Illearth War

Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: O.K. great book right here. but the ending is a little sad. i can't tell you because that would ruin what happens right? RIGHT! i say you should read this book A.S.A.P. it is sooooo good. the only reason i didn't give it 5 stars is because that title is reserved for the most awesome series of all times. THE GOLDEN COMPASS, THE SUBTLE KNIFE, THE AMBER SPYGLASS. best you can get. but this book ranks pretty close for me. give it a try. i bet you'll like it

Rating:
Summary: I must be as blind as Hilde Troy
Review: On a positive note, I found the prose and story structure to flow much more smoothly. Which was an improvement on the first story. The discriptions were much more vivid, and of course Donaldson's dream world concept is fasinating. It would be obvious to a babe that one could dig deeper and find profound meaning in his writing. Yet, all I want to do is scream because I hate Covenant soooo much. I just can't get past this man and his self consuming pity. In the first book the reader has to put up with his rape of an innocent and sweet young girl. Now we have to deal with him getting jiggy with his OWN DAUGHTER?! Don't be fooled reader--he knows it's his daughter, as well as she knows he's her father. Another note of distaste is the length of pages it takes just to march to the war. The scene with the giants was extremely depressing--especially when the child killed his father. Apparently, Donaldson was doing some parent-hating when he wrote this book.

Oh well, I'm sure many will be discouraged or angry about my review. I'm sure many will assume that I'm "just not getting it." So be it. We all deserve to voice our opinions.



Rating:
Summary: Donaldson Truly has a deep understanding of the human cond.
Review: Overall I enjoyed this book for the depth of its philosophy coupled with a realistic story. It builds up wonderfully to prove that everyone's personal failings cause strife and destruction in the world, but eventually even just those failings coupled by the powers and otivations which nurture them eventually save it as well, continuing the ultimate struggle between good and evil, and allowing man to have free will to always choose their own path.

Rating:
Summary: Stuff of Dreams
Review: Read it and dream about it. Tolkien created a wonderful world , Donaldson described a world which still seems fantastically real to me. Covenant , a leper , is the unwilling hero.If the author intended the book to create sympathy for lepers , he failed .Covenant seems almost disgusting to me(He's loathe to help "the Land" I love so much !). If you didn't find enough action in "Lord Foul's bane" , you'll be satiated with "The Illearth war". The action is fast , the plot tight and gripping."the Land" is at war with Lord Foul's armies led by moksha raver. The chiefs of Lord Foul's forces , the ravers, have Indian names.You know what those names imply , a saint ! .Those who desire nirvana , breaking free of the eternal cycle of life and Death.Such people have little love for the good earth , that much is certain ! If you love beauty , you'll be fascinated by Donaldson.

Rating:
Summary: The character of Thomas Covenant grows on you
Review: Stephen R Donaldson has produced the best trilogy of science fiction that I've ever read. This trilogy and the one that follows (the second trilogy) will fill you with wonder and you will want to revisit "the Land" again and again. The first time I read this trilogy I was 15 years old. Twelve years later, it has gotten better with age. Like a great work of literature, every new read reveals a new facet of the characters and strikes you with new amazement and wonder all over again. This series is definitely recommended. You won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Book two continues the magic
Review: Stephen R. Donaldson continues his epic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever, with the second book, The Illearth War. Once again, the anti-hero, Thomas Covenant, has found himself in the Land; and this strange parellel world is still in the grip of a mounting terror in the form of Lord Foul, and needs the magic of Covenant's white gold ring more than ever. Covenant wrestles with his unbelief in the world and his desire to see it survive-but actually manages to be quite useless to everyone. Still, Donaldson increases the action as well as the complexity of the plot in this second volume, mainly by introducing new characters from both Covenant's real world and the Land who continue the battle against the Corruption of their home. Readers of the first book who thirst for more of the author's amazing attention to detail and thoroughly written story-as well as the lively prose inwhich it is written in-will not be dissapointed.

Rating:
Summary: The Illearth is NOW
Review: The Illearth War, by Stephen R. Donaldson is the second installment of the 1st chronicle of the book of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever. Either you'll love these books or not. I for one, am generally not a fantasy reader but was definitely hooked from the first book! The second book is even better. Thomas is recalled to the Land once again, to continue the battle against the legions of Lord Foul. In Illearth, we meet new characters and are reaquainted with some of the original heroes. All the characters come alive and the plot is tightly woven into a cohesive epic. Thomas' doubt continues in this book but our anti-hero gains knowledge on the power he holds and the dilemma he faces. A few of the better reviewers pointed out that in the chronicles, is a very powerful statement on the human condition. The story teaches that all of us must face our fears, weaknesses, doubts and temptations. Facing anger, failure and learning about power. In the "now" of today, America must answer that call. For we are indeed faced with our own "Illearth War" battling the legions of terrorists who want to see us go under. A must read!

Rating:
Summary: The only true War novel from fantasy land
Review: The keyword from the title of this book is "War." This is not a standard heroes go on a quest-novel, it really is about War in a fantasy land, with whole armies of good and evil set against each other, in a breathtaking display of Donaldson's writing skills.

Rating:
Summary: A really decent read
Review: This book is the second stage in the first trilogy of the tales of Thomas Covenant. While the story becomes ever more complicated and the main protagonist is not the most lovable creature in the world (he is indecisive and reluctant - not exactly a dashing hero- although that actually is the crux of the story) I found that Stephen Donaldson has developed a well formed and interesting mythology for his land. Some of the characters such as Mhoram, one of the lords are wonderfully inspiring and the events that transpire around the Giants (not to give anything away) are incredibly moving. The Ravers are also well thought out and suitably unnerving opponants. All in all a very good read.

Rating:
Summary: captivating high fantasy
Review: This is a phenomenal book. Full of action, dialogue, as well as inner monologue. This is heavy reading and not for the faint of heart. Well worth the effort.