Spirit Gate

by Kate Elliott

Book Overview

World Fantasy and Nebula Award finalist Kate Elliott breaks new ground in a brilliantly original new fantasy set in a unique world of fabled cities, mysterious gods, and terrible dangers. From the first page readers will be swept up in the story of Mai and Captain Anji, as they become unwitting players in a conflict that began many years earlier, and which will shake the foundations of their land.For hundreds of years the Guardians have ruled the...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765310554
• ISBN13: 9780765310552
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 445 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.4" x 9.7"

Customer Reviews

Must read series. (Not suitable for children)

Fabulous series! The first 40 pages started off laying the foundation and I haven’t been able to put the books down since!

What? I have to wait?

I really want book 2 right now, I feel a great need to continue the story. It's not *quite* a 5* book but close, very close. There are moments when I found myself wondering what perspective I was reading from but once I got my bearings I couldn't stop reading. I was disgusted by intrusions from real life that got in the way of the story. The story starts with a shocker, a character introduced as important is killed. However this does explain why her partner and lover does some of the things he does later (including trying to drown his sorrows regularly). Then it moves to a young woman in a different country and what happens when a handsome captain of an occupying force falls for her and offers for her hand in marriage. There are some leaps in time here and the concept of people riding eagles has been done before. The eagle riders are called Reeves and are entrusted with the justice of the land (yes a select group with special mounts who serve justice, again done again) and they're losing the battle for power. Someone, somewhere is gathering power and some unsavory types and undermining the Reeves. The other mystery is where the Guardians of the land are. Old folk remember them, but they haven't been seen in generations, have they forgotten their covenant to the land and it's people? Have the Gods? It's interesting how the different people interact and how different cultural differences are drawn, the characters became quite vivid in my mind by the end and I was left feeling annoyed that I couldn't immediately continue with the story. There are places where it falters I found it interesting and exciting. Others may not find it so but Kate Elliott has found a fan.

Artfully Constructed

This is Kate Elliott's best work to date, in my view. I was drawn in quickly by characters that are diverse, believable, and sympathetic. The story is unfolded slowly but deftly. That's the way I like epic fantasy! Chief characters are revealed by layers within the story. The pace is taut but unhurried. Great start to a new series. I look forward to future installments! It's all about the crafting of the story and the characters who live in it . . . and it's all here.

A thoroughly good read

I stopped reading Sword and Fantasy books years ago because they all felt like retreads. This is completely different from the "same old, same old" trilogies that line the shelves. It's an excellent book, full of vivid characters who are human in many ways but from a really alien set of cultures. (One of the most interesting parts of the book is the way she introduces you through the different characters to the different cultures that share this world.) As in 24, people die unexpectedly, minor characters grow in prominence, and there's a new adventure around every corner. I'm a jaded grown-up and I can't wait for Book 2 to come out. You won't be disappointed!

Stunning start to a new series

This is as finely written a fantasy as I've read in years. I can only think of a couple of other authors who have matched the richness and depth of this work. Characters are alive, complex and totally individual. The world building has such a depth and substance that this tapestry of lands becomes hauntingly real. The complex interweaving of subplots moves the story along with rare skill and pacing. If this isn't nominated for an award, I'd be shocked. I found large parts of her last series, The Crown of Stars of almost this quality but I fear that the other reviewer was right, it became sprawling and out of control. I hope that this lovely start can maintain its momentum. I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Surprised I'm the first

I'm surprised to be the first reviewer, but I'm happy to start things off on a high note. Five unequivocal stars. This is a great book, beautifully written. I loved its length, its richness, its world-building, its characters. I can't think of anything I needed more of, or wished there was less of, and that's pretty much the best thing I can say about an epic fantasy these days.