Light of Eidon (Legends of the Guardian-King, Book 1)

Karen Hancock has a gift for creating believable characters on harrowing spiritual quests. This adventure takes place in an imagined history that
is sometimes eerie and foreign, sometimes startlingly familiar, but always
thought-provoking. Plainly, this is the first book in a major new series.

-Kathy Tyers, author of the FIREBIRD Trilogy

Karen Hancock fits that small niche reserved for today’s finest novelists
as she implants solid truth into words with which I can identify, words
that fascinate and cut to the heart. The Light of Eidon is far more than a
novel of fantasy or allegory-it is a word picture of the ancient struggle
between Light and darkness.

-Hannah Alexander, author of Urgent Care and The Crystal Cavern

“Hancock’s intense debut is an excellent … contribution to the
genre…. If this book is any indication, the future should be bright for
this promising novelist.”

-Publisher’s Weekly

“Good contemporary Christian allegory is rare, but this first-time
novelist delivers an engrossing, well-paced contribution to the genre….
The genuinely enthralling mix of adventure, romance, and vivid imagery
fused with spirtual symbolism invites readers to lose themselves in Hancock’s imaginary world.”

-Christianity Today

“In evangelical fiction’s best science fiction of the year, Hancock works
out a progression of faith by trial somewhat like Pilgrim’s Progress. But she
departs from the conventions of allegory to draw her characters in depth,
and the flora and fauna of her and alien landscape are carefully thought
through.”

-Booklist Top Ten Christian Novels 2002

A classic in the making for the modern era …”

-Library Journal

Arena

LEGENDS OF THE GUARDIAN-KING

The Light of Eidon

The Shadow Within

Shadow Over Kiriath

Return of the Guardian-King

KAREN HANCOCK graduated in 1975 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, her husband, and their son, whom Karen homeschooled for eight years, reside in Arizona.

For discussion and further information, Karen invites you to visit her Web
site at www.kmhancock.com.

Every good gift comes from above.

I consider it an awesome gift that the Lord has seen fit to put this book
into print, and I know that apart from Him, it never could have happened.
Whatever talent, ability, time, energy, training, and insights I might have used
to produce it have all come from Him. Part of that provision has been the
many people He has used to help me along the way, both in the writing and
in making a way for it to be published. Thank you …

First and foremost, to Robert B. Thieme Jr., under whose ministry I studied when this book was begun, and to Robert R. McLaughlin, under whose
ministry I study now. Their faithful study and teaching of the Word of God
have produced the lifeblood of my spiritual growth and enabled the function
of my gift. Apart from the inculcation of the Word of God, I’d have given up
long ago and would have little to say.

Second, to my husband, Stuart, who started the whole thing rolling with
his suggestion that I write a book, who supported me all along the way, and
who has given me the precious gift of time in which to write.

To my dear friends, Nancy Belt, Donna Henley, and Kelli Nolan, whose
unswerving devotion to our Lord and His Word have been a refreshment and
encouragement more times than I can count. I stand in awe to have been
blessed with friends like you.

To Kathy Tyers, who has traveled this writing road with me from the
beginning. Your gifts of encouragement, comradeship, and critical evaluation
have been invaluable-to say nothing of the doors you have opened for me!

To Steve Laube, for courage, commitment, and vision. And to Karen Schurrer, for insightful editing and an unwaveringly gracious attitude. You
have both been a joy to work with.

Thanks to all the folks at Bethany House: Carol, Steve, Dave, Brett,
Teresa, Jeanne, Alison, Joel, and the many others who are part of the team. I
am amazed by and deeply grateful for all the work you do.

Thanks to Brandilyn Collins, Karlene Price, and Randi Durham for your
gracious efforts in getting the word out on Arena; and to all the others who
have given away copies and urged their friends to read it. You are the best
marketers in the world.

Special thanks to the many readers who send me letters or e-mails. Your
kind words, prayers, and encouragement are priceless.

And, finally, to those who have helped me with this book along the way,
both knowingly and unknowingly, from critiquing to encouragement to
agenting to advising to providing example: Wanda June Alexander, Donna
Joy Boxerman, Liz Danforth, Deanna Durbin, Suzanne Farris, Roberta Gellis,
Robert Herder, Dean Koontz, Adele Leone, Jeanette Ratzlaff, Linda Smith,
Mike Stackpole, Edward Willett. Thank you. It’s been a long road, and I have
not forgotten your kindnesses.