Customer Reviews

Wit'ch Storm (The Banned and the Banished, Book 2)

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you were a big fan of Clemens's first book in this series, you should definately enjoy this story. However, faint-hearted souls should beware - this installment is MUCH more gory, and contains several scenes of shocking cruelty. I was a little disappointed by this; I know such things have a time and a place in a book, but Clemens seemed to take it a little far this time. Overall, though, the book is every bit as enjoyable and riveting as the first one.

Wow! Do yourself a favor and experience this writer as he is getting better and better. _Wit'ch Fire_ was good, this one's great, folks. All the misgivings I wrote about in my review of _Wit'ch Fire_ are gone. This book, like the first, is an awesome rollercoaster ride. It grips you from page one and never lets go. Superb pacing. And unlike the first, where the charcters were a bit simplistic in my opinion, they have become significantly more three-dimensional. The bad boys are truly interesting; most of them used to be regular people that have been twisted by a powerful dark force. This is an excellent novel for anyone who loves epic fantasy. How grateful I am to live in this time and have the pleasure to read this wonderful tale.

James Clemens is an exceptional writer. Wit'ch Storm just blew me away. The characters are three dimensional, the writing is crisp, clean and cinimatic, and the story itself is relentless. I absolutely love the overall dark nature of the magic and the villians. Mr. Clemens' is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. While I read 1 - 2 books a week, there are only about 3 or 4 authors whose books I'd buy in hardback, or even large paperback format, but Mr.Clemens is worth every cent. If you're looking for other fantastic reads this summer, pick up Subterranean by James Rollins (wink, wink).

Fresh after finishing Wit'ch Fire, I picked up Wit'ch Storm, expecting a continuation of the fun and wild ride to continue. And because of the surprises, both in plot and writing of the first book, I expected the second book to be even better. As I started reading, though, the seeds of disappoint began to grow.

The opening picks up a few months after the first novel ends, as the main characters recuperated from their adventures and plan the next stage in their journey. Once they leave the safety of the mountains, the next hundred pages are drug out too long fighting the bad guys in a battle that is exciting at first, but quickly loses its tension. I began to wonder if Clemens had panicked and stuck with action to disguise his fear of failure with the second novel. And while action and adventure is a major part of any fantasy story, constant battling can desensitize the reader.

But just before the seeds of disappointed grew into full bloom, Clemens changes gears, almost as if he himself knew the reader would be begging for a change at this point. The story shifts to a different part of the world and introduces all new characters. Clemens, though, quickly establishes that in some manner currently unknown to the reader, destiny has linked these characters to Elena and her rag-tag party.

This portion of the book offers a fresh, exciting look at a different aspect of the universe Clemens created. Set within the seas of Alasea, the reader is introduced to Sy-wen and her mother's seadragon, both viewed by the land dwellers as creatures of myth. Then once the reader has become attached to these new host of characters, Clemens jumps back to the first group as they enter the city of Shadowbrook, where the real events of the second stage of their journey begins. Clemens also brings in a few new characters, particularly a mysterious woman with ties to both Elena and Tol'chuk. This mysterious woman then leads Er'ril and Elena on a journey to the Swamps and Drowned Lake to confront another wit'ch who has cast a spell on Elena that prevents her from using her magic.

Despite the anticipated disappointment the first hundred pages nearly implants in the reader, Clemens has written a wonderfully rich sequel to the first novel of the series. He keeps the plot exciting with reasonable twists and offers the reader deeper glimpses into the world he has created. Also, with the introduction of seadragons, Clemens gives the readers a break from the apostrophe plagued names of Alasea. At first, I thought the lack of an apostrophe in the word 'seadragon' was intentional, some way of distinguishing the ancient history of the seadragons from the more recent history of the events surrounding the plots, but then, as I played around with placing an apostrophe in the word seadragon, I realized there was no way to insert an apostrophe in the word without seriously altering the pronunciation. Therefore, with a sigh, I accepted the possibility that the apostrophe was left out, not by design, but by necessity.

Clemens's writing remained as impressive with this novel as with the first, although there are still a few minor mistakes. The only major writing flaw comes near the end when Elena discovers a new aspect of her talent that directly effects the outcome of the plot. Clemens only spends three very short paragraphs on the discovery, and only one character bothers to wonder at it, while the rest seem to shrug their shoulders with unconcerned acceptance.

Once again, Clemens introduces this book with a confession by the translator, with a Warning Foreword by academia. This continues the atmosphere created in the first novel, that what is being read is counter to what the current authority in Alasea wants to be believed, and that by sterilizing the text with academia requirements, that these texts will be lost in obscurity.

Overall, a worthy successor to the first novel, lacks the sophomore jinx of many series, and leaves the reader clamoring for the next book set in this exciting and wondrous universe.

For all those interested in a true epic of fantasical proportions and characters, here is the book/series for you. Wit'ch Storm, like it's predecessor, Wit'ch Fire, is full of rich language, characters, and plots. There is never a slow moment in this story as each event draws the reader further into the story and the plight of the characters. In fact, each page seems to leave the reader hungry for the next, creating an insaitable desire to find out what's going to happen next. I know I found myself caught between wanting to speed through the book to learn what would next befall Elena, her companions, and the new characters introduced and wanting to read each page slowly, to savor the flavor of Clemen's language and amazingly artistic story teller. This book, the one before, and I suspect the upcoming new release are truly for the reader of any nature. The lovers of literary fiction will find the language compelling, akin to may writers of the classical genre. Fantasy lovers will want to read this book for it's plot and characters steeped in magick and wonder as well as a history that is so lavishly created, it keeps one wondering what new revelations will come from the stories ancient past. Those who seek adventure will love this story for it's intense action scenes that leave one short of breath with their heart pounding in their ears. There is even something for the romance lovers. Clemens' has so well written his book that one is actually able to feel the emotions the characters must be feeling. The only bad thing about reading this book is when you hit the final page and realize there is nothing left until the next book.

WITCH STORM is a very good magical mystery tour-de-force of magical beings both of the light and the dark - and even in-between! The pace is always going and the storyline and characters grow in this trilogy. The newest characters are really cool both good and bad. Colorful scenes of magick fight scenes mixed with richly flowing storytelling make this a fantastic book to read. I am just a action fanatic and only wish this book could unleash some serious sword and axe-weilding fight scenes - dont get me wrong, there are plenty of action scenes, but they are mostly magically motivated - but wonderfully written and thought provoking plot make it move right along! Please don't pass this one up folks! I would love to see things like this in a full-length animated movie, it would be a smash hit - but hollywood just isn't that smart yet. This is a wonderful writer who writes under another pen name -james rollins who gave us SUBTERRANEAN, a wonderful read in itself, and my personal favorite of this guy so far, a must read!

After reading Dr. Clemens First book I knew he was a great author. At the time he had an book-signing just at the same store I bought Witch-Fire, but not before I had read the book. I wish I had gotten his autograph. Dr Clemens 2nd book in this series is a geat book, and it is amazingly fasinating to read. I loved every work and will read it over and again. I can't wait until his next book come out. And Dr Clemens, please have another signing in South-Sacramento's Boreders Bookstore! I'd love to meet you!!

Wow! This series, The Banned and the Banished, just keeps getting better and better! I loved reading these books. James Clemens is proving himself to be a great fantasy writer. I can't wait for his next book! I'd love to know if he'll be book signing anytime in Florida.

I read this book in one sitting. A wonderful second book inthe trilogy. I was happy to meet the new characters and enjoyed everypage. Elena does seem to need a more developed personality but she is still very young and her uncertainty then confidence is congruent with that development. I was gratified to see some strong, mature female characters added in this book. Tol'chuk is still one of my favorites. Still a trilogy with wonderful characters cast in shades of grey with action, adventure and suspense. A rich fantasy novel! I anticipate 'Witch War, the climactic conclusion, with bated breath.

this book was great! it was even better than before! i can't wait till the next one!