Tag: author Kate Elliott

Review: The Nameless Land  (The Witch Roads #1) by Kate Elliott 

Rating: 4⭐️

The Nameless Land was a good conclusion to The Witch Roads. Overall I kept wanting a third book to resolve the plot lines that were left hanging and the main characters that were just sent off with no real ending to their journey. 

Elen herself has a dangerous mission that she’s agreed to go on at the end of the book, and it’s left open for her to do so in the future. 

So while there’s so many terrific elements to this story, magical moments and great scenes, it’s balanced with equally nebulous ones of that need more depth and more explanation to them to give the characters and scenes satisfying foundation and framework. 

It’s like ooh the snake coming out of Elen’s arm and poisoning that person is fantastic but ok where’s the backstory and magic coming from? Things like this that both make and break the plot and scenes. We like it but we’re spending too much time outside the narrative questioning the storytelling fabric. 

The emotional payoff here, which the reader can see coming, is a good one. Does it also leave us with a lot of questions? Yes it does. 

As a duology it’s lacking. As a trilogy that adds in that final story and missing knowledge, it would be more satisfying. 

Still i liked reading it. 

 

Beautiful cover. 

Cover art by Raja Nandepu

Cover design by Jess Kiley

The Witch Roads Duology :

The Witch Roads #1

The Nameless Land #2

Buy link

Blurb 

Surprising betrayals, surprising alliances, and surprising discoveries of heritage abound in this energetic sequel to The Witch Roads.

When the royal party finds themselves in a land they never believed they could access, it will take all of Prince Gevulin’s (admittedly impressive) diplomatic skills to forge a coalition with an unlikely group of would-be allies.

Meanwhile, as Elen mourns her lost love, an unwelcome visit to the land of her birth brings back the traumatic memories of the childhood she shared with her sister.

And a surprise visit from an unwelcome family member threatens to derail the plans of multiple opposing factions.

Loyalty cannot be demanded, only won.

Tor Books

Publication date

August 25, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

416 pages

ISBN-10

1250338662

ISBN-13

978-1250338662

Item Weight

‎1 pounds

Dimensions

5.38 x 0.98 x 8.25 inches

Book 2 of 2

The Witch Roads

Review: The Witch Roads (The Witch Roads #1) by Kate Elliott 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I stumbled across this author and duology recently and am absolutely thrilled with the discovery. 

The Witch Roads is the first book in Kate Elliott’s completed epic fantasy adventure duology and it’s incredible. 

Stretching across multiple continents, with a universe of diverse cultures and characters, the author focuses her narrative upon a world where the political ruling system and mythology mirrors ancient Chinese culture, so there’s a framework for the tightly packed royal infighting and conflict that’s important to the story. 

Elen, her background, that of her nephew and deceased sister are slow to be revealed here. And actually a huge part of Elen’s character is never fully explained at all by the author. 

That’s part of this novel I feel are frustrating. There’s gaps in the book that remain unexplained and then, for things I think are wonderful, there’s elements that, like cthe nephew having a voice in deciding what gender to be, is a very interesting part of the story. And it’s just a thread that weaves into his role here as his part and journey develops. 

Elliott has a great cast of characters whose relationships with each other develop and deepen as they journey forward, including one of my favorite characters, a certain “haunt”. 

This does end with a cliffhanger. But the second book is available and it picks up immediately after the end of this one.  Grab both novels up at the same time and read seamlessly right to the end of the series like I did.

So satisfying. Except for the fact I now want a third book. 

Highly recommended and I’m now looking into this author’s other work. 

Love the covers. 

Cover art by Raja Nandepu

Cover design by Jess Kiley

The Witch Roads Duology :

The Witch Roads #1

The Nameless Land #2

Buy link

 Book 1 of 2: The Witch Roads 

Blurb 

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?

Tor Books

Publication date

June 10, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

439 pages

Book 1 of 2

The Witch Roads