Author: Matt Afsahi & Barbara Dysonwilliams

Publisher: TurnKey Press

ISBN: 0-9747644-6-9

The following review was contributed by: Click Here To Read All Of Theresa's Reviews

A notable historical fantasy, seeped in medieval mentality and cultural undertones, The Road of Silk charts the journey of Queen Yasamin (an ethereal beauty and leader of a small country), to meet her husband-to-be the arrogant and powerful King Amir of Dragonval). Forced into an arranged marriage, she is escorted to Amir’s distant kingdom by the Kings’ own guard Goliagoth, a small army and the delightfully handsome former prince of Pers/slave, Arash. The journey is fraught with danger (Amir’s wife Medusimia is none too happy) and we are treated to the emergence of Yasamin’s latent mystical powers, a dash of romance and a death or two. Inevitably there are losses along the way and choices that have to be made, in order for the heroine and her band of chivalrous sidekicks to reach their final destination and choose their destined path. There is also all manner of weird and wonderful Potter-esque creatures to spice up the voyage, with dragons a plenty, the Buzimorian (part buzzard, part lizard I guess) – Vulmire – part dragon, part snake, 100% villain, and more mystical creatures, the like of which would not be unexpected in Clash of the Titans.

The novel moves along well and the characters grow more as the journey progresses. Like many historical fantasies, it is not the physical but the moral and emotional journey taking place, which makes this book appealing. The only downside to the book is the writers’ tendency to throw out ominous warnings at the end of each chapter. We are subjected to omens such as; “He should have worried less about Medusimia’s fighting and more about her acquiescence . . . He should have, but he didn’t” (dum dum de dum!), which detract slightly from the overall flow of the story. We don’t need to be reminded that plans are hatching and villains are afoot, twirling their metaphorical moustaches with intense vigor.

It’s a shame really, because the novel is in the main well written and develops very smoothly. The characters are engaging, the plot, though not the most original is fast paced and there is enough action to keep even the most stalwart of fantasy readers occupied. A few minor faults perhaps, but thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless.