I could take this book or leave it. The story line was OK, but not something I'd recommend to anyone but an avid reader.

Most people seem to think that the sequel(s) never live up to the original in a series. That is not true in this case, though. With a subtle ease, the author seems to draw the reader into the novel despite it being a resolution to the series. And when finished you, the reader, are left with the accurate impression that you have read something of very good quality. A great ending to a great trilogy.

The Guardian is xtra-light fantasy with all the common cliches to be expected in such literature: There're the good guys'n girls, who do (almost) everything right, motivated by most honorful intentions. Then there are the ultimately bad guys, who're soulless powermongers and who get either killed or converted (okay, in that case they werent that bad). And in the end the hero gets the (smart) girl (surprise, surprise: the leading female character actually isn't the guardian's ward, which serves as quite a positive twist), the other girl (the ward) gets the good-looking guy, and the smart guy (the hero's sidekick who is providing the most pleasureable scenes) gets the cute girl. At the end, the good ones are all united and everybody is happy and all smiles. Including the reader who just enjoyed a straightforward, easy-going tale with all the ingredients needed for a solid fantasy novel.

The Queen of Chaldor foresaw the death of her husband in battle. Aided by an evil Vachyn sorcerer, Talon would conquer the castle. She gave the region's fiercest warrior, Gailard (a Highlander), the task of spiriting Princess Ellyn away and guarding her with his life until such time Ellyn was old enough to gain her hereditary powers, defeat Talon, and regain the throne.

Gailard and Ellyn had no love for each other. With Ellyn at the awkward age between child and woman, she had no understanding of the burdens of commanding armies, politics, magic, and zero patience. They gain an unlikely ally in Shara, another Vachyn. Shara promises to teach Ellyn the magic while Gailard teaches the princess how to battle in combat. Then, somehow, they must raise an army, defeat the mighty sorcerer, kill Talon, and regain the kingdom.

It sounded like fun!

***** An excellent Fantasy book! This one will keep its readers up well into the night. Non-stop, I hardly had time to breathe, much less, do anything in reality. Order out for pizza and settle in for a fantastic tale! *****

The characters did fall in love a bit too quick but I really enjoyed this book. I am young and do not enjoy reading much but I actually enjoyed reading this book and spent my free time on it (no school project or anything). I thought this book was great and I think that young people would enjoy this book because of its setting and theme.