Rating: 
Summary: A satisfying close to the trilogy
Review: The Power That Preserves is the sequel to The Illearth War and the final novel in the first trilogy about Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever. Just as in the previous two books, Covenant returns to the Land after blacking out in the real world from an injury. Seven years have passed in the Land while only a couple days have transpired for Covenant. He finds the Land in the grip of an unnatural winter brought on by Lord Foul, whose forces have overrun most of the Land and nearly defeated all resistance. The Lords at Revelstone are the only major obstacle left for Foul to defeat, and Foul with his Illearth Stone is much more powerful than they are. Covenant's wild magic is the only hope to turn things around, but he doesn't even know how to unleash it!I gave the previous novel, The Illearth War, a five-star rating. It was excellent fantasy from beginning to end. The sequel is just as good until the ending, which is a tad weaker in comparison. Don't get me wrong, it's still a great ending: explosive, climactic, and quite satisfying. But it doesn't quite "jive" with how Covenant and Lord Foul have been portrayed throughout the series. So it seems a bit contrived or artificial. You'll probably know what I mean when you get there. On the other hand, you may love the ending just as much as most of the other reviewers did. Anyway, though I think the ending is the weakest part of the novel, it's still a fine close to the series and you'll enjoy it. Solid four-star material, which ain't shabby at all! I'd rate it four and a half if that rating were available. The siege against Revelstone by Lord Foul's minions is perhaps the best part of the book. High Lord Mhoram is awesome! The enemy general and his forces truly inspire dread. Covenant's long quest in the south is full of adventure too. You'll finally get to see what's become of Lena, the girl Covenant wronged in the first book. Triock plays a major role, becoming a tragic hero in one of the finest action scenes of the novel. Dead Elena (the High Lord killed in the last book) makes an appearance, though not in the guise you may expect. A couple welcome old friends from past books accompany Covenant on his quest. Characters show more variation in personality than in the previous books, in which most of them seemed like they were cast from the same mold. There are a few quite gory moments in the battles, like one memorable scene where blood is pumping around a knife stuck in somebody's chest (sorry!). Overall, this series consists of the some of the best fantasy I've ever read. It doesn't quite rank up there with the Wheel of Time series (at least the first six books of it), but it succeeds admirably for its relatively short length. Jordan could learn a few pointers from this series, as in how to tie things up neatly. Highly recommended and a must read to wrap up the first trilogy!
Rating: 
Summary: Cathartic end to an inspiring epic
Review: The Power that Preserves is the stunning conclusion to the finest fantasy series since The Lord of the Rings. Once again Thomas Covenant returns to the land, which has been ravaged in the wake of the Illearth War. He must finally come to terms with the rape of Lena, with his leprosy and with The Land. Ultimately, the book is about how even a leper can fight off despair -- or can he? If he can redeem his own sorry self, he can redeem The Land. After the high of the Illearth War, the best of the series, the Power that Preserves is more subdued and philosophical, but you will not be disappointed...After you savor the end of the series for about a year, give the second series a shot. It's not as good, but still far superior to the schlock pervading fantasy shelves nowadays.
Rating:
Summary: A rare gem of fantasy
Review: The Thomas covenant series - at least the first one - is a classic of fantasy literature. There are few anti-heroes that are so intense and believable, imbided with emotion and intensity.
Donaldson is a master at dark fiction. Be prepared for a rather unhappy novel, but one that grips you with its haunting beauty and crisp character development.
This is a rare book that left me emotionally exhausted at the end, but satisfied with the amazing scope and breadth.
Read and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: A rare gem of fantasy
Review: The Thomas covenant series - at least the first one - is a classic of fantasy literature. There are few anti-heroes that are so intense and believable, imbided with emotion and intensity.
Donaldson is a master at dark fiction. Be prepared for a rather unhappy novel, but one that grips you with its haunting beauty and crisp character development.
This is a rare book that left me emotionally exhausted at the end, but satisfied with the amazing scope and breadth.
Read and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: powerful and weak
Review: things take a turn to the worse. and don't misinterpret this. i know that many fantasy writers write books where things "get worse", meaning some mumbo-jumbo about a party having to find a weapon evend deeper in the troll forest, or whatever. D. NEVER tricks you when it somes to thing like these. if things seem to be worse, they really are. somehow, covenant HAS to master the ring, although he is not ready. he has to develop a plan, nor knowing much about the inner secrets of the land (D. is great at giving a lot of details, not revealing how things are to be dealt with, in his books the tasks needed to be performed are never obvious). he has to move fast. "new" enemies appear.
Rating:
Summary: all-too-rare depth in an unforgettable fanstasy world
Review: This book is one of the best entries in what must be considered one of the best Fanstasy series of all time. No other world will stick with you like The Land. Donaldson shares with you a world so beautiful you can scarcely imagine it, then proceeds to tear it apart. The characters breathe for themselves, the choices they face are heart-wrenching, and the protagonist is as non-traditional as it gets. It's dark, and made even more so once you've experienced (in the 1st 2 books) how brightly shined the light that is being extinguished. I reread the chapter "Lord Mhoram's Victory" every couple of months. Excellent
Rating:
Summary: A satisfying ending to a great trilogy
Review: This book returns Thomas Covenant to finish his battle with Lord Foul...and finish it he does, at least for now. The final book is a worthy addition to the trilogy and the trilogy is well worth the money you may spend to buy it.
Rating:
Summary: My favourite book/series.
Review: This is my favourite book/series. It's not your normal fantasy as it's quite dark and doesn't follow the standard formula that most fantasy books do nowadays.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely fantastic from start to finish!!!
Review: This is my favourite of the First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. It is the only one in which Thomas is not released from his leprosy by the healing powers of the Land, and it is the only one where he actually achieves something. Throughout the previous books, I found myself disliking Thomas Covenant because of his wish to turn his back on everything but himself, but in the Third book he is a lot more likeable, particularly due to the fact that he forms a good bond with Saltheart Foamfollower the Giant.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is really an excellent book for anyone who enjoys fantasy. I really found the emotions experienced by the characters in the book to be quite believable, especially the desperation of Covenant.
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