Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3212444 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-18
• Binding: Paperback
• 244 pages

Customer Reviews

Courtesy of Teens Read Too
When Elita was twelve, she and other local children were ripped away from their families by an invading insectoid race known as the mantids. Twelve years later, she works as a slave for her captors, along with thousands of fellow human beings, in a hive where men are separated from women and humans are neither allowed to speak nor write.

As the daughter of a prophet, Elita has kept her father's teachings alive, and her believers hold out hope that the Chosen One will one day be called to the gates by Kamali, so that he or she may travel through five different worlds to gather the items needed to destroy their enslavers.

Their group, The Retribution Squad, has chosen Elita to be the one to make the journey when Kamali's light appears. Elita's beloved, Koen, risks his life to provide her with a weapon just in time, and then, Elita spots a brilliant light flashing from a nearby hillside.

Elita's journey through the five gates puts her faith, memories, and prejudices to the test. Through new allies, new knowledge, and a new understanding of their enemies, Elita gains hope for her quest. However, the alignment of the planets is almost over, signaling the impending close of the gates, and she must race against the clock to gather the crucial items she will need to save humanity.

An interesting take on humans versus aliens, I appreciated how the author gave us an entirely three dimensional "chosen one" who does not immediately have all the skills that she needs. This gives the reader a chance to learn and grow with the heroine as she advances on her journey.

Reviewed by: Allison Fraclose

Beyond the Fifth Gate

Beyond the Fifth Gate
Author Donna Sundblad
Publisher: epress-online Inc.
ISBN-10 1934258245
ISBN-13: 978-1934258248

Beyond the Fifth Gate is a beautiful story of trust, love, hate, faith, respect, fear, courage, and acceptance. Once again, author Donna Sundblad does it all!

Right from the start, Sundblad has readers on the edge of their seats watching hideous, creatures invade twelve-year-old Elita's home, murder her father and drag her and other children away for their slaves.

For twelve years in captivity, in a world where humans are prohibited to speak, write, or read, Elita clings to hope with memories of the prophecies her father taught her about the 'chosen one', coming to save the world. Under impossible conditions, Elita, grows into a courageous young woman, and is shocked when she realizes she is the "chosen one". She reluctantly, yet heroically, rises to the challenge of saving humanity.

Beyond the Fifth Gate, is exciting all the way through! The mystical gates and the ways characters make their entrances into each world are unique, as are the battles fought and friendships forged. I loved it. Each new world beyond the gates is fascinating and filled with extraordinary, yet believable characters. The last gate--the fifth gate--and where it leads is remarkable.

Sundblad's imagination is wild and wonderful and somewhat frightening. As in her other Novel, Windwalker, Sundblad does an incredible job of creating a distinctive world and vividly describing it, making you believe you are there. I am looking forward to her next novel.

Loreena Russomamnno

Beyond The Fifth Gate Is Power-Packed and Fun!
I recently read this excellent book and I can say that it is a wonderful read! If you like stories that can be a bit tense and yet very fun to read, Donna Sunblad has scored a great success!

I do not read a lot of fantasy, but I found the harrowing story of this young girl, Elita as she follows Kamali's light to get to the the fifth gate that will reveal the secret to freedom from the domination of the Mantids, an insectoid race that has enslaved humanity a great trip into imagination that really hooks me.

I was impressed with how Donna Sunblad has woven a tale that gets into the mind, fear and courage of this young heroine, Elita. I felt as though I knew this young lady and that I had traveled her journey together with her to rescue her people. The plot is solid and the atmosphere is painted perfectly by this fine author.

In this world that often keeps us so busy that we scarcely have time to breathe, it is wonderful to sit down and read a book that takes us out of this world and into another, a world that is in dire need of "Chosen One" to lead us out of despair. I know you'll love this story and I hope you will get a copy and read it to the end!

Author Steven Clark Bradley