White Gold Wielder: the stunning conclusion to Stephen Donaldson’s extraordinary fantasy sagaThomas Covenant realized that despite their awful failure on the Isle of The One Tree, there was no alternative but to return to the Land and fight. Mhoram had warned him: “. . . In the end, you must return to the Land.”After a long and arduous journey overland, the company reaches Revelstone. Following a … company reaches Revelstone. Following a fiery showdown with Gibbon Raver, Covenant discovers that he can come to terms with—and control—his awesome power. As he readies himself for the final showdown with Lord Foul, the Despiser, Thomas Covenant knows he has the answer at last.
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I read the first book, fell in love with the characters, and ended up reading the entire series and all the subsequent books (except the newest after 2010 – have to get to those now, too!). I loved the series so much, I got some of my other family members to read them, as well. Mr. Donaldson (& if I remember correctly, his wife was later recognized as a major contributor, too) created memorable characters that drew me in. I especially liked Thomas Covenant – a human of our world living an extremely tragic life, who suddenly finds himself in a fantastical world. His own pain and skepticism cause him to disbelieve, thus earning him the name “The Unbeliever” in that world, as well — just as their prophecies predicted. His circle of friends is challenged by him, but they challenge him to be a better man, as well. I read these books shortly after they first came out, so, many years ago as a young man. And yet I can still remember some of the lessons I gained from these books – the value of friends despite difficulties, trusting others, healthy vs unhealthy skepticism, and even how personal strength can be gained from overcoming pain and challenges. I may not remember all the characters’ names, but the giant’s suffering in the lava for redemption, the god as more than a quiet arbiter, the steadfast creature Vain, and the loyal BloodGuard.
I highly recommend this series. It will challenge you when reading it – not for the terminology or readability (it is very easy to read), but because it forces you to see unspeakable things in a world, which have consequences. And that it is sometimes difficult to see how Covenant can be so … stubborn, and unbelieving.
When the main character is a rapist who goes on to have a romantic relationship with the product of that rape (some time travel is involved), would the Thomas Convenant books even be published today? I’m not sure they would. At the time they came out I thought Donaldson’s decision to make Covenant such a selfish and deeply-flawed character was bold and daring. Now…I’m not so sure. Also, Donaldson never met a twenty-five dollar word he wouldn’t rather use than it’s simpler substitute so be prepared to read these with a thesaurus handy. All in all, the six or so books in the Thomas Covenant series are a tough read in terms of subject matter and writing style and should definitely be considered an acquired taste.Enter at your own risk.
I like all of the Thomas Covenant books. They are violent, but once into the book you have to finish to see how the story enda.
When I was younger, I read this, the final book in the second “Chronicles of Thomas Covenant” series, so many times the cover would fall off and I’d have to replace it. Stephen R. Donaldson is who inspired me to write. I could not get enough of “the Land,” and the wonderful characters he made live and breathe on those many pages. It isn’t the main character, Thomas Covenant, who weaves the magic for this tale. It is the people Covenant meets along the way, like the First of the Search–a female leader of giants with a kick-ass sword!
And she is just one of many you will come to care about. And yes, you may start to care for Covenant, too, the grumpy reluctant hero who doesn’t believe. In my opinion, Donaldson’s “Land” is right up there with Pern and Middle Earth. Places you wish you could go. This is the grippigng conclusion of six amazing books, and I highly recommend this classic. Do not expect a happily-ever-ending with this one. Remember, this is Donaldson–ie, high epic fantasy at its best.
This is a very compelling, page turning series with lots of twists and turns. Well worth reading.
classic of it’s time
Love both series of The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever
comparable to JR R Tolkien!
I have mixed feelings about this book, not because it is not excellent storytelling but because I hate the main character. Not because he is shallow and underdeveloped, but because he is basically very worthy of being hated for a variety of reasons. That being said, Thomas Covenants issues feed directly into every facet of the story and it wouldn’t be the same without them. The problems he causes, and oh-so-reluctantly addresses make for a very good fantasy read.