The Waking Land

The Waking Land is like a wonderful counterpoint to all those people who think climate change is not that big of a deal. History is full of examples of times when nature overwhelmed and overpowered man’s feats. After all, take a look at the damage wrought by hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria for recent examples. Plus, man has long known we are at the mercy of earth, as seen by the amount of literature devoted to natural disasters, climate change, or man versus animal stories like Jurassic Park. There is something about reading about rivers shifting their paths, trees surrounding a city that makes you appreciate the power of nature, or animals switching hunter/hunted roles. While no one in real life is calling upon nature to do these show more things, pitting earth against man never brings favorable results for man, and Callie Bates is the latest author to remind us of this.

Elanna makes for a decent hero, if a bit hard-headed and inclined to ignore good advice. Quick to jump to conclusions and way too free in espousing her opinions, she is frustrating in her immaturity. Yet, when push comes to shove, she shows she has the mettle to stand for what is right and do what must be done while also finding unique solutions that will mean true change. Her posse, if you will, is an eclectic mix of beautiful people with their own unique powers, and their friendships help to blend some of her harsher, more annoying edges. While she is antagonistic and self-righteous enough to be unlikable, in the end she finds her path and becomes someone for whom you can cheer.

Even though The Waking Land is the first book in a series, there is no cliffhanger or brewing danger that would make people anxious for the next novel. Instead, it ends fairly conclusively. One could even consider it a standalone novel as almost all conflicts obtain resolution by the end. There is one lingering point of conflict by the time Elanna’s story closes, but it is so distant as to be negligible. I suspect this will be the main conflict in future stories, but for now, the story ends cleanly enough to assuage fears of anyone worried about starting yet another series.

As mentioned above, however powerful earth is, no one is going to confuse The Waking Land for realism, and that is okay. Books are escapism, and The Waking Land is a wonderful example of that. With its story of politics and family, two countries at war, forbidden magic, and new love, it is a fun fantasy in which good battles evil, those who deserve it get their comeuppance, and happy endings abound. show less

Callie Bates first novel, The Waking Land is an exciting fantasy story that I can imagine becoming a good series. It has all the elements, a struggle for liberation from an oppressive regime, the awakening of lost knowledge, and the age-old struggle between magic and science all embodied by Elanna Valtai. She has been a hostage guaranteeing her father’s submission to the King for fourteen years, ever since she was five. Growing up among the Ereni, she identifies with them. She wants to be a botanist and has a fascination for science. But when the King is murdered and she is accused, she must flee, reluctantly, back to Caeris, her homeland that she has come to think of as backward and filled with superstition.

She is helped by Jahan, an show more ambassador from the Empire whom she instinctively trusts. It’s clear to readers before it’s clear to them that here is the love interest despite the complicating presence of Finn, the Young Pretender to the throne whom her father betrothed to her when she was five. The biggest complication, though maybe their salvation, is El’s growing magical power–power prohibited by the Empire that conquered their land over two hundred years ago. She has the power to manipulate the land and everything that comes from the land, wood, stones, and animals. Perhaps, if she could harness her power, they might have a chance.

I liked The Waking Land a lot. El’s magic is unique and fresh and when Bates writes about El’s union with the land it is lyrical and vivid. This is a new kind of magic and it’s exciting and imaginative. The internal struggle between science and magic is perhaps too easily resolved for Elanna, missing the opportunity to exploit her botanical expertise in employing her magical talent. Imagine if her interest in botany were not just a safe expression of her subsumed magical talent, but something she could use to enhance her talent.

I had to remind myself several times that El was just nineteen and that Stockholm Syndrome, whether named or not, clearly affected her worldview because her antipathy toward her homeland was extreme, to the point of endangering herself. After all, if you’re fleeing for your life, most of us would go with people associated with our family who are there to help rather than try to flee to third parties who could betray us. She also was troubled by secret guilt for her actions when she was five. I had no patience for that, a five year old does not have the awareness to be culpable in crimes of state.

Even with those few problems, The Waking Land is a strong fantasy story. It had a cadre of strong characters, some of them quite complicated, even inexplicably so. There is real hazard in this story and not all come through unscathed. The conceit of a land that can shift, trees that can not only sing in the breeze, but defend the land, and the magic that allows one to call the land into battle is fresh and lends itself to wonderfully descriptive passages with the land that were pure magic. While the story stands alone, it does seem primed for a sequel which I am already eagerly anticipating.

The Waking Land will be released June 27th. I received an e-galley from the publisher through NetGalley.

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I loved this story despite my initial reservations that this may indeed be #YAfiction. I don't have anything against ya fiction, I just have been trying to avoid it as of late. The narrative is very well paced with terrific character development; which is usually a sore spot for me in fiction particularly. Callie Bates has woven a gripping story within an extraordinary world- the kind of place you wish was real and when you put down the book find yourself having to come back into 'the real world'. I haven't been in the practice of rereading a book for some time now, but this is definitely a novel I see myself revisiting again. Must read-then take a walk in the woods and listen to hear the trees 'sing'.

DEBUT NOVELIST -- WHAT A STORY

Wow! From the cover of the book to the last page, you’re in for a treat. While you read, you’ll realize how appropriate the cover is. It is as creative and unique as this tale of fantasy.

For a debut novel, the writer shows real talent and imagination. She weaves a land of fantasy with secret little pockets of intrigue hidden within the bigger picture. Characters are well fleshed out. The characters are complex, providing a rich selection of people with questionable motives in a tale which gets increasingly desperate. The best part is you feel for Elanna’s plight, your emotion of right and wrong will run high.

The book is written in first person, Elanna’s point of view. She is a Caerisian girl show more abducted from her parents, used as a political pawn. This event and the death of her abductor, King Antoine, catapults the story into a situation where Elanna, the protagonist must make decisions. Chaos and the power struggle of the Ereni embroil Elanna into unsafe territory. She is accused of killing the king, using magic and her knowledge of botany to poison him. Using magic is a crime, penalty by death. She runs, the witch hunt is on.

Elanna is strong and intelligent. She is also a foundling in magic. Fourteen years in Ereni lands has made her detest her own people, her father and mother, particularly, who didn’t come to save her. She’s been content, however, living under the wing of her abductor, King Antoine, almost like a daughter. She enjoys working with the royal botanist, Guerin Jacquard. This is her opportunity to feel the earth. Elanna has a secret gift, she dare not share with anyone. When she touches a plant, it will grow. Magic is in the lass, but not enough to save her.

Unbeknownst to Elanna, her family has been watching over her. They infiltrate the court to save her. But does she want to be saved from those she’s learned to hate? Those who fight against the new ways?

The Caerisians don’t have as much magic as they did. There are no more stewards of the land. The wardens of the mountains keep to themselves. They are safekeeping the old ways until a new steward appears. The land of magic is dying. No one can wake it.

Princess Loyce, daughter to the king is particularly vindictive to Elanna. She is a character easily disliked. One other is Denis Falconier, who plays up Princess Loyce’s hatred of Elanna. They both demean her, smearing her heritage.

Jahan Korakides,a character, is iffy. Is he a good guy or bad? Bates plays the reader’s doubts like a harpist plucking her strings. I doesn’t seem to matter to Elanna whose side he’s on. She is drawn to him.

A sigh unravels from within me. I wish I could talk to Jahan. I liked the way he listened to me, as if he really heard me—more than that, as if he understood what it’s like to hold secrets buried so deep you don’t even let yourself see them. As if he understands what it’s like to be born for a purpose you never chose.

What Elanna doesn’t realize is she is the new steward of the land. To save her people, to save her world from annihilation, she must become the steward, not just in word, but in deed. Can she live up to it? Can she harness the mystery and magic in the Circle of Stones?

Elanna’s mother is one to watch. Bates is a marvel not giving away the motives behind certain characters. They are enigma to the reader as is to Elanna.

Lord Gilbert, known as the Butcher, will scare you. What is his game? Denis Falconier, bed partner to Princess Loyce, is difficult to read. He doesn’t like Elanna and makes her life extremely uncomfortable. With the passing of the king, the walls of the court ooze with evil and fear.

Elanna must face the truth of who she is. She’d prefer to lose herself in studies in Ida. She has spent her life trying to forget her magic, her past. Now it’s time to face her past, accept the truth and play the role she is chosen to play. Only then, can her real strength unfold.

Bates absolutely captivated me with her creative, unique story in this brilliant tale of intrigue, strength, doing the right thing, finding your true self, and overcoming fear. I enjoy taking away from a story more than entertainment. She shows even though divided into nations, we are still one people, people who want peace and prosperity, living harmonious with the earth.

I recommend the read and am certainly interested in following Callie Bates, a newly published author.

I was provided an advanced reader's copy by NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review. show less

The Waking Land by Callie Bates is the first volume in a fantasy trio that features a heroine with conflicting loyalties along with a magic power to awaken the land like her ancestors of long ago. Taken hostage at five years of age, fourteen have now passed, and Elanna’s loyalties are with the man who holds her as a threat against her father. But when this King is murdered, she immediately is accused and having nowhere to flee, she returns to her homeland.

She is soon found by her father’s people and although she doesn’t trust them or her family she is told that she is her people’s last chance for a successful revolution and a return to the old ways. Declared the Guardian of the Land, she slowly comes to realize that this is the show more right path. At her side gathers a collection of companions, the exiled prince that she would be working side by side with, his unacknowledged sister, a guardian from her past and the new love of her life, sorcerer Jahan.

I found The Waking Land to be a pleasant read using many tried and true fantasy elements such as wild magic and revolution. Elanna is strong willed and reckless at times but grows to love the land and want to protect all of her people. The novel dragged somewhat in the middle while the romance seemed to develop too quickly but I am sure with two more books to come, there will be some romantic conflict to come. I will continue with the trilogy with hopes that the author develops both the story and the characters with more depth. show less

What a gorgeous book! I'm in love! Everything about this book was engaging and unique and kept me spellbound all the way through the story.
The story is about a girl, the Lady Elanna Valtai, who has been held hostage for 12 or so years to ensure her fathers loyalty to the crown. She was taken when she was five years old and has few memories of her parents and has been raised and educated with the royal children of the family. Therefore she has an incorrect education in the real history of her parents and countries history. She has been studying botany for some time as she has a gift for growing things. Lloyce, the kings heir to the throne hates Elanna, and when the king suddenly becomes ill by a poisoned mushroom that she was studying show more she becomes framed for his murder. Elanna loved the king like a father and would never had anything to do with his murder.
She also know that she has a bond with the secret circles of stones found throughout the country, when she puts a drop of her blood on the stone once a year she hears and sees things that most others cannot. Once she is safely brought back to her homeland she feels an immediate bond with the land itself and finds out that her magic (that was outlawed in her previous home) makes her the Caveadear, the waker of the lands. A position that has been vacant for nearly 200 years. As she grows to learn more about her family and people she becomes torn on her family that raised her and the one she was born to lead.
I am really looking forward to the next book in the series. show less

Overall, I enjoyed this. I think perhaps it was too much packed into one book. The world the author built was well done, but there were too many characters and history to keep up with. The main character's evolution was a little muddled but the writing was good and I think the author has a lot of potential.