Rating: Summary: What a Trip!!! Review: And the revelations which are in this last book concerning the Unbeliever are a trip indeed. So many colorful characters, with one of my favorites being Saltheart Foamfollower, the big-hearted giant. He steers Covenant to his destination in this last book, and his sense of humor becomes the catalyst which Covenant needs to propel him on to his destination. And what is it that they say - "laughter is the best medicine?" Read on the end and you'll discover this truth. This last book was so disappointing because it was the last. I remember writing a letter to Stephen Donaldson a year after this series ended, asking him if he was going to write a Third Installment of three books, and he graciously declined, stating that maybe in the near future something like this would be possible. But, in any event, this six book series is well worth the investment for any lover of fantasy, but please put down your comparisons to the Lord of the Rings - there's no comparison. This one stands on its own, and its Highly Recommended!!!
Rating: Summary: A Good Pay-Off Review: As I turned the last few pages, I was delighted to see how all the loose ends were being woven together (i.e. Vain & Findail) and I knew the ending wasn't going to have your stereotypical "final showdown" (something like, "... and with a mighty swing of his enchanted battleaxe, Gorgo reaved off the head of the would-be world destroyer SuperEvilBadGuy...) - no, while it was a showdown, it was resolved in a way that really payed off for all the long hours you spent reading the previous books. I agree with lots of other reviewers that the depression and misery that the characters heap upon themselves gets old (does Donaldson have psychiatrist license?) but this is still a great story told over six books. My favorite books were The Illearth War and The Power that Preserves (more action - less misery-babble).
Rating: Summary: the final showdown Review: covenant and the others have to make great decisions fast. things are coming to an end. the fate of the Land will be determined. as always, the plot develops nicely to an ending that doesn't disappoint, and i never seem to be able to guess the ending. is it just me being too dumb? i like to think not. D. gives us a lot of details concerning the Land, but you never know where he will go with them. sometimes they seem irrelevant to me, but it's really not. Lord Foul knows what to do, and he's got help.
Rating: Summary: Well worth the effort. Review: Donaldson has concluded his second epic trilogy on a high note. Both the First & Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant are not for the faint of heart, but for those who like books that challenge them. Donaldson is worlds removed from the formulaic, trite swords & sorcery novels that fill up so much of the Fantasy section in bookstores. His characters all have great depth and complexity, and this makes reading his novels truly worthwhile. While I do admit that some of the books drag a little (the beginning of Lord Foul's Bane, for example), there are many moments of poignant emotion and beauty throughout. The Giants reaction to the sight of Revelstone, Covenant's caamora for the Unhomed; passages like these are a joy to read. All in all, I highly recommend all six Covenant books to anyone who is looking for thoughtful and well-written fantasy.
Rating: Summary: Well worth the effort. Review: Donaldson has concluded his second epic trilogy on a high note. Both the First & Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant are not for the faint of heart, but for those who like books that challenge them. Donaldson is worlds removed from the formulaic, trite swords & sorcery novels that fill up so much of the Fantasy section in bookstores. His characters all have great depth and complexity, and this makes reading his novels truly worthwhile. While I do admit that some of the books drag a little (the beginning of Lord Foul's Bane, for example), there are many moments of poignant emotion and beauty throughout. The Giants reaction to the sight of Revelstone, Covenant's caamora for the Unhomed; passages like these are a joy to read. All in all, I highly recommend all six Covenant books to anyone who is looking for thoughtful and well-written fantasy.
Rating: Summary: The best of a series of increasingly well-written fantasies Review: Donaldson superbly tops off the powerful and gripping Thomas Covenant series. Throughout the six book cycle, Donaldson's grasp of the Land improves, and the world portrayed in the final three installments and the last installment in particular is far richer, more detailed, more alive, and more believable. This cycle of fantasy novels is well worth anyone's time, even those who are not fans of the genre.
Rating: Summary: Woohoo Review: Ha! After reading the review of Lord Fouls Bane, I had to comment. They call Thomas Covenant whiny, whimpy, and generaly unliked. Which was true, but after finishing this book, you realize how likeable the guy really is! Donaldson must have a great amount of talent to develop Covenant's character like he did. I personally think many authors could learn from the writings of Donaldson. Good book.
Rating: Summary: White Gold wielder Trilogy Review: Holy smokes.... This book book blew me away. It is a totally absorbing read.This story broke my heart and left me with a sense of hope in the strength of human character. I guess I'm a sucker for stories of redemption and healing. Take the challenge.Buy all three books then go where you will not be disturbed and immerse yourself in this adventure.You'll not be disappointed. Live large and prosper....Jim T.
Rating: Summary: Possibly the best fantasy series I've ever read. Review: Holy suffering and despair, Batman! This could possibly be the best book out of the best fantasy series ever. The whole interplay between Covenant's inner struggles and the outer struggle against Lord Foul and the Sunbane are amazingly complex, intriguing, and crafted so that they draw your heart into the text. I'd have to say that while the series as a whole (first and second together) is incredible, I like the second trilogy better than the first. You got to see more of the world than just the land. It's almost like Donaldson has grafted the explorative and adventurous spirit of sci-fi and melded it with traditional fantasy elements to make a brain-cracker of a read. The final battle between Foul and Covenant was spectacular, to say the least, not witholding the fact that Covenant's manner of fighting Foul was totally unexpected. It was incredible, a real mind-expander.
Rating: Summary: A book which you will never foget. Review: I don't know how some people do it. This ability to pull and twist and wrench at my soul, it is not fair that so few have it. The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant and the Second Chronicles will not leave you. You will find yourself going back over and over again, regardless of whether you want to or not. I have little room left for good fantasy inside me, a great deal of the space is already being taken up by Donaldson's writing. I cannot recomend this series of books high enough
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