The Waking Land

Lady Elanna is fiercely devoted to the king who raised her like a daughter. But when he dies under mysterious circumstances, Elanna is accused of his murder--and must flee for her life.

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. 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.

But an all-too-human threat is drawing near, determined to exact vengeance. Now Elanna has no choice but to lead a rebellion against the kingdom to which she once gave her allegiance. Trapped between divided loyalties, she must summon the courage to confront a destiny that could tear her apart.

Advance praise for The Waking Land

"Callie Bates has written an exciting and involving first book, and she is clearly a writer of real talent."--Terry Brooks

"A heartbreaking, enchanting, edge-of-the-seat read that held me captive from start to finish "--Tamora Pierce

"The Waking Land is all about rising to challenges, and it succeeds wonderfully."--Charlaine Harris

"A simmering tale of magic that builds to a raging inferno, and hits like a cross between Brandon Sanderson and Pierce Brown."--Scott Sigler

"This superior novel blends passionate romance and sweeping magic. . . . Bates has a delicate, precise touch with human and superhuman relationships."--Publishers Weekly