The Unicorn Road

An entrancing tale... The nostalgic, wistful and romantic tone of the novel, peppered by glimpses of youthful hope and new lives, is perfect for a winter's read. And its ode to language will win the hearts of ardent readers. * Lincolnshire Echo * The Unicorn Road is a romance in the traditional sense. It conjures the brutality and beauty of the lands it crosses, and speaks of love, honour, greed and power. In its final unfolding it comes down to the importance of words: their power and their limits...and how much can be said without them, and how far they can be trusted. A few philosophical questions are raised along the way, but mostly it is a story, to be enjoyed in and of itself. * The Bookbag * This is a remarkable novel which deserves to be shortlisted in 2009 for a serious prize. Davies' prose is poetic and erudite, his plotting superb, the narrative gripping, and, above all, The Unicorn Road contains memorable characters the reader will find intriguing * Historical Novels Review * An evocative novel of the medieval world * Woman & Home * 'This is a magical novel of language, love and honour, a richly evocative adventure of searching, travel and the importance of words" * Waterstone's Books Quarterly * It was like being handed a magic carpet. It took me completely away from the freezing cold. Lovely storytelling touches. * Helen Dunning, Radio Five Live * The voice is fantastic... So readable and enjoyable and multi-layered * Boyd Hilton, Radio Five Live * I'm really struck by the voice you found... Not only is your style extremely elegant but I absolutely believed in the authenticity of this voice... It adds a sense of mystery and farawayness and magic to the story * Joanna Trollope, Radio Five Live * An exotic, engaging tale * Saga magazine * Incredibly clever...a historical book with big ideas but takes you back to an exotic time and an exotic place just with very simple language. I thoroughly enjoyed it and think it's a fantastic achievement. * Joel Morris, Radio Five Live * This magical flight of fancy in the highly charged Middle Ages comes from the lyrical and atmospheric author of the massive bestseller, THE CONJUROR'S BIRD . . . Martin Davies pulls out all the stops . . . in this heady, breathless mix of history, mystery and romance * Daily Mirror * In this compelling and poignant novel, Martin Davies has created a fictional setting which is at once magical and believable * TLS * The storytelling is masterly. Just as you notice a loose end, the author deftly ties it . . . Loss is stacked upon loss, and yet this novel leaves you oddly uplifted; for all the suffering the characters endure, their courage never deserts them, nor, in the end, do their hopes betray them. * Independent on Sunday * Davies' writing is extremely seductive, his bustling medieval world alive with self-seekers, double-dealers and papal spies, and his highly original story one of marvels. * Daily Mail * Intricate and imaginative * The Times *

A young woman leaves her home, summoned to the emperor's court and a husband she barely knows. On the other side of the world, a famous scholar is sent to find and collect the mysterious beasts of legend in the unknown lands of the East. He takes with him an interpreter, Venn, famous for his special gift with language. The two groups of travellers are destined to cross paths, revealing the secret motives and hidden passions of those who are brought together.