The Guardian of Ajalon by Joan Campbell is the third and final book in “The Poison Tree Path Chronicles”. I had not read the previous two books but decided to read the blurbs for them before starting this book. I am glad I did. Even though the author does well to catch up the reader without an info dump, it was good to already have an introduction to the main characters.
Each of the two previous books focused on a main female character and her protectors as they escape their various dangers. This book shifts back and forth between both Shara and Nyla’s separate storylines. Each woman and her team of protectors are learning about the true king and the old magic in this book. With the direction of a magical bird, they both fulfill their callings.
At the very beginning, I didn’t like either woman, but as the story progressed, I liked Shara more. Even so, Nyla has the most character development of anyone in the whole book and really captured me by the end. The men in the books were all supporting characters, but very interesting with unique personalities.
The two storylines never crossed, though the plot itself merges to one final battle. The main unifying aspect was the flashbacks all the characters experienced to learn more about the true king and true villain.
This book has a strong Christian message, but don’t take it as allegory or will run into theological problems. I did appreciate the beauty and love emphasized in the personification of God the Father and Jesus. You can’t help liking them.
My main criticism is the pacing of the book. Shara spends the whole book traveling through a cursed forest, and Nyla spends the book arguing with people. There is a lot of character development and revelations of important information, but not much action. Even so, your curiosity does carry you through, and there aren’t any truly dead parts. I was tempted to skim some of the slower sections though.
The conclusion is the most exciting part of the book with a good resolution. I would have liked more concrete reconciliation of Nyla’s love story with some sort of actual commitment, but that is a minor issue. The story wraps up each of the main problems with the threat to the world being the primary focus.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It is solid, clean, Christian Fantasy fiction in a magical medieval style world. I think readers from middle school and up could very much enjoy this book, and series, as well.
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