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Giver of Roses
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.
448 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2005
10 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Morgan
37 books382 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Kathleen began her career writing contemporary romances and soon moved to historical and futuristic romances. She sold her first book, a futuristic romance, in April 1990 while stationed in Korea as an Army nurse. Additional romances soon followed, until she had sold a total of fifteen books in the general market, establishing a loyal readership along the way.
Since that time, she has received numerous awards for her work, including a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice award and Career Achievement award, and The Literary Times award for Literary Excellence in the Field of Romantic Fiction. She was also a Romance Writers of America RITA finalist.
Kathleen now focuses her writing talents in the area of inspirational fiction, offering readers characters who struggle to redefine their growing faith in everyday life.
Kathleen began her career writing contemporary romances and soon moved to historical and futuristic romances. She sold her first book, a futuristic romance, in April 1990 while stationed in Korea as an Army nurse. Additional romances soon followed, until she had sold a total of fifteen books in the general market, establishing a loyal readership along the way.
Since that time, she has received numerous awards for her work, including a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice award and Career Achievement award, and The Literary Times award for Literary Excellence in the Field of Romantic Fiction. She was also a Romance Writers of America RITA finalist.
Kathleen now focuses her writing talents in the area of inspirational fiction, offering readers characters who struggle to redefine their growing faith in everyday life.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 24, 2009
HURRY UP AND PUBLISH THE SECOND ONE, MORGAN!!!!!!!!!!! :D
lol.
as you can tell, this book was pretty awesome. can't WAIT for the second one x)
lol.
as you can tell, this book was pretty awesome. can't WAIT for the second one x)
February 10, 2008
Okay.. this is one of the best fantasy fiction books i have ever read! christian... has strange beasts and dragons... but if you cant stand a book ending badly because it is in a series better wait... the next one does not come out until feb 09!!!!!!!!
October 9, 2022
One of my favorite books ever - and one of the few I’ve ever re-read. So much allegory, so much drawing to the Creator. So much strength. So much romance.
I’ll read it again and again. I only wish the sequel were available!
I’ll read it again and again. I only wish the sequel were available!
August 31, 2017
Vartan is the Crown Prince of Astara and Danae is a servant to his wife. When war comes, they must help each other and learn how to follow their God. Lots of adventure and a very obvious parallel to Jesus Christ in the suffering Son. Also borrows freely from other cultures- the desert people wear all the gear familiar in Saudi Arabia- thobes, shmaghs, agals and bishts as well as borrowed and slightly altered words from other languages. While some of the writing bordered of over-dramatic for me, I will certainly give book 2 a try.
July 22, 2017
I loved this, and I'm a former Christian.
The plot, characters, and world are all great. With rare exceptions, this book is very well-written, too. I was very satisfied with the ending, though not everything is resolved in the end. The author was contracted for a trilogy, but who knows what happened. I would love to read more about Gadiel.
The plot, characters, and world are all great. With rare exceptions, this book is very well-written, too. I was very satisfied with the ending, though not everything is resolved in the end. The author was contracted for a trilogy, but who knows what happened. I would love to read more about Gadiel.
January 7, 2025
This was a mix of several different authors, I felt; there were too many. Morgan borrowed heavily from many sources, and it ended up being a mess. The ending was ridiculous: she sets up a nauseating romance, then ends it. I'm half - heartedly disappointed she never finished the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2020
Amazing series. Very disappointed not to have the series continue.
Read
May 9, 2023There must be more in this series. Good read!
August 28, 2018
Read the rest of my review here: https://grzybee.weebly.com/book-revie...
*Sigh* This book is amazing. I usually don't like to read books that are over 400 pages as they just take so long to read, but this book is worth it. I read this book probably back when I was in high school and loved it, so I decided to re-read it.
I really enjoyed re-reading this book. The plot is almost all action packed; while it does have some down scenes, they are needed to balance all the action.
If you have read some of my other posts, you will know that I am a first-line girl. I love first lines, especially when they hook me so completely. I'll let you decide if this first line is a hook or not; I couldn't decide, and since I knew what was coming, I didn't really need to be hooked. "A frigid wind blew down from the heavens, impaling the bleak winter's day with piercing needles of ice." (Giver of Roses, p. 5) Thoughts?
The characters, oh, the characters. The character development for Vartan is so encouraging. He struggles so deeply throughout the book going from one hardship to the next, but the person he becomes by the end of the book is amazing. Danae is the other main character who this book focuses on. Her character is beautiful and, while she doesn't grow as much as Vartan, her growth is deep and challenging. The author also threw in a couple minor characters and suddenly there was a love tangle.
Another reason I really enjoy this book is the allegory side of it. Throughout the book, you can see close comparisons to the Bible. From the scars Vartan receives in battle to the intense spiritual darkness that surrounds the villain that is counteracted by the radiant light surrounding those who oppose him. This is a story of surrender and following not your own will, but the will of God and honoring him in all you do.
One last point; that I just need to fangirl over here for a minute - there are DRAGONS in this book! That's right, dragons! If this doesn't seal the deal, I don't know what will. *End fangirling*
*Content Advisory*
See blog
*Sigh* This book is amazing. I usually don't like to read books that are over 400 pages as they just take so long to read, but this book is worth it. I read this book probably back when I was in high school and loved it, so I decided to re-read it.
I really enjoyed re-reading this book. The plot is almost all action packed; while it does have some down scenes, they are needed to balance all the action.
If you have read some of my other posts, you will know that I am a first-line girl. I love first lines, especially when they hook me so completely. I'll let you decide if this first line is a hook or not; I couldn't decide, and since I knew what was coming, I didn't really need to be hooked. "A frigid wind blew down from the heavens, impaling the bleak winter's day with piercing needles of ice." (Giver of Roses, p. 5) Thoughts?
The characters, oh, the characters. The character development for Vartan is so encouraging. He struggles so deeply throughout the book going from one hardship to the next, but the person he becomes by the end of the book is amazing. Danae is the other main character who this book focuses on. Her character is beautiful and, while she doesn't grow as much as Vartan, her growth is deep and challenging. The author also threw in a couple minor characters and suddenly there was a love tangle.
Another reason I really enjoy this book is the allegory side of it. Throughout the book, you can see close comparisons to the Bible. From the scars Vartan receives in battle to the intense spiritual darkness that surrounds the villain that is counteracted by the radiant light surrounding those who oppose him. This is a story of surrender and following not your own will, but the will of God and honoring him in all you do.
One last point; that I just need to fangirl over here for a minute - there are DRAGONS in this book! That's right, dragons! If this doesn't seal the deal, I don't know what will. *End fangirling*
*Content Advisory*
See blog
January 29, 2009
I was so very surprisingly pleased with this book. I am a big fan of fantasy fiction, but just because of personal convictions lately, I have been trying to stay away from books that have a dark theme, or language, or sexual content. I have been venturing out and trying to find some good Christian authors. I thought this story was great!! I loved the Biblical message spread throughout the book. It even inspired me in my personal spiritual life, which is something I cannot say for most secular fiction. Sure, the author does not write with the knowledge of entire realms of fantastical worlds like some secular authors I have enjoyed in the past, but she is certainly a gifted writer, with a way of bringing God even into an imaginative tale with dragons and elves. I am definitely reading the sequel when it comes out next month.
March 9, 2009
Giver of the Roses was good, however... In the beginning I wasn't so sure how I was going to like the book. In the outset I kept trying to 'figure it out' and compare it to other stories. When I stopped doing that I started to enjoy the story more. I feel like some of the emotions and reactions of characters in the second half the story make more sense than those in the first half. What I did not realize until close to the end is that this supposed to be the first book of a series. I think I like Morgan's Highland Hills books a bit better because each book, although part of a series, can stand alone, where as I feel Giver of Roses would benefit the reader more from continuing the series.
January 31, 2013
Ok...I'd really give it 4.5*..but I can't, so with this one, I'll round up! I really enjoyed it . . the whole time.
It has reminders...great reminders to not let pride rule us...some things aren't as important as WE'D like them to be...and others.
Such a fun story...but as far as endings go...I'll relinquish my want to be a dragonmaid...dragon rider...and all that...(though it would be cool to have a dragon, everything comes with it's price.)
Now...I have to go see IF she ever finished more in this series...and IF she did...how I can get my hands on them and how quickly.
What fun fantasy Christian fiction is all about!
It has reminders...great reminders to not let pride rule us...some things aren't as important as WE'D like them to be...and others.
Such a fun story...but as far as endings go...I'll relinquish my want to be a dragonmaid...dragon rider...and all that...(though it would be cool to have a dragon, everything comes with it's price.)
Now...I have to go see IF she ever finished more in this series...and IF she did...how I can get my hands on them and how quickly.
What fun fantasy Christian fiction is all about!
April 15, 2014
This book was absolutely wonderful. I'm really sad that Kathleen Morgan hasn't taken the series any further. I've read other books by Ms. Morgan and all so far have been great, but I'd really like more of The Guardians of Gadiel.
Giver of Roses is a story about Vartan, the Crown Prince of Astara and Danae, a captive Hylean girl who saves Vartan's life after he faces off with Ladon. Together they journey across Gadiel facing dragonmaids, desert folk and spiritual forces on a holy quest to stop evil forces. Loved the story, great ending. Really want some more of Gadiel.
Giver of Roses is a story about Vartan, the Crown Prince of Astara and Danae, a captive Hylean girl who saves Vartan's life after he faces off with Ladon. Together they journey across Gadiel facing dragonmaids, desert folk and spiritual forces on a holy quest to stop evil forces. Loved the story, great ending. Really want some more of Gadiel.
November 6, 2009
I loved this book, however at this point and time, I would not recommend anyone reading it. It is part of a series and completely leaves you hanging. It's been a year and a half since I read this book and so far I have yet to find the 2nd book released. I believe it has a title, but I don't think it has a release date. If the 2nd book as been released, then I highly recommend this book for those who like stories with dragons.
March 20, 2013
ok I'm gonna give this book a 3 for now til (if I ever) get the chance to read the others...I liked a lot more about it than I disliked...err..and I can't really complain..
Anyone out there wanting to read a Christian based fantasy story--go for it...this one might be for you. =)
PS--You should probably wait til the other books are out there...the ending sucks ass if it isn't going to followed up on...
Anyone out there wanting to read a Christian based fantasy story--go for it...this one might be for you. =)
PS--You should probably wait til the other books are out there...the ending sucks ass if it isn't going to followed up on...
July 17, 2008
I didn't have high expectations when I started reading this book. Morgan is typically known as an author for historical romances -- something I'm not really into. This book looked like it would be different. It was. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Looking forward to the next one in the series, which I understand it to be released this fall.
July 24, 2011
Warning- this book has no sequel, so read at your own risk! The ending leaves much to be desired, which I would be willing to forgive if there was some sort of resolution in the form of a second book- but there is not.
April 6, 2016
Exciting story follows Vartan across great distances to regain his homeland from evil forces. Would have been perfect, but the ending blasted it down to 3 stars. But I would read it again so I went back to 4 stars.
May 24, 2016
I loved this book! I had never read a Christian fantasy book, and I fell in love with the characters and the story line. I couldn't put the book down. My daughter LOVES dragons, so to step into her world of dragons for a little while was fun too!
November 4, 2007
Best book I've ever read. Maybe it's just because I like Fantasy or something, but the book was really well written.
September 14, 2010
Skip this one until the sequels come out. It ends unsatisfying and with cliffhangers.
May 5, 2012
I really liked this book. It has the Christian aspect that I enjoy but it also puts fantasy in there to capture a hold of the reader.I hope to have more of the books.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews