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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
I read this book years ago (probably when I was in my teens), and I found that I really didn't remember it on re-reading. It was an interesting conclusion to the second trilogy, and the final solution that Thomas Covenant arrives has has interestingly spiritual overtones. Somewhat disappointing that the author felt it important to wrap up some thoughts and threads in the Epilogue; I would have liked that stuff either explained better during the novel's action or left unsaid. Still, a pretty good read, especially if you've committed to other books in the series.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-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
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-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
I gave this one a 9/10 rating in my journal from 1989 and said the overall series (all 6 books) was more of a 7.5 out of 10.
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
I learned that sometimes the bad guy is the good guy.
A satisfying conclusion to this second trilogy in the Land, that mystic realm that can be understood as either a real place to which denizens of our world are magically summoned or an internal dreamscape in which they can work through their various psychological crises. From the former perspective, this era's band of champions are returning from their disastrous sea voyage and seeking a new way to challenge the wicked Clave and their master the Despiser, who have been twisting the beauty of the natural environment to foul ends. From the latter viewpoint, stalwart antihero Thomas Covenant is desperately resisting the forces that are increasing his destructive power and striving to prove to himself that nonviolence can be an effective and meaningful response in the face of evil.
This book is also a changing-of-the-guard moment from the Unbeliever to his companion Linden Avery, who will henceforth be our main protagonist in the wider saga (although author Stephen R. Donaldson wouldn't return to write her further travels in the Last Chronicles for another 21 years, breaking from the roughly annual schedule he'd maintained since 1977 over these first six releases). For the good doctor, her present conflict stems from a difficulty in trusting both her own impulses and those of her friends -- believing that she sees truly when others caution against her instincts, and learning to accept that her allies may in turn have insights she lacks that should not be abrogated by her will and her newfound ability to possess people. In essence, she and the ur-Lord alike are working on restraint: him not to lash out in anger and her not to overrule the self-determination of anyone else.
As ever, the story works as a pure genre adventure as well, with thrilling combat scenes, wondrous wizardry, and pleasantly surprising reveals to a few outstanding mysteries. The characters are lovely, and while I'm not a huge fan of the Sunbane setting in general, this is a solid sendoff to its particular horrors. I'm so glad that we eventually got additional sequels, but this tale really could have functioned as a finale to the entire franchise, as I suppose it initially did.
[Content warning for sexual assault, suicide, and gore.]
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This book is also a changing-of-the-guard moment from the Unbeliever to his companion Linden Avery, who will henceforth be our main protagonist in the wider saga (although author Stephen R. Donaldson wouldn't return to write her further travels in the Last Chronicles for another 21 years, breaking from the roughly annual schedule he'd maintained since 1977 over these first six releases). For the good doctor, her present conflict stems from a difficulty in trusting both her own impulses and those of her friends -- believing that she sees truly when others caution against her instincts, and learning to accept that her allies may in turn have insights she lacks that should not be abrogated by her will and her newfound ability to possess people. In essence, she and the ur-Lord alike are working on restraint: him not to lash out in anger and her not to overrule the self-determination of anyone else.
As ever, the story works as a pure genre adventure as well, with thrilling combat scenes, wondrous wizardry, and pleasantly surprising reveals to a few outstanding mysteries. The characters are lovely, and while I'm not a huge fan of the Sunbane setting in general, this is a solid sendoff to its particular horrors. I'm so glad that we eventually got additional sequels, but this tale really could have functioned as a finale to the entire franchise, as I suppose it initially did.
[Content warning for sexual assault, suicide, and gore.]
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter