Witch Fire (The Banned and the Banished, Book 1) (Banned & the Banished) [Mass Market Paperback]

James Clemens (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 1, 1999 | Series: Banned & the Banished (Book 1)

On a fateful night five centuries ago, three mages made a desperate last stand, sacrificing everything to preserve the only hope of goodness in the beautiful, doomed land of Alasea. Now, on the anniversary of that ominous night, a girl-child ripens into the heritage of lost power. But before she can even comprehend her terrible new gift, the Dark Lord dispatches his winged monsters to capture her and bring him the embryonic magic she embodies.

Fleeing the minions of darkness, Elena is swept toward certain doom--and into the company of unexpected allies. There she forms a band of the hunted and the cursed, the outcasts and the outlaws, to battle the unstoppable forces of evil and rescue a once-glorious empire . . .

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Wit'ch Fire grabs you in the first scene, and doesn't let go until the very end. This is the beginning of a new fantasy series--the Banned and the Banished--by first-time author James Clemens, but its sophistication and style are reminiscent of experienced fantasists such as Guy Gavriel Kay and George R.R. Martin. Elena is "the wit'ch of spirit and stone," born of a deadly alliance between three powerful mages in fulfillment of prophecy. But can she learn how to use her powers in time to resist the forces of the Dark Lord? She is joined in her battle by some unlikely allies, but the motley crew may be the only hope for a threatened world. Clemens handles plot and characterization deftly, but the addition of lots of un'neccesary apos'trophes to let you know you're reading a fantasy is a little distracting. Still, Wit'ch Fire is a fast-moving, entertaining read that's definitely worth your time. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Thirteen-year-old Elena is the daughter of kindly orchard keepers who have no idea their little girl is the reincarnated sorceress Sisa'kofa, "wit'ch of spirit and stone," dead for more than five centuries and now the world's last hope for defeating the dreaded Dark One and his minions. This launch novel of a projected trilogy by first-time author Clemens is another entry into the crowded fantasy adventure field, and the book introduces all the usual suspects: an ancient prophecy; an adolescent with burgeoning magical powers; her loyal multispecies cohort; a power-mad evil sorcerer. Just as Elena's magical ability starts to manifest, the Dark One's servants arrive to capture herAfor the Dark One plans to add her newborn powers to his own. Elena's escape begins a wild chase as she struggles to learn what she is and to come to terms with her growing power. She must eventually embrace her magic in order to save herself in the inevitable climactic battleAand to prepare for further confrontation with the Dark One, in Book Two. Readers who like their stories full of violence, magical pyrotechnics and black-hearted villains will find themselves on familiar ground here. Those in search of something original should look elsewhere.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 428 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey; Reissue edition (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345417062
• ISBN-13: 978-0345417060
• Product Dimensions: 4 x 1.2 x 6.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (142 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #515,619 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

James Clemens was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1961. With his three brothers and three sisters, he was raised in the Midwest and rural Canada. He attended the University of Missouri and graduated with a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1985. The lure of ocean, sun, and new horizons eventually drew him to the West Coast, where he established his veterinary practice in Sacramento, California. Wit'ch Fire is his first novel.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 55 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read! March 21, 1999

By Ken VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I am an avid reader of all types of fiction, but really enjoy well written Fantasy... and this novel is it. While the storyline is somewhat familiar to avid readers of the genre, the handling of the coming-of-age hero theme is one of the novel's strengths. Specifically, the pacing is quite unlike other standards of the genre, like Jordan, Brooks, or Goodkind; the pacing is brisk, almost thriller-like in its execution. This is a surprising and welcome relief for those of us who sometimes get a bit antsy wading through 600 pages of setup before the story actually begins to rock-n-roll (hello, Jordan, are you listening?!?). I found the characters to be quite likeable, the storyline and plot interesting, and the constant use of magic purely delightful. If you like a lot of magic in your Fantasy, this novel is a MUST READ. I especially liked the dark overtones to the magic. I do have one major criticism, however: excessive use of apostrophies! The overuse of the apostrophies slapped me out of the whole reading experience more than once and made me aware of the fact that I was reading rather than having the story unfold before me. I can't wait until the next volume in the series. Is it fair to compare this author to such genre giants as Jordan, Goodkind, Brooks, et al? Yes, quite fair indeed. Well done.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Creativity at it's best! February 8, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

After reading Subterranean by James Rollins (an alias for this author) and also an excellent read, I was hungry for another book by him. Therefore, I was very excited when I found this book -- even though they're of different genres. It lived up to my expectations.

I must admit, while reading the first several pages, I was doubtful that this book would be good, but I kept reading, and I'm very happy I did.

The plot is complex but good; everything fits together nicely. The author weaves the story with several very different and very interesting characters. Some you'll like, some you won't, and some you'll want to hate but you'll feel sorry for instead. Despite the fact that there are a number of characters to follow, I found it easy to follow the story and distinguish them. A tribute to Clemens' ability to create distinct characters.

If you can make it through the first several pages of the book, then you're in for a real treat. The action starts and doesn't let up until the end, and the pace will leave you breathless. The characters must face and outsmart or fight a variety of different creatures in order to live. The battles are interesting and vividly described. And just when you think it's over, something else happens. By the time I reached the end of the book I was desperate for the more. But alas, I'll have to wait until it's published. It's definitely on my "to buy" list.

146 of 178 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars I ha'ted th'is bo'ok January 8, 2004

By A Customer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I was willing to give it a chance, and the book started out well. But about a chapter or so in, I wanted to throttle the writer. Pu'tting a'postrop'hes in str'ange pl'aces is n'o subs'titute fo'r cr'eatin'g a ne'w and uni'que worl'd!

Wit'ch was bad enough. Then D'warf and og're. It just got to be annoying. It's the same old "generic fantasy" with a western european setting and feel, with the standard fantasy races. The plot differed somewhat from the norm and was mildly enjoyable. But the apostrophes stuck everywhere distracted me and made the book almost unendurable. I finished book 1. But read book 2 and 3? I'd rath'er p'ut ou't m'y o'wn ey'es f'irst.