Scan barcode
kroedel's review against another edition
1.0
One of the most annoying main characters in any book. I read the first one and started the second, but could not take anymore.
someguy888's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mercog's review against another edition
1.0
Poorly written, tried Way Too Hard to be literary. Should have focused more on character development, plot, and fucking grammar.
The beginning of the book, before the transition, is excellent.
The beginning of the book, before the transition, is excellent.
violetmoon's review against another edition
2.0
Lord Foul's Bane - 2/5
The Illearth War - 2.5/5
The Power that Preserves - 3/5 or 3.5/5*
* I'm not sure which.
The Illearth War - 2.5/5
The Power that Preserves - 3/5 or 3.5/5*
* I'm not sure which.
peterthelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
The premise is really interesting, but you'd better like getting into a character's head if you read this because Thomas Covenent has ISSUES and you will know all of them by the end of this series. Covenent is an extremely tortured and confused character.
lrogers287's review against another edition
5.0
A great story. I still recall many of the details with hundreds, if not thousands of books, read in between. Relatively straightforward language and the characters could use some more nuance, but it was a great series for me.
katiecatbooks's review against another edition
2.0
A long, drawn-out epic featuring a whiny anti-hero.
Story: Thomas Covenant is a leper. One day he is drawn into another world where the inhabitants at first try to help him return to his world, but then declare he must save their world, all because he wears a white-gold wedding ring. This turns into a trilogy of books stretching across the entire geography of the world and filled with dozens of characters. Unfortunately they are all one-dimensional and unsympathetic. An event also occurs at the beginning of book one that may put off readers, especially women. If you choose to stop reading, feel free, you are not missing anything.
PACE: Tortuously slow. The author spends pages describing mundane acts and conversations, such as getting into a boat or two characters arguing when they already know the result.
Characters: One-dimensional and unsympathetic, especially Thomas Covenant. Our anti-hero does things and says things that most people would respond to him by saying "quit whining, get over it, move on" and yet the characters around him instead respond by worshipping him and encouraging him. This makes not only Thomas Covenant unlikable, but all the other characters too.
Frame: Most of the story takes place in another land. The story is told in 3rd person from the perspective of Thomas Covenant, except for a huge chunk of book two and parts of book three, which are told in third person from the perspective of *other* characters, which totally throws the reader off. If it's the chronicle if Thomas Covenant, why is so much time spent with these other characters?
If you make it through all three books, hoorah. It does get better is it goes on, but you may just prefer to spend your time reading something else.
Story: Thomas Covenant is a leper. One day he is drawn into another world where the inhabitants at first try to help him return to his world, but then declare he must save their world, all because he wears a white-gold wedding ring. This turns into a trilogy of books stretching across the entire geography of the world and filled with dozens of characters. Unfortunately they are all one-dimensional and unsympathetic. An event also occurs at the beginning of book one that may put off readers, especially women. If you choose to stop reading, feel free, you are not missing anything.
PACE: Tortuously slow. The author spends pages describing mundane acts and conversations, such as getting into a boat or two characters arguing when they already know the result.
Characters: One-dimensional and unsympathetic, especially Thomas Covenant. Our anti-hero does things and says things that most people would respond to him by saying "quit whining, get over it, move on" and yet the characters around him instead respond by worshipping him and encouraging him. This makes not only Thomas Covenant unlikable, but all the other characters too.
Frame: Most of the story takes place in another land. The story is told in 3rd person from the perspective of Thomas Covenant, except for a huge chunk of book two and parts of book three, which are told in third person from the perspective of *other* characters, which totally throws the reader off. If it's the chronicle if Thomas Covenant, why is so much time spent with these other characters?
If you make it through all three books, hoorah. It does get better is it goes on, but you may just prefer to spend your time reading something else.
helinae's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best fantasy chronicles I have read. The three books in the chronicle create and depict the world of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever.
I had not heard of this book before it was recommended to me by a colleague, as only the first book in the chronicles was ever translated to Finnish. I highly recommend to read the full chronicles.
I had not heard of this book before it was recommended to me by a colleague, as only the first book in the chronicles was ever translated to Finnish. I highly recommend to read the full chronicles.
vaderbird's review against another edition
3.0
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
anotherother's review against another edition
5.0
This may be the best book I have ever read. As far as fantasy goes, it certainly ranks up with The Kingkiller Chronicles, Lord of The Rings, and A Saga of Ice and Fire. All of these could be considered best, they are different types of books, with different goals. Donaldson's works are the most meaningful in my opinion, and most reflective of the human condition.
The character's realistic portrayal and personality is I think what most attracts and repels people. Some dislike seeing themselves in this setting, and so reject the books. Of course, some may simply dislike it for the writing or some other quibble, but my suspicion is that this is the major reason. The writing is certainly not the write, nor is the plot very original (though both pick up after the first book), but it is the underlying theme that sets this series apart from other fantasy novels. The sharp contrast between the simplistic battle between good and evil in a fantasy land, and the underlying psychological battle in Covenant's mind further emphasized the impressive and heavy themes within the plot.
While Donaldson may not be the easiest author to read, his word choice is very careful, and in it precision helps to express the themes and connect the apparent plot with the philosophical debate in the main character's head. Many complain that the tale is depressing, boring, with a dislikable and annoying lead. This is true in a way, parts of the story are quite tragic and the outer plot can be slow at times. But it seems to me that every part of the novel has meaning and moves the inner plot along. And the story when viewed as a whole is not depressing. It is not cheerful, no, but neither is life, nor ethics, and this tale is an expression of the two. Covenant is in many ways unlikable; but once more, he expresses humanity beautifully and truthfully. Characters should not be perfect or likable in many situations. And similarly to the story, when he is viewed in his entirety, I do believe that he is not dislikable, and at least for me is very relatable. He is an exaggeration of the flaws in all of us.
If you dislike Donaldson's work, then I am sorry, and do not blame you. Your past has predisposed you not to like such things. But to people who see the world and these books as I do, it is a masterpiece.
The character's realistic portrayal and personality is I think what most attracts and repels people. Some dislike seeing themselves in this setting, and so reject the books. Of course, some may simply dislike it for the writing or some other quibble, but my suspicion is that this is the major reason. The writing is certainly not the write, nor is the plot very original (though both pick up after the first book), but it is the underlying theme that sets this series apart from other fantasy novels. The sharp contrast between the simplistic battle between good and evil in a fantasy land, and the underlying psychological battle in Covenant's mind further emphasized the impressive and heavy themes within the plot.
While Donaldson may not be the easiest author to read, his word choice is very careful, and in it precision helps to express the themes and connect the apparent plot with the philosophical debate in the main character's head. Many complain that the tale is depressing, boring, with a dislikable and annoying lead. This is true in a way, parts of the story are quite tragic and the outer plot can be slow at times. But it seems to me that every part of the novel has meaning and moves the inner plot along. And the story when viewed as a whole is not depressing. It is not cheerful, no, but neither is life, nor ethics, and this tale is an expression of the two. Covenant is in many ways unlikable; but once more, he expresses humanity beautifully and truthfully. Characters should not be perfect or likable in many situations. And similarly to the story, when he is viewed in his entirety, I do believe that he is not dislikable, and at least for me is very relatable. He is an exaggeration of the flaws in all of us.
If you dislike Donaldson's work, then I am sorry, and do not blame you. Your past has predisposed you not to like such things. But to people who see the world and these books as I do, it is a masterpiece.