Rating: 
Summary: Maddening and Chaotic
Review: Although I am a Donaldson fan, I confess my infatuation with his work is at best ambivalent. "Chaos" I found to be entirely too chaotic. It was as if Donaldson perpetually sought to remind us of the title of the book, lest we forget. The book was rambling, lethargic, and entirely jumbled. I got the distinct impression that Donaldson might have been drunk while writing vast portions of the book. He tries too hard to capture a mood. Invariably, he succeeds admirably in doing so but then ruins it all by endlessly rehashing his points. The story drags in his desire to put us all in the "proper" frame of sentience.This was my least favorite book of the series. He redeems himself (though just barely) with the final book of the series (All Gods Die.) At least at the end he remembers the story he began. Donaldson seems to have a central problem in deciding whether he wants to tell a story of events or of personalities. Between the two he is frequently confused. His writing is at its best during those lucid moments when he smoothly melds the two into a coherent whole. If he was more consistent in this regard, Donaldson would be unequaled.
Rating: 
Summary: Fast moving,space wide adventure you can't put down.
Review: Chaos and Order was the long awaited finaly to one
of the best siries written by Donaldson.The fast moving, non stop action common to The Gap InTo Maddness. A must read.
Rating:
Summary: A disappointment
Review: Donaldson can tell a story, but this series was weak. Character development is excellent; but theme clarity is muddy; and there is no climax - in fact - there is no ending, just loose ends fairly disconnected from the developed nature of the characters. My recommendation is to re-read the Thomas Covanent Series.
Rating:
Summary: Another Masterpiece
Review: Donaldson continues to write the most engaging, thought provoking, mind-blowing science fiction around. This series is not for the lazy. If you're willing to put in the effort and intelligence Donaldson demands to keep up with the story, it promises to be one of the best series you'll ever read, period.
Rating:
Summary: Horribly fascinating !
Review: Donaldson has a very special way of describing his caracters. He descibes perfectly the most hideous and vile persons/creature ... but is it the bad guy or the hero ... You are never sure. The personality he give his caracters is so close to reality, that you will get the sensation of knowing them, hurting with them, and celebrating with them. The only bad thing i can say about these books, is that there is only 3 of them.
Rating:
Summary: When you thought things couldn't get any more chaotic. . .
Review: Donaldson has returned to the splendid level of maturity and complexity he established as his own in the first Thomas Covenant series. In fact he exceeded all of my expectations. (I had doubts after his "looking glass" stuff and was skeptical of his ability to handle "hard science" science fiction.) But Donaldson pulls it all off with a deftness and sensitivity that only our best writers can achieve. His plotlines are intiricately weaved in this tale and (as I state in my teaser above) just when you think things couldn't get any worse for the human race in general and these characters in particular, Donaldson gives the screw another twist. His characters aren't just flawed. They are real. Good people do evil, evil people do good; for good and bad reasons alike. This story still sticks with me (I finished reading it when it was first released), and I consider it his some of his finest (and perhaps *greatest*) work. His fearless use of mature and complex themes and language distinguish this series from the thousands of !hacks! currently working in this field. Thank you Mr. Donaldson.
Rating:
Summary: Superb, best one yet
Review: I felt bad giving A Dark and Hungry God Arises four stars--it was sooo close to five. I'm glad to say that this book is even better than the last. Actually, I see why some people are liking the third one more, as there are differences.
Many people, including myself, raved about the complex political intrigues in the previous book. So many new characters were introduced and fully developed with simultaneous plot development. Sometimes it was a sensory overload...a good sensory overload, but an overload nonetheless.
Chaos and Order sticks with the same characters as in the third one. Consequently, readers are better prepared to deal with the lightning pace of the plot, as they are now familiar with the characters orchestrating it.
The bulk of the story takes place aboard the Trumpet, Angus' ship. Morn, Nick, Angus, Davies, Mikka, Vector, and Ciro agree to head toward the Massif 5 (pardon the potentially incorrect spelling) system in order to concoct a counter to the Amnion biological threat. On their tail, however, are three dangerous ships: the Amnion controlled battleship Calm Horizons, the rogue Free Lunch, and Sorus' Punisher.
This is a great addition to the series with a smattering of unique ideas introduced. I like the singularity gun, with ammunition that upon detonation creates a black hole. I hope This Day All Gods Die can maintain the momentum with which the series has coasted for the past three parts.
Rating: 
Summary: Donaldson is a great writer
Review: I haven't read this particular book, but if it is anything like the other books he has written then I will be sure to like it. I rated it 3 stars only because I haven't read it as yet.
Rating:
Summary: Empowerment everywhere
Review: I think this book is the most compelling and powerful in the entire Gap Cycle. All the main characters come into their own power fully in this book. Yes, even Ciro, in his own way. Of special note is the fact that not until all secrets are revealed can the characters begin to unravel the tapestry of events that has enshrouded them. Morn's forgiveness towards Angus makes her a great heroine. This one will keep you in suspense all the way through.
Rating:
Summary: Really Smart Science-Fiction
Review: It is seldom that one sees Sci-Fi with as much attention to detail as the Gap cycle. More to the point, it is not often that one sees Sci-Fi, with the possible exception of writers like Larry Niven or Arthur C. Clarke, which so seamlessly integrates hard science and psychology with real people in real situations. By real, I mean that the characters are driven to, and beyond, the limits of their ability to cope, and not only do they come out shining, but they come out reacting exactly like their background and upbringing would have them react. Donaldson's grasp of the human psyche and his ability to cut away the technology and 'Civilization' we so commonly talk up to reveal the underlying nature of humanity is colossal. He paints us, and realistically, as a cut-throat, dog-eat-dog species in a person to person struggle for survival. Which, in my experience, is exactly what we are.
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