Rating: 
Summary: This slow-at-first book leads to a six book addiction
Review: I've read several fantasy novels including several series of novels and this one sits atop the pile. I would rate this book as being, though darker, more gripping and interesting than Tolkien's middle earth books. It was slow at first, but once the story got going, I couldn't put it down. I continued reading until the very last book in the series. This series of books brought out a range of emotions including rage and disgust that almost made me stop reading. There was however, many times when I laughed out loud and thoroughly relished in the story. Overall, I got an intensely satisfying feeling from the series that hasn't been paralleled by any book or series of books since. -m.
Rating: 
Summary: It was as painful as a spinal tap.
Review: I very much enjoy the fantasy genre and was looking forward to a this series. Instead I find an anti-hero, and that is too kind a description, who is a whining, despairing and hate filled rapist. From the other reviews he commits incest with his own daughter later in the series. What in Donaldsons background would make him think that a rapist capable of incest would make a great hero. Flaws and questioned abilities to round out a character and make him or her believeable is one thing, but a supposed hero that leaves an innocent young girl with emotional and physical scars for life is entirely something else. Anyone that thinks Covenant is a hero, has never had a close friend or family member raped or experienced the devastation that incest brings. Covenant is such a reprehensible and disgusting creature that the other characters and the Land could not save this book.
Rating:
Summary: YUCK --- This One Is BAD
Review: I can't describe what these Chronicles meant to me. It is an ungrateful job to be critic or the judge... anyway the First and Second Cronicles of Thomas Covenant purport to be full of knowledge about anything that has the roots in divine pure. Hah! Stephen R. Donaldson is a wanabe J R Tolkein. Donaldson can't come even close to Mr. Tolkein. He's also a Dostojevski wanabe.
Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable
Review: I am not a great reader of the fantasy genre, becuase I find most of it to be poorly written, and/or juvenile in its content and execution. I read both of the Thomas Covenant trilogies 15 years ago - they still haunt me, even though I have not re-read either series since (though I probably will, now). Reading these books provided some of the most intense emotional responses I have ever had from any book, regardless of genre; when compared to other fantasy, they are is head and shoulders above the rest. If you are one of the (seemingly) many people who believe all books (and plays and movies) should be "upbeat" and not "depressing", skip these books - stick to Piers Anthony. If you like your reading to be an emotional experience, I highly recommend all six books in both trilogies.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Bad Book; A Very Bad Trilogy
Review: This guy cannot write worth a darn! He makes stuff up that is not realistic! Thomas Covenant is a major league jerk! I could write a better book than this, no problem. I will not tell anyone to read this book because it is so bad!!!
Rating:
Summary: Tortuous, fascinating, and finally addicting!
Review: When I first began to read this series, I was fascinated by the obnoxiousness and rather unlikeability of the protagonist. I couldn't believe that somebody could actually write about such an anti-hero so I kept reading, and about two-thirds of the way through the first book, I was hooked! I have read the entire series twice, and I think I ready for a third go. It is not often that any media will keep me thinking about it years later, but Thomas Covenant succeeded. As did Donaldson's other books A man rides through, and Mirror of his dreams. I found the Gap series too dark, but years later, Thomas Covenant still disturbs and fascinates - the mark of a great series.
Rating: 
Summary: This book and trilogy succeeds despite its main character.
Review: The main character is a self-loathing sort, and he is tasked with saving a wonderful fantasy land called "The Land." The book and the trilogy are excellent. Donaldson pulls it off despite his decision to put such an anti-hero in the hero slot. The plot, other characters, and rich history of The Land make this trilogy a staple of fantasy literature. The story continues with THE ILLEARTH STONE and THE POWER THAT PRESERVES.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic world, but unbearable lead character
Review: Your view of this series will depend almost totally on your view of the lead character, Thomas Covenant. The "Land" itself is breathtaking, less mythic in feel but more poignant than Tolkien's Middle Earth. But Covenant. . . He's a coward. Not a physical coward but a moral coward. A self-centered whiner who chooses to witness the destruction of all that is good rather than use his almost omnipotent powers. Donaldson is clearly attempting to presents some interesting moral/psychological issues, but I found his presentation to have fallen woefully short. Covenant is so unsympathetic that I simply could not empathize with his psychological struggle. The only reason we are given for his reluctance to act is that, as a leper, he must remain rooted in reality and therefore cannot accept the reality of his transportation to the Land. But this reasoning is so full of logical/psychological holes that I never found it credible. I found myself reading subsequent books in the series only to see if Covenant would ever bestir himself, and found the climax in the third book unconvincing and cliched. So, if you find yourself growing aggravated by Covenant and wish to finish the series on the hope that he'll redeem himself, don't waste your time. If, on the other hand, you are fascinated by and interested in the character of Thomas Covenant, than you will truly enjoy this series.
Rating:
Summary: A Magnificent Start ot an Excellent Trilogy
Review: This book begins in a different manner than most fantasy novels...stating the weaknesses of the protagonist. It continues and builds magnificently. This is a must-read for fantasy fiction fans...even if it lacks the blood and gore of the pulp fantasy genre.
Rating: 
Summary: Hmmm....Adult fiction?
Review: While I believe that the characters could be real in the work, such as having flaws and such, the plot line is sorely in need of originality. I'm sick of fantasy novels in which the main hero is suddenly whisked away from his normal life in to some imaginary dreamworld. If the book started there it would be fine, but too many fantasy novels try to cause plotlines by impossible events like just moving around characters through time and space unknowingly. The reason for the second star is because at the end Covenant questions whether or not the dream was real or fake...
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