| Giver of Roses (Guardians of Gadiel, Book 1) | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 19 reviews)
Sales Rank: 787888
Category: Book
Author: Kathleen Morgan
Publisher: Revell
Studio: Revell
Manufacturer: Revell
Label: Revell
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 448
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.2
ISBN: 0800730941
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780800730949
ASIN: 0800730941
Publication Date: August 1, 2005
Release Date: August 1, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
After a grueling, three year siege Vartan Karayan, royal heir of Gadiel, is the only obstacle between the enemy and his beloved city of Astara. Yet when an invincible adversary leaves him critically wounded, the true battle has just begun. Escaping with help from Danae, a captive who saves his life, Vartan struggles to trust the God Danae follows. Meanwhile, Danae fights to find her purpose in all of this. When she is called to join the Dragonmaids, it seems clear. Yet facing the physical and spiritual trials looming before Danae and Vartan as they fight to save Gadiel demands a courage and love that transcend life itself. Amidst an enchanting world engaged in a conflict of epic proportions, Kathleen Morgan reveals how hope and faith can lead to unexpected outcomes when one surrenders to divine direction.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
 Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!! October 12, 2008
This book was excellent. Character development and dialogue was well done and I ended the book wanting more. It was so good, I pre-ordered the second book right after I finished the first one.
 A disappointment, but some bright spots October 23, 2007
3 out of 6 found this review helpful
`Giver of Roses" by Kathleen Morgan was a disappointment for me. I had expected a fantasy novel, but this book felt like 50% romance novel (some romance novels are great) and 30% fantasy with 20% a mixed filler.
On the positive side the characters are adequately well developed. The story flows adequately, with a few times of dragging and a few other times where there are "out of the blue" events that just did not seem to fit well. I did find the female character to be rather stereotypical in that there was a thread of all the major female characters looking for husbands, and "plying their feminine charms.". The Dragonnmaids seemed an exception, but they were more of a cloistered order, kind of like nuns. The male characters were also stereotypical and struggled with pride and were often "too macho" for me to take seriously.
Now to my biggest problem, and it could be in analysis of the book as allegory or inspirational work. I found the religious elements uneven and troubling. One group of people, those living in the desert were quite "Arabic" seeming (ritual calls to prayer, traditions, and female dancers). This all seemed very Islamic, even to the point of names like Ra'id, Mailk, Farid, and the main tribal leader being called Hakeem. This all reminded me of Moslem culture. They even had their name for God being, Al'Alim which brought to my mind the name Allah. The other group, the main characters Danae and Vartan worship a deity called Athan and his son Eisa (spelling?). The problem I have is the frequent comments in the book that these separate groups all serve the same God, but just call on that God in different names. Was Kathleen Morgan trying to say that Jesus (of the Christian faith) is the same as Allah (of the Muslim faith)? It seemed to be so. For Christians we recall that Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." So a universalism,. Which seemed to be the message in "Giver of Roses" is not a Christian view. Now I may be misreading the allegory, but I was not inspired by it.
Additionally, there was a satanic figure "Phaon the dark lord" who was said to be something like the opposite of Athan. This smacked me of a dualistic view of religion where there is a good god battling an evil god and they both are about equal. This is a far cry from Christianity where God is all powerful and Satan is a fallen angel.
Lastly, the book does not really have much of a climax. It just kind of unfolds and leaves lots of unanswered questions. Perhaps this was to introduce the next books, but "The Hobbit" told a very tight story with a great climax. This book, "The Giver of Roses" does not have a tight or well constructed story from beginning to end. I probably will not continue reading the series.
From pages 417 to the end, my eyes NEVER stopped tearing up! February 25, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
And I'm a guy who doesn't cry! This entire book is wonderful, but the ending is truly marvelous! I read a lot of Christian fiction, fantasy. This gal is GOOD! Great characters, great character development, great story, suspense and surprises. Packed with emotion. I can't wait to get my hands on book number 2, The Stone of Power. As of this writing, I believe it's behind its' scheduled release date, but I'm more than willing to wait. I haven't read any of the other reviews, so I have no idea what others think, but I had a hard time putting this book down. I've never been a big fan of love stories, and it would be selling Giver of Roses waaay short to call it just a love story, because there's adventure, tragedy, humor, war, and sooo much more. But when all was said and done, and I'd had time to digest and analyze what I'd just read, I was left with an overwhelming sense of the almost limitless power of unconditional love.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an exciting and well-written story about ordinary people who are thrust into extraordinary situations and in the process find the true path to overcoming adversity.
Bravo! ENCORE!!
 3 stars. October 26, 2006
When true and false religion come into conflict, lives are forced to change and destinies are shaped in an ancient world. Vartran is a prince and warrior, not used to depending on anyone but himself and his skills until he is struck blind. God sends his salvation in the form of someone who desires his birthright. When he receives again his sight, he is able to see not only with his eyes, but also his heart. That vision leads him on a new path, one that seems to be united to that of Lady Danae. Yet, the dangers ahead will call upon them both to make sacrifices. Sometimes the only way to love is to let go of what you hold dearest, whether it be a crown or your heart.
*** Though not overwhelming, the allegory is clear. Ms Morgan's return to her fantasy roots will be welcomed. Her style continues to improve with every book. ***
Amanda Killgore
 Kathleen Morgan is gifted! August 26, 2006
Kathleen Morgan is gifted!! This is the 3rd of her books that I have read. Right away, I connected with the characters. I felt their disappointments, their yearnings, their feelings of unworthiness, etc. I struggled putting this book down.
I do have to say, however, without giving the ending away that I was extremely disappointed with the end and was left with my heart breaking. I hope that The Stone of Power addresses the unresolved emotions that both the characters and the readers are left with.
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