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The Flower Court
Not yet published
Expected 12 Jan 27Sapphic romance amidst a tale of palace intrigue from one of fantasy's best–and best-loved–writers.
In the Flower Court at the heart of the palace, Dorven embarks on a mission to discover the truth about his sister’s disappearance with his loyal companion, Kyuri. Careful to not enrage the ambitious Crown Prince Minaylin, they form an unlikely bond with Sulia, a sharp-tongued palace attendant. Power struggles and the deadly Spore threaten the empire, challenging them to unravel the mysteries and rescue those unjustly imprisoned.
Amid the chaos, Kyuri and Sulia grow ever closer, leading them on their own adventure away from the shadows of the palace. Embracing their new-found freedom they search for a hopeful future together, away from the conspiracies of the empire.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
In the Flower Court at the heart of the palace, Dorven embarks on a mission to discover the truth about his sister’s disappearance with his loyal companion, Kyuri. Careful to not enrage the ambitious Crown Prince Minaylin, they form an unlikely bond with Sulia, a sharp-tongued palace attendant. Power struggles and the deadly Spore threaten the empire, challenging them to unravel the mysteries and rescue those unjustly imprisoned.
Amid the chaos, Kyuri and Sulia grow ever closer, leading them on their own adventure away from the shadows of the palace. Embracing their new-found freedom they search for a hopeful future together, away from the conspiracies of the empire.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
560 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication January 12, 2027
About the author
Kate Elliott
109 books2,991 followersAs a child in rural Oregon, Kate Elliott made up stories because she longed to escape to a world of lurid adventure fiction. She now writes fantasy, steampunk, and science fiction, often with a romantic edge. She currently lives in Hawaii, where she paddles outrigger canoes and spoils her schnauzer.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you for the ARC!
I will preface this brief review and say: I have not read any book by Kate Elliot and I truly feel like an idiot for not discovering her sooner.
This was a gorgeously immersive book. It wasn't surface level, it didn't take a handful of cliche tropes and use them instead of a plot, it didn't shy away from the things that might make you flinch... it was layered, unique, emotional, deep and truly quite wonderful. Also, the humor was divine.
Only reason it wasn't a five star read was the ending. I have beef with Kate Elliot now. I'll come back and change to a 5 star if there's a sequel... otherwise, it felt a bit abrupt and a tad like it backtracked on a few things. Sequel, pleaseeee.
I will preface this brief review and say: I have not read any book by Kate Elliot and I truly feel like an idiot for not discovering her sooner.
This was a gorgeously immersive book. It wasn't surface level, it didn't take a handful of cliche tropes and use them instead of a plot, it didn't shy away from the things that might make you flinch... it was layered, unique, emotional, deep and truly quite wonderful. Also, the humor was divine.
Only reason it wasn't a five star read was the ending. I have beef with Kate Elliot now. I'll come back and change to a 5 star if there's a sequel... otherwise, it felt a bit abrupt and a tad like it backtracked on a few things. Sequel, pleaseeee.
Want to Read
April 26, 2026⚠️ Set in the Witch Roads Universe
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love Kate Elliot's writing, and this universe, so I was thrilled when I got approved to read the ARC for The Flower Court!
This is a standalone palace intrigue/mystery with a sapphic romance, and can be read by itself, but there's some background and a couple of scenes that will make a lot more sense if you also read The Witch Roads/The Nameless Land (which are absolutely worth it!). This entire world that Elliott has built has so many layers and interesting things to it. She is a master at worldbuilding, and drawing characters that are both delightful and yet flawed.
The book is from the point of view of Kyuri, a suo - the lowest kind of menial that isn't a slave. In an effort to protect her Gran from being thrown out of the sar (highborn) manor when her usefulness ends, she offers to go with one of the adult sar children, Dorven, into The Flower Court of the Emperor's Consorts, as he tries to find out what happened to his sister, who was there before him. While there, she meets Sulia, a fourth-rank menial who works for the Dowager Consort, a spymaster.
What follows is not just a investigation of what happened to Dorven's sister and household, but an in depth discovery of politics and maneuverings among the palace, especially surrounding the crown prince. The book also deals with class issues - there's rankings of servants and a lot of privilege among the highborn. Elliott has immense talent in drawing the reader in... the book is over 500 pages, but doesn't feel overly long because you're enmeshed in this world and sometimes on the edge of your seat discovering what's about to happen.
The ending was fantastic, and closes the chapter for our main protagonists in this book, while opening a path to future books in this world dealing with the fallout of the events of The Flower Court. I can't wait!
This is a standalone palace intrigue/mystery with a sapphic romance, and can be read by itself, but there's some background and a couple of scenes that will make a lot more sense if you also read The Witch Roads/The Nameless Land (which are absolutely worth it!). This entire world that Elliott has built has so many layers and interesting things to it. She is a master at worldbuilding, and drawing characters that are both delightful and yet flawed.
The book is from the point of view of Kyuri, a suo - the lowest kind of menial that isn't a slave. In an effort to protect her Gran from being thrown out of the sar (highborn) manor when her usefulness ends, she offers to go with one of the adult sar children, Dorven, into The Flower Court of the Emperor's Consorts, as he tries to find out what happened to his sister, who was there before him. While there, she meets Sulia, a fourth-rank menial who works for the Dowager Consort, a spymaster.
What follows is not just a investigation of what happened to Dorven's sister and household, but an in depth discovery of politics and maneuverings among the palace, especially surrounding the crown prince. The book also deals with class issues - there's rankings of servants and a lot of privilege among the highborn. Elliott has immense talent in drawing the reader in... the book is over 500 pages, but doesn't feel overly long because you're enmeshed in this world and sometimes on the edge of your seat discovering what's about to happen.
The ending was fantastic, and closes the chapter for our main protagonists in this book, while opening a path to future books in this world dealing with the fallout of the events of The Flower Court. I can't wait!
September 30, 2026
“We are allowed to save ourselves. We are allowed to seek joy and not just wade through the mud of sorrows we did not create.”
I was overjoyed when I was approved for this e-ARC, as it sounded right up my alley. I do wish it had been a more joyful read, though I very much appreciated the happy ending!
The initial chapters are simultaneously overwhelming with characters and information and also info dumpy, and while I was intrigued, I was also disappointed by this not so promising start. The atmosphere is that of bleak, corrupt opulence, and our FMC, Kyuri, simultaneously jaded and naive, exemplified by the overuse of exclamation points throughout the book. I also found the excerpts of the book on sorcery that Kyuri was reading tedious.
Once they arrived at the Flower Court, I became much more invested in the story and the mystery. While I wouldn’t say any of the characters are particularly likeable, except Captain Ranvi, this book definitely held my attention.
The scenes where Kyuri and Sulia discovered the evidence of torture, remains, and the test subjects made me sick to my stomach. I was not expecting that from this book, which I expected to be mostly full of courtly intrigue and drama. Trigger warnings for abuse, classism, alcoholism, torture, gore, virus/plague, murder.
Many thanks to Tor and Netgalley for my free e-ARC! It has not affected my honest review.
I was overjoyed when I was approved for this e-ARC, as it sounded right up my alley. I do wish it had been a more joyful read, though I very much appreciated the happy ending!
The initial chapters are simultaneously overwhelming with characters and information and also info dumpy, and while I was intrigued, I was also disappointed by this not so promising start. The atmosphere is that of bleak, corrupt opulence, and our FMC, Kyuri, simultaneously jaded and naive, exemplified by the overuse of exclamation points throughout the book. I also found the excerpts of the book on sorcery that Kyuri was reading tedious.
Once they arrived at the Flower Court, I became much more invested in the story and the mystery. While I wouldn’t say any of the characters are particularly likeable, except Captain Ranvi, this book definitely held my attention.
The scenes where Kyuri and Sulia discovered the evidence of torture, remains, and the test subjects made me sick to my stomach. I was not expecting that from this book, which I expected to be mostly full of courtly intrigue and drama. Trigger warnings for abuse, classism, alcoholism, torture, gore, virus/plague, murder.
Many thanks to Tor and Netgalley for my free e-ARC! It has not affected my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you were looking for something completely original, but in the same vein as The Goblin Emperor and the Roots of Chaos cycle, look no further. This blew me entirely away with the sharp humor and deft characterizations and a multi-layered plot. I am beyond impressed with the style, the wit, and the overall writing of The Flower Court. There were some very stealthy pop culture allusions almost a la Tamsyn Muir that I absolutely adored.
My one criticism, which I hope might set up for a sequel, was the ending. It felt completely rushed and out of developed characterizations.
My one criticism, which I hope might set up for a sequel, was the ending. It felt completely rushed and out of developed characterizations.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Long, absorbing fantasy set in an imperial palace, from the point of view of a servant/menial. It's a spin-off/side story from the Witch Roads/Nameless Land duology, but it stands on its own with no trouble. Full of court intrigue, mystery, and a sapphic love story. Also a bit of horrific imagery.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 28, 2026
3.75/5 stars! I LOVED the plot and romance but was so confused by the world building and hiarchy within the world. But overall I had a good time with this.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews