Review of In the Heart of the Linden Wood
- Ruth Pulagis
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Review of In the Heart of the Linden Wood
In "In the Heart of Linden Wood," Ekta R. Garg crafts a gripping tale set in the Kingdom of Linden, where King Christopher rules. Christopher has spent the seven years of his reign undoing the damage caused by his greedy and corrupt predecessor, his father, King Vincent. Alongside his wife, Queen Lily, he works to restore Linden’s strength and the trust of his people. However, his efforts are hindered when grief takes over following the sudden death of his beloved wife.
While the king is grieving the loss of his wife, unrest is brewing among a group of wronged Lindeners who were cheated by King Vincent and left uncompensated for injuries sustained while working for the kingdom. They stage a protest demanding justice just as the king receives news of another disaster.
The trees in Linden, once known for their magical properties, have now started to disappear. Furniture, posts, and even whole buildings are turning to ash in seconds. The wood, previously renowned for its sturdiness and reliability, is now in question. With Linden wood being a significant part of Linden’s trade and commerce, the king must set out to restore its health while also quelling the frustration of the protesters.
Despite my overall enjoyment of "In the Heart of Linden Wood," there were aspects of the storyline that left me with lingering questions and confusion. The escalation of the protesters' rebellion, along with King Christopher's response, felt underdeveloped. It was hard to see how a disorganized group of protesters could accomplish what they did without a more detailed explanation of how formidable their forces were. More background on their capabilities and planning would have made their success more plausible. Furthermore, the insufficient protection for the rulers of two different kingdoms puzzled me. Other areas of the story I would have liked more details on I won’t mention for fear of giving away spoilers.
That being said, I genuinely enjoyed the parts of the story that followed the quest to save Linden Wood. I loved learning about the Keeper of the Linden Wood and how the story tied together with all the characters that go on the quest. I loved the background given about each character and seeing how each character had a specific role to play in ensuring the success of the mission. I found myself drawn to the more mystical side of this story.
I would like to praise the author for an extremely well-edited book. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. I removed a star because I felt that certain aspects of the plot lacked sufficient detail, as I mentioned above. I recommend this book to fantasy enthusiasts who appreciate character-driven stories and those who enjoy exploring themes of grief, resilience, and healing.
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In the Heart of the Linden Wood
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