sfletcher26's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Damn that was bloody nearly perfect.
I first read the Thomas Covenant books back in high school, some 40 years ago, and they have been a favourite of mine ever since. Admittedly, the first series was better than the second, but the ending was ultimately completely satisfying. It was a surprise then when I heard that Donaldson was writing a third series and one that didn't fill me with a great deal of enthusiasm. As I said the whole series had been wrapped up and it didn't need anything more so I largely ignored it. I had occasionally wondered what it was like but the reviews were luke warm, so I thought, no, I'll not bother.
On holiday recently, however, I saw this in a secondhand bookshop in Durham and thought, for 4 quid why not. And I'm so glad I did. Bloody amazing. Didn't ever want to put it down other than to pick up a dictionary that is. And there in is why this doesn't get 5 stars. I don't ever remember Donaldson's writing ever being that verbose but this was a challenge at times. His word choice didn't make his prose clearer or more concise, it just just made it annoying. Despite that, I am really looking forward to book 2.
So 4 1/2 star, not the full five.
I first read the Thomas Covenant books back in high school, some 40 years ago, and they have been a favourite of mine ever since. Admittedly, the first series was better than the second, but the ending was ultimately completely satisfying. It was a surprise then when I heard that Donaldson was writing a third series and one that didn't fill me with a great deal of enthusiasm. As I said the whole series had been wrapped up and it didn't need anything more so I largely ignored it. I had occasionally wondered what it was like but the reviews were luke warm, so I thought, no, I'll not bother.
On holiday recently, however, I saw this in a secondhand bookshop in Durham and thought, for 4 quid why not. And I'm so glad I did. Bloody amazing. Didn't ever want to put it down other than to pick up a dictionary that is. And there in is why this doesn't get 5 stars. I don't ever remember Donaldson's writing ever being that verbose but this was a challenge at times. His word choice didn't make his prose clearer or more concise, it just just made it annoying. Despite that, I am really looking forward to book 2.
So 4 1/2 star, not the full five.
elkneedshelp's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
reuben_books's review against another edition
This book did absolutely nothing for me, especially compared to the previous trilogies.
It has none of the depravity that made the previous series' good, which just turns it into a miserable fantasy rather than an interesting/challenging one.
Because I've been in this world so much and know the lore well, I've learned basically nothing new about the Land in this book, which is one of the things I enjoy most in fantasy. The second trilogy had a lot of new things to process with the Sunbane, travelling to new places etc., but this one has nothing apart from moodier Haruchai.
At 50% there's basically no plot. They've just been traipsing through mountains and giving confusing explanations about ur-viles and demondim spawn.
Linden as the main protagonist is BORING. Thomas Covenant was interesting because he's a pure anti-hero. Yes, it could be difficult to read at times, but at least it was interesting. Linden has nothing apart from sometimes mentioning her son - but she doesn't worry about him enough to make that an interesting characteristic.
Maybe I'll pick it up again at some point, as I glean from other reviews that Thomas Covenant does actually return. But at 50% with literally nothing happening, I'm just done.
It has none of the depravity that made the previous series' good, which just turns it into a miserable fantasy rather than an interesting/challenging one.
Because I've been in this world so much and know the lore well, I've learned basically nothing new about the Land in this book, which is one of the things I enjoy most in fantasy. The second trilogy had a lot of new things to process with the Sunbane, travelling to new places etc., but this one has nothing apart from moodier Haruchai.
At 50% there's basically no plot. They've just been traipsing through mountains and giving confusing explanations about ur-viles and demondim spawn.
Linden as the main protagonist is BORING. Thomas Covenant was interesting because he's a pure anti-hero. Yes, it could be difficult to read at times, but at least it was interesting. Linden has nothing apart from sometimes mentioning her son - but she doesn't worry about him enough to make that an interesting characteristic.
Maybe I'll pick it up again at some point, as I glean from other reviews that Thomas Covenant does actually return. But at 50% with literally nothing happening, I'm just done.
hotsake's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The story, prose, and lore are all solid and top-notch but with a book like this I really need to feel something for the main character be it love, hate, or even frustration but I really felt nothing for Linden Avery and that hurt the book and my enjoyment of it.
nikkiiiii0106's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the mythology part of it lmao but i dont think that was the point :I
gadgetcoma's review against another edition
4.0
It took a while to get into this book, but it was worth it. I had trouble dealing with Linden's single-minded introspection at first, but as the story unfolded, it fit. This is similar to how I felt about the beginning of the series. I am enjoying how Donaldson is weaving past, present and future stories together. It forces me to think so I can follow all of the threads of the story. He's also filling in some of the history of the Land.
odinblindeye's review against another edition
5.0
I forgot how eloquent and grand Donaldson can be with language. His mastery of English creates a wonderful sense of enlightenment through the story, while he simultaneously drags you through the mud with the content of the story. I cannot believe I did not read this sooner, as it's been on my shelf for the longest time. I'll probably read the rest of the newest and last series of Covenant here shortly.
eric_roling's review against another edition
1.0
Oh my was this a letdown. Loved the first two trilogies, but this first book was a huge slog. I saved up up the first three until the fourth was published, so now I am reading through them. This one felt like a duty-read. I did not like or empathize with Linden Avery (liked her in 2nd chronicles), and the writing did not foster compassion for her child and his predicament. This could have been edited way down - so much repeating of thoughts and projecting the action before it happened. #2 is not improving matters at all. Very seriously considering skipping to #4 and just reading the What Has Come Before to get the story of #2 and #3. Anyone want to tell me that these get better?