Wit\'ch GateThese are the final three books in Clemens’ “Banned and Banished” series, and as a whole present a fairly satisfying work of modern epic fantasy fiction.  As I found previously, there’s nothing in Clemens’ fantasy that is wholly original or new, but he takes the familiar tropes of good vs. evil, the uses and perils of power, self-sacrifice, redemption, and courage and works them into a tale that is both nicely-plotted and peopled with compelling characters.

The main thrust of the remainder of the plot arc is encountering and defeating the minions of the “Dark Lord”, and preparing for the ultimate final conflict that has been brewing since the beginning of the series.  In the last two books Clemens introduces a new character who prompts the unlikely fellowship of heroes to ask “so just who is this Dark Lord guy anyways, and why is he being such a dick to everyone?”.  Not a bad question, and one that is often ignored in these good-v-evil stories.

I’d say here is where Clemens’ writing does fall down a bit.  The answer that he ultimately gives for this particular bad guy in the final book just doesn’t quite account for the rather nasty behaviour of the bad guy and his lieutenants in the previous four books.  A lot of people die in bad ways because this guy has a grudge that isn’t explained terribly well. Perhaps that’s just like real life, but Clemens is obviously trying to provide a context for the action of the story as a whole, and it just didn’t add up for me.

Authors often have a terrible time with endings, particularly with long series fiction.  I think they get too attached to the story and the characters, and just don’t quite know how to let the thing go.  I wouldn’t say the ending to the series is terrible — but maybe a little unsatisfying.

This was a good winter distraction with a few memorable moments.