The Very Best of Kate Elliott

Starred review from December 1, 2014
Elliott’s delightful first collection contains pieces set in the worlds of her major fantasy series—the Spiritwalker Trilogy, the Crossroads Trilogy, the Crown of Stars series, and the Jaran novels—as well as several standalone works and four essays about writing. No familiarity with any of the novels is required to understand the stories set in those worlds, but the existing settings lend depth, complexity, and intrigue to what might otherwise be simple tales. “Riding the Shore of the River of Death,” a bildungsroman about a young female horse-nomad who wants to be a warrior, benefits greatly from the depth of setting, as does the slapstick comedy “To Be a Man,” about a shape-shifting saber-toothed cat with an eye for the ladies. But the standalones especially shine, and the political intrigue and subtle humor that Elliott brings to the fascinating culture and government system of “The Queen’s Garden” make it perhaps the finest work in the book. This collection serves beautifully both as an introduction to Elliott and as a treat for fans who want more of her marvels. Agent: Russell Galen, Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary Agency.

January 1, 2015

Elliott (Cold Steel; Labyrinth of Stars) has built a career out of creating memorable worlds and populating them with strong, amazing women (and the men who love them). While the longer form gives her a bigger canvas, Elliott proves here she can make those same fantastic worlds and characters in short form. Some of the 12 stories come from her established universes, such as "Riding the Shore of the River of Death" from the world of "Crown of Stars," which is about a girl who prefers a warrior's life to the traditional role of wife and mother. There are also two slight stories from the author's "Jaran" sf series. But there are some great stand-alones, such as "A Memory of Peace," about a girl who brings a war-torn city to life, as well as four essays originally published online. VERDICT Elliott excels at describing her brilliant worlds, employing a meticulous eye for the significant detail that illuminates a whole landscape. This could be an enjoyable addition for large sf and fantasy collections.

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