The Warding of Witch World (Secrets of the Witch World) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Andre Norton (Author) "The city was old, even beyond the imagining of the most fanciful..." (more)
Key Phrases: guesting cup, mage blood, witch jewel, Garth Howell, Lady Eleeri, Lord Romar (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Though Norton (Elvenblood), born in 1912, often writes with a collaborator now, she flies solo in what's billed as the final entry in her most popular and acclaimed series, which began 33 years ago with the novel Witch World. When Alizondern nobles throw open the Gates to other worlds, allowing evil free access to the four corners of the Witch World globe, it is only through the combined heroic actions of all of the planet's disparate and uneasily allied forces of Light that its inhabitants may manage to save themselves. The novel ties together stories from the lives of many previously established characters, including Simon Tregarth, Destree, Jaelithe, the Keplian Mares, the Falconers and the Lady Frost. It also introduces a host of newcomers, such as Liara of Alizondern, who strives to right the tragedy her people have set in motion; Gruck, an otherworldly guardian from beyond the Gates who becomes companion to Destree; and Audha, a talented Sulcar girl who holds the key to Witch World's continued survival. The narrative interweaves various magical battles with a passionate striving for morality and good. Though the patchwork nature of the writing makes for an uneven read, readers already invested in this fabulous world and its enchanted characters should relish this last act in one of fantasy's most enduring spectacles.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
In this final "Witch World" novel, various characters from the series' books join together to use their magic to close the breaches between their world and the invading dark forces. Highly recommended for fantasy collections to complete the series.
Copyright 1996 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: 608 pages
• Publisher: Aspect (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446603694
• ISBN-13: 978-0446603690
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #827,276 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars All of my Favorite Witch World Characters Finally Meet, July 12, 2000

By	E. A. Lovitt "starmoth" (Gladwin, MI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

All of my favorite characters from all of Andre Norton's previous 'Witch World' volumes meet in this volume. I've read all of her previous (solo) Witch World volumes at least three times each, and my very favorites, probably nine or ten times (the first four WW novels plus 'Year of the Unicorn'). Therefore, I feel qualified to comment on Norton's use of her previously developed characters in this volume. They came across as wooden: like someone had found a set of puppets in an old trunk in the attic, dusted them off, and strutted them across a very familiar stage. I was disappointed (to say in the least). Here were all of my old friends, together at last, and acting as though they would really rather be somewhere else.

However, even if I'd known in advance that I was going to be disappointed, I still would have read the book, just to find out how Hilarion, Simon Tregarth and his family, and the Were-riders were getting along. All of you real Witch World fans will have to do the same. Buy the book. Read it. Bid Witch World 'Hail and Farewell'.

More unsolicited advice for old Norton fans: Don't buy any of the imitation Witch Worlds that were authored by collaborators, even if Norton's name appears on the cover. No matter how good the writing, it's not Norton and it's not Witch World.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb! traditionmal Andre Norton quqlity, July 8, 1999

By A Customer

To critique an Andre Norton book, one must critique Ms. Norton. She is a most remarkable and compassionate woman, the very finast of story tellers ( every sentence and page are action-filled with no "apologetic"explanmatory paragraphs that insult the reader's intelligence and delay the plot; every page continues the plot with no meandering and, Ms. Norton knows how to end a story. It crescendos to the end; it does not dribble. She, and the 100+ books she has solo-authored aremagnificent.Ward of the Witch World continues this tradition. Most all the characters and locations from other epics are brought together, and there are at least three separate tales combined; a feast for the Witch-World lover. The characters are well vexposed, internally and externally. Thwew is perhaps more "spirituality" accorded to them but it does not slow the plot pace. Each sentence is so packed with the explanmatory verbs, adjectives and gerunds. New is the flavor of romanmce between several of her characters; not awkwardly as some of her co-authors have attempted, but "neatly". Also, there are still threads left untied, hopefully allowing for further Witch Word stories.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book brought closure to all of the witch world stories, February 16, 1999

By A Customer

The reason I adored this book is that Mrs. Norton answered all of my questions from every short story, novella, and novel that I have read of the witch world. The characters are already friends of mine from the short stories I have read. When I read SAND SISTER I wondered if I would ever know what happened to them. Well here they are again! It is wonderful to get closure on all of my friends. I wondered what happened to Hillarion and Kathrea it is great to know they are still alive and the timeline is finally evident to us. The sulcar and the falconers are some of my favorite characters and they are here!!!! Good luck, Good reading, and God bless!!

Elaine McTyer