Traitors' Gate
GUARDIANS HAVE RETURNED TO THE HUNDRED, NOT TO DISPENSE JUSTICE BUT TO SPREAD CHAOS AND DESTRUCTION UNDER THE BANNER OF A TWISTED STAR.
Reeve Joss is struggling to defend a country ravaged by the assaults of twin armies. His men now patrol a land of burning villages and homeless refugees as Joss tries to separate traitor from friend. The Reeve’s days are also plagued by thoughts of the intriguing Zubaidit: pleasure-giver, spy and temple-trained assassin. But Zubaidit is focused on a dangerous mission, her target being warped Guardian Lord Radas. His death would leave the invading militia in chaos, but the old tales tell truly of the Guardians’ immortality – and of the powers they now wield to twist the hearts of men.
Joss’s nights are troubled too, disturbed by dreams of Marit. His old love has returned from death to become a feared Guardian herself, but Marit rejected the corrupt temptations they offered. She now seeks others of her kind, praying some are yet uncontaminated by the blight on the land – and have the will to fight it.
Kate Elliott
Kate Elliott has been writing stories since she was nine years old, which has led her to believe that writing, like breathing, keeps her alive. As a child in rural Oregon, she made up stories because she longed to escape to a world of lurid adventure fiction.
Her most recent novel is Unconquerable Sun, gender swapped Alexander the Great in space. She is also known for her Crown of Stars epic fantasy series, the Afro-Celtic post-Roman alt-history fantasy (with lawyer dinosaurs) Cold Magic and sequels, the science fiction Novels of the Jaran and YA fantasy Court of Fives, and the epic fantasy Crossroads trilogy with giant justice eagles.
Crossroads
World Fantasy and Nebula Award finalist Kate Elliott breaks new ground in the brilliantly original Crossroads fantasy series, set in a unique world of fabled cities, mysterious gods, and terrible dangers.
For hundreds of years the Guardians have ruled the world of the Hundred, keeping the peace, but these powerful gods no longer exert their will. Only the reeves, who patrol on enormous eagles, still represent the Guardians’ power. And now the reeves are losing their authority.
A horde of fanatics is sweeping across the land, laying waste to all in their path. But a dedicated company of warriors, a single reeve, and a young woman sworn to the Goddess are determined to stop the carnage.
Crossroads consists of three books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.