Customer Reviews

Wit'ch Gate (Banned & the Banished)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In this newest novel of the Wit'ch series, James Clemens takes the readers to the far corners of his fantasy world of Alasea. From the deserts wastelands to the highest mountains of the dreaded Gul'gotha where the Dark Lord reigns. From floating cityscapes of El'vin ilk to just about everything inbetween, the writer takes us on a voyage of high action and adventure filled with magick and wonders. As usual, some new characters come in to play and some old characters die off, leaving the reader wanting more. Clemen's writing style is ever growing and expanding upon each novel. Its kind of strange that near the end of the new novel, there is a strange character that reminded me alot of this certain character in the novels and books that is a key and vital piece to the novels. Now, of course I'm not going to tell you and ruin the book and movie at one fell swoop, now would you? Read the novel and see the movie!

The fourth installment of the Banned and the Banished series, Wit'ch Gate continues the chronicles of Elena and her support staff on the quest to save the world from doom.
The feeling of familiarity with the plot increases with this book and it's very predictable hills and vales. Small skirmishes leading up to a large battle which concludes in the last chapter leaving us, Elena and her motley band of mis-matched heros with hope.

During the course of this novel, Clemens' plot twists and revelations take on a more desperate note... almost as if throwing in the kitchen sink seemed like a good idea at the time to save an unraveling plot.

Don't get me wrong, the novel was still engaging and I look forward to reading the last of the series, but the predictability of the storyline really shines in this installment.

The action sequences (which make up the bulk of the book) seem rote and rehearsed in contrast to the earlier novels which had a fresh and unscripted feel to them.

I very well may be more jaded than other readers since I've read this series in rapid succession. I suspect the speed with which I've torn through the novels makes them more prone to revealing their similarities.

I am glad that the story will come to an end with the next book, and hope that it's crafted with a little more care than this installment. Although if it stood alone, this would be an excellent fantasy novel, within the framework of the rest of the series it simply can't hold up.

Still an exciting, interesting read, though less so than the others.

Once again James Clemens transported me to the Land of Alansea.
Where the witch Elena and her allies must destroy the dark lord's sources of power:the Weirgates. Clemens's world building skills are awesome as ever as he shows more sights of his world.
He will show us scenes of elven city in the clouds, sharks who travel in river of sand, ghoulish creatures called Grim who possess bodies. this novel's action sequences have cinematic quality to them. You will watch as our heroes battle d'warves soldiers and monsters. You will bid bittersweet farewell to comrades who will not survive this latest adventure and be astonish as another character who died will be reborn!All and all another demonstration of Clemens's story-telling ability as he shows us magic, menace and wonder of the land of Alansea and the heroic beings who dwell there!

This book was fabulous. The dark fantasy that Clemens has created in this world is right on par with Mark Perry (Morigu). Unlike Mark Perry let us fans hope that he (Clemens) does not leave us hanging on the cliff waiting for the next book.

The world remains in peril as the Dark Lord, though somewhat repelled, has established four weirgates to absorb the magick that makes this realm survive. As Eleanor the Wit'ch and her allies argue over what to do next, time slips away. Finally, they agree to break into three teams to attack the Dark Lord's minions at the weirgates in which the ultimate evil is not residing. All know if successful and if they survive, there remains the ultimate battle at the fourth weirgate where the Dark Lord awaits their presence.

The four foes spread across the orb include a basilisk, a manticore, a wyvern, and a griffin. Though Eleanor and her cohorts contain elemental magic to bring the war to their enemy, each member knows the danger and the probability of death, but no option remains as the quest to save the realm leaves no choice. Now the adventure continues.

WIT'CH GATE, the fourth tale in James Clemens series "The Banned and the Banished", is an exciting epic fantasy that is a magical element or two stronger than most tales in the genre. Though several twists freshen up the story line, the plot is similar to many of the genre's novels. It is the characters, especially Eleanor, who make this adventure spring to life as readers can feel her frustrations, fears and need to triumph over the evil Dark Lord. Mr. Clemens provides the audience with quite a thriller that still has a weirgate to traverse.

Harriet Klausner

I finished this series about a week ago. It feels like a through back to fantasy from the late 80's to 90's. It has a well rounded grounded group of about 12 main characters. It always has plenty of action but never delves that deeply into characterization, but the world and the story are fully fleshed out. So if you are looking for a fast pace action adventure fantasy with a medieval type background with plenty of monsters and fighting, this is the series for you. More importantly it is a series that is completely finished! That almost always gives it an half star to me!

After reading the first 3 novels in this series, I was struck by the author's ability to juggle action and character. But in this latest installment, the author breaks all expectations. He takes the action, romance, suspense, horror, and heartbreak to new heights. Each novel gets stronger, broader, richer. Don't miss this book! (or the others!)

I loved this book! It not only expanded the characters of the books--especially the history of the nyphai--but it also takes the reader to every corner of this fantastic world, to places that are both breathtaking and full of magick and menace. So make sure you bring your passport with you when you read this book, it's a seat-of-your pants joyride!

With every new book Clemens has been able to draw me deeper and deeper into the Wit'ch world. The characters and histories he has crafted are so rich and deep that you can't help but be brought full on into this world. I look forward to reading the final chapter in this series and can't wait to find out what perils all the characters will be dragged through next time.

I can't describe how awesome this book was. I love how masterfully Clemens weaves the entire story together and how he builds the plot and characters perfectly, leaving a rollercoaster-esqe feeling of being windswept and wanting more. Buy this book!