The Garden at the Roof of the World

by W. B. J. Williams

Overview

A SACRED QUEST OF HEALING, MAGIC, AND LOVE

To save her brother's life Gwenaella risks her own in a magical forest to seek a unicorn's healing magic. But the remedy comes with an exorbitant price. 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. Joined by a few trusted followers called by the unicorns' magic, she will face many dangers on her epic journey. To succeed, Gwenaella must find a balance between faith, friendship, and love and discover the true meaning of sacrifice.

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.

"A solid mystical adventure that will interest readers from start to finish with its likable protagonists and constant twists and turns." -Publishers Weekly

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781940076003
Publisher:	Dragonwell Publishing
Publication date:	08/30/2013
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	1,149,914
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.85(d)

About the Author

W. B. J. Williams holds advanced degrees in anthropology and archeology and is an avid historian, mystic, poet, and author who manages an information security program at a prominent New England start-up. He is noted for his bad puns, and willingness to argue from any perspective. He is endured by his beloved wife and two daughters, and lives in Sharon Massachusetts. When he is not at home or at his computer, he can often be found haunting the various used bookstores of Boston.

Editorial Reviews

This modern fantasy in the style of a medieval romance tackles themes of love and lust, faith, and the nature of the divine. As the Christian maiden Gwenaella accompanies the unicorn Britomar to the legendary Garden of Eden, they and their companions are exposed to the cruelty of some Christian men, the kindness of a Jewish community, and both the depravity of a corrupt sultan and the honor of the captain of his guard before reaching the Hindu and Buddhist lands where the garden is hidden. The strong female characters are hampered by an undercurrent of judgment about the female body and sexuality (the uncleanliness of menstruation, the demonic nature of desire). This view is difficult for a modern reader to stomach, and the frequently awkward prose draws attention to other weaknesses in the story. Williams’s debut, a finalist for the 2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, shows his willingness to take on difficult topics of faith, culture clashes, and gender issues; the effort is admirable even when it’s not terribly successful. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly