Jason Lang read and liked Stephanie's review of Traitors' Gate (Crossroads, #3):

"(I actually give this 3.75 stars.) TRAITORS' GATE, by Kate Elliott, is the third installment of a fantasy trilogy called CROSSROADS. It was preceded by SHADOW GATE and SPIRIT GATE.
The world of The Hundred is inhabited by merchants and such, but ...more (I actually give this 3.75 stars.) TRAITORS' GATE, by Kate Elliott, is the third installment of a fantasy trilogy called CROSSROADS. It was preceded by SHADOW GATE and SPIRIT GATE.
The world of The Hundred is inhabited by merchants and such, but also by people called Reeves who are chosen by enormous eagles to help patrol the roadways and keep peace in general. There are Guardians, who fly on winged horses and are initially dead, but have been risen by a cloak to act as what we would call a judge for villages that they pass through.
The Qin arrive from the south as conquerors/protectors. They are called Outlanders by the people of The Hundred. Some of the Guardians turn evil and start to invade the land with armies, so the Qin band together with the Reeves to fight them off. Without giving too much away, two main couples are the romantic conflict of the plot.
The language of the Qin is a bit stilted, but it helps to portray them as stoic. Descriptions of land, buildings, and people are done well. Passages skip between the viewpoints of many of the plentiful characters.
I was slightly disappointed that there was not a grand finale; after the final battle, there was more of a calm get-on-with-life attitude. Nevertheless, I look forward to the next book set in the world of The Hundred.
You must read the first two books before this one or else you will be extremely confused. Overall, I would recommend this trilogy to fantasy fans.(less) "

Jason Lang read and liked Mayakda's review of Traitors' Gate (Crossroads, #3):

" I've been busy and thus wary of starting this for fear I'd get sucked in and neglect all else. I was right! I started it yesterday and stayed up all night finishing it! Aui!

Another thing I was worried about was that I would have to refe...more I've been busy and thus wary of starting this for fear I'd get sucked in and neglect all else. I was right! I started it yesterday and stayed up all night finishing it! Aui!

Another thing I was worried about was that I would have to refer to Books 1 & 2 to remember what was going on, but as soon as I read page one I was back in the flow. The characters do an initial info dump as they are reintroduced in a way that flows right with the story. Really well done.

In fact, I was a bit more than half-way through the book when I caught myself thinking that this whole trilogy is really a masterpiece of the epic fantasy form.

As to the ending, no WONDER the blurb on the front called it "surprising". One of those shocking things that nonetheless had a lot of warning. One might even call them red flags. I too, have perfect hindsight.
The most bittersweet wrap up ever.

I'm full of questions, of course

...semi spoilers ahoy ...
.
.
.
Is this the end of Mai & Anji's story as central characters? What about Shai, & Zubaidit?
When did Kate Elliott know what was going to happen to Mai & Anji -- right at the start or did it surprise her too? Did it break her heart? I'm guessing it was planned; really an amazing way of driving home the point of the history Jothinian was retelling -- we didn't see until it was too late.
What's the plan for the next books -- when & where will they be set?(less) "