Growing, up, I was obsessed with Tamora Pierce’s “Song of the Lioness” series and The Waking Land captures a similar vein of magic through a vivid, well-drawn universe and a heroic and likable protagonist, with a bit more of a grown-up voice.īeautifully written and evocative, The Waking Land is the story of Elanna, raised as a hostage in a rival kingdom.

Bates’ clear, captivating, imaginative storytelling and vivid, distinctive characters will cause readers to soak up every word.I just finished reading The Waking Land by Callie Bates, and this lyrical novel is my latest book addiction. Bates has a delicate, precise touch with human and superhuman relationships.” -Publishers Weekly

“This superior novel blends passionate romance and sweeping magic. “A simmering tale of magic that builds to a raging inferno, and hits like a cross between Brandon Sanderson and Pierce Brown.” -Scott Sigler “ The Waking Land is all about rising to challenges, and it succeeds wonderfully.” -Charlaine Harris “A heartbreaking, enchanting, edge-of-the-seat read that held me captive from start to finish!” -Tamora Pierce “Callie Bates has written an exciting and involving first book, and she is clearly a writer of real talent.” -Terry Brooks Trapped between divided loyalties, she must summon the courage to confront a destiny that could tear her apart.ĭon’t miss any of Callie Bates’s magical Waking Land trilogy: Now Elanna has no choice but to lead a rebellion against the kingdom to which she once gave her allegiance. Feeling a strange, deep connection to the natural world, she also must face the truth about the forces she has always denied or disdained as superstition-powers that suddenly stir within her.īut an all-too-human threat is drawing near, determined to exact vengeance. Returning to the homeland of magical legends she has forsaken, Elanna is forced to reckon with her despised, estranged father, branded a traitor long ago. But when he dies under mysterious circumstances, Elanna is accused of his murder-and must flee for her life.

Lady Elanna is fiercely devoted to the king who raised her like a daughter. In the lush and magical tradition of Naomi Novik’s award-winning Uprooted comes this riveting debut from brilliant young writer Callie Bates-whose boundless imagination places her among the finest authors of fantasy fiction, including Sarah J.