Crossroads (series)


The Crossroads is a high fantasy series of books by American writer Kate Elliott, consisting of three books to date. The story takes place in a land known as the Hundred, as well as several neighbouring lands. The story revolves around a large cast of characters who struggle against a growing army that is slowly covering the land with its shadow. The army is led by a mysterious group of people known as Guardians, and in particular by a woman. The ultimate goal of the Guardians is yet to be revealed.

Book One: ''Spirit Gate''

In the first book in the Crossroads series, we are introduced to Reeve Joss, a proud and vain man who searches for answers to the murder of his lover Marit. At the same time, newlywed couple Mai and Anji are sent into exile when political turmoil threatens their lives. They decide to go to the Hundred and start a new life with an entourage of servants and soldiers under Anji's command.
The outlanders soon find that this new land that they thought would be a resting place has been thrown into turmoil as bands of brigands and thieves pillage small villages and a much larger army stands poised to attack the cities. Looming over the intersecting paths of each lead character is the question of where the Guardians have gone. Why did they abandon their people, and what has happened to them?

Book Two: ''Shadow Gate''

The second book focuses on the Guardians. We are introduced to Marit, the Reeve who died at the beginning of the series. Early in the book, it is revealed that somehow she was brought back from death before she could pass through the Spirit Gate and into an afterlife. As Marit searches for answers about who she has become, she encounters several other Guardians who were once ordinary people: a young woman named Kiriya who came from the plains beyond the Hundred, the long-lost brother Hari who outlanders Mai and Shai believe to be dead, and a man who dresses as an envoy of Ilu. Meanwhile, after the successful defence of the city of Olossi, the Qin have begun to settle down and build their own community around a new Reeve Hall nicknamed Naya Hall after the oil of naya that repelled the invaders. Bai accompanies a small band of men and a woman to infiltrate the army in the North, while her brother Kesh travels back to the southern lands to find out information about a group of assassins that has been sent to kill Anji and his men.

Book Three: ''Traitor's Gate''

The third book of the Crossroads trilogy recounts how the forces of the Hundred, under the command of Anji, defeat the army of the Star of Light led by the corrupted Guardians.

Characters

Main characters

According to the beliefs of the folk of the Hundred, the Four Mothers created the Eight children, the eight races of the Crossroads universe.
In the land of the Hundred, numbers have multiple associations and significance. Also known as the Hundred count, numbers give hidden order to life.
According to the beliefs of the folk of the Hundred, there are Four Mothers: Earth, Fire, Air and Water. They gave birth to the Gods of the Hundred who in turn created the first Guardians.
The reeves handle disputes, settle disagreements and generally seek to keep the peace in the Hundred. They are divided between halls, which also house fawkners who care for the many eagles. Each hall is run by a marshal. Reeves are chosen by their eagles and usually share similar personality traits. Once an eagle is jessed by its reeve, they form a bond that can only be broken by death. While an eagle can live long enough to have several reeves, a reeve cannot survive the death of their eagle, dying of something similar to a heart attack should their eagle be slain. Eagles are god-blessed creatures and are believed to be incorruptible. Should a reeve turn too far from the path of right, their eagle may kill them.
There are nine Guardians who have been bestowed with a gift from each of the Gods: a cloak which grants protection from death, altars which can speak across vast distances, winged horses to travel swiftly, a light which radiates from their hand, a 'staff' of judgment, an offering bowl, and a third eye and second heart to see into and understand the hearts of all. There are two ways to kill a Guardian. The first is to have five of the nine Guardians judge in a court that another Guardian deserves destruction. The second way is to take their cloak so they cannot be healed. In either case, the cloak then chooses a new host, although this may take many years. The person is someone who died serving justice, and may have touched the cloak while alive.