Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: Covenant finally puts an end to it Review: White Gold Wielder is the final member of Donaldson's series of six Thomas Covenant novels. In this one, our hero finally gets around to fighting the Despiser himself. But first he has to take care of the Banefire burning from out of Revelstone. So in this book we get two climactic battles and they're both actually quite exciting with unexpected outcomes. I won't give anything away except to mention that the Sandgorgon Nom from The One Tree is back in fine form. Nom was possibly the most interesting character from that book. The One Tree is, in my opinion, the best novel in the second trilogy. White Gold Wielder, though satisfying, doesn't quite match it nor does it compare to The Illearth War (the second book of the first trilogy). It is, however, a much better finish than The Power That Preserves was to the first series.Unfortunately, characterization takes somewhat of a nosedive from the previous books in the series (though not near as bad as the atrocious nosedive between the two books of Dan Simmons's Endymion series). The Giants in this novel are more than ever before like machines: impossibly strong and devoid of character flaws for the most part. Linden is a headcase and doesn't resemble anyone I know. The "romance" between Covenant and Linden, if you can call it that, seems ridiculously artificial and contrived. These two people never lighten up! They're stone-faced serious at all times and argue with each other more than anything else. Donaldson doesn't manage to convince the reader that they're actually lovers and I think that he should have abandoned the whole relationship from the start and just focused on the action. The action is done very well and brings this book up to a solid four-star rating. As in all five previous books, Donaldson's development of the swords and sorcery is excellent. The first half of the book is somewhat slow, but the tension builds well as the party gets closer to the waiting enemy. The long sequence under Kiril Threndor will have you turning pages late into the night to find out what happens next. I'm glad I read through this series. Though not quite as complex as some other offerings in the fantasy genre, the generally dark mood of the prose gives the Covenant novels a unique touch. I think that those in their late teens would get the most enjoyment out of these books.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: An honorable moment in the time of man Review: White Gold Wielder sums up the series with a Cliff's notes power. It's hard to say much about this book, hard to speak of the catharsis and emotional whirlwind that breezes through the brain and heart of a reader. The title itself speaks volumes, however dubious. It is an apt title, but one that also begs question. This is no fag end. Donaldson, I believe knew where he was going all along in the battle of despair and despite. He knows the world through the jaded eyes of knowing a killer (leprosy) and knowing the pain it can cause. This book serves as an inspiration to humanity on a social level, and an inspiration to writers on a professional level. Never has 'fantasy' been so well defined. I will never forget the Land or the giants who were filled with a mournful myrth or the bloodgaurds(haruchai) who gave their lives in service for a greater good and I will never forget the Chronicles (1&2) which instilled in my life such peace to unrest, such love to despite.
Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: You gotta be kidding me... Review: Whoever rates this series anything better than a 5 has certainly never read david eddings, Stephen Lawhead or C.S. Lewis. I struggled through the constant reiteration of the storyline. Yuck! How predictable it gets after a while to rehash the first series over and over. Get on with it! This series could easily have been whittled down to one book without losing a bit of the fantasy.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Thomas Covenant slays Bilbo Baggins Review: Yes as a matter of fact..thomas covenant was more entertaining than bilbo baggins, or anything else Tolkien or Eddings could come up. He sheerly reiterates the fact that as a leper he has strict rules...but he really stands to them untruthfully because he loves the land so much. In closing..this book and whole series caught my attention and i loved every bit of em.
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