The Walking Land By Callie Bates

 

The Walking Land *****

By: Callie Bates

This was a YA/Fantasy book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved the adventure, the twists in the plot. The author uses such imagination and creativity to make the characters and locations come alive.

The use of a female heroine combined with lore, earth magic, and even a touch of sorcery leaves readers enthralled. This book reminded me why I love this genre.

I'll admit, the first couple of chapters were complicated. The names of the many characters and locations were difficult. Once I got through the “learning curve”, I was hooked. I had to force myself to put the book down at 6:30 A.M. , having read all through the night.

Before: (things it took several chapters to learn... the “learning curve”)

The gods created the lands, weaving magic into the earth. The Children of Anu followed the gods.

Wildegarde lived in the time before Eren and Caeris were divided into two Nations over 4 centuries ago.

In the lore:

In the mountains, Bal an-Dacrans – The Dragon's Mouth. It was said that the dragons took in an orphan child whom they called Wildegarde. She came down to Caeris and woke the land.

Caeris still worships the old gods of earth and wood and mountains. [tripartite].

The country of Caeris (CaerYs) was known for it's powerful earth magic. Full of legends, lore and people with the ancient wisdom of the earth magic. Caeris was ruled by a tripartite of the Monarch of Caeris, the Cavedear [Steward of the land], and the Warren of the mountains, to ensure equal power by all areas of the country.

There has been no “true” Cavedear for several centuries. The last “true” Cavedear was Wildegarde.

“Wildergarde came, bearing a flame in her heart and her hair crowned with the pale

light of the stars. Where she placed her foot, the earth trembled; where she raised

her hand, mountains moved.”

A true Cavedear has an extreme awareness of all the land. They are one with the land, able to see through the eyes of the creatures of the land, to hear the songs of the trees, to create rivers where none exist, and even to move mountains.

When the Emperors of Palidis and the Imperial army invaded Caeris 200 years ago, they proclaimed magic forbidden. The following Inquisitions brought witch hunters who sought and murdered anyone thought to be using magic.

Our story begins here.

Even as a child, Elanna has had power over anything that is of the earth, able to grow plants in her hand. She has had to hide her magic all her life. In Caeris though, her parents knew what she was.

Folklore:

“They said, 'What art thou?' ”

“She said, 'I am the wildness.' ”

“They said, 'Why hast thou come?' ”

“ 'For thee.' ”

The Walking Land is a tale that follows Lady Elanna Valtair who was taken hostage at age 5 by King Antoine Eyrle of Eren. This was to ensure that her father would not attempt to overthrow the throne again. Elanna was raised by King Antoine as his adopted daughter and he favored her over his own daughter. Elanna developed a loyalty to the King and the country where she was raised. When she was 19, the King was murdered and Elanna was accused of his murder. She is forced to flee for her life. With the assistance of several unique characters, she returns to her homeland which remains full of legends of a magic she has always known she has – but has had to hide. Magic is forbidden! Once there she learns the truth of her homeland Caeris (CaerYs). She has been taught lies!

No more spoilers!!

I loved reading as Elanna grew into her character. I loved the legends of earth magic and the folklore of The Walking Land. The story ends in an epic magical showdown.

If you enjoy Fantasy and Magic, this book is excellent.

Than you Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

My review will be posted on amazon, goodreads, netgalley and moonshineartspot.blogspot.com