Review of In the Heart of the Linden Wood

[Corinna Borsato]

[Following is a volunteer review of "In the Heart of the Linden Wood" by Ekta R. Garg.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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It is atrocious and brutal to lose a loved one prematurely. A deep well of grief settles in the heart of the survivor, where, previously, profound affection and devotion resided. The severity of the despair and the hopelessness of the situation are directly proportional to the intensity of the bond connecting the two souls. Thus, undeniably, at the beginning of In the Heart of the Linden Wood, a most tragic circumstance takes place: a young king loses his queen, his child, and much of his credibility and support in a matter of days, until all he is left with is a distorted and uncomfortable version of reality.

To Christopher, Lily was everything — his counsellor, his confidante, his best friend, and his number one supporter. She healed something in him that she had not broken. She helped him amend the wrongs of his father, the former king, both in the kingdom and in Christopher himself. Where Vincent had destroyed, she rebuilt; where Vincent had set boundaries, she used diplomacy and compromise; where Vincent had ruled with fear and ruthlessness, she employed trust and understanding. She painted a life full of color for herself and those around her.

Consequently, Christopher is now left with the heavy burden of relearning how to simply exist without her. But before he has time to start formulating a way forward, a strange disease spreads in the kingdom: the wood is failing, and so is the authority of the castle. To maintain both the lumber trade, which is a vital resource, and his throne, he must embark on an adventure of faith and friendship, of guilt and redemption.

Throughout the journey to save the Keeper of the Wood — a magical being who sustains the trees and their wellbeing with her life forces — Christopher is forced to confront his loss and to see beyond his own misery for the common good. He gradually comes to his senses and reestablishes a connection with the outside world. He regains his will to fight for what is rightfully his and to do right by his people. He sets out to make Lily proud and to continue the work they had begun toward a united nation. He regains his purpose. Most importantly, he gradually understands the power of being grateful for Lily and past they shared, of treasuring their memories with happiness and joy. Though she is not coming back, she remains the greatest gift life has given him, and as such, she deserves, even in memory, to light up his spirits.

In conclusion, In the Heart of the Linden Wood is a deeply moving and relatable story that, through the use of fantastic elements, reflects on key human faults. In the face of hardship, it’s easy to fall prey to anger and selfishness. It must be remembered that pain and agony spare no one, and that only kindness can make things better. There is no fighting pain by creating more pain, just as there is no fighting darkness by avoiding the light. Ugly truths cannot be escaped; only by taking responsibility can one move forward.

Personally, I found the narrative to be extremely well-constructed in terms of language, fast-paced, and enthralling. I must admit, I devoured the book and consider it among my favorites, as it presents all the elements a great book must possess. I deem it worthy of 5 out of 5 stars and particularly recommend it to anyone, especially those who enjoy enticing adventures and grand quests set against a magical backdrop.

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In the Heart of the Linden Wood
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Gerry Steen]

[Following is a volunteer review of "In the Heart of the Linden Wood" by Ekta R. Garg.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Share This Review

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It is atrocious and brutal to lose a loved one prematurely. A deep well of grief settles in the heart of the survivor, where, previously, profound affection and devotion resided. The severity of the despair and the hopelessness of the situation are directly proportional to the intensity of the bond connecting the two souls. Thus, undeniably, at the beginning of In the Heart of the Linden Wood, a most tragic circumstance takes place: a young king loses his queen, his child, and much of his credibility and support in a matter of days, until all he is left with is a distorted and uncomfortable version of reality.

To Christopher, Lily was everything — his counsellor, his confidante, his best friend, and his number one supporter. She healed something in him that she had not broken. She helped him amend the wrongs of his father, the former king, both in the kingdom and in Christopher himself. Where Vincent had destroyed, she rebuilt; where Vincent had set boundaries, she used diplomacy and compromise; where Vincent had ruled with fear and ruthlessness, she employed trust and understanding. She painted a life full of color for herself and those around her.

Consequently, Christopher is now left with the heavy burden of relearning how to simply exist without her. But before he has time to start formulating a way forward, a strange disease spreads in the kingdom: the wood is failing, and so is the authority of the castle. To maintain both the lumber trade, which is a vital resource, and his throne, he must embark on an adventure of faith and friendship, of guilt and redemption.

Throughout the journey to save the Keeper of the Wood — a magical being who sustains the trees and their wellbeing with her life forces — Christopher is forced to confront his loss and to see beyond his own misery for the common good. He gradually comes to his senses and reestablishes a connection with the outside world. He regains his will to fight for what is rightfully his and to do right by his people. He sets out to make Lily proud and to continue the work they had begun toward a united nation. He regains his purpose. Most importantly, he gradually understands the power of being grateful for Lily and past they shared, of treasuring their memories with happiness and joy. Though she is not coming back, she remains the greatest gift life has given him, and as such, she deserves, even in memory, to light up his spirits.

In conclusion, In the Heart of the Linden Wood is a deeply moving and relatable story that, through the use of fantastic elements, reflects on key human faults. In the face of hardship, it’s easy to fall prey to anger and selfishness. It must be remembered that pain and agony spare no one, and that only kindness can make things better. There is no fighting pain by creating more pain, just as there is no fighting darkness by avoiding the light. Ugly truths cannot be escaped; only by taking responsibility can one move forward.

Personally, I found the narrative to be extremely well-constructed in terms of language, fast-paced, and enthralling. I must admit, I devoured the book and consider it among my favorites, as it presents all the elements a great book must possess. I deem it worthy of 5 out of 5 stars and particularly recommend it to anyone, especially those who enjoy enticing adventures and grand quests set against a magical backdrop.

******
In the Heart of the Linden Wood
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

After reading this review, I feel that Ekta R. Garg must be congratulated for a job well done by writing "In the Heart of the Linden Wood". It is truly inspirational that Christopher the king would honor the memory of his wife, Lily, by carrying out his responsibilities toward his people and land as she would have expected if she were still alive. Trees must be preserved and the well-being of people has to be nurtured. Great review!

[Amy Luman]

While fantasy is not my favorite genre, this book does hit on some very key points. Relying so heavily on a partner does not bode well for the king, but it is very real process that some go through. The being that lives in the wood and keeps it healthy, though, is a fantastical aspect. Thanks!