The Last Cronicles of Thomas Covenant

[The Nameless Thing]

The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant

The first Chronicles was second to only LOTR in it’s narrative and scope. The characters were unmatched in all of fantasy.

The second was OK but defiantly a step down.

The third is one of those books I am having trouble reading. It is almost guilty of false advertising calling itself the last chronicles of ‘Thomas Covenant’. It should be the last chronicles of Linden Avery……..

I am three quarters of the way thru the second book and have yet to see Covenant.

Very disappointed.

[rwhen]

I can see that the last books would HAVE to be about Linden Avery (always liked that name)......I haven't picked these up yet, was waiting for someone to let me know if it was worth it.

Big fan of the first set, I actually liked the second, but it was not as good as the first.

Covenant is a ghost really, so unless there is a way to bring him back about while she is in "The Land"....I assume she goes back there, maybe in Andelain? Maybe with the new Staff? Hard to say really.

Are there 3 books to this last series....???

Let me know as you progress, please. I will ask for them for Christmas.

I agree with you that TCOTCTU are great books. Most think that Donaldson is a hack, but I don't. I recall reading the first set...geesh in the 70's....and there were some parts where my mouth just hung open in shock......like in the third book, first series, when Triok is taken by a Raver and Covenant has broken his ankle and they are at the Collasus of the Fall with Elena all in green......ah for pities sake, that is wrenching.

And doncha just love the giants? Foamfollower...*sigh* The pure one.

Lord Morham....they just don't come any better.

Yuppers, great series.

[rwhen]

Just starting book one of this series. I never got around to reading it when it first came out, but my brother was looking for something to read and he read the original two series and now wants to read this last one.

So far I get that it is about Linden and her son and Covenants son. That is pretty much all I now.

Will report as I read through the first two books of the last series.

[Entmooting]

Thomas Covenant was the second most irritating protagonist I have ever had the misfortune to read.

Linden Avery was the first.

[rwhen]

LOL Entmooting. If you read the other thread on Covenant, you will find that many agree with you on this forum.

I think that Donaldson was the fourth or fifty fantasy author that I read back in the early 70's and I really was impressed with his ability. Covenant is a tortured soul and an idiot most of the time. But it is all about the "Land" for me.

Loved it. Don't know how this last series will shake out or if it is a waste of time.

[Entmooting]

There's another thread? Oh my!

I understand your comments regarding Donaldson's imbuing of the Land with what is a sentience of its own. It is quite beautiful.

And some of the names are wonderful. Saltheart Foamfollower (I think!). Marvellous.

But none of it compensates for the irritating, whinging "hero". He should get an R rating through sheer annoyability. Covenent a tortured soul? Covenant an R soul...

And it's giving me palpitations simply recalling Avery.... Urgh!

[rwhen]

LOL yes indeed, there is a thread somewhere here that is not about this series, but Donaldson, the writer and all his works. Again, you are among the majority who do not like Donaldson as a writer, or maybe just Covenant as a character.

[ArathornII]

I loved the both series...and yes I did love the second, though it was dark (I think there are few greater moments in fantasy literature than the moment when Covenant utters the word "Nom"). Aside from Tolkien, lot of fantasy is a lot like Anime...I'm not sure what the fuss is about....but Donaldson hit upon something unique and brilliant with his covenant series. Perhaps that's why I've been reluctant to look into this third series. It was written so long after the first two, I have no idea how it can live up to those standards.

[orodreth111]

I am a huge SD fan and I loved the first 2 series . I have read both ROTE and Fatal Revenant and I have enjoyed them both . Although perhaps a little trite as opposed to the first 2 series the loose ends that were left behind are being well explained and utilized in the new plot. Being a huge fan of the Forestals I found Fatal Revenant a great read!

[rwhen]

Good to read these last two posts. I am encouraged then. The brother took the book, I was only a few chapters into it any way. So I will wait to finish it after he does.

Oreo...I like what you wrote about loose ends being cleared up.

And ArathornII - "nom"!! Indeed, very powerful.

But I loved the Giants. Saltheart Foamfollower, especially. And I wish that we had something like hurt loam and treasure berries.

I loved the series, always will.

[Denethor]

I was willing to put up with The Runes of the Earth as an extended introductory book. Fatal Revenant though spends 800+ pages in basically getting us back to where we started (minus the red herring). It's the first Donaldson book I truly feel was a waste of my time - I may have had to force my way through parts of The Gap, but at least I felt I was getting somewhere.

I do intend to complete the tetralogy, for old time's sake, but the reviews of Against All Things Ending aren't pretty.