King Christopher has not been brought up by his evil father, King Vincent, to be a confident leader. But he has the wood with trees that have magical properties — one of the best things he inherited from the king. Christopher doesn't have what it takes to lead the Kingdom of Linden, and while many don't believe in him, he has kept going, thanks to Queen Lily's trust in him. So, when the Queen and their only child suddenly die, Christopher's life is upended. Drowning in his grief, he learns that the magical trees are dying, too. Christopher meets the keeper of the trees to find out what is killing the trees. This inquiry sets him on a dangerous quest that will test his strength. With unforeseeable dangers, hostages to save, and hearts in despair can Christopher rise up to the stature of the King that Linden deserves?

In the Heart of the Linden Wood by Ekta R. Garg is a great read for fans of fantasy and it is a story with a strong premise —losing the one person who has been the only thing linking one to life is devastating enough and Ekta R. Garg uses it to create a protagonist that is broken and that instantly wins the sympathy of readers. This is a spectacular novel that will hold the attention of readers from the beginning to the very last page, thanks to the impeccable world-building and a hero who must first conquer his fears in order to lead his people. Ekta R. Garg hits most of the right notes for an epic fantasy tale, infusing the writing with realism while creating a world in which danger and magic operate interchangeably. The author creates relatable and genuinely flawed characters and weaves a yarn that will capture genre fans.