The Gate of Gods

I love Martha Wells as a writer. I'm not entirely sure why I love her so much; she just has a very absorbing and colorful way of writing a scene, I suppose. You get caught up and carried along and it's a great ride. My comment is on this book in particular, but it's also on the Fall of Ile-Rien trilogy as a whole because it's really just one long book cut into three pieces. This is not the kind of trilogy where you can start with any book. You *will* wind up being confused, believe me! I suggest reading -- as I did -- "The Element of Fire" before launching into the Fall of Ile-Rien trilogy. Maybe "Death of the Necromancer" too. It's not absolutely mandatory in order to understand the series, but it does help. Without reading "The Element of Fire" you really don't understand the world of Ile-Rien in its glory days, so to speak. When the "Fall" trilogy opens, Ile-Rien has already been buffeted by war with the Gardier for several years. It's harder to see what the country means to all of the main characters and what they stand to lose without seeing what the country used to be before the war. Ile-Rien is a fully realized world. The way Martha Wells depicts it, it seems as real a place as Paris or Vienna. What makes the world of Ile-Rien different is that magic is a reality there. It's a principle of life no different than scientific principles like gravity. Wells deftly paints a picture of what a society like that would look like. She also shows how Ile-Rien changes from the two centuries from "The Element of Fire" which takes place in an 18th century-like setting, to the time when "The Wizard Hunters" open, which is about the equivalent of our 1940s. Think WWII. Ile-Rien changes both technologically and magically. Things like cars and electric lights are common in Vienne, the capital city, but there is also a sharp decline in the appearance of the fay, the fairy creatures that dominated so much of the first book, "The Element of Fire". This makes sense because the introduction of steel train tracks and other markers of industrialization have made it nearly impossible for the fay to be in Ile-Rien. As in the myths of our own fairies, the fay can't abide being near iron. I would suggest this trilogy to any lover of fantasy because the Ile-Rien books are unusual. Fantasy is so often set in medieval circumstances; Wells dares to be different. I do, though, have two major criticisms. First of all, after roughly 1,200 pages of story, the plot is wrapped up (a little too neatly) in less than a hundred pages. As I got closer and closer to the end of "The Gate of Gods", I found myself frustrated and afraid that the author wasn't going to answer the "big question" at all -- namely, who are the Gardier really and why did they decide to declare war on Ile-Rien? The attack, from the view of the Rienish, seems completely unprovoked. There is also the question of how the Gardier went from the peaceful society they had a mere generation ago to the warlike, t

Another strong book from one of the best fantasy writers working today. Her prose just hums along, and the world she's created here, as in other novels, is highly unique and possesses its own, singular feel. The action is well paced and while the plot does become a bit confused near the climax (as one reviewer put it, "all those circles!") this is a thoroughly enjoyable read that pulls you along and leaves you highly satisfied at the end. Her characterization is for the most part outstanding, even the small clues and cues she gives regarding less-central characters. Yes, the character of Tremaine has been a bit of a mystery from the start and the emergence of the fact that she has a core of cold steel a la her father does raise some questions, but the book reads so well and unfolds so naturally they didn't occur to me until after I'd put it down. Despite a few (very) minor imperfections, all told this is top-notch fantasy and I'd highly recommend it to anyone. At the least, however, start with the first of this latest trilogy, The Wizard Hunters. If you can, go farther back. After reading Gate I tracked down the first book set in Il-Rien, The Element of Fire, (FYI it's on Well's website for printing free of charge) and my appreciation for how she has spun this series of stand-alone yet related stories grew.

I have read all of Martha Wells' books and have enjoyed each of them a great deal. Her world building is always rich and original, her prose is sharp, her plots well paced and engaging, and her characters likeable...and that is a lot to like (far more than most fantasies I've read). There was a bit to much deus ex machina in the series (well...literally this time)...and as some reviewers said not a great deal of insight into the characters motivations...and after reading all of her books there is a...familiarity about the characters despite the very different backgrounds...but make no mistake, this is GOOD fantasy, and if it's not high literature, so be it...I'll still be eagerly awaiting her next work.

This is a very satisfying conclusion to Martha Well's Fall of Ile Rien series. It is a strong on action, but also continues developing the relationships, the world, and the cultures of all those involved. It also manages to tie elements together into a satifying bow without feeling pat -- including elements from earlier Ile Rien novels. Tremaine Valiarde is now one of my favorite fictional female characters, with some of the same elements that make Harriet Vane (of Dorothy Sayers) enjoyable to meet and root for. My only regret is that the series is complete -- I'll look forward to Well's next work.

The Kingdom of Ile Rien has fallen to the mysterious and powerful sorcerers known as the Gardier who came through an inter-dimensional portal to conquer the planet by trapping sorcerers in crystal balls to use as weapons against the populace. The same tactic worked on the planet where the Gardier conquered the Syprians who don't allow people with magic to live. Gilead the Chosen One of their god has killed many evil wizards. Tremaine a resident of Ile Rien followed a Gardier ship back to Sypria where she enlisted the aid of Gilead and his brother llias. They travel back to Il Rien where they enlist the help of the wizard Ariside who is trapped in one of the crystals. He gives them a spell that takes them back to Ilias' home world where they communicate with their God who sends them into a portal to a place where the power of the Gardier can be destroyed. They travel there knowing it might mean their deaths. Back at home, Tremaine's lethally dangerous father is using his considerable talents to stop the Gardier from continuing the siege of Lodun where dozen's of sorcerers and thousands of people are trapped by a magic shield Tremaine, a scientist in a world that uses magic in its everyday affairs, learns to love a man who lives on a world where magic is an abomination. Her vulnerability and her strength lie in her ability to adapt to any situation. With her group of fellow resistance fighters she learns how to use the world gate spells to hop from one world to another and one place to another to try to achieve her goals. There is plenty of action in this exciting finale to the Fall of Ile Rien trilogy but what make this fantasy so special are the fully developed characters. Readers will understand what motivates them to take perilous risks and hope they succeed in their endeavors. Harriet Klausner