"A trilogy of remarkable scope and sophistication."
LOS ANGELES TIMES
Twice before Thomas Covenant had been summoned to the strange... read full description
LOS ANGELES TIMES
Twice before Thomas Covenant had been summoned to the strange... read full description
reviews
Jul 21, 2007
Rob
rated it: 
Another series I did in one long weekend, this was probably one of the most influential series I read during high school. For some reason I absolutely hated the main character Thomas Conevenant (probably because he was an ass) and my one driving passion was to keep reading until he was killed off. Until of course the last book in the second series where I got over it and decided he should live and then he was killed off.
As an interesting aside, this series made it remarkably less li More...
As an interesting aside, this series made it remarkably less li More...
Jul 28, 2009
Gabriel
rated it:
Most of what I wrote in my review for The Illearth War holds true in this one too. I will say that, after just one book of seeing Thomas Covenant dilly dally and do nothing (well, relatively nothing in the second book), it was exciting to see him use his "unbelief" as a way to take action. It's like getting the final act of Hamlet, even if the main character is slightly less likable than Hamlet.
Whether or not you enjoy the final chapter depends on the type of person you More...
Whether or not you enjoy the final chapter depends on the type of person you More...
Jul 01, 2009
Adam
rated it: 
So given that I had the entire trilogy-in-one-volume edition in my hand, when I finished book two I ran headlong straight into book three, propelled by the unfinished business of book two and the page-turning prose of Mr. Donaldson.
This volume is a bit more muted compared to the previous two volumes, I suppose in some ways that indicates how beaten and close to defeat the forces of good are - there's no majestic war or glorious battle here, just a desperate struggle to defend a stron More...
This volume is a bit more muted compared to the previous two volumes, I suppose in some ways that indicates how beaten and close to defeat the forces of good are - there's no majestic war or glorious battle here, just a desperate struggle to defend a stron More...
Jan 20, 2009
Derek
rated it: 
Dark throughout, but uplifting in the end, and moreso because of the journey we have taken. I will always love Mr. Donaldson's use of language, and now that I am old enough to comprehend Thomas Covenant, I can truly appreciate the depth and beauty of his characters as well as his world.
If you have not read this series yet, please be forewarned that it is not a light and fluffy read. Do not plan on reading 10 pages a night as you get ready for sleep. All these books deserve your un More...
If you have not read this series yet, please be forewarned that it is not a light and fluffy read. Do not plan on reading 10 pages a night as you get ready for sleep. All these books deserve your un More...
Dec 17, 2011
Sebastien
rated it:
Tant qu'à être rendu à la fin je me suis dit pourquoi pas embarquer tout suite dans le bain. Les deux premiers étaient quand même très bon, si on arrive à passer par dessus le caractère d'enfoiré du personnage principale. Alors un dernier livre et j'aurai fini la trilogie.
Soyez prêt car le livre commence très mal (pas mauvais, mais ça chie royalement) et le mood est carrément noir. Lord Bane est presque invincible et personne n'est assez fort pour l'arrêter sauf le porteur de l'Or More...
Soyez prêt car le livre commence très mal (pas mauvais, mais ça chie royalement) et le mood est carrément noir. Lord Bane est presque invincible et personne n'est assez fort pour l'arrêter sauf le porteur de l'Or More...
Apr 01, 2009
Alan
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Oct 14, 2010
D-day
rated it:
'The Power That Preserves' is the last book in the first 'Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever'. Covenant returns to the land after a few days in the real world where is health and state of mind have deteriorated considerably. When he returns to the Land he finds that seven years have passed and the Land is in dire straits as Lord Foul has besieged the Lords at Revelstone and the Land is permanently in winter.
This is the best of the first trilogy as the various threads are brought More...
This is the best of the first trilogy as the various threads are brought More...
Jul 27, 2011
Amber
rated it: 
After a long period of waiting for something to happen, I finally find myself liking a book in this trilogy. It took until the middle of the book, granted, but then I flew right through it. The pace picked up, the characters gained interest. It was good, but I'm sad that it was so long coming. However, saying that, I must emphasize again that Donaldson's style is a much vaguer, slower-paced style than I prefer to start with, so those who like that type of writing style will have probably liked t
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May 24, 2010
Surreysmum
rated it:
[These notes were made in 1984:]. In this, the last of the Covenant series proper, the Unbeliever achieves what appears to be a final victory over Despite [i.e. roughly self-hate:], not through any sort of absolute certainties but by invoking his own doubts and fears about the nature of his being. In the process, he loses his best friend, Saltheart Foamfollower the giant, and he does it by embracing, not fleeing, the objective correlative of his inner evil, the green-glowing Illearth Stone. Th
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Dec 17, 2009
Dan
rated it:
read my review for "Lord Foul's Bane" it's the 1st book of the serious, i wrote it for the series in general
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Nov 03, 2009
g026r
rated it:
An interesting premise, but Donaldson's word-craft, though improved drastically from the initial Lord Foul's Bane, still remains not quite up to the task of giving the story its proper treatment. The notable overuse of certain favourite words is particularly irritating; if I never encounter "inchoate" and "preternatural" again, I will die a happy man.
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Oct 09, 2010
Vomithatsteve
rated it:
Holy carp! This one starts of really bleak! All of the poor decisions and bad things that happened in the first two, just kind of snowball into this one.
It's pretty depressing, but in a good way. I had trouble putting this one down.
I've said before that the first book in this trilogy borrowed all the worst parts of Tolkien: the random poetry, hippies, etc. This one borrows all the best parts: magic battles between ancient powers, an awesome Sam-esque sidekick, etc.
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It's pretty depressing, but in a good way. I had trouble putting this one down.
I've said before that the first book in this trilogy borrowed all the worst parts of Tolkien: the random poetry, hippies, etc. This one borrows all the best parts: magic battles between ancient powers, an awesome Sam-esque sidekick, etc.
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May 25, 2010
Birdlashes
rated it:
Book #3; ...mixed feelings about this series. I wish the trilogy had been compressed into one book, with more interplay between "The Land" and our real world...like King's Talisman...but, beggars can't be choosers. The main character kept things interesting through occasional tedious passages. The ending was a little too Eddie Valiant vs. the Weasels to move me...and, the author does not share Tolkien's talent for making people care how far and through what landscapes hungry people
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Jun 16, 2008
Tim
rated it:
This book is the last in a strange and interesting trilogy. It is really a compelling read, in part because the plot has an element of mystery to it; there is some sense that things are not as they seem and that until the main character figures out what's really going on he will not be able to solve the problems he needs to solve. The trilogy as a whole features several really unusual characters and a backstory that, especially coming as they did in the late seventies, seem to be startlingly ori
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May 01, 2008
Gary
rated it:
Indeed, to some degree Thomas Covenant is a whiner, as one reviewer put it. It's in his nature. Having been briefly famous, a celebrity, then suddenly his world turns upside down as he develops leprosy - his wife leaves him taking their son, no one wants him to come into town, people pay for food and power so that he won't be TEMPTED even to come into town; people trash his property to try and force him to leave, he has, really, NOTHING to hope for, and even his attempts to be treated civilly fa
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Feb 23, 2011
Rick
rated it:
I took completion of this book to understand where the author was going with this series. Once you realize what he is trying to convey its kind of a big relief. The book is all about despair, despite, hate, and denial, yet when the book comes to its conclusion your thankful that what you had hoped for all along is true. Spoiler alert, but it comes down to a strength found in acceptance i.e. worrying about death can cripple someone but accepting your fate can become a strength.
Feb 17, 2010
Terran
rated it:
Thomas Covenant, O how I'd like to bitch slap you. What-a-maroooon. Having said that, this bitter leper is endearing in his self-pity and unwillingness.
Even though it took me 20 years to finally finish this first trilogy of these Chronicles I was not disappointed. Stephen R. Donaldson is a master wordsmith, using words where I need a dictionary to comprehend. Some words weren't EVEN in the dictionary?! Guah. If you want to say it was red, then dangit, say "RED"!
Even though it took me 20 years to finally finish this first trilogy of these Chronicles I was not disappointed. Stephen R. Donaldson is a master wordsmith, using words where I need a dictionary to comprehend. Some words weren't EVEN in the dictionary?! Guah. If you want to say it was red, then dangit, say "RED"!
Aug 29, 2010
Nick
rated it:
This was my favorite in the first series. While it was fast paced, like the others, the message from the author started to become clear in this book. The tension between guilt and acceptance of oneself was mostly resolved. The tension between knowledge of power and preparation for wielding that power was also demonstrated in this book (often alluded to in the others).
Overall, I enjoyed it a great deal.
Overall, I enjoyed it a great deal.
Jun 14, 2010
Mykl
rated it:
In this book Covenant does take action while still feeling guilty, self-loathing and all the rest that is Covenant. In the end the "Land" decides a new lore is needed as the oath of peace removed the option of the use of anger/at time hatred to preserve oneself and way of life.
I hope in future books Hile plays a role and we can find out what impact of developing a new lore has upon the people/culture of the land.
I hope in future books Hile plays a role and we can find out what impact of developing a new lore has upon the people/culture of the land.
Aug 03, 2011
A very well-written and sophisticated fantasy series. This is the third volume in"The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever." While the story and writing are well done, it tended to drag for me. So only three stars. But I am glad I read it, and for anyone looking for a fantasy series that is significantly different from the norm, this is the series to read.
Feb 10, 2011
Alfredo
rated it:
Superba conclusione della trilogia. In questo volume ritornano alla ribalta due personaggi del primo volume, il gigante Seguischiuma e l'alto Signore Mohram, entrambi rivissuti con accenti più drammatici e profondi. Di grande coerenza e fascino l'evoluzione del personaggio di Covenant.</p>
Mi metto subito a cercare la seconda trilogia, purtroppo fuori catalogo.
Nov 14, 2010
Rusty
rated it:
The epic concludes this book. Summoned by the Land, can Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever save this world? Ravaged by the armies of Lord Foul, the Land needs the help of this hero. The Lords are besieged and helpless. And, the story wends its way to a dramatic conclusion, Thomas is once again pitted against Lord Foul. This is a most fascinating series.
Jun 23, 2011
I thought that in The Power that Preserves that Lord Foul was defeated and the series resolved. But then Donaldson brought back Foul to create a second series. This volume ends the second series and sees the destruction - again - of Lord Foul, but apparently he is resurrected - again - now in a third series of Covenant books. This rather removes the threat of danger or the pleasure of reward from the reading.
Mar 29, 2011
Jericho "Jack" Aleksandr
rated it:
A fitting ending to the first two books. I didn't like the ending very much... I felt Covenant's actions were out-of-keeping with his character, forced upon him by an author determined not to settle objectively the question of whether Covenant's adventures were hallucinations.
Having said that, I'll probably read the rest of the series eventually.
Having said that, I'll probably read the rest of the series eventually.
May 04, 2010
Justin
rated it:
Covenant, the anti-hero, continues to have a bit of interest surrounding him, but it's not enough to make me truly enjoy the novel. This is most likely personal preference, but I tend to prefer my protagonists at least mildly capable. The entire series contains Covenant dragged from location to location at the behest of other characters, very seldom doing anything else and being the recipient of more than one Deus Ex Machina.
How dire the situation becomes is well-established and ex More...
How dire the situation becomes is well-established and ex More...
May 06, 2010
David
rated it:
The best book of the series. "Lord of the Rings" style epic battles, and an epic confrontation with Lord Foul. I really liked the idea that even though the Land's people don't stand a chance against Lord Foul, they never lose their spirit and hope, and the beauty of the Land can never be fully extinguished.
Feb 19, 2011
Mike (the Paladin)
rated it: 
I once heard someone describe these books as: Book 1 life is crap. Book 2 crap piles up. Book 3 we discover plumbing.
Apt description.
Mr. Donaldson should have left it at that and allowed this series to die a quiet death. I've read nothing by him since Thomas Covenant...and I only read the first book in the second trilogy as I wasn't willing to get TRAPPED in another series about "woe is me life is so unfair" Thomas Covenant.
Covenant dragged his feet More...
Apt description.
Mr. Donaldson should have left it at that and allowed this series to die a quiet death. I've read nothing by him since Thomas Covenant...and I only read the first book in the second trilogy as I wasn't willing to get TRAPPED in another series about "woe is me life is so unfair" Thomas Covenant.
Covenant dragged his feet More...
Jan 17, 2011
Brent
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Aug 01, 2011
Ron
rated it:
The conclusion of what could potentially have been a fascinating discussion of the mind and mental illness descends into all of the usual 'hero and villain' cliches of the mindless fantasy genre. I'm so glad I read this when I was 18 and was cured of reading fantasy forever.
Oct 22, 2009
Xopowo
rated it:
I didn't like this series (6 books) for one simple reason: the main character is a depressed whiner who refuses to believe in the fantasy world or his tremendous power. Even if it were all a dream, he should have used his power (for good) instead of being a coward.
