The Garden at the Roof of the World by W.B.J. Williams

An inordinate amount of time was spent in discussing the chastity and virtue of the main women. Second, I have a problem with any piece of fiction that over-venerates chastity. When some of the characters died, I didn't really care as I hadn't really come to 'know' them. I got the sense that the author was trying to write a sort of parable about love and devotion, a la Paulo Coelho, but it lacked the finesse that is present in Coelho's writing. Little time was spent exploring other aspects of their personalities except in the most simplistic way. First, all of the characters felt hollow with love, chastity and devotion to religion being the main aspects of their characters. This book was a quick and easy read, but I found it lacking in many ways.

The landscape is that of 12-13th century Europe and Asia and the group of companions have adventures all over Europe, the middle east and India including evil caliphs, fires, leviathans and yetis. Along the way they are joined by other equally chaste and selfless men and women who seek to aid them on their quest. She is chosen because she is both chaste and selfless. Garden at the Roof of the world is about a quest undertaken by Gwen and a unicorn named Britomar to find the fruit that will heal the eldest of all the unicorns. I am sorry to say that this book hits all three of these. Other common tropes in fantasy novels include a medieval setting, and rape/whoring of female characters. 'A solid mystical adventure that will interest readers from start to finish with its likable protagonists and constant twists and turns.Note: this book was made available to me via LibraryThing's early reviewers.Įver since Frodo set off to toss the ring into the fires of Mount Doom (or maybe before!), a band of heros on a virtuous quest has become a trope in fantasy fiction. The Garden at the Roof of the World is a stunning debut fantasy epic in a rigorously historical 13th century setting, with vivid characters and a thrilling, romantic story that spans cultures and continents. To succeed, Gwenaella must find a balance between faith, friendship, and love and discover the true meaning of sacrifice.

Joined by a few trusted followers called by the unicorns' magic, she will face many dangers on her epic journey. She must commit to a perilous journey through Europe, the Middle East, and India, to the high mountains of Tibet, to seek the hidden Garden at the Roof of the World and pluck a fruit that would restore the father of all unicorns to health. But the remedy comes with an exorbitant price. To save her brother's life Gwenaella risks her own in a magical forest to seek a unicorn's healing magic. A SACRED QUEST OF HEALING, MAGIC, AND LOVE

The Garden at the Roof of the World by W.B.J. Williams