The Witch Roads - by Kate Elliott (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Book 1 in the Witch Roads duology, the latest epic novel by fan favorite Kate Elliott.

Status is hereditary, class is bestowed, trust must be earned.

When an arrogant prince (and his equally arrogant entourage) gets stuck in Orledder Halt as part of brutal political intrigue, competent and sunny deputy courier Elen--once a child slave meant to shield noblemen from the poisonous Pall--is assigned to guide him through the hills to reach his destination.

When she warns him not to enter the haunted Spires, the prince doesn't heed her advice, and the man who emerges from the towers isn't the same man who entered.

The journey that follows is fraught with danger. Can a group taught to ignore and despise the lower classes survive with a mere deputy courier as their guide?

Review Quotes

A LibraryReads Pick!

"Elliott's fantastic first in a new duology is filled with rich worldbuilding, political intrigue, and themes of class and family secrets." --Library Journal, starred review

"A thoughtful, compelling, down-to-earth fantasy set in a vividly-drawn world with deep history and epic dangers.... This is a masterful novel." --Locus Reviews

"An impressively complex world...Readers will be eager to see where this story goes next." --Publishers Weekly

Praise for Kate Elliott:

"[This] is an absolute gem of a story, a peek into a fascinating, fully realized world that manages to explore issues of power, consent, class and destiny before turning over some of fantasy's tropes completely on their head. I loved it." --S. A. Chakraborty on Servant Mage

"I highly recommend this. I stayed up way too late finishing it and am still thinking about it a week later." ―Mary Robinette Kowal on Servant Mage

"A short and satisfying romp with a fully developed world and tightly designed magic system. ...A definite recommend: light fantasy for the more discerning reader." ―The Wall Street Journal on The Keeper's Six

"A rich and atmospheric lacework of worldbuilding, politics and magic--and of one woman's journey to find her place in the wake of a revolution. Mesmerising, relentless and sharp." --Aliette de Bodard on Servant Mage

"Treacherous terrain and even more treacherous trading partners ramp up the stakes of this masterful contemporary fantasy from Elliott. ...Readers are sure to be impressed." --Publishers Weekly, starred review, on The Keeper's Six

"Elliott uses a relatable main character and a complex and intriguing setting to dive into the consequences of revolution with an eye toward class and power dynamics; readers will be left wanting more." --Booklist on Servant Mage

Praise for Unconquerable Sun:

"Non-stop action! Space battles! Intrigue! This is the kind of space opera that I love best―but Elliott does it even better." ―Ann Leckie, New York Times bestselling author

"Intricate and thrilling, Kate Elliott's Unconquerable Sun reframes history's most legendary conqueror in a brand new galaxy, lights the fuse, and blasts off on an edge-of-your-seat adventure perfect for fans of Arkady Martine and James S.A. Corey." --Emily Skrutskie, author of Bonds of Brass

"A maelstrom of palace intrigue, interstellar back-stabbing, devious plots, treachery, blistering action, ferocious confrontations--and a heroine for the ages... Enthralling, edge-of-your-seat stuff hurtling along at warp speed. Grab!" --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

About the Author

Kate Elliott has been publishing science fiction and fantasy for over thirty years with a particular focus in immersive world building and epic stories of adventure & transformative cultural change. She's written fantasy, science fiction, space opera based on the life of Alexander the Great (Unconquerable Sun), Young Adult fantasy, the seven volume (complete!) Crown of Stars epic fantasy series set in a landscape reminiscent of early medieval Europe, and the Afro-Celtic post-Roman alternate-history fantasy with lawyer dinosaurs, Cold Magic, as well as two novellas set in the Magic: The Gathering multiverse. Her work has been nominated for the Nebula, World Fantasy, Norton, and Locus Awards. Her novel Black Wolves won the RT Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Epic Fantasy 2015.
She lives in Hawaii, paddles outrigger canoes, and spoils her schnauzer.