The Sixth Gate

The Gate Trilogy #1

by K.T. Munson

The interplanetary gates have existed between the five planets and the Netherworld for as long as living memory.


Dr. Elisabeth Avery is a woman caught between two worlds. Little does she know that others like her, other half-breeds, are being hunted. When a creature drags a princess into the Netherworld, Elisabeth is determined to save her by any means necessary.


Meanwhile, on the planet of Hystera, a Keeper and his assistant investigate a grisly string of suicides and are in need of someone with Elisabeth's skills. The Gate Guardians and Elisabeth are aware that something is coming and know that it has something to do with the Netherworld bleeding through to the planets, but not why.


Will Elisabeth be able to come to terms with who she is in time to face the coming threat?


*Contains dark material that may be triggers.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Dark Fantasy

ebook

Published July 30, 2017

About the author

K.T. Munson is an independent author. First published at 5 years old in the young writers conference, she has pursued writing ever since. She maintains a blog creatingworldswithwords.wordpress.com that is about writing and her novels. She was born and raised in the last frontier, the great state of Alaska.

Reviews

[J.N. Bedout · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story blends the physical and metaphysical realms into a seamless narrative of good versus evil. There is deception at various levels that keeps the reader guessing, and the plot is epic in its scope. Rich background development adds a relatable depth to the main characters on both sides of the divide, especially Elisabeth, Malthael and Ki. But more impressive is the world building; the Netherworld, in particular, comes alive as its contrasting landscapes and creatures spring from the pages. The Divine Court, in particular, had a mysticism about it that did not disappoint, though its dangers did not manifest themselves in this book aside from the lethality of its flowers. The combat sequences were a tad difficult to follow, especially the showdown at the end. Nonetheless, the ending is satisfying and leads into the next book in the series. It is definitely a great read for people of all ages that love deep fantasy worlds filled with strange creatures and vengeful villains.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

K.T. Munson spares no detail in creating her chaotic “worlds” filled with gates of passage, gates that also should also hold back evil from saturating the earth. Five planets, and the Netherworld are connected, but all is not well.

Dr. Elisabeth Avery has studied fringe science with good reason, she is part demon and knows the truth that other dimensions do exist. Not accepting of her dark half, she does not know she one of many being hunted for a power she possesses and her half-demon soul. Something big is about to happen between the gates and Elizabeth may become part of the vortex of evil that is coming, unless she is strong enough to resist. Lies will be uncovered and the truth may be too vile to know. Will Elisabeth's human side and her demon side learn to accept each other? Will she have the strength she needs when the time comes to fulfill her destiny?

THE SIXTH GATE comes alive under the descriptions of K.T. Munson, and the myriad of characters will contribute to the feeling that this tale encompasses a galaxy of worlds. Who can be trusted, who is NOT what they seem to be? Are all demons evil? How is the dreaded Netherworld bleeding into other worlds? What is behind the Sixth Gate and will those secrets destroy all that is good?

Pay close attention to each scene and each character, as we travel from one event to another, each a piece of a patchwork quilt-like maze that can, at times seems almost too detailed to allow us to use our own imagine to picture all that is happening.

Lovers of dark fantasy will find each page fascinating in its own right as we witness all the threads coming together in a web of soul takers, charmed animals and magical swords of power in one more tale of the battle of good versus evil as the Black King makes his move.

I received this copy from K.T. Munson in exchange for my honest review.

Trilogy: The Gate - Book 1
Publication Date: July 7, 2017
Publisher; K.T. Munson
Genre: Fantasy
Print Length: 304 pages
Available from: Amazon |  Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tigers and spiders and murderous butterflies… oh my! Wow, talk about crazy-amazing world building! Multiple planets, a “Netherworld”, awesome animals, demons and half-demons, banished princes, particle spirits made flesh by science and demon magic. KT Munson has given us a little bit of everything and you just have to hang on for the ride.

Dr. Elizabeth Avery is half-demon (I confess, I latched on to her as a favorite right away) and a fringe scientist who opens with a demonstration that will knock your socks off… even before Elizabeth shows off some of her more fantastical abilities. I liked her combination of brainy and butt-kicker, and also loved the backstory there with dear old dad and his importance in all of this.

There’s so much going on at the beginning that it can be a lot to take in, but as characters and backgrounds begin to intersect and Ki, Elizabeth’s intended assassin, agrees to guide her through the Netherworld. Loved the chemistry with these two, along with all the supporting characters. The worlds themselves and the “gates” traveling between them are richly described, and I particularly loved the way Elizabeth, as a half-demon could perceive things either through her human or demon side, seeing the world in contrasting ways. Her inner battle to keep her darker side at bay, as well as to determine who she is, really made the second half of the novel shine. I definitely will be reading the sequel!

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an epic fantasy tale with a straightforward message of acceptance at its heart. I’m impressed with the extent of world and character building. If I didn’t know it was impossible, I’d almost think the author had lived on these worlds because of the detail used in describing them. This is another great work from one of my favorite storytellers!

[Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this book should have had a description page for all the characters. I had a feeling there was going to be a lot of different characters to keep track of and I was right.
This book has different realms, different plants, god vs evil, spirit animals, demons, seers, spirit hunters, Kings, soul collectors, demon dogs, and more. This is a good fantasy book that I enjoyed so much I ordered the second book in the series.

[C.M. Skiera · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sixth Gate by K.T. Munson is a complex fantasy set in an original, imaginative world. A wide cast of characters bring this tale to life, as the protagonists discover a legendary ancient evil returning to power. The diverse set of characters must band together to not only defeat the vile antagonist, but in some cases, must literally battle their own inner demons.

The world building in The Sixth Gate is inventive, as characters travel between planets and even to the Netherworld during their adventures. Elemental magic, spirit animals, and demonic forces are central components to Munson's world. The details of this intricate setting and multiple characters lead to somewhat of a slow start, but the more you learn about theses characters and their world, the more engrossed you become.

On the negative side, there were some character point of view (head-hopping) issues, where I had to re-read to figure out which character I was experiencing the scene through. I also think another thorough editing pass could polish some of the rough edges and make this novel shine (cut some adverbs and fix a few typographical errors).

I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next installment.

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great fantasy book with a wide range of characters.  It is engaging and exciting.  I was enjoying every moment of this book.  I wanted to read every bit of this book and it was hard to put it down.  I think it was a fun and memorable read.  *This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.*

[cherelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

GR REVIEW TO COME! ✨

Thank you to the author, K.T. Munson, for a copy of this book in exchange for a sincere review!

FULL REVIEW of The Sixth Gate on my blog!

[Chris Angelis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I read a book that balances awkwardly between literary genres. That can sometimes be great news, when written skilfully and in an original manner, though more often than not it’s a sign of a narrative that has escaped the author’s control. The Sixth Gate, by K.T. Munson, has no such dilemmas to combat as, I am happy to tell fantasy-fiction fans, it’s as pure fantasy as one can expect.
Part Assassin’s Creed, part Lovecraft, part Final Fantasy (there are even characters called Riku, Yuna, and Tidus! I wonder if Ki is short for Kimahri…) , the novel creates a complex but sense-making literary world with very atmospheric descriptions that offer a lot of added value. Skilful use of the fantasy generic conventions will make fans of the genre feel immediately welcome.
In terms of plot, there are quite a few things happening, fact which makes the novel more interesting, yet also harder to “lock on” as a reader. Perhaps what could be considered the main narrative focus (what I preferred to focus on anyway) is the attempt of an assassin to execute his mission against an… uncooperative target. What makes the case interesting is that the target needs to be killed in a specific way, with a special blade. The assassin ends up actually protecting his target, lest she should die of other causes. Interesting plot device, which is explored adequately.
The novel features a plethora of characters, fact which increases complexity even further, perhaps slightly beyond the grip of the intended audience. These elements make for an entertaining narrative, albeit one becoming sometimes thin in terms of relatability. It is also precisely the thinness of some characters that causes some scenes to fit awkwardly with their surroundings – the discussion between a reformed demon and his adopted child is a typical example, as the reader is offered too little background, too rapidly, to be able to digest the enveloping happenings without dismissing them as odd. Happenings such as this aren’t detrimental to the overall quality, though it does occasionally feel as if the narrative could have offered even more in terms of introspection and below-the-surface substance.
A typical example is a scene where some characters discuss the purpose of a weapon called “Sin Eater”, designed to kill sinners. “There is one question I have, what constitutes a sin?” one character asks. Despite the subsequent short discussion that ensues, the narrative doesn’t seem too eager to explore the issue. Of course, it must be emphasized, extended or too philosophical explorations of such subjects probably would not be fully compatible with the generic expectations involved in such a novel. Moreover, the narrative “settles” after the middle point, acquiring a sharper focus. The conclusion of the novel is, generally speaking, respectful to the reader and I would expect most fantasy-fiction fans to find it “just right” – explaining enough, yet leaving room for what is to come in the subsequent volume of the series.
The language is on high levels, descriptive without being overbearing. All in all, the pace is well balanced, albeit in a staccato, somewhat disconnected way, as a result of the vast number of characters and settings. It remains entertaining and gripping, still.
Ultimately, and to partly counter some of the criticism above, The Sixth Gate is a great specimen of its genre, that is, fantasy fiction. Indeed, it is precisely its fantastic world-building that assigns it its qualities – as well as (perhaps ironically) their side-effects. Readers looking for a literally otherworldly story will really appreciate the novel.

[D.J. Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this engaging and complex fantasy novel, with a host of memorable characters, set on five vividly described worlds, plus the Netherworld. The last was my favourite, cluttered with dark ruins under a brooding red sky and haunted by weird and wonderful creatures, including spider-like predators called Weavers and swarms of killer Shrikes. There are a few nods to Celtic, Norse and Greek mythology throughout the book, but mainly a very impressive amount of original and ingenious world-building.

Each chapter is named by location, but it takes a bit of time to get used to all the characters and their backgrounds and missions (and spirit animals). Some readers might find the action a little slow until the storylines start to weave together, but they build towards a gripping conclusion, with lots of neat twists and turns along the way. So, a complex read, but well worth the journey.

The most intriguing relationship is between the main protagonist, Elisabeth, a seer who is half demon, and her would-be assassin, Ki, after they join forces to confront an ancient evil on the rise again. I liked that there was a proper ending to the main story, although one plot issue was left unresolved, which will leave readers looking forward to the sequel.

4.5* rounded up to 5.

[S.W. Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy a good magic-gate fantasy and this one is written with YA exuberance. But while the text flows well, the sentence variety is a bit lacking for older readers. A sample: "It had taken him months of hard training to figure out how to scale a wall of such height. Luckily this was an old castle, made of stone, and it had been weathered with time. During his practice on less guarded towers, he had fallen more times than he could count, but in the end he had figured out the secrets."

Also, the abundance of characters might also be a bit difficult to track for older readers not raised on sophisticated video games. Imagery-wise, it's less of an Oz/Narnia trip and more of a World of Warcraft meets the darker of the X-Files -- minus the forced sewer creature, thankfully. An older reader myself, I really appreciated the better of the pulp-safari feel of the Tarzan/Conan/Grey Mouser tales, going back to Kipling. So that earns a friendly tug from the middle 3 star ground to a solid 4.

[H.M. Gooden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a hard time putting this book down. Although at first it was a little difficult to read, the rich world the author has created soon enveloped me. We see several perspectives here, woven together to form one solid piece even though at first you may wonder what the narrators have to do with each other. Amazing world building with a glimmer of legends I think I may have heard once retold in a fashion that is truly unique.

[Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this book should have had a description page for all the characters. I had a feeling there was going to be a lot of different characters to keep track of and I was right.
This book has different realms, different plants, god vs evil, spirit animals, demons, seers, spirit hunters, Kings, soul collectors, demon dogs, and more. This is a good fantasy book that I enjoyed so much I ordered the second book in the series.

[Dale Lehman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Born on the eve of a war that all but destroyed his kindred, the Shadow Clan, Ki is raised by the surviving elders. His whole life has been spent in training for just one purpose: to kill forty-two sinful people and collect into himself their souls, thus releasing them from their evil and becoming the savior of his race. Mission nearly accomplished, he discovers that his last two targets have committed no sin. One is a child too young to bear any guilt. The other is Elisabeth, a brilliant young "fringe sciences" researcher who harbors a terrible secret: she is half human, half demon. But she has suppressed her darker side and remained pure, so Ki cannot kill her. Yet.

Still stranger things are afoot. In a realm of planets joined to each other, to the Netherworld, and to the magical Divine Court itself by five Gates, dark forces have been awakened. People's spirit animals are vanishing. Whole families are committing suicide without reason. Dangerous creatures from the Netherworld are breaking through to the planets, attacking and abducting whoever they find. For reasons she does not comprehend, Elisabeth alone holds the key to understanding these strange events, but she needs Ki's help. Would-be killer and would-be victim must form an uneasy alliance to halt the spreading darkness. In the end, they will learn that neither of them are what they once had thought.

"The Sixth Gate" is the first volume in a planned trilogy ("The Gate Trilogy"). K. T. Munson has spun a complex, intriguing fantasy world filled with creatures of light and darkness. The story pulled me in from the start and kept me going, although I found it a bit easier to set aside in the middle than I did at the beginning and the end. The ending more than rewarded the effort, though. Pity I can't tell you about it without giving away too many things! The characters were in the main well-defined, although I didn't quite get the level of evil vibes I would have expected from the principal villain. The settings were quite good, particularly the look and feel of the Netherworld. I could well imagine myself slinking through its shadows, hoping to remain unseen. Overall, I'd put the story elements at a solid 4.5 stars.

I found the writing a bit uneven, though. Some parts were quite good, especially in the earlier chapters, while other could use a fair bit of tightening. In particular, some of the dialogue and intense action scenes could use some help. However, these are issues most indie writers face in their earlier works, and I found the text readable enough to give the writing 3 stars. Overall, then, I feel justified in granting 4 stars to this novel. I look forward to book 2, "The Nowhere Gate," due out in 2019, being even better.

[G.J. Griffiths · Rating 3 out of 5]

I so wanted to give this book 5 stars because of the undoubted talent of the author to create new and wonderful, fantastical worlds and characters. They are varied and intriguing with events and incidents that constantly challenge the reader and encourage them to turn to the next page. The author has a gift for description and exposition that can put the reader fairly and squarely in the scene. There were times when it seemed as though a video game was being described in words but with the delightful addition of emotions and instinctive feelings experienced by the participants. But there were two problems for me and both had the same heading – “too many”. There were the constant changes of scene and scenario from chapter to chapter often with little apparent connections between them. I found telling the story from so many different character’s point of view confusing, disturbing and even irritating at times. The other problem was the very many editing problems that still existed within the published edition. After I had recorded over a dozen typos, punctuation errors, etc before I had read a third of the book then I was reluctant to finish reading the story to the end. However, I pushed on to the end trying to ignore any more “edits” because the story created by K.T. Munson was still very interesting and had grabbed my attention enough to want to know more. So, I liked the plot and characters very much and think The Sixth Gate has tremendous potential to be a winner with fans of the fantasy genre but it needs a good proof reader and editor before that happens. When I re-read the blurb a couple of times, in order to see whether I had got the plot correctly fixed in my mind, it occurred to me that maybe the blurb could be also be adjusted to correctly reflect more of the tale but without “spoiling” of course.

[Tristen Kozinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sixth gate's strongest asset is its characters, and the way the story compels them to interact. They are varied in nature and complex in their desires, abilities, and weakness. Ki and Elizabeth's journey together/relationship in particular caught my interest, as their connection is unusual and wonderfully contradictory. I will withhold specifics to avoid spoilers.
Another strong element is the story itself, which takes place across several connected world, many of which inhabit different technological eras. Of these, we explore the Netherworld most, which is full of strange creatures and and quite subversive. Unfortunately, we don't get to experience much of the other worlds, their differences and interactions. And that is one of my criticisms for the book; despite having multiple worlds, they're not truly distinct from one another besides name (and one which is technologically advanced.) The Netherworld is excluded from this criticism.
The other main qualm, is that the story is slow to start. We are introduced to various characters, and then to their individual plots before the story actually begins. It is very enjoyable once it does, though.

[S. Jeyran Main · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sixth Gate is a Sci-Fi Fantasy story about Dr. Elisabeth, a half human – demon who happens to prefer ignoring her demon side. The world consists of five planets and the Netherworld. Elizabeth is a good seer. When all of the other seers are assassinated, Elisabeth has to find out whats going on.

At the same time, Elisabeth is also hunted for the powers; she is unaware of and also has her demon side to deal with as well. I found the story to be very well written. The world setting was by far the best aspect of the book. The protagonist was beautifully drafted and was very relatable. We, as humans all have our inner demons that may at times, affect how we choose to behave and the dynamic between the good and evil was thrilling to read.

The chapters were well put together, and the literature was full of descriptive writing, suitable for the genre it’s in. I recommend this book to fantasy readers.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ya gotta love this author's mind that can create such details and imagery in this wonderfully complicated story. The gates are there for a purposes, one that it seems is not doing it's job. There is mayhem and chaos that keeps you turning the pages and getting to know these characters better. Don't blink because you may miss something. There is trouble on the horizon and something must be done to battle it. Will the darkness win out or will she accept herself as a whole and be complete. Deceit and jealousy, no one knows who to trust. Everything is changing and no one knows who will win this battle.

Great story the imagination of this author is amazing as the imagery is so vivid you feel like you are there. The characters grab your heart as their part is revealed. Love this world.

[Ada Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH... MY...GOD...! This book was incredible. I was so enwrapped in it's characters and worlds I read this whenever I had a chance (Thank you kindle cloud!). Munson has mastered the talent bringing multiple story lines into one and having them spread into different world and flow together. The characters were personable and I like how they all have their own paths that end up coming together by the lead character.
This is not just an awesome story but a melody of folklore turned into a whole new version of itself. And it has themes in it for everyone, especially the acceptance of yourself. The book ended with cliffhanger and wanting to know much more. I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Darque Dreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sixth Gate is dark, intricate, and fascinating! It will take you on an otherworldly journey full of shocking twists and turns. If you love vividly complex worlds amidst paranormal fantasy, you will not be disappointed with this one!

I really loved the complexity and depth of this one. It started off mildly confusing with all the POV's, but everything quickly came together, and the vividness of the world building made the mild confusion worthwhile. I enjoyed the different characters, and the intensity of the story. It was refreshing and unique!

The idea behind the interplanetary gates was intriguing to me. Having the different planets, including the Netherworld, offered a wide range of creatures and people. I loved the vivid details of the different worlds and how dynamic they were. This really added to the vivaciousness of the story.

I adored Elisabeth and her purity. She was kind and innocent, and untainted by her surroundings, but, more importantly, she touched and changed those around her and left traces of her purity with each person in her life. I also really loved her "half-breedness" and how it played a major role in the story, and symbolized the theme of having your choices determine your fate.

The Sixth Gate really drew me in. It was deep and thought provoking. It was intense and complex, and I loved how all the different POV's crossed and entwined to add intrigue to the story. The world was so vivid and detailed, and it felt like something from a dark dream. I met a patchwork of enjoyable characters, in an alluringly chaotic world, that I will not soon forget! I'd like the next one now! I'd rate it 4-4.5 stars.

Thank you to the author for providing me with this free e-copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Bookspective · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chaotic is how I would describe this book. Everything in the book was in constant motion, with every chapter the scene would shift to a different planet and the characters would shift between them. I am quite marveled at how the author has managed to keep the pace of the narrative on an overdrive right from the beginning. But the book was a bit confusing and the reading required my undivided attention to keep track of the context. So was it a good book? Well yes, it was intriguing and unputdownable, now that I think of it. Nevertheless, a prologue to set the context or at least a key of the characters and others elements in the plot would have helped a lot.

Thank you K.T. Munson, the publishers and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.

[L.N. Denison · Rating 4 out of 5]

True rating 4.5 stars.

I really enjoyed this multifaceted story. The chapters were short and managable. Maybe a bit too short sometimes. The story comes at you from many directions, but it comes together in a neat little package at the end.

The secondary characters hold their own and help mould the story, which centres around Elisabeth, a half demon who is the key to everything. She encounters many obsticles along the way, which adds to the intensity.

The characters are well developed, and the narrative was easy to follow. The plot was intriguing and the dialogue between the characters, well managed.

I recommend this to people who like fantasy novels. It's a smashing read.

[Rosetta Overman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story starts out a little confusing. Written in third person, it hops between a people under siege, Ki, Elizabeth, and a few other key characters. There's quite a bit of build up to get the the main plot, but it's well worth it to get to know the characters before the climax of the novel. I liked Elizabeth's character and personal struggle, the constant concern over her nature and what it could lead to gave her another layer of personality. Ki was another good character, driven by questionable motivations, I found him to be surprisingly sheltered.

It reminds me a tiny bit of Sliders with the shifting from world to world. I liked that, despite not delving too deeply into each of the worlds, they were easily distinguishable. The spirit animals and netherhounds were especially interesting. I'm very interested to see what they intend to do with the Netherworld and Elizabeth's ties to it now that she's met her cunning relations.

The way that everything was wrapped up was satisfying and left me with enough of a sense of concern for the fate of the characters that I'm looking forward to reading book 2. I would recommend this book to people who love the darker side of fantasy.

[April (bookedtillmidnight) · Rating 3 out of 5]

***3.5*** RTC

[M.J. Lau · Rating 4 out of 5]

K.T. Munson’s The Sixth Gate is a highly inventive trilogy starter. It blends many aspects of fantasy and sci-fi creatively: there are assassins, demons, sentient stardust, and mythical animals across five different interconnected worlds. For the most part, these disparate parts interact in entertaining ways.

The novel begins with lots of shifting POVs to develop the various worlds and characters in the story line. The minimal amount of dialogue early on made it hard to get a sense of each character’s personality until a bit later, making it tough for me to care about the events right away. I understand the need for world building and the introduction of the essential characters, but it made the plot choppy at times. Elisabeth is an interesting MC faced with a complex conflict – definitely enough to fuel the storyline once it settles into place. There were twists and turns, some of which I didn’t fully buy, but I understood they were working toward the author’s intended message, which is a worthy one.

If you want to read a unique, descriptive dark fantasy with a compelling female lead, The Sixth Gate will not disappoint.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elisabeth has grown up with a demon for a substitute father as her mother is dead. She is half human and half demon. She does her best to supress the half demon side of her. She has been trapped between the Netherworld and five planets due to her being half demon. Elisabeth is a seer who can love problems in other places that appear to be unsolvable. She is the only seer left as all other seers have been assassinated. When several keepers of the gates from other planets come calling, she decides that she will retrieve a princess that has been taken into the Netherworld. Will she be able to find and rescue her? She is assisted by a man named Ki who will makes sure she is safe while in the Netherworld. Ki is more than he appears to be and discovers within himself a mystery. Elisabeth must go to a planet called Hystera to solve the puzzle of people committing suicide. Will she make it to Hystera?

The author has written a fast paced novel with more than one storyline at the same time. It doesn’t confuse the reading of the book as the author has written it well. It is a novel that has me wanting to read the next book in this trilogy.

[Kate M. Colby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sixth Gate by K.T. Munson blends elements of fantasy (demons, magic, gates/portals to other realms, ancient curses, etc.) with dashes of science fiction (interplanetary travel, Elisabeth's scientific research, etc.) to create an intriguing new universe, complete with various planets and hell dimensions. It follows a large cast of characters from different planets, whose paths intertwine as an ancient evil force emerges with the goal of conquering all the planets for himself.

This universe of The Sixth Gate is the crowning glory of the novel. Munson gives each planet its own cultural traditions, nature and animal life, and social structure. The level of detail and background information presented to the reader is impressive, and in addition to captivating the imagination, it clearly conveys the author's passion for her universe. Though initially, this information is a bit overwhelming and confusing (with each planet being so distinct, the beginning chapters felt disjointed at first), as the novel progresses, the reader learns to separate the planets while also appreciating them as a part of a greater whole.

The same can be said for the novel's large cast of characters. In the beginning, the stories seem disconnected and so many characters are presented in such a short space that the reader might have trouble keeping them all straight. However, as the novel progresses, Munson shows how each character's journey is intertwined and brings them all together for the final confrontation. If the reader has patience through the first third or half of the book, it will be rewarded.

As for the writing itself, the various worlds are beautifully and imaginatively described. The reader will feel like they are adventuring alongside the characters. However, the exposition that so nicely creates the setting works against the characters. Often, the narration "tells" what the characters are thinking, as opposed to showing it through their actions or dialog. The dialog also has moments of stiffness, which might be a result of the somewhat formal style of speech, but still distracted from the story at times.

Overall, The Sixth Gate presents a unique and captivating new universe that any epic/high fantasy fan will enjoy exploring. With a diverse and well-crafted cast of characters, the reader will always have a storyline to engage them and a hero with which to identify. Though the worldbuilding aspects of the novel require patience, once they are accomplished, the reader will find a fun story filled with action, love, heartbreak, danger, and even some humor. Recommended for epic fantasy fans who enjoy a touch of the demonic.

[Anna Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sixth Gate feels epic as events unfold on five planets. When I picked up the book, I wasn’t aware of a prequel with Elisabeth as the main protagonist. Her appearance comes much later in chapter 7. If I had known about the prequel, I would have paid more attention to chapters in her point of view. She is the main protagonist who rises to face the evil.

I have read a light sci-fi romp by the author, but the style here is dark and so much different. The author certainly has a talent for being versatile. Her world-building of this fantasy is consistent, and I like her concise writing and vivid details. Each chapter in the Sixth Gate is well developed and exciting with a hook.

A few snags about my reading:
As I mentioned, each chapter is interesting but not plot relevant. We meet a range of characters we don’t see again (for example Commander Xavier, Clara Reid). The book starts strong on Lyreane with Ki, and I assumed (wrongly) he was the MC. But he has a goal, and it is gratifying to see his emotional arc and read how he grows and changes as he learns the truth about the Shadow.
I also don’t see the relevance of Destiny, Melody, and Serenity in the story other than helping Nanette who needs a lot of rescuing. My favorite part of the book was her fight with the enormous spider in the Netherworld. I would like to see more of Ethandirill and her.
It is easy to get confused at the start with the suspense –suicides, the forty-two on the list, the last seer, the disappearances of spirit animals- it all wraps up in the end. A hint about Croatan (its significance) & Black King would have helped.
Another snag was the similarity in names –Ki, Kerrigan, Kemshi, Riku, Ruhan

My favorite quote in the book:
“Don’t worry about the glass,” Destiny spoke softly, but Nanette could make out every word.
“What glass?” Nanette asked [].
Her elbow caught the top of the pot and it shattered on the ground before she could catch it. “Oops,” she said instinctively.
“I said not to worry about it,” Destiny said

Remind you of a movie? The Matrix! Other references of spirit animals are reminiscent of The Golden Compass.

Overall, it was an entertaining read. It is an excellent start to the trilogy, and the writing flows well, the dialogue feels natural and the characters are varied and have depth–other than a few snags and typos, but these don’t distract from the story. It ends with a cliffhanger with one of the characters trapped behind the Sixth Gate.

[Neus · Rating 5 out of 5]

**4.5**

K. T. Mudson's vast imagination has created five planets, the Netherworld, and Croatoan, all of them connected through gates and spiritual passages.
The book begins by following Ki, who is on a mission to kill half-breeds. Then we are introduced to the keeper Jinq of Hystera investigating a series of mysterious suicides, while on the other worlds strange events also happen. When we meet our protagonist, Elisabeth, all these subplots intertwine and an adventure begins in which her killer is at the same time her protector, and Elisabeth must discover her suppressed demon half.
The descriptions are fascinating, especially those of the Netherworld, with Morhaven and the Divine Court, and it is fast-paced.
Totally recommended for those who want to discover other worlds full of charming and kind characters that will hook you: Elisabeth, Nanette, Ki, Malthael, Jinq, Kerrigan, Ethandirill.
There are a few minor typos especially in the parts of climax where the author must have been so excited (as the reader gets too) that they slipped out.
The final part of the book is brilliant and the story gives closure but still leaves you with questions, so I'm looking forward to reading her next book.

[J.B. Darroch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying I don't usually read Sci-fi Fantasy novels. That being said, K.T. Munson's The Sixth Gate was very complex with many worlds. I was drawn into these worlds quickly with the expansive descriptions the author created. I was immediately pulled into this book and could not put it down. The detail in describing the different worlds made it very easy to picture. The character development was brilliant. This may have been the first novel I've read from K.T. Munson, but it will not be the last. I loved it!