To Run With The Swift

The Guardian #2

by Gerald N. Lund

After Danni McAllister and her family escaped from El Cobra and his kidnapping ring, they thought life would basically return to normal. Little did they know that their peril had just begun.

As secrets from the past begin to unfold, it becomes evident that the motives driving the attacks on the McAllister family go much deeper than money—and they're not going to stop anytime soon. Now, as Danni faces evils even more sinister than before, she has to wonder if even the Guardian will be equal to the dangers ahead.

The whole family will love this page-turning conclusion to the story of Le Gardien, the enchanted pouch that guides, protects, and teaches those who have it in their keeping.

Genres: Fiction, Lds, Fantasy, Lds Fiction, Young Adult, Adventure, Teen

587 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Gerald N. Lund received his B.A. and M.S. degrees in sociology from Brigham Young University. He served for thirty-five years in the Church Educational System, and he served as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy from 2002 to 2008. He is a prolific and bestselling author of both fiction and nonfiction and is best known for his historical novels, including The Work and the Glory series, Fire of the Covenant, The Kingdom and the Crown series, and The Undaunted. He and his late wife, Lynn, are the parents of seven children.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished my dad's newest book, and I LOVED it!!! This is the sequel to THE GUARDIAN. The plot is fast-moving and unexpected. The bad guys were unpredictable in their schemes, plus Danni is such a fun, spunky, flawed heroine, and it really shows in this second book. She's not a superhero in the strict sense of the word, but there were a few points where she felt like it, and I loved her for it. Another great, classic, surprise-twisting Gerald Lund plot with memorable characters. A great read for YAs and adults.

[Nadine Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book for the most part. I thought Gisela got off easy after all the lives she had destroyed. Niklas after all was only doing what his mother wanted. His selfishness and greed was taught by his mother and her attitudes and example. I think she should have been held more responsible for her actions. The dementia seemed a bit of a cop out.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book felt so long. Usually I like long stories, but this on rubbed me the wrong way. Grandpere's character bothered me to no end. He was extremely hard on Danni and while I'm all for expecting people to do their best, he was awfully critical of her simple mistakes.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
I loved reading more about Danni and her family. That being said, she was definitely the one with the most character development, while the others seemed the to stay the same. I liked knowing more about the back story of their kidnapping and the true mastermind behind it all. I liked the change of scenery from the first book, with much of this book taking place in Europe.
I felt like the conflict was repetitive (how many time must they escape their captors??) Parts of it felt drawn out and unnecessary, but overall, Lund still writes an entertaining and engaging story!

[Dail Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completion of the story of Danni. Much historical reference to Times and events of WW II.

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried to give this one 3 stars, but just couldn't manage it. Even as I was reading yet another over-long-over-heavy book from Mr. Lund I kept wondering if he was afraid of running out of words so decided to pack as many as he could into this one novel.

In order, I suspect, to help those who read this book as a stand alone, there are multiple references to things that occurred in the first book. This contributes to the length, but not much.

And I - personally - found so many issues with this one. Even so that here I am nearly two weeks since finishing the book and I'm still annoyed with some of them.

I've not been a huge fan of Mr. Lund. Yep, I know that puts me in the minority. (I might be the only reader around that was simply unable to make it through even the first volume of "The Work And The Glory".) I think he is generally an overrated novelist. He can hold my interest - though that grasp on my interest is intermittent, and greatly varies not only from book to book but often within the same book. I confess I had to push myself to keep reading when frustration with the book prompted tossing it aside. But persevere I did and when finally I reached the final page, it was with a mixture of emotions. Generally, though, it was relief that this over-the-top-fantasy had reached a conclusion. I'm still uncertain who the target reader is -the main character is a teenager. But, somehow it didn't feel like a teen book. And maybe Mr. Lund, himself isn't quite sure. I'm aware that this book is comprised of bedtime stories he told his children. What a wonderful origination. Still, I'm not sure those stories translate well into 2 volumes meant for "the whole family" to read. I'm thinking it might have been better to publish these in a series of much shorter chapter books (with illustrations) for the tween readers. This, however, is only my own personal opinion, that I know will not meet with much agreement.

I'm thinking I might stick to his non-fiction works in the future.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the story continues you will be led along with plot twist and turns that you never thought possible...

but are...

OH. SO. GOOD!

Danni's life, and that of her family's, has been hard these past few weeks.

Just as they feel that life might get back to normal...

Things start to happen...

And once again the family is caught in an elaborate plan of one family trying to destroy her family.

So many things will come to light~

Can her enchanted pouch work its magic once again?

An AMAZINGLY GREAT story!
FUN to read!
You won't be able to put this one down!

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

While waiting for some other library holds to come in, I decided to see what the second half of The Guardian had to offer. While I do think Lund is good at coming up with a compelling story, I sometimes feel like Deseret Book editors don't really help their authors craft better writing. Besides annoying little things like using the same adverb twice in a sentence, pacing in this book was sometimes irritatingly slow while racing forward at other times. It felt like the author himself didn't quite have a grasp on how to bring things together, and certain details of the story felt strained and utterly too convenient (three of the characters suddenly able to communicate telepathically, Grandpére quickly coming into possession of a hybrid FBI/security firm computer hack and being able to get it into the castle and loaded onto the computer, Gisela's swift and sudden descent from the keen mind of a diabolical genius into dementia). However, reality is already suspended when reading a book about a pouch with magical powers, so there's that.

[Kellee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book may have been even worse than the first. It was outlandish and kept getting weirder with Danni and the others being able to communicate in their minds, wax replicas, fake deaths, etc. The book seemed to go on and on until the end when it was suddenly over and Gisela had dementia and the family was visiting her and her daughter—such a weird ending to an over-all weird book. I didn’t like the character of Danni or her grandfather—both were hard for me. The grandfather seeming to get upset and be really harsh and other times so aloof like when Danni called him from being imprisoned. Then there is Danni who, quite honestly, I agree with Gisela when she complained about her boring diary entries. I did not like Danni’s character—hot headed and spoiled. Rick was too good for her and shouldn’t be putting up with her. This book felt weird bc it had fantasy type things mixed in with a fictional book.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

After Danni McAllister and her family escaped from El Cobra and his kidnapping ring, they thought life would basically return to normal. Little did they know that their peril had just begun.

As secrets from the past begin to unfold, it becomes evident that the motives driving the attacks on the McAllister family go much deeper than money—and they're not going to stop anytime soon. Now, as Danni faces evils even more sinister than before, she has to wonder if even the Guardian will be equal to the dangers ahead.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so intriguing that I had a hard time putting it down. First, the premise of the Guardian was very interesting but as Danni, Rick and Cody used it while they were captured was very enticing to keep me reading. How the McAllisters got back at Gisela and Niklas was so fun to read about. They totally lost everything after all the pain they had inflicted on so many other people just to get revenge. Was a great two-book series.

[Kld2003 · Rating 2 out of 5]

NOT a typical Lund book! Read it for book club and not one of us liked it. And we had such high hopes. We spent most of the discussion saying things we disliked about the book. The story is all over the place and it’s hard to even know what genre you are reading. Historical Fiction., fantasy/paranormal, action, suspense, and mystery is all rolled up in a mosh-mash of a story. He is a good author, this bedtime story just didn’t work.

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay read, though I didn't love it as much as the first and it's not my favorite by Gerald Lund.

It mostly felt too long, and I had a hard time pinning down it's genre and target age group. Us this mg like the first? No. Adult? YA? Is it supposed to be a magical realism, historical fiction, adventure? It felt like a mish mash, and while the first is a fun read for kids, I wouldn't recommend this one to children.

Overall, it's not a bad read, it just wasn't my favorite.

[Jody Kyburz · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this was the second installment. In the first book, The Guardian, I accepted the pouch as a metaphor...but this second book got more outlandish and crazier than the first. I was seriously wondering if Gerald Lund met up with all of his grandkids and said, "Throw out some ideas! I'll see how many I can write into this next installment!" It's almost as if I've just finished several episodes of a soap opera. However, it was good enough to get me aaaaaaaaaaalll the way to the end.

[Amaree Blanchard · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many good things about this book. It was easy to read, it was packed with adventure, there were good lessons and morals all along the way... I'm glad I read it. Again, the 16 year old main character was not written as someone I would consider a teenager. Her character was a bit flawed. Also, Grandpere was so hard on her for little things and that drove me crazy.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book - it kept me wanting to listen to see how things were going to work out. I got a little frustrated with some of the wining of the characters, but I guess it fit who the author had built them to be. I like it overall

[Rex Cluff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sequel to The Guardian, this page turner could not be put down until it was finished. The family from vol. 1 went out of the frying pan into the fire in this volume. Some of it was predictable and some of it was not. I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you want an escape thriller then this is for you.

[Betty Ann Baer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book takes place in Southern Utah and France. There are many twists and turns, Le Guardian is taken, The family is held hostage, Danni (Caruthers) and Rick help solve the problem.

[Rosalyn Starling · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the sequel. need more please

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book & series. I can't recommend it high enough. A must read in my opinion.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story. Kept me enthralled!

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the correlation between the pouch and the guidance we can receive from God when we are making good choices. I love Gerald Lund books.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weak ending

[Thomas C.Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I have always enjoyed reading the historical fiction of Gerald N. Lund, but this series quickly became one of my favorites that he has written.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book had so many twists and turns. Well written and very entertaining.

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

even better than the first one

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lund is a good story teller and this book didn’t disappoint. It was full of adventure and suspense. I enjoyed it.

[Marisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like Book 1 this book was a bit long and wordy but also fun. I'd have hated it if I'd have read this instead of listened to the audio book I'd have hated it.

[Victoria Lambertsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was written for teenagers. The plot was engaging but the narrative was tedious throughout.