The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant - Against All Things Ending

I started reading Donaldson when I was in high school, and particularly enjoyed the Covenant Series. I had read both the First and Second chronicles, and when I found out he was writing a final chronicals I was super excited. The books in the final chronicles have not disappointed.

I love stephen r donaldson and his original chronicles of thomas covenant, but these seem a bit drawn out. It was worth reading, as it does bring a few things to closure & presents some interesting twists, but there is way to much introspection in this particular book, it could have been 100 pages shorter & you wouldn't lose much.

I'm only about half-way through at the moment and was a bit trepiditious after reading some of the negative comments about this book. So far I've found it well paced and not overly verbose, but yeah, reading it with a dictionary would be a good move but that's par for the course with pretty much any Donaldson book. Mind you, I read my books like I eat my food, one bite at a time so I imagine it might not appeal to skim-readers all that much. Looking forward very much to the conclusion of this series and then wondering what Donaldson will get into next, Angus, the return? ;)

With the long wait for this book, I expected better. While the book is good and does carry the story further, there are many places where it could have been tightened up to flow a bit better. Too much dialog and not enough action. It would have been nice to see more character development, as in the first two trilogies where there was more to Covenant's companions.

Many instances where the same events are drawn out and re-hashed. There are also a few places where the "history" could have been expounded upon. The end of the book left me wanting as it just seemed to stop.

Overall, I enjoyed the book as a piece of the Thomas Covenant universe. I am definitely waiting (hopefully not as long) for the next book, "The Last Dark", hoping that it will bring all the threads to a close and restore the Land to it's former beauty.

...maybe you need to rethink you career as an author. Donaldson creates a new, uber powerful demi god, on par in power with Lord Foul, and hoists her onto the reader in book 9 of 10. And he is so uncreative that he has to name her 'she who must not be named.' One more pointless plot device, like the Harrow, to add to the many other seemingly pointless plot devices that Donaldson has used to pad these books with unnecessarily long pages.

With a sly wink at the reader, Donaldson admits that he has written the most annoying, impotent, and worthless protagonist ever. As a running gag, character after character has to prod, cajole, harangue, or slap Linden Avery until she decides to actually do something other than wring her hands in self loathing. I wanted to slap Linden, and Donaldson too for that matter.

Aggresive editing would have done wonders for this book, which was probably 200 pages too long.

At least there were several major characters who were killed off, although some of the deaths seemed abrupt and pointless.

I really think that I will be rooting for the worm in the last book. Hopefully it can eat every blasted character before consuming the earth so that we can be spared from another series in 20 years.

The action sequence in the middle of the book was pretty good. But the last chapter of the book read like a halucination viewed through a bucket of vaseline. Donaldson really is obtuse with the ending of this book.

Donaldson is a great author, but this book just has way too much introspection. Everything I needed to understand about everyone I got in the first 100 pages when they just wouldn't friggin' leave Andelain. I just hope we don't go the George R. R. Martin and Robert Jordan route of entire tomes of wandering all over the place with nothing really happening. No, I don't want wall-to-wall action with depthless characters. I liked this series because there was a pleasant balance. Hopefully book four will get back to that balance.

Donaldson is (was) an amazing writer - with a fabulous imagination. This book was difficult to put down. Why not 5 stars then ? He does have a way of rambling and saying in two pages what could be said in one.

This is the culmination of my favorite fantasy series. The first books in this tale were written many years ago and were my first introduction to this genre. Was an avid reader of classics, but once I was done with the first six books, I began to read many other works by different authors. Congratulations to Donaldson for producing a story that equals the "Lord of the Ring" saga. Thank you.

This was a different read from SRD. He wrote this book in such a way as to explain much of what happened before. Some of the explanations rewrite that the reader simply follow his logic or imagination. However, it remains technically profound and deeply conceived, as complex and challenging as Tolkien. Highly recommended for fans of his work.

Stephen R. Donaldson is my favorite writer of all time. His initial Covenant trilogy (Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever) was mind-blowing, and nothing matched it until the Second Chronicles. The Last Chronicles started even better, and *Fatal Revenant* was the best book I have ever read -- the depth, intelligence, and believable characters expected from Donaldson, explorations of many things that were just stated (and accepted) in other Chronicles, and with the fast-paced action of, say, Kevin J. Anderson. Then comes *Against All Things Ending.* In previous Chronicles, Donaldson has squeezed to get all the action into a trilogy. This book makes it seem like he's trying to stretch it out to a tetrology, but should have left it a trilogy. There are all too many places where it is slow, and some things emphasized that, I hope, will be clarified in the last book. It seemed like 40% of this book was the group of people running away, another 40% repetitively agonizing over exactly the same things, and only 20% necessary. By the end of the book, I was looking for all things to end (especially the book), not against all things ending.

Don't get me wrong, it's still a good book, but it's so far below what I expect from Donaldson that, instead of the five stars I gave every other book he has written, I only gave this one three.

Probably like many readers of the Covenant novels, I came across "Lord Foul's Bane" at a pretty young age--11, I think. In 1984-85 I read the first two trilogies, and over the next two decades I returned to those books, particularly the first trilogy, many times; I think I eventually ruined my paperback copy of "The Power That Preserves."

I'd never read any of Donaldson's other work and was unaware that he'd been planning The Last Chronicles until "The Runes of the Earth" came out in 2004. I bought it with great excitement, but found it far less compelling than the First or Second Chronicles; the conflict wasn't clear to me, and I had serious doubts that Linden could carry the story. Likely I would have given it two-and-a-half stars, and that largely because it was nice to be back in The Land, in whatever age or circumstances.

But I gave "Fatal Revenant" a shot anyway, and thought it was a solid improvement--probably about on the level of the Second Chronicles. The characters he'd introduced in TROTE began to acquire real depth and emotional power, taking some of the burden off Linden; if Liand and Stave weren't quite captivating at the level of Mhoram and Foamfollower, they presented compelling dilemmas both as individuals and representatives of their "types," and were plausible as the seven thousand years-removed descendants of their first-trilogy Stonedowner and Haruchai predecessors. The pace picked up and some plot elements that could have come across as simply gimmicky--time-traveling back to the time of Berek, most prominently--clearly advanced both the story and Donaldson's core themes, which (for better and for worse) seem more compelling to him than anything else. And of course the end of that book, with Covenant's return and Linden beginning to realize that this might not work out all that well, was pretty powerful.

Which brings us to "Against All Things Ending." Reading some of the early reviews here, I was bracing for disappointment... but I think this is the best Covenant book since "The Power That Preserves," a tremendous accomplishment in which the author manages both to tell a great story and develop the constant themes of this saga--about culpability and power, the bonds that bring people (parents and children, lovers, even strangers) together and the unbridgeable distances between them, the myriad ways that the past can redeem or destroy the present--more completely and powerfully than ever before.

It seems that many reviewers have taken issue with "all the talking" that starts the novel after Covenant's reincarnation. It didn't bother me, in part because I saw how it served the story--they had a lot to work through, and it all mattered--and in part because I found the less immediately/obviously relevant elements, particularly the Old Lords offering absolution for Kevin's Desecration, fascinating and moving. Almost from the first page, I found this book difficult to put down: the action sequences were riveting, and the delving into old mysteries of the Land, from the corruption of the Viles and partial/contingent redemption of the Ur-Viles to the explication of the Lurker, further deepened an incredibly rich fictional world.

Which is not to say that this is a perfect book (and as such, there's a star "missing" above). I don't have the issue with Donaldson's ten-dollar words that some do--I love that he respects his readers enough to assume that they can handle an advanced vocabulary--but there were occasions when wondering what something meant took me out of the story, and the occasional repetition or (dare I say) imprecise usage backfired on him stylistically (IMO, of course). In terms of plot, there were so many actual or perceived nemeses for the characters--Esmer, Kastanessen, Ravers, She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, the Lurker, Infelice, Roger, Joan, Lord Foul, and I'm not sure I got them all--that it was difficult to keep straight and I couldn't help wondering how the protagonists would find time to deal with them all.

Perhaps most troubling for me was the near-total absence of Covenant--to put it mildly, usually the most self-critical of characters--expressing or feeling any responsibility for Roger's malice and the damage he's done and intends to do. Yes, the reader can conclude that the damage to Roger is Joan's responsibility... but would Covenant reach such an easy conclusion? The son very clearly hates the father--the one scene in which they're fighting features what has to be the most cringe-worthy dialogue Donaldson's ever penned--but the father seems not to have a thought to spare for his son.

Still, within the context of what Donaldson has accomplished here, this is basically a quibble. Anyone who's invested time and thought through the first eight books of Covenant's story, and is willing to do the same for "Against All Things Ending," will be richly rewarded. I eagerly anticipate the finale to the series.

This review took me over a year to write. I have been a fan of Mr. Donaldson since "Lord Fouls Bane" came out and have read and reread both the two previous series of books over the decades. I have also given them as gifts to my sons, and recommended them to others. I looked forward to this next continuation in the Last Chronicles with great anticipation. With that said, I was sorely disappointed. I tried numerous times to forge ahead and get to something, anything remotely interesting and could not do it. I tried putting it down for a bit and picking it back up. Still no luck. I am forced to conclude that Mr. Donaldson has run out of steam. This would explain the length of time it took for this book to come out. I will not pick this book back up. Life is too short to read bad fiction, especially after Mr. Donaldson has demonstrated he is capable of so much more. Sadly, as a result, I will not be purchasing any new works in this series. How can I , if I am not up to date on where the story left off?

Once again Donaldson has captured the mind with his engrossing and involving writing style, catapulting the reader into the beautiful yet frightening ethos of The Land. The worst part of this book was the wait of almost 2 years for it to be released and added to my book collection, the best being the 3 days of pure immersion into the penultimate tale of Covenant and Linden's quest to rid The Land of Lord Foul, hopefully forever. A highly recommended read for anyone familiar with Covenant's tale, the wait for the final instalment will be wracking.

Love the stories of thomas covenant. Book came in great condition and cannot wait to read. Just finishing 2nd chronicles. Havent read since high school so excited to find again and to find out the story continued.

I reread "Fatal Revenant" in the days previous to the release of "Against All Things Ending," and I could barely contain my excitement as I waited the final day... unfortunately, I quickly found myself in the shoes of Thomas Covenant himself, begging people to hit him in order to pull him from the stupor of his memories and back to the present.

The endless repetitive narration and introspective whining on the parts of the characters (when the world was about to end, mind you) was indulgent and offensive to me. Half the time I felt like I was stuck in a bad history lecture. With a head cold. Even if I had not "known" the main characters for years, I would have been screaming, "ENOUGH! I GET IT!" after the first ten times I was clobbered with their indulgent angst.

Every character's motivations (or lack thereof) was overexplained, and when the action *did* happen, it seemed like filler so that we could quickly get back to a scene where everyone rested and thought about/felt sorry for themselves, or rode long distances and thought about/felt sorry for themselves. No one ever knew what to do or how to do it, and the few characters who *did* were quickly discounted so there could be more self-recriminations later.

Although I haven't been a Linden Avery hater in the past, I'm rapidly approaching that state. Mr. Donaldson seems to have forgotten how to build effective characters, concentrating more on his impressive vocabulary and making sure we don't forget how much everyone loathes him/herself and how utterly clueless they seem to have become.

Even the secondary characters lacked the soul of Covenant's previous works - specifically the Giants and the Humbled, as other reviewers have pointed out. I too had a hard time differentiating between them - and didn't really care enough about them to try. Even Linden and Covenant thought more about Saltheart Foamfollower and Grimmand Honninsgrove than the giants they were actually with!

The Insequent were fascinating at first, but even the Mahdoubt - my favorite secondary character in this series - was reduced to nothing more than a cheap deux ex machina. Not only do Donaldson's faithful readers deserve more than that, but his beautiful, brutal creation of The Land deserves more than that.

The book did improve toward the end - and Jeremiah's awakening was admittedly moving. The problem is, by then I wanted to yell to him, "Tell her she can't touch you! Tell her she can't touch you!" Because I'm mean that way.

In the end, I was left feeling disappointed and a bit angry. I don't mind a cliffhanger ending, but this one seemed to end in the middle of nowhere. The whole scene with Infelice and Jeremiah's construct baffled me to no end ~ I never did understand why, if she was so worried about what Jeremiah was doing, she didn't just stay the heck away. I guess she, too, was only worried - and rightfully so, it seems - about herself.

One last comment about Donaldson's language. I have never minded this in the past, as I do not believe he (or anyone) should ever have to dumb themselves down. If I don't know the meaning of a word, I gladly look it up. (And Kindle is GREAT for this... although some of his words were not even *IN* the dictionary included!) However, I am also a believer in using your language effectively, and Donaldson did not. He used the same $5 words over... and over... and over.

I will definitely still read the last volume of this series. I know every book can't be phenomenal. However, I would not reread "Against All Things Ending" under any circumstances. It felt like a gigantic chore of just so much filler when it should have been a joy. To me, that is the saddest thing of all.

Those who have invested time in The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant will not be surprised by the similar themes running through this book, nor the glacial pace of most events, the occasional need of a thesaurus and dictionary at one's side, and the Land, a place yet again in extreme peril. Admittedly, Donaldson's work is an acquired taste, but if you've read this far, you owe it to yourself to keep reading. Very few authors would even attempt a work of such complexity, yet Donaldson handles it with aplomb. His characters are wonderful, unforgettable, and worth every moment of your time. I, for one, am eager to read the final volume, which will be bittersweet, since it will be Covenant's final adventure...but, there is always the option of reading it all again.

OK....I have been a Donaldson fan from the beggining, but this... Some of the other reviewers nailed it. If you took out all of Linden's repetative introspection, the book would loose half of it's mass in an instant. I literally yelled out loud, "Enough allready!!" more than once! Just when the group was at the verge of some dramatic event, you could usually skip a few pages and still find Linden was whining internally.. ("I killed my mother, I can't do this anymore, Tom doesn't want to take me to the prom, blahblahblahblah") If anyone is familiar with Robert Jordan's 'Wheel of Time' books, you will understand. Its much like the later novels written by him that just seem to drone on and on with too many worthless characters and rediculous explanations of clothing and other useless drivel. Hundreds of pages for a few days worth of events... It seems Donaldson may have fallen into that hole just to sell another book. NOTHING like his earlier works, except that he found a NEW bunch of words you may need a dictionary to understand.

Actually, the book deserves four stars, but I gave it five to counter-balance all the idiots who gave it one or two.

Yes, Donaldson's books are overwritten, and he never uses a short word when a long one will do. [Stephen: it's OK to say "pain" occasionally instead of "excruciation." In most contexts "power" is an acceptable substitute for "puissance." And so on, and so on, and so on... You don't have to make it stupid to make it less pretentious.]

Yes, Donaldson can write well, but not when he writes things like "He could write. O, yes! He could write." No. That's bad writing. Get yourself some harsher critics.

Yes, the constant self-absorption of Donaldson's characters is annoying and often pointless, and yes, it's _always_ overdone. True excruciation for Donaldson's readers lies in the ponderous, guilt-ridden self recriminations of Linden Avery, whose personal Sturm und Drang actually manages to out-Covenant Covenant. That's saying something; and ... it's not something good.

But all that said, the last 100-150 pages of this book -- which are spectacular -- actually make up for the torpidity of the early going. Ive read the first two chronicles in this series several times over the last thirty years, and like many of the harsher reviewers, I've asked myself "why?" quite a few times in the course of the task. But I would say *Against All Things Ending* redeems the Third Chronicles. If the final book is anything like this one, The Third Chronicles will be the best of the set.

Mr. Donaldson: "More matter, with less art," and the final book could become a true classic.

I have been fortunate enough to be able to follow the Chronicles since inception. These books have brought me to a place of beauty and disaster, gave me laughter and tears, and made me glad that I am able to read.

I had this book pre-ordered from the store. I am a rabid fan of the First and Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen R. Donaldson, having read those six books at least a dozen times. I declared him my favorite author of all time with the release of those books. However, the Final Chronicles have disappointed me greatly. The majority of time is spent on feelings, thoughts, past occurrences, descriptions. Over a hundred pages into this book, no one has moved. All characters at the end of the previous book are still in the exact same location they were then, and I repeat, this is over a hundred pages later. It seems to be more of an exercise into using new, obscure words than a desire to further the storyline. I'm no expert; I don't read much. I wait for the best authors to release books, I don't just go out and buy any old book, hoping for the best. I consider SRD to be one of the BEST. I am just getting bored waiting for events to occur in this one. I could not put down any book in the First and Second Chronicles; I cannot seem to keep the Final Chronicles books in my hands because I fall asleep. They just don't keep me invested. Sorry, I can't really recommend this one. I'll finish out my set since there is only one more book, THREE years into the future, but I'm really disappointed in this one.

This book was written with complete disregard for the reader... here are a few examples of the very common words used by Donaldson in his incredibly long-winded dialogs: chthonic, objurgation, cynosure, ictus, lenitive beneficence, eidolon, bedizened, surquedry, orogeny, and others.

I am a fan (or used to be?) of Donaldson, having read almost everything he's published. I am not sure I will finish this series... among other things, because the story line is too thin and the language too tortuous and convoluted. I did not enjoy the read.

I have read everything written by this author and have always considered his work to be quite excellent.... until I bought this particular book.

A HUGE disappointment. The plot moves solwer than real time.... meaning that you can spend four hours reading one hundred pages..... that convey about an hour of one day in the storyline.

The author's choice of words are torturous. The characters' respective states of mind vary between seriously disturbed to quite demented. There is nothing particularly interesting or compelling about the story, the main characters or.... anything. The story could have been told with half the amount of words and would have been a better read.

If you are a fan of the author and must read the book, then check it out at the local library. Do not reward the author, editor or publisher by spending your hard earned money on this book. They collectively owe us all an apology.

Grapes of Wrath is very similar to To Kill a Mockingbird because they both have depression era concepts within them. In fact, To Kill a Mockingbird obviously was the inspiration for My Cousin Vinnie because they both involve mistaken identity. Who hasn't noticed the parallels between Aliens and Predator because of the vicious nature of the otherworlders involved? The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever are not based on Lord of the Rings. Many, many books involving fantasy involve forests! Non-human creatures abound in all of them! A magic ring, sword, shield, stick, or talisman of any kind is ever-present in all fantasy tales. Yes, there are similarities. There are similarities between the movie "Glory" and "Gone With The Wind" also! These books, to anyone who has read them deeply, are FAR more involved and complex than LOTR, and, hold on to your wigs and keys ladies and gentlemen, they are FAR better. More character development is just the beginning. Those with a command of our language and those who can use it with alacrity appreciate and enjoy the complexities and alternate usages of the words in the tales (although I still can't quite figure out what a Haruchai "shrug" looks like). What character in LOTR is the basis for the Haruchai? The Demondim? The Viles? The Waynhim? The Insequent? What ancient hero such as Loric or Kevin or Damelon appear in LOTR? From whence do the Kresh come in LOTR? Does destroying the One Ring save the Universe from the destruction of the Arch of Time? Are the Rohirrem blessed with horses that possess preternatural strength and endurance, intelligence, magic, telepathy in some ways and are prescient? Where, in LOTR, is diamondraught or vitrim? What magic in LOTR required blood to work? What is the parallel in LOTR for Kevin's Dirt or the Sunbane? Where is marrowmelding? In LOTR, who represented the gravelers? Where is orcrest? The Illearth Stone? Who was Amok? Where are the fire lions in LOTR? Where is LOTR's counterpart to Berek? Where is Landsdrop? The Collosus? Who in LOTR was Elena and where was the corresponding Council of Lords? What part of LOTR represents Revelstone? Where is Glimmermere or the Hall of Gifts? LOTR and the Chronicles both have a magic RING, elves, and dwarves, yes. Magic swords also. Ever read the Belgariad or the Mallorean? Those have magic swords as well. Were they based on Lord of the Rings? There are wizards in both, does that make them the intellectual progeny of Gandalf? AGAINST ALL THINGS ENDING is a deeply satisfying and illuminating story that continues the saga in an intelligent and articulate way. I will admit that it does drag a bit from time to time, but it is all in the spirit of character development, not to mention clue-dropping about future events. I've read LOTR ten to fifteen times and lose myself in the movies occasionally. I've read Chronicles over 20 times and WOULD lose myself in the movies if they existed - which they won't because of the "similarities" with LOTR. A stunning effort and a magnificent tale told my an articulate and intelligent author with plans-within-plans (uh oh. maybe it's based on Dune by Frank Herbert) and usages for characters that are impossible to project. Obviously, I highly and enthusiastically recommend them all, and vehemently reject the fact that it's a LOTR rip-off.

This is an excellent book! Before I bought it I read some reviews that said it wasn't any good, which made me think twice about buying it, but I am very glad that I decided to. Anyone who is a fan of the Thomas Covenant chronicles needs to read this book, it displays some of Donaldson's best writing. My only critique is that it can sometimes be difficult to rememeber all the character names in this book, with names like The Ardent and The Harrow, but that is a small complaint compared to the depth and intrigue of Donaldson's latest work. Anyone who says this book isn't any good is not a true fan of the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant.

Huge fan of the first and second "chronicles." WIth this last series, the writing has become increasingly forced and overworked. It is almost too difficult to even get through the reading of the beginning of this newest installment because the language is so stilted- you find yourself asking who edited this manuscript? It seems as if all the characters have long Shakespearean soliloquies (both internally and spoken) in which words are chosen just for the sheer fact that they are rare and require a dictionary. I appreciate literature and its ability to broaden my vocabulary but come on. I wish I just picked this one up at the library rather than paid for the new release.

I have been a fan throughout, but I'm not sure about the reviews. I am 25% in, and so far there has not been much action. A fifth of the book took place on one spot of grass. I will admit, it is a bit hard to follow when you don't remember the details of every book, since much of this is a rehash/reflection on previous events.

Then we get a teleport to another scene (finally). So far, the writing is soaked with self-reflection, doubt (typical of the series, so...), and fairly pretentious writing (that gets boring after awhile)...

...just saying, but maybe it will pick up...

I am (was) a huge fan of Stephen Donaldson and I read the first 6 books numerous times since I first discovered them back around 1983. Unfortunately I do not have the same enthusiasm for the last trilogy.

I am now on page 77 and can't wait for the book to be over as it is painful to read.

First, Stephen Donaldson's writing style has become indulgent (or it is just bothering me more). He must sit at his computer with his trusty Thesaurus looking for the least used words in the English language to add color.. hmm.. no.. "lambent chrysoprase" to his sentences.

Second, Linden Avery must be the most pathetic, selfish, unrealistic heroine ever written about. It's my "son" so let me destroy the world. Let me choose one over everyone. Her actions and thoughts are painful to read. I cannot imagine a person that pathetic really existing. She does not deserve a happy ending in this book.

Finally, what exactly was the point of what she did at the end of the last book? Why exactly did she resurrect Thomas Covenant? There was no purpose to it. If in her desperation to save her son she resurrected him, what was the plan? Why would she go through the effort to him back and then immediately go in a different direction (I won't spoil it) to get her son back? And why the convenient new character (a Deus ex Machina perhaps?)showing up at just the right time? Now (being on page 77) I am sure the author will eventually write in some use for Covenant, but from what we know so far in this book and from the last book she could have taken her current course of action without resurrecting Covenant.

Oh well, at least it will be over sooon.

Spent the last three days reading the book straight through. Loved it, now I will have to suffer 3 more years for the last volume of this remarkable series. I am not going to give spoilers, but Mr. Donaldson has delivered. He has answered a few questions and has raised several more. The imagery and timing of the first half of the book is breath taking. The second half is also fantastic, and I have the feeling that he is setting us up for a wonderful fourth volume. As always, the ending is special.

I have to admit, I have been a loyal fan of Mr. Donaldson's work since I've read the original trilogy back in college. I was a little bit perturbed 6 years ago when I found out he decided to write a another Chronicles. However, I recalled I was also upset with the second chronicles, as I thought the first one ended quite well. How could he possibly top that? I was worried (and I paraphrase Mr Donaldson when I say this) "The only way to hurt someone who has lost everything is to give him back something broken" I guess I feared that that he would do that to our thoughts of The Land and Thomas Convenant. A far as the first three volumes have gone, he has done justice to the first two Chronicles. The only good thing about waiting for the fourth volume is that it will give me a chance to re-read all 9 books in the series before I take on 'The Last Dark'.

I have gotten hooked on the Kindle, and the Chronicles translate very well to this device. It may well be that 'The Last Dark' is the last dead tree book I ever own. My book case would not be complete until then.

Although I have enjoyed the previous Thomas Covenant novels, this one was just awful. Filled with agonizingly pretentious prose and indefensibly repetitive, I found the novel so tedious that I often audibly screamed my frustration.
Horrible....just horrible!

The plight of the Land still hangs by a thread and yet the ninth book of the Covenant series by Mr. Donaldson still captivates the reader from beginning to end. New characters and old join to spin a tale worthy of their predecessors and promising for a great finale in "The Last Dark."

I am besotted with bemusement over the negative reviews. People cornfuse a bad story or bad writing with action or characters they don't like. Hell yes things happen in SD's writing that makes us mad or depressed, and yes the characters are not Boy or Girl Scouts. That's the thing you should rejoice in rather than downgrade. I know the bad reviewers will deny my charge..they will say the bad reviews were based solely on literary merits, and not that their own personal oxes were gored. Let me remain skeptible.

As far as dismissive comparisons to JRRT's LOTR, let me also laugh: hah! There are no new ideas in the world, since the days of Alley Oop. The blessed JRRT his own self, knowingly (or unknowingly and defiantly) "ripped" off countless progenitors--for example, Richard Wagner, who had a Ring that allowed the wielder to control the World, and Dwarfs, and Gods, and swordsmen Heroes. Do I care? No. I also like LOTR, but compared to SD, arent all this characters Haruchai?

SD has his own vision. He takes the elements of fantasy and twists (a good word) them into his own idiosyncratic and fascinating way, both good and bad. Each of his TC Chronicles is a grand story on its own. Yet he maintains the thread throughout them. Not easy. The last Chronicles lives up to the task and the third book, against all odds, is a page-turning thriller to the end. Read it. It will make you mad.

Even though I got it on the day it was released, I only finished this last night (Nov 1). I struggled through it, you may ask? Not a chance... I loved it through and through. Unfortunately, one does not have time to dedicate to reading like one used to. A second (and perhaps) far more important reason is that, having learned from experience in reading SRD, if you rush through, or "devour" it, you tend to miss half the impact of the book. Personally I suggest that this is one of the reasons that some have written negative reviews with insufficient justification, IMO. I would venture that another reason is that this brand of adult, intellectual fantasy is not for everyone. I feel I need to make this point, because SRD has deepened his introspective style for the Last Chronicles, which raises me to question those negative reviewers who claim to have been fans but suddenly negatively criticize this latest book. If you want cookie cutter, i.e. mainstream, fantasy (as said reviewers seem to indirectly plead) then - I repeat - this is not for you.

Also, to any newcomer to the Chronicles: Don't read this if you have not read any of the previous volumes. I would hasten to add that these NEED to be read in order. It really does not make sense to do so otherwise. Start with Lord Foul's Bane and move from there.

With that out of the way, a brief review. The pace varies in this 3rd installment, there are a limited set of scenes throughout. This does not mean that a lot does not happen. The events of the previous volumes are brought into stark relief as revelations start to appear - most pages contain at least one. This volume is about questioning and discovery (even though at the surface, the characters are very uncertain). The hazards and enemies to be faced seem many or insurmountable, and the range for action limited. But Donaldson has a gift for capturing your attention as the plot contains many stories on different levels. The nature of good vs. evil acts; the freedom of action; parent child relationships; personal relationships and perceptions; the limits of service; the limitations of omnipresence and the freedoms of constraints (yes, I know) are all addressed. And these are the real undercurrents that drive a great story, full of wonder, hope, despair, guilt, recrimination, loyalty and vindication. To go into any of these in detail would be to give away the plot in spoilers, but think of this when I reiterate that this fantasy tale is like no other, and should not be compared to the usual "we have a quest" format. Far from the aesthetic value of "hack-and-slash", all actions and events seem to happen for a reason.

On this last point, however, there is a caveat which I am hoping will be addressed. At the middle of the book, I became uncomfortable at some of the seeming randomness that I perceived was creeping in. It culminated when the fate of one character comes about as an - well, accident. In fact, the characters later discuss the question of blame for such a random event as if SRD is trying to frame and justify the event. The plot seemed to have become at this point a rock-paper-scissors affair. It later improved again and I am hoping there are reasons for several events that transpired. After all, I have read how SRD has "set up" events in this way. But I get the feeling that he may have overdone it a bit in this case. I am hoping that the final book resolves these satisfactorily to lessen the feeling. We'll see.

Nevertheless, this still merits 5 stars - no work is practically perfect. A wonderful story driven by real and complex, non-heroic characters who react as I would expect real people to react (particularly Covenant and Linden) when you think about it. A grown-up, intellectual plot immersed in fantasy. After finishing this, I am sated for now. But it won't last 3 years until "The Last Dark".

The first two books of this series I'd just have to rate so so, compared to the original Thomas Covenant tales. But with the 3rd installment it finally starts to come together. This was definitely the most satisfying so far. Bummer that I have to wait for the final book...

It is very hard for me to be objective about the Thomas Covenant Chronicles, as they are my most treasured books of all my collection, and this one is no exception. I think for some people they can be heavy going, I have had friends I've introduced them to, throw up their hands crying NO MORE!!!!! but for those who have enjoyed the story so far, read on with this one!!
All the usual drama, character testing decisions, sadness and glimpses of joy (albeit a bit rare) are there, I will not give away anything, as fans will want to find out stuff for themselves but I am hanging out for the last book. There's no looking forward to the proverbial happy ending with this series, well not a traditional one anyway, so I hope you are writing fast Mr Donaldson, bacause I have my money ready, to buy the last book in the series...

Having been a Covenant/Donaldson fan from the start, I found the first two books of this "last" series a little slow, although fascinating. After finishing the first two books, we didn't know what Jeremiah was all about, where Joan was, what the Insequent were, whether the worm could really do anything.

This volume starts out a bit slow, with the usual lengthy and sometimes agonizing discussions about guilt, choices, etc. However, it soon moves into fascinating developments for Linden, Thomas Covenant and Jeremiah. If you want action and change, you won't be disappointed.

It ends of course with a cliff hanger, perhaps the ultimate cliff hanger possible. The last book will obviously occur on a large scale; I hope Donaldson and I both live to see it published.

I would rate this second best of all the Covenant books, second only to The Wounded Land. It's a wonderful read from an incredible imagination.

I love the series, but was disappointed in the latest offering. The plot advanced at the speed of drool, and like others, I found Donaldson's word choices distracting. Chthonic? Really? Who uses this? The characters pasts were needlessly rehashed over and over and over again and some of the most endearing ones were offed! I found myself almost hating Linden Avery, for pretty much the entire book. Sometimes you need a "quiet" book to set the stage for the follow-up, but this doesn't seem to be the case in this instance--it's just a lot of verbiage, with very little meat to it. That being said, it did get better towards the end and I look forward to the next installment!!!!

All of my fond memories of reading (and rereading) the original two trilogies is slowly being eroded by this mess. I started in expecting the same high quality of story, character development and sense of adventure. Instead the current series makes as much sense as "Phantom Menace". And is ultimately just as forgettable.

Donaldson has never really been fair to his characters. When dropped into any given situation there's an unusual amount of regret and remorse to spread around. This is to add depth to the character and drama to a scene. In past outings, this was marginally fine. Here it reduces to outright stupidity. Case in point: Linden, a trained medical doctor, head of her institution, stands completely stonewalled as others give healing berries to a recovering Covenant. These berries are a basic part of the Land, thus the whole thing becomes stupid, not fair.

A few of the reviewers here have mentioned Donaldson's prose in glowing terms. Really? There must be an app for this....that examines your text and randomly selects obscure, almost-not-quite fitting words from a thesaurus app. Its sole purpose is to provoke a "Huh? That sounds clever." reaction from the reader. I've seen Microsoft Word mangle an idea or three. Donaldson's app was clearly set to level 5.

So back to the George Lucas analogy. Once the Jedi--eh, Lords, Linden were smart, insightful people. Now they are stupid. Once the Force--eh, white gold, staff of law were powerful elements. Here they are eclipsed by a light saber--eh, krill. Whatever. And I'm not too concerned with these characters being killed off en-masse because it means there will be fewer people wandering around, shuffling their feet, regretting what they had for breakfast.

I welcome the worm. It reminds me to load something better onto my Kindle, like Dune. At least that series wasn't ruined 20 years after. Oh, wait.

Some months ago, Donaldson asked his fans to wait for him to prove that this was, indeed, the "Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant," *not* Linden Avery, and with this novel he has done just that. Like "Fatal Revenant," this book's predecessor, there are horrors and atrocities and cheats and deceptions involved--those fond of Donaldson's supporting cast should brace themselves: as in most Donaldson books, there is a slaughter, and it ain't pretty. But Thomas Covenant--the *real* one this time--is back. I repeat: THOMAS COVENANT IS BACK!

Esmer and all he represents (good and evil and evil means) come to full fruition here; what good and evil really are (if there's a full distinction) is explored by a man who has struggled with motivation and the human condition in each and every one of his works since the first Covenant novels were published thirty years ago. Indeed, this book is worth it on the basis of one conversation alone: the one Linden has with Stave over what it takes to be a Landwaster (or Earthwaster, as the case is).

The end is beautiful and terrifying, with Thomas Covenant finally expurgating some of the pain. If you loved the Gap Series (not to mention the other Covenant books) you'll love this. It's terrifying (I was upset when I put down the book, I'll admit), but it's a lovely sort of terrifying, the kind of horror I'll love feeling in three years when the next book is ready.

I can't see how any long-term Donaldson fan could fail to love this. Donaldson is growing the seeds from the previous two series blocks--the only seed that's new is the Insequent, and even the Ardent has a basis in Donaldson's other work (doesn't anyone remember the Tor?)

Melenkurion abatha! Duroc harad minas mill khabaal! :)

Time and time again, Donaldson invents new ways to commit violence against women in his literary works. This novel is no exception. Plodding through the damaged mind of Thomas Covenant feels like reading Donaldson's personal journey through a midlife crisis. His thought-process of portraying an aspect of womankind as being bitter about not being married just reeks of justification of his own failed relationships. Too bad we all can't find such fantastical means of offing ex-lovers.

Some months ago, Donaldson asked his fans to wait for him to prove that this was, indeed, the "Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant," *not* Linden Avery, and with this novel he has done just that. Like "Fatal Revenant," this book's predecessor, there are horrors and atrocities and cheats and deceptions involved--those fond of Donaldson's supporting cast should brace themselves: as in most Donaldson books, there is a slaughter, and it ain't pretty. But Thomas Covenant--the *real* one this time--is back. I repeat: THOMAS COVENANT IS BACK!

Esmer and all he represents (good and evil and evil means) come to full fruition here; what good and evil really are (if there's a full distinction) is explored by a man who has struggled with motivation and the human condition in each and every one of his works since the first Covenant novels were published thirty years ago. Indeed, this book is worth it on the basis of one conversation alone: the one Linden has with Stave over what it takes to be a Landwaster (or Earthwaster, as the case is).

The end is beautiful and terrifying, with Thomas Covenant finally expurgating some of the pain. If you loved the Gap Series (not to mention the other Covenant books) you'll love this. It's terrifying (I was upset when I put down the book, I'll admit), but it's a lovely sort of terrifying, the kind of horror I'll love feeling in three years when the next book is ready.

I can't see how any long-term Donaldson fan could fail to love this. Donaldson is growing the seeds from the previous two series blocks--the only seed that's new is the Insequent, and even the Ardent has a basis in Donaldson's other work (doesn't anyone remember the Tor?)

Melenkurion abatha! Duroc harad minas mill khabaal! :)

Time and time again, Donaldson invents new ways to commit violence against women in his literary works. This novel is no exception. Plodding through the damaged mind of Thomas Covenant feels like reading Donaldson's personal journey through a midlife crisis. His thought-process of portraying an aspect of womankind as being bitter about not being married just reeks of justification of his own failed relationships. Too bad we all can't find such fantastical means of offing ex-lovers.

Haven't read this book yet. Finishing up the 2nd book of the series. Can't wait to get into it, but I know it will be great. As soon as the last book of this series comes on the market I plan to order that one through the store too. And as always, I got my shipment in the time expected and everything, this book and Big Bang Series 4, were in perfect condition.

Thanks Coralie

Although his writing cannot be faulted, I'm more than a little disappointed in this new series as they don't reach any type of conclusion. I really wish he wasn't writing a bunch of cliff hangers that have to be read to reach the last book and the ending. His first series was much better, and not the "to be continued" genre.

Stephen R Donaldson does not write a single word without purpose. His choice of vocabulary, every sentence structure, placement and combination, is loaded with implication. As I read his writing, I am reminded of a Beethoven symphony or Bach passacaglia and fugue.
His writing is so multidimensional, with so many intellectual and psychological levels that I have been revisiting it for decades yet gain new appreciation on each reading. As I approach it with different wisdom or intelligence, each time I learn and appreciate new facets of the drama.
To me, the stories are not plot driven; they are not about facts, events or issues. If I had to label them, they are psychodramas about despair and redemption. His protagonists are well acquainted with suffering, grief, despair, and desecration. They are uncompromising in their complex human frailties yet all retain great staure and dignity. Some reviewers have been impatient with this yet I ask how many people accept the characters on their own terms instead of judging them? How many reviewers have suffered enough to listen with shared understanding and compassion? Having been driven to attempt suicide, for me the pain of Donaldson's characters- and their reasons for going on! - are gutwrenchingly familiar.
The growth- or breakdown- of individual psychologies in response to trauma tells this story as much or more than the actual events, accounting for what some call "glacial pace". It is simply not possible to address and explain the development of so many individual psychologies and justifications, at the pace of an action-driven novel.

As the consequences of Linden's love draws the end of creation nigh, many previously constant things become mutable.
Questions about whether it is *ever* possible to accomplish "good" by "evil" means are discussed deeply.
Covenant's choice to rescue the snakebitten girl rather than answer Mhoram's summons- and Mhoram's response- is also deeply relevant.
Suprisingly, a classic evil foe becomes a force for good. Linden becomes increasingly broken by suffering from the consequences of her good intentions, and her mother's fate becomes very relevant to the story. The tragic relationship between Covenant and Joan is apparently resolved. Several well-loved characters die, but I felt their deaths were neither arbitrary nor meaningless- quite the contrary. Although they appear in the story, the mortal Insequent are no more deus ex machina than the Elohim; I felt it natural that the end of Creation would draw their attention, and their reasons for avoiding the Land previously are explained in the text.
Donaldson has repeatedly stated that this will be his last excursion to the Land, and many readers have begged him for more details about minor references in previous books: This is his last opportunity to develop that lore, and I felt that he delivered it well. For me personally, it was especially gratifying to read Donaldson's descriptions of the ornate majesty of the Lost Deep.

To compare Donaldson's writing with any other, I think does him a disservice: He stands unique.
This is a deeply intellectual work of tragedy and hope, both profoundly cathartic and thought-provoking.
For those curious to know more, the first chapter of this book is available to read for free from his website at [...]

I have always found Stephen Donaldson's Thomas Covenant books to be somewhat wordy but this one is over the top. Without the Kindle's dictionary I would have no idea what he is talking about. About a third of the words don't have a link in the dictionary and most of the words if finds are categorized at RARE or ARCHAIC. What was the author thinking?

If his over the top use of the English language wasn't enough, his sniveling, weak characters who have learned nothing for their adventures in the Land is beyond frustrating. I am now looking for a synopsis that will free me from having to finish this book. I wish there was some way to return a eBook because this is NOT a keeper.

I just want to add my voice to the chorus that praises AATE as an amazing act of creativity. Reading SRD is an investment of self, and it is well worth it. I've been along for the ride since Lord Foul's Bane and all I can say is that 2013 cannot come quickly enough.

I have to purge some of my reactions to other reviewers' negative sentiments before I can speak more freely about my abiding love for this beautiful book. Let's start with the Insequent, who've been dismissed, by some, as contrivances for mere plot convenience. I personally find them enthralling, from The Mahdoubt to The Ardent - one of the "colorful" additions to the cast in A.A.T.E. The Last Chronicles have always encompassed greater scope - both thematically, and in terms of space and time - than previous volumes, so it feels natural for their adventures to involve a hitherto-unknown race hailing from beyond the borders of the Land we've been familiar with. And I fail to see how beings that give with one hand whilst they take with the other (like the similarly duplicitous Esmer), ushering in as much bemusement and havoc as they do clarity and order, could be the ideal vehicles for tidying up a storyline.

But they do contribute an element oftentimes lacking in the earlier stories of the Land: grayness, ambiguous loyalty and motivation; they fill in a lot of the spaces that span between the Land's benevolent Creator and its contemptuous Despiser. To my mind, they seem to have arisen in response to Covenant and Linden's enhanced experience and understanding: As the protagonists grow in stature, newer and more highly evolved forces rise to meet them. This contributes to an overall sense that everything within A.A.T.E. is occurring on a broader and grander scale.

And Donaldson's prose - particularly, the style he's incorporated since "The Runes of the Earth" - is ideal for conveying that sense of escalating scope and complexity. It reminds me of the inner patterns of the stone that Anele so loves: you read a layer of past illumination, then a layer of foreshadowing; here there's a vein of introspection; there, a vein of action. All these gradations coexist on virtually every page (a layer cake could be another analogy), creating an overall conviction that there are no small movements or choices here. Everything is crucial. If what is brought forth from the Land's past is not assimilated, if harbingers of future woe aren't heeded, catastrophe will result. This book is as apocalyptic as the title implies. It's a fine line, and Donaldson walks it with such meaty prose that the whole work fairly oozes with tension and anticipation, breakthrough followed by unforeseen calamity. The stakes keep getting higher; and being a highly exacting artist, Donaldson never settles for pat answers.

And despite the changes that he's undergone - and continues to undergo - it's great to finally, really, have Covenant back, with all of his gut intransigence and reckless love for Linden and the Land marvelously intact.

"Covenant" has been my favorite fantasy saga ever since I discovered the original trilogy 26 years ago, and this latest installment, if anything, surpassed my expectations. It's going to be a long, lonely wait for "The Last Dark".

If you are not reading this book already...then why the hell not?? Seriously, start at the beginning "Lord Foul"s Bane" and work your way forward. This is the "one series" that you HAVE TO READ. Not for beginners to well crafted story telling, Donaldson commands the page and his words richly deliver a truely stunning narrative.

Linden has saved the White Gold Wielder! But did she? There's lots more to it than just Covenant coming back from the dead. I'm only on page 57 of 596, so have only scratched the surface, and it's hard to put down. I especially like the glossary in the back of the book that helps refresh one's memory of forgotten characters and places from the preceding volumes.

Enjoying the book ... just continues an amazing series that's now many decades in the making. I just wish the last book in the series were not still two years away. I hope I live long enough to read it!

I give this book five stars: Why? Mr. Donaldson writes for those who desire to read an adult level book. The themes, interactions, and the requirement to examine your own conceptions against his, as related through his words, or those really of his characters, require reflection.

I reject the need of any reviewer to give but a few direct words of plot to any review. Sorry, that is my call.

I find myself having a dictionary nearby, as at times, he uses words I think I get the drift off, but I would like to be sure of. Some might think he is be-littling his readers, I view it as all part of the reading experience. Comman words can not explain well, at times, uncomman events.

This book continues to build upon a theme. If one thinks that the story final chronicles of T.C. is self contained within these three books of four, then they have yet to see the larger point. The Chronicles of T.C. is a series of 3 Sets of books. If one finds faults in this book, for whatever reason, you are missing a greater point. Book four of this set(the 10th overall) will be the end result of everything that happen in book 1 - 9. Things in book one as an example one gain importance.

The bottom line, everything written in the chronicles of T.C. to include Book 3 of this chronicle, has a part to play in the end. Be patient. Read for enjoyment, read for the sake of visiting your old friends, write down your thoughts of what will come, find a website(good one) devoted to T.C. and discuss. Most of all, GIVE thanks that you can read, write, and discuss what you want in freedom. So many places of our earth(LAND) there are those who can not read, write, or discuss, or any combination of those. It is there Lord Foul holds sway.

At the end of Fatal Revenant, the plot of The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant was brought into much sharper focus. In Andelain, Linden resurrected Covenant in order to help find and save her son Jeremiah. By doing so, Linden unintentionally roused the Worm of the World’s End, who threatens the destruction of the earth and the Arch of Time. Of course, the destruction of the Arch will release Lord Foul from his earthly prison to wage war against the Creator.

In Against All Things Ending, Linden and her friends must somehow respond in the face of impending doom. What to do? Fortunately, The Harrow, an Insequent, claims he can take Linden to Jeremiah as part of a plan that will stop the Worm. However, he has already demonstrated a willingness to advance his own plans at her personal expense. He also demands Linden’s Staff and the White Gold ring. So, he’s not a trustworthy figure and his demands are extremely high. Also, the Elohim, as represented by Infelice, are strongly against Linden accepting the Harrow’s offer of assistance for their own reasons. Despite all this, Linden agrees to the Harrow’s terms since she knows no other way to get at her son.

Potential obstacles facing Linden, besides the possible treachery of The Harrow and the likely interference of the Elohim at some point down the road, include the heightened distrust of the Humbled, Kevin’s Dirt, Kastenessen and his Skurj, Roger and his army of Cavewights, a great number of Sandgorgons who seem certain to be mastered by a raver in the near future, Joan and her Caesures, Esmer, and whatever mischief Foul still has up his sleeve. And in the back of everyone’s mind, of course, is the inexorable progress of the Worm.

These are difficult circumstances, to say the least. Donaldson has created a very daunting set of obstacles his characters must overcome in books 3 and 4. Here in book 3, his protagonists bravely refuse to be paralyzed by inaction, and move forward, one step at a time.

And the situation isn’t entirely dire. Assets Linden and her friends gained in Andelain include the resurrected Covenant, though he is seriously weakened by a susceptibility to fractured memories from his service as the Timewarden, Loric’s Krill, and the Ardent, another Insequent and disciple of the Mahdoubt, sent by the Insequent collectively to help Linden by making sure she is the arbiter of the terms set in her dealings with The Harrow.

The attempt to rescue Jeremiah takes Linden, her supporters (now including Covenant) and the two Insequent to the Lost Deep, the ancient home of the Viles. This rescue mission involves great (under) world-building, quick thinking/decision making, fine action and chase scenes, and the introduction of a colossal “character,” who, like the Insequent, is another bold and original stroke by Donaldson. The mission is successful, though it comes at a dismaying cost. Also, certain actions by Linden, who has regained control of the Staff, disrupt the calculations of the Insequent, making them as blind to the future as everyone else.

Of course, rescuing Jeremiah from his external prison is but the first step in the effort to save Jeremiah. As was made apparent in Fatal Revenant, a croyel controls him. And beyond this ugly reality lies another problem: Jeremiah’s basic mental disassociation. The separation of Jeremiah from the croyel entails the loss of several lives freely given, and the timely intervention of the ur-viles during a fierce battle, who manage to help Linden by accomplishing something else for which they have long striven.

After freeing Jeremiah from the croyel, the company is not sure how best to proceed. A split-up occurs. Covenant goes looking for his ex-wife Joan with 2 of the Humbled. He seeks a confrontation/errand of mercy. The company also loses the two cords, sent by Mhartiir to Revelstone at the insistence of the ailing Ardent that someone must seek the help of the Masters. Linden and the remainder of her party decide to put their faith in the Ranyhyn to lead them. Their encounter with the Feroce unexpectedly leads these descendants of the jherrin and the sur-jherrin to lend some much needed assistance to Covenant. The Ranyhyn take Jeremiah where he needs to be in order to free himself from his own mental prison. Several powerful figures try to stop this from happening, though the company manages to give Jeremiah the time he needs. It also becomes clear what Lord Foul’s “deeper” plans-beyond his desire to be free from the Arch of Time-entail. In his encounter with Joan, Covenant manages, among other things, to heal himself from his susceptibility to get lost in his own memories.

Against All Things Ending is a worthy addition to The Last Chronicles. There is a pervasive sense of futility engendered by the severe challenges facing Linden and her friends, yet there are also heroic deeds and real victories brought about by the hope that “There is no doom so black or deep that courage and clear sight may not find another truth beyond it.” And the concurrent Covenant and Jeremiah plot threads at the end of the book offer a gratifying conclusion to this penultimate volume. By the end of the book, though formidable obstacles remain, Jeremiah and Covenant are now better ready to face them with Linden, Stave and rest of the company.

Against All Things Ending is Stephen Donaldson's third entry in the (announced as) four book series entitled The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Or, as one may think of them, his ninth book in the long-running series detailing the story of Covenant and later Linden Avery in the fantastical world known as The Land. I'll refer readers to the plot summaries in our reviews of the prior books, mostly I assume as refresher notes since nobody should be picking this book up who hasn't read the previous two, and in my mind, nobody should be reading the "last" chronicles who hasn't read the previous two chronicles. Not only would you be lost in basic plot and character points, but you'd be missing much of the thematic and philosophical underpinnings of the story and the direction of its long narrative arc.

Those themes and subjects remain familiar in Against All Things Ending: guilt, power, powerlessness, innocence, the "crime of power," self-doubt, self-loathing, the balance of wonder and horror in the world, and a few more. This is, as I said in an earlier review "serious" fantasy. Even those who generally sneer at the genre would be hard pressed to call Donaldson's work, and especially this book, "escapist fiction." This is, and often has been, both strength and weakness for the series. At its best, the series raises and explores in thought provoking, stimulating fashion profound issues of human existence and interaction with both other people and with the universe at large. At its worst, it can devolve into introspection that can be overly repetitive or that veers too close into self-pity and whining. At its best, it balances its more philosophical/psychological aspects with stirring bursts of action and imagery that can leave one breathless (I offer up Mhoram's Charge as one scene that has been etched indelibly in my reading mind for decades). At its worst, it presents us with perfunctory moments of action that seem to serve the mere purpose of breaking up the self-examination.

For the most part, throughout the series, Donaldson has tipped to the right side, which is why I'm still reading about Thomas Covenant decades after I first met him. Unfortunately, Against All Things Ending tipped the wrong way for me and, for one of the few times in my Donaldson reading experience, I had to really push myself to finish. There were too few stirring or beautiful moments, too few original conceptual arguments or explorations, and too many, way too many, (and too long) scenes with Linden Avery lacerating herself for her actions. Or her inactions. Or her untimely actions. Or her . . . well, you get the point. In a book one, or a book two, this would have been tolerable, though I probably still would have argued for some editing. The problem is we're nine books in to explorations of the themes/subjects mentioned above and there just wasn't enough of anything new in all this. It is often insightful (the first few paragraphs or pages at least). It is often precisely and eloquently expressed. And thus it would make you stop and linger over the lines you just read and really think about them, really make you question how power works in the world, how individuals really carry or not their burdens. Or at least, it would, had you not already stopped and thought about all of that in earlier books. And here it just goes on scene after scene after scene, and often paragraph after paragraph after paragraph within those scenes. Not only do you want to scream, "I get it!" you want to scream "I got it in Book 8! Or book 7!" I can deal with bleak; I can deal (to a point) with self-introspection, self-doubt, self-pity even, the entire morass of depression and paralysis etc. But don't ask me to deal with all that without purpose and that's unfortunately what I felt here, because none of it cast any further illumination.

Covenant's arguments with the Haruchai don't feel different enough from the arguments he or Avery had with them in the past, the sacrifices made don't feel all that different from the sacrifices we've seen in the past. Despair in all its sundry forms seems to wear all the same garments we've seen in all the times we've watched characters face it down in earlier books.

The feeling of being swamped or worse, bored (due to familiarity) by all this was exacerbated because those aspects that usually balance these heavy psychological scenes are themselves repetitive. They can no longer rescue the reader from the swamp because they're all too familiar and so feel rote, like we're all just going through the motions. The impact of the Giants' ability to laugh, their love of story, their capacity for grief, their steadfast fellowship and trust---all of that gets diminished in impact each time it is pulled out and again, by book nine, that's beginning to add up to a lot of times. The same holds true for the other of the Land's denizens: the Stonedowners, the Haruchai, the Ramen, the Ranyhn, and so on.

I could happily pull paragraphs and scenes out of context and have a great intellectual meal out of them, could present them to a class and get a great discussion going. But as part of a fictional context, as part of a narrative of plot and character, the book doesn't succeed. Oh, things happen. Plot moves forward. Some characters die, some new ones arise, some change. But there's no sense of movement. No sense of progress. It's a bridge novel, but it feel like it's a bridge suspended in mid-air, unconnected to land at either end of its length.

The book is sort of like that friend who at first you really enjoyed having over but who now just won't go home, so you're only kinda listening to them tell the same stories you heard last time he was over, nodding your head here and there, dipping into the conversation now and then, all the while looking forward to bed and the night's conclusion.

Though that is, to be honest, a little unfair or overly dismissive. There is excellent writing here. Precise if sometimes arcane use of language and simile and metaphor and symbol (nobody sends me to the dictionary more than Donaldson and I rarely feel disappointed in doing so or feel it's purely for show-off sake). Expression of deep thought. Much of weight and importance. But as a reading experience? Outside of a few scenes I can't say it was enjoyable. Which at times can still work if it's intellectually stimulating or engaging enough, which is its own form of enjoyment I suppose. But one still lacking here due to the over-familiarity of its content. For those reasons, it's difficult to recommend, though it's hard to see how fans (and who gets to a book nine save fans?) get to the concluding novel without it. So best I can say is read it, but don't feel bad about skimming sections. You'll know which ones when you get to them because you've seen them before.

First, a preface: I consider the three books of the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant to be one of the best fantasy series of all time and still relevant today. The Second Chronicles was still very, very good, though not as good as the first series.

Now, onto the review:

For the first 100 pages of Against All Things, almost nothing happens as the characters stand in Andelain and talk about what's happened. Except for a few small things, the plot doesn't move.

Seriously.

And, unfortunately, when things start happening, they don't get any better.

Donaldson used to be a genius at creating very flawed yet sympathetic characters. Their flaws manifested in their relationship with the Land and the things they did to protect it (and how often they either failed or sacrificed themselves while doing so). Now, those flaws are demonstrated to us by simply repeating, over and over, what their flaws are (Linden Avery: oh, look how inadequate I am! I feel so inadequate! and now I'm a cutter, cutting, myself, even though it makes no sense! I'm just really inadequate!). Every motivation has to be revealed in excruciating detail as to why (sometimes, less is more and Donaldson could really use a lot less text). It makes for excruciating, turgid and boring reading because the characters feel flat. And, frankly, it reads like Donaldson was trying to increase his word count.

Finally, and simply put, the magic of the Land is gone. In the two prior series, the Land was almost a character in itself, sympathetic, inspiring peoples' love, under threat, and able to react. But, by largely chopping out Linden Avery's interaction with the Land so Donaldson can simply tell us how she's feeling (there's precious little Covenant POV and, even then, Covenant's POV is little better), there's no more mystique and wonder for the reader. It just becomes a place, a bland setting like so many other fantasy series out there.

Against All Things Ending is probably one of the worst books I've read in years. And the legacy of the first two Chronicles is getting run into the ground with it.

I am currently about two-thirds into the book. Before buying it, I glanced over the reviews and saw several that panned the book as almost without action. I'm sorry to say, having read most of it I have to agree.

The first 150 pages are a single conversation in a single place. This discussion between characters is not without some interest, but it begins to "wear on" the reader. "When is something going to happen?"

Now we move to another scene-- caverns deep under the earth. This episode is at least another 100 pages. There's some motion here -- primarily a racing about up and down the caverns trying to avoid confrontations with monsters -- but motion does not equate to action. Again, there's endless dialog. People are debating each other as they flee the monsters. It almost kills any sense of verisimilitude. Would you get off into philosphical disquisitions if you were being chased by a lion?

The roster of characters is simply byzantine. I mean, there's the kind of word Stephen Donaldson might use. There are dozens of characters -- many summoned or reapparated here -- and the summary of the story that begins the volume is 32 pages long. I have read everything else Stephen Donaldson has written over a span of many years. Unfortunately, my memory needs to be refreshed. I just STRUGGLED to try to put all these myriad characters and thousands of pages of previous plotting in some sort of perspective. With mixed success.

The language. The language is quite amazing. I read the book on one of the e-readers with a built-in large dictionary. Time and again I looked up unfamiliar words. Most turned out to be archaisms -- words that today are fallen out of usage, but that often were used in the Eighteenth Century, such as perhaps in the sermons of Thomas Hooker or Cotton Mather -- but words just not encountered today. One good example is "percipience," which the dictionary tells us is a synonym for "perception."

Many of the characters speak in a stilted argot spun of these archaisms, to the point that they sound like a squad of English butlers escaping from the British manors of a Dorothy Sayers novel. "Madame, dinnah is served in the conserva'try, madame."

Some have praised great writers like Shakespeare who "created the language by which they are enjoyed." I will give SD that-- he does create a kind of "tonality" of extreme formal speech laced through with dozens -- nay, hundreds -- of archaic words. The product is distinctive and at times is rather fun. But decidedly odd. And it seems as though the author's eccentricities have expanded to a point here that they are overwhelming anything else.

How someone can keep the reader's interest while entirely eschewing any plot or action, I don't know. Judging from some of the other reviews I've seen here, the book is not being well recieved.

I will probably keep trudging along until I get to the end. I'm pretty underwhelmed at this point. The book is huge, and it is a shame the publisher's editorial staff could not have prevailed on Mr. Donaldson to do some condensing or deleting. The sheer mass of verbiage can't be justified by the skimpy almost nonexistent plot. You could sketch out the plot of this huge novel on one side of a cocktail napkin.

Best to the other poor souls besides myself who try to ford their way across this slough of despond.

When the original Thomas Covenant trilogy came out in the late 70s, it was a ground breaking saga that turned a lot of the fantasy themes and tropes upside down. The second trilogy was another great addition with the introduction of Dr. Linden Avery. Like many fans of the series, I was thrilled when a third series of books was announced.

However, book by book, what made the original two trilogies great, was slipping away. And perhaps with good reason. The author already wrote those books, he can't just keep rewriting the same story. The problem with the new set of books is that they are becoming more and more like yet another series of fantasy books. The peak (not in a good way) is this very book, Against All Things Ending. There are just too many foes that keep popping up and down and all over the place in maddening succession (a Sunbane of foes!). The introduction of Esmer in this series, with his appear-at-any-time-and-any-place powers, added even more fantasy tropes. But the crowning achievement of all tropes is She Who Must Not Be Named. Really? I mean, come on!

While reading, I was keeping track of all the foes on a whiteboard. There were over a dozen of them at times, all powerful and fearful! It started to look a bit like the TV adaption of Legend of the Seeker with the two heroes fighting 20 people that were standing around and waiting to be hit.

This may sound very harsh, but that's because I loved the first two trilogies and I was hoping for work at a similar level. So part of this is disappointment. This is not to say that this book is without merit. It's just that it reads more like traditional fantasy and that's not what I was expecting from this series.

Since I read all nine books already, I will definitely read the last book when it comes out in late 2013.

Donaldson's always been a peculiar writer, often reaching for obscure words when a simple one would be better. Sometimes his choices are risible and draw too much attention to his attempts at craft; at other times they are spot on and refreshing.

He's also not shy of flaunting the advice most modern fantasy writers get about pace and starting with action. Pace is decidely lacking from the first part of the book. I think there were about 143 pages of Linden Avery standing in a glade in Andelain trying to make up her mind what to do next. Imagine an unestablished author sending that to an agent!

There is, however, something magical and engaging about The Chronicles. Despite my criticisms, I couldn't stop going back and reading more. Yes, it's rife with fantasy-speak, too much introspection and frustrating pages of circular dialogue; but the themes of futility and despair, with their correlatives of a mystical self-surrender worthy of Jean Pierre de Caussade, are enthralling.

The plot - when broken down and set apart from all the rambling - is incredibly simple: a few show-piece encounters with various nasties. The real story is that unfolding within Linden Avery herself. Over-cooked at times, yes, but compelling nonetheless.

In spite of Linden's descent into despair, this story never quite reaches the emotional intensity of Morn Hyland in The Gap Series. There is something distancing the reader from the emotion, and I don't think I'd be the first person to suggest it's the language. Linden may be a doctor, and Covenant may be a novelist, but unless the reader is a lexicographer they're unlikely to get drawn into the characters; and even if they were, we all know people don't really talk like this or think like this (particularly when fleeing for their lives before some hideous bane).

What I do like, however, is Donaldson's willingness to go against the increasingly homogenised grain of modern fantasy. He takes a different approach, plums the depths of psychology at the expense of pace, and risks failure. To a large extent, in my reading, he succeeds. His was a world I wanted to keep returning to, and in spite of my observations above, I'm now forced to consider why that is, and whether or not the current trend in fantasy could learn something here.

I'm going to have to take issue with all these negative reviews. For some strange reason I read many reviews before reading the book, so maybe my expectations were low anyway. But, I was pleasantly surprised - I read the book in exactly the same way as I've read all the other books in the series.

Before I really start though, yes, I agree about Donaldson's irritating compulsions with certain words ("chagrin", "theurgy" etc.) and I did find myself laughing out loud after a while every time a character said "puissance" (gotta get me some of that stuff), but that was a minor issue. Also, the action scenes do follow a pattern established in the first of the three books so far: that is, when there's a fight, everyone who's anyone seems to come running in to join in, like a saloon brawl that's gotten out of hand. But, for me, those scenes do the job of building up tension, hinting at a resolution, only to crash down into more and more and more tension. Grueling tough reading maybe; maybe it is because I spend most of my reading on much more complex material - but I enjoyed it all hugely. Hard reading isn't the same as bad reading.

It just isn't true that nothing happens in the first sections of the book. A lot happens, they just don't go anywhere for a long time. So what? Does every fantasy novel have to involve galloping around the country side on quests on every second page? There is lots of information delivered, lots of problems resolved and problems formed, lots of interactions. And in the book as a whole, a huge amount happens. Sorry, I don't buy it, the pacing is just the same as every other Donaldson novel - what readers seem to be be annoyed at is that Donaldson doesn't give them exactly what they want - that he is "predictably unpredictable". But, I like that. For all those people who skimmed and skipped, believe me, you missed plenty.

And as for not liking Linden - whoever said we were supposed to? Has everyone suddenly forgotten the complicated mirroring of psychological traumas and coping mechanisms in the "real world" (for want of a better term) and the dramatic goings on in The Land? That was there from the beginning of Lord Foul's Bane, and so it continues. These are grown up books, for intelligent adolescents and adults. They aren't simple, there's more depth than some people are prepared to think about, and it is sometimes hard work. But it's rewarding, and it is strangely and compellingly psychologically real.

But at the end of it all, why do I read Donaldson's novels? Because I always want to go back to The Land, to linger in its places, its people, its life its magics. I'd spend a thousand pages in one spot with Donaldson expounding on the magic of Anderlain to do that.

I enjoyed it as much as the other books - and I enjoyed some chapters a great deal indeed.

This was my first introduction to Donaldson's writing and I understand now that he has done better than this. This book is a hopeless swamp of thesaurus fodder with no action or plot and a lot of talking and made up fantasy words. The actual story is about 40 pages long, blown up 10x by long, fruitless exposition. A welcome part of the book was the synopsis of the main story at the beginning, which has saved me from having to slog through anything else Donaldson has ever written. Having read hundreds of fantasy, sci-fi and historic fiction titles over the last 30 years, this has to be one of the worst I've ever seen.

Oh what the hell, I enjoyed it. I've been following this series since 1977, of course I'm going to read it. Pretty much all of the critiques below are legitimate...hyperbolic writing style, slow plot development, relentless character angst, etc. Yet I plowed right through it and enjoyed every minute of the experience. The vocabulary thing is pretty funny...especially the way he tends to repeat certain words (thence the title of my review).

And yet, for all his eccentricities of style, this author does seem to be trying to get at something original. Yes, Linden's self-involvement and guilt get a little wearing at times. But when all's said and done, what we have here is a sort of prolonged meditation on despair, and what it means, and the different kinds of it. Toward the end, I found Covenant's thoughts (and dialog) on the despair of the Haruchai to be actually sort of a revelation. The author has obviously thought deeply about this stuff, and I think it's worthwhile giving him a little credit. If he's that insistent that Linden is "appalled," maybe I should pay more attention to what it means to be appalled and guilt-ridden about things you've done in the past, and how that might be affecting the decisions you're making for the future...? (Not sure I can follow along with all the "theurgies," however.)

Anyway, I found it a good read. Totally agree that this series is not the one to start with, but if you read the others, you'll want to read this one. For sure, if the last book was available, I'd start reading it tonight.

I grew up with the Chronicles of Thomas Convenant. Read 'em 2-3 times and loved them, even though the heroes are SO conflicted. Sure, it's derivative of Tolkien; sure, they're long--but they were a ton of fun.

The new series? I wish I could say they were great. For some, maybe they are. Not for me. The internal monologues/emotional conflicts/psychodrama were so blown up in this book that I wanted to scream at the characters "Do something! Your world is literally about to end!". I kept going because I thought the ending would make it worthwhile.

And then I realized--there's a FOURTH book?

No way. Sorry. Can't go there. I've given Donaldson probably a month of my life reading his books. But it's become too torturous. I just can't take Covenant and Linden any more.

I had to put it down with 100 pages left. And I never put books down.

I love Stephen R. Donaldson's Thomas Covenant series. I've been eagerly awaiting Scott Brick's release of the other audio books. I was so excited when I saw Against All Things Ending was being released by a major label. I bought the audio book, knowing it was not narrated by Scott Brick, but feeling the purchase was worth it for the story's sake....and Tim Gerard Reynolds is a fine narrator. Unfortunately, I can't get through more than 15 minutes of the new book at a time. The characters are so far off the mark with this book and these characters, it's a deal breaker if you've listened to any of the other books previously released by Scott Brick Presents. Robotic voices for the Haruchai, Shakespearean for the Stonedownor, Linden's character sounds like a man doing an impression of a woman - I can't get beyond the voices of the characters long enough to enjoy the story. It may be a wonderful book to some, but I'm bitterly disappointed with the choice to leave Scott Brick out of this one. If this book were to be released by Scott Brick's company with his familiar, pitch-perfect narration, I would buy this book again. For now, I can't bear to listen to the one I've got. I wish I could. I'm waiting to see if Scott Brick Presents can get the rights to produce the audio books for the Second Chronicles. He did masterful work on the First Chronicles. Dismay....

I had given up on the Last Chronicles after Book 2. I just didn't feel invested in the story, in the main character Linden Avery or in the new problems that face "The Land". I felt this way even with a cliff-hanger ending to Book 2 that promised a return of the series main protagonist, Thomas Covenant himself! And this is coming from a huge fan of the 1st and 2nd Chronicles. But then I finally finished the Malazan Book of the Fallen series and had little time on my hands. At the same time, this book was newly available in paperback so I bought it. And despite a slow start, the first 150 pages didn't exactly wow me, I'm so happy to say that the book (and the series) finally redeem themselves. The return of Thomas Covenant has truly saved this series! Here's why: Thomas Covenant is the main protagonist. He is the one whose attitudes and motivations (or lack thereof) you comprehend and have sympathy for. His presence lends clarity to some of the other characters and to the overwhelming problems facing The Land. It is his love for Linden Avery that is required to allow you to feel more deeply for her character. Overall, Thomas Covenant's physical presence is just so essential to this last story. And once you get past the initial section of the novel, there are three or four outstanding major events that occur in this book, which more than makes up for a lack of action in this series so far. The ending is climatic and emotional and definitely sets the stage for the last novel, "The Last Dark", due in 2013. I remember when I finished "White Gold Wielder" (Book 6) back in the 1980's, right when I was graduating from high school. The ending was emotional and it brought tears to my eyes. I now truly believe that Donaldson is going to deliver an ending to these Last Chronicles that is going to be in every way as fitting and emotional.

Against All Things Ending is the third installment of Stephen R. Donaldson's Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. The first chronicles were published in 1977 to widespread critical acclaim and they also sold well. Donaldson followed that series with another in the 1980s called the Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. The second chronicles were also bestsellers that had widespread acclaim. They solidified Donaldson's place at the top in the fantasy genre. But this last series is completely uneven. And Against All Things Ending is by far the worst of the three novels--leaving even hardcore Donaldsonphiles to wonder if this classic series has crashed into oblivion.

What is wrong with it? It is like a movie which is completely in slow-motion, you are watching it frame-by-frame, in excruciating detail and then every forty-five minutes it goes into fast-forward for a minute.

Angst has replaced plot and character. By page 441, where I presently stand, I have begun to despise Linden Avery and I have learned to be utterly indifferent to the myriad of other bland characters. To those who think that it is unfair to critique a novel before having finished it, all I can say is that when a novel destroys any interest you have in the characters after 400 or more pages, it really doesn't matter what happens at the end.

The central problem is that Donaldson spreads too little plot over too many pages, and yes, over too many novels. I'm sure that Putnum bought the planned quartet based on an outline and Donaldson's previous success. But there is not enough going on to sustain four novels. And in Against All Things Ending it shows. As for me, I have one thing to say to Mr. Donaldson: I am Against Awful Endings. I'm waiting to buy the last novel. With fingers crossed.

Seriously. You must be a glutton for punishment. Or, like me, insatiably curious as to what happens.

I'll tell you what happens: Not a lot. At least nothing that couldn't be summed up in a chapter or two. The rest is just mucking about in either self-pity and/or excessive narrative.

For the sake of brevity, my review of the first book posted below. Honestly, just stop now and, in a few years' time (if Donaldson ever releases the fourth book), read the synopsis.

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If you love Donaldson, for all that you care about the first six Covenant novels, read these poor reviews before diving into this series.

Warning: There are FOUR books in this series, not three as in the others. Donaldson has yet to write the fourth, six years after coming out with this one. I can only blame either laziness or lack of inspiration, since to write the first three all he had to do was sit down and type stream-of-consciousness, then cut-and-paste previous sections into later sections and update the character names. Really, 75% of the books is incessant whining and pointless detailed descriptions of travel. Not to mention the introduction of not just one or two but an entire menagerie of all-mighty yet mysteriously impotent beings. God (pun intended) how Donaldson loves the cryptic deus-ex-machina.

Oh, and toss in the occasional obscure and archaic term for no other reason than why the heck not.

Stephen: you love your postgraduate lexicon, full of things like "cerements" and "cynosure" and "orogeny". I have a somewhat simpler term that you should heed: "PROLIX: Using or containing too many words; tediously lengthy."

If the definition of this word is still unclear, read these books and it will rapidly "reify".

This series is tedious. The third book was a torture. I read to the end so I can't in good conscience give it one star, but save yourself the suffering. Re-read either of the other series instead, written before Donaldson turned into a snobbish bore.

Compared the previous two novels AATE is as action packed as a Micheal Bay film, finally Covenant has returned, and things are actually happening. By this point the minor characters have drifted from obscurity to being on par with weapons, armor and trees.

If like me you're struggling through this series because you enjoyed the first trilogy and have a need for closure this book will provide some welcome relief - the pace is faster and the inclusion of alternating viewpoints between Linden and Thomas is a welcome break from the drag of Runes and Fatal Rev.

The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant have still not really taken off even three quarters of the way through the planned tetralogy, making it unlikely that they ever will. And the belief that the physical reappearance of Thomas Covenant at the very end of book two would signal a new urgency in Donaldson's writing proved to be unfounded as well. Nevertheless one aspect of Donaldson's project remains impressive enough that I still can't quite write this series off. That is the author's sheer ambition for, and his utter ruthlessness in, the destruction of his created world, once one of the most famous in fantasy. What Donaldson did in unmaking The Land in the The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant was shocking enough. The scope of his current destruction far, far exceeds the ravages of the Sunbane. I'm not sure I agree with his decision or what I take to be his motivation, but there certainly is at times a "terrible beauty" in the grand picture.

However, the satisfying high fantasy aspects of the big picture aside, the actual execution is very awkward and frustrating. The book still fails to really grip, in large part because of how thoroughly the self-absorbed yet uncompelling Linden Avery continues to dominate the story. There is little sharing of point of view until near the book's end, and any who assumed that with Covenant's resurrection some sort of character balance would be restored to the series are proven wrong. Donaldson's fascination with the Linden character remains baffling, and I think he long ago should have realized that her mother and father issues, seemingly put behind her as far back as The One Tree, can no longer captivate generation after generation of new readers.

But the overreliance on Linden is not this novel's only flaw. A related issue which would still stand even if Linden were a better lead is the failure of the secondary and tertiary characters. The latter part of book two not only returned Covenant to the Land but also brought the long-expected reappearance of Giants. Unfortunately, these Giants are mostly just minions rather than persons. They serve the purpose of red shirts on Star Trek. As for the other minor characters, while it's true that Manethrall Mahrtiir and a couple of the Haruchai have become characters in their own right, many other members of Linden's small company and the various powers who visit them sporadically are revealed to have, as suspected, not mattered much in the long run at all. This retroactively makes Donaldson's insistence on harping on these uninteresting characters in books one and two even more annoying than it was at the time.

The story is far too mentally claustrophobic. Donaldson has depicted a locked-in individual before, Covenant in the Second Chronicles (not to mention the constant presence of Vain in that series). This story features not only Linden's autistic son Jeremiah and Covenant's catatonic ex-wife Joan, possessed by a Raver; but also frequent episodes of psychic dissociation on the parts of Covenant and Linden themselves.

Donaldson raises a number of moral issues, although it is not clear that he answers them even to his own satisfaction. He reiterates one fairly unexceptionable lesson from the first Chronicles, that true evil does not flower from good deeds. Regardless of what bad things may occur from someone making a particular choice, if that choice was truly and selflessly made there is no blame to be assigned no matter what the result. This I think is a fairly unobjectionable judgment in any moral system, so I was surprised to see it repeated here since Mhoram and Covenant both came to the same traditional perspective on the issue a third of a (real) century ago. Presumably the purpose was so that the much thornier issue of whether good can result from an evil deed could be explored.

Donaldson has set up a flagrant contrast between one major character, who betrays his child to save a world, and another, who would betray a world to save her child. As I said, it's not clear to me which side of this conflict Donaldson himself favors, or if he disapproves of both decisions (my own position) or approves or both. My gut feeling is that his superhero Linden Avery will ultimately be justified in the author's eyes while Covenant will not. We shall see.

But in any event, the cold disposal of one once-important character into a hell to save others from an immediate threat is hard to get past. If nothing else, Covenant and his other long-dead companions don't seem to have gained much of the vast wisdom of ages I would expect anyone with abilities to achieve over millennia. In the reanimated Covenant's case this can be written off as his physical form not now being able to contain he who was once the Arch of Time. But in the cases of the still-dead Sunder and Hollian, presumably still under the watchful eyes of the old Lords, there doesn't seem to be any conceivable justification for what they do.

I had not previously noticed any "elemental" groundings in the first two books in these Chronicles. But Donaldson's extensive, almost sacramental use of water in this book made me reconsider the first two and retroactively see Fatal Revenant as a fire novel and The Runes of the Earth as, of course, an earth one. Am I reading too much into some water scenes? I don't think so, but The Last Dark should answer the question. It will either be an "air" book or not. Does all this ultimately mean anything even if so, or it it just casual symbolism indicative of nothing in particular on the author's part? I do not think the four elements, even if I am right, will lie at the heart of the resolution of the series.

All this is to say obviously that the book is thought-provoking, if maddening and even at times boring. So the story is not a one- or two-star read despite the many, many flaws. If it is a failure, it is a big failure, not a meager one. But I expect that whatever resolution Donaldson has in mind for these Chronicles will enrage readers to a degree proportionate to how highly they once regarded the first two series. I would not be surprised if the ultimate reader judgment on this series is to pretend it never happened, at least for a large part of the fanbase of the two "classic" series.

Many an artist, as he ages, has strongly resisted the idea that his peak creative achievement came when he was less than half his current age, and that for three decades he has essentially been spinning his wheels and only selling his new works based on his old rep. Ask Paul McCartney what the best album he was part of creating was and he won't say Revolver or Rubber Soul, he'll say whatever he released in 2008. But authors, unlike musicians, can do more than simply assert that their new works are better than their old ones. They can retroactively undermine their classic works with revisionist writing. Can I prove that is what is consciously or unconsciously motivating Donaldson here? No. Can I prove that he hasn't, as claimed, always had exactly whatever 2013 answer he's going to give us in mind and it's not just his way of thumbing his nose at an undiscerning public who failed to recognize the true genius of his Gap series? No.

Maybe Donaldson is indeed revealing an old truth rather than unwriting his old works as a sign of contempt for his fans. Orson Scott Card claims as much about his own rewriting of his Ender series to show how in actuality Bean was the prime mover all along. Other authors have done this, especially in SF (Niven, of course). They can't all be lying or fooling themselves. Then again, they can't all be telling the truth, especially when so much of the suspected revisionism, instead of clicking into place, jars subtly with details that the older writer has failed to account for. In any case, there's nothing that Donaldson can do to keep me from at least suspecting that his true motivations may be somewhat less than purely creative, and from fearing that the urge to destroy the world of The Land so that his stupid fans will stop bothering him to write another Covenant series and finally realize how great his mystery novels are will be too great for him to overcome. These suspicions, perhaps petty on my part, are probably not unique among Donaldson's readership.

The fourth book should be an interesting ride, but I am preparing to ultimately feel annoyed and insulted, and I would caution other Last Chronicles readers to brace yourselves, too. But do read the third book, if not now then in 2013 before The Last Dark appears and ends one of fantasy's most important series.

I couldn't manage more than about thirty pages of this book before finally giving up on SD for good. What a waste of trees, space, and my money.
I've read every book he's written in all his many alter ego's and have been more and more irritated and bored by the whingeing and whining etc mentioned in other reviews. It just seems to get worse with every novel. I scanned large parts of the previous book in this series but this one finally just goes too far with the introspective self doubt etc.
SD seems to have disappeared so far up his own 'ego' that he is no longer writing for his readers but his own therapy.

As for the fancy words. IMO it's fine to use long words in regular usage but this is yet another of SD's self indulgences at the expense of his readers. I do not like to read a fantasy novel with a dictionary next to me.

Bye bye Stephen, you've lost me finally.

First, I would like to say that I consider Stephen Donaldson the greatest living fantasy writer. I have read every one of his novels, and some of them (Mordant's Need, Second Chronicles of T.C) do not have equals, in my opinion, among modern fantasy writing.

With that said, this was easily his worst novel, and the one and only that I have had to *force* myself to finish. My criticisms are similar to others on here, and I won't rehash them all: he kills off all of the interesting characters (Esmer, the Harrow, etc). The characters that are left are shallow and wooden (the Giants, the Humbled, Jeremiah). Also, I was expecting for him to delve into the Insequent, to find out more about their history, their origins, and what makes them tick, but we find out none of that. They just appear, do some stuff we don't understand, then die. Very frustrating.

Lastly, the entire "Last Chronicles" somehow feels so much ... smaller than the other series. The others had a much more grandiose view of the world, of what was going on around them and such. These novels focus on the one little band of characters, most of whom are now dead or boring, and we have little idea of what is going on outside of their myopic viewpoint.

Even with all this, though, I will likely purchase "The Last Dark" on the day it is released. Given how slow Donaldson writes, it may be the last novel he manages to put out. Here's to hoping...

I remembered that when I read the First Chronicles, I found Thomas Covenant to be a fairly unsympathetic protagonist. I mean c'mon-the guy gets transported to a place that in just about every way kicks ass on his own world and all he can do is deny that it's real (or worse). But by the end of The Power That Preserves I really got to know the Land, I liked Bannor, I missed Hile Troy, and I realized that (whatever the cause) Elena was really kind of a nut job. And I thought Mhoram could probably kick Gandalf's ass.

I remembered how much Linden Avery annoyed the crap out of me in the Second Chronicles. I had just gotten used to Thomas Covenant believing in the Land and then this whiny sidekick shows up. I remembered I was mad that she possessed him. I was even kind of mad at T.C. for putting up with her. But in the end, she healed the Land.

So I knew T.C. was dead so it was no surprise that he wasn't the one transported back and that it would pretty much have to be Linden. I liked the setup (with or without the old man in the Ochre robe). Runes of the Earth, Fatal Revenant both transported me back to the Land the same way the first two chronicles did.

**minor spoiler** I realized I had read about 100 pages and the characters in attendance hadn't moved *ten feet* from where they were on page one. There were other instances where there was too much introspection, and not enough action-and I don't mean fighting-even *walking* would have been something. And Linden Avery annoyed the crap out of me again until about the last 100 pages (which I found to be exceptionally good).

As far as needing a dictionary goes, SRD has always done this with the T.C. chronicles. Perhaps a bit over the top on this one-I can't figure out when I might use 'eidolon' in a sentence.

But I enjoyed this book and hope we really don't have to wait 2+ years for the conclusion. I'm giving it four stars because it did transport me back to the Land again.

OK, I'm only 20 pages in and what the heck do I know, but if you are a fan, you need to get your hands on this book.

Yeah, I should have read further.

I finally finished it. Keep in mind I was a "fan". I got "The One Tree" in March of 82 and I read it cover to cover in one sitting so my college roomates could get the book and not spoil it for me. I wanted to name my son "Mhorham", thank god for my wife. My wedding ring is white gold, just in case.

OK, I am 28 years older but jeez, is this thing boring, confusing and dull!

I can't keep the characters straight, but then again, i don't care about a single one.

I like the comparisons to Rowling, but it goes deeper than characters who must not be named. Rowling and Donaldsons first books began with joy and love. i remember laughing my tail off over a package covered by postage. By the last book it was like reading a checklist of actions. This guy dies, this guy does not. dumbledore explains it to Harry, he wins, prologue.

Donaldson is doing the same thing. the land is all used up, who cares if it dies now?

I know I'll buy the last one and slog through it, but if you read this Steve, try to bring some joy into the last book.

One little factoid to back up my review, and correct me if I am wrong, but at no time in this book does a single giant laugh. If a ginat cannot take "joy in the ears that hear", how can I???????

I've judged my enjoyment of Donaldson's entries in this 9 volume series based not so much on plot (almost always interesting) or character (often compelling, often frustrating) but on simple vocabulary and grammar (most often maddening).

I picked up the latest (and God please be the last) volume and by the end of the second paragraph one am struck with:

"The burden of too much time was as profound as orogeny; it subjected his ordinary mind to pressures akin to those which caused earthquakes; tectonic shifts. His compelled transubstantiation left him frangible."

Eh. Okay.

Within a dozen pages or so we find (some more than once, some in the same sentence):

exigencies, fervid, sentience, serverances, intransigence, consternation, flagrant, imitable, chiaroscuro, carious, truncated, theurgies, minatory, gemmed, excruciation, assiduous, machinations, innominate ... as in "taut with innominate expectations."

It would be funny if not so annoying. I know what these words mean, I can parse the odd sentences, but why use language that actually gets in the way? I don't know if Donaldson is showing off or feels such writing makes the work more profound, or what, but really it makes him look like a bad writer trying too hard.

And yet I will plod on through the plodding writing. I have been invested since 1977. I love the story. But the words get in the way!

UPDATE: O! Lucky day. There's a fourth book in the final trilogy. The love/hate relationship continues ...

I've enjoyed the other installments of Thomas Covenant, even with the very introspective and depressing self-pity bends that Donaldson can go off on.

I agree with many of the other reviewers of this book, it seems that Donaldson got carried away with the thesaurus. I'm an avid reader, but some of the word choices were stretching the meanings of the word and really detracting to the over-all reading experience. I would compare it to watching a very intriguing and engrossing movie that had a pop-up ad that appeared every time there was a change of camera view.

I wanted to get the ending to the series, to wrap it all up. That isn't happening. There is a 4th book in the Last Chronicles.

I won't be buying that book, I'm finished with this series. I'll just pretend that everyone died.

I too was dissapointed with this book. Nothing happens for so much of the book, endless introspection goes on and on for pages and pages. It is such a slog you stop caring about any of the characters and just want it all to end. I actually started to feel guilty that I was not enjoying the book and began to doubt my own judgement, perhaps its a literary masterpiece and I'm just not hip enough to appreciate it all. Aaagh, see now he has me doing it, although in this book that would have taken up at least 20 pages.

I also assumed that the final series was a trilogy and 100 pages from the end was wondering how he was going to wrap it up, given the pace of the book my only guess was that the worm would suddenly appear and kill everyone. Then I got to the end and omg there is another book to come! I will have to read book 4, I've been a fan since I read the first chronicles way back in High School, but its going to be tough and I'm not looking forward to it :(

The Thomas Covenant series is my all time favorite series. I've read the first 6 books a dozen times, maybe more. Fatal Revenant was superb so I have been waiting patiently for the third book. Which has turned out to be a massive disappointment. What made the old series great was the well written secondary characters. Except for a couple, all the secondary characters in this series are like the bulk of this book -filler, and completely forgettable. That compounded with Linden's endless whining, Covenant being "lost in memories" until the final chapter & so being almost no part of this book plus the fact that almost nothing happens made for an extremely dull book. **Spoiler** And the extremely lame plot point of adding yet another Insequent just to save a few of the company & then kill him off seems like something a first-time writer would do. I was very disappointed in Mr. Donaldson for pulling this lame tactic. **End Spoiler** And Linden's power has turned black. In White Gold Wielder all the secondary characters were horrified when this happened. In this book they're like "yeah, whatever". The book is just bad everywhere you look and should have simply been condensed to a couple chapters at the end of Fatal Revenant.

I normally read through a Covenant book in just 2-3 days. This took me 18 days to slog through. Any other author/series & I would not have finished this book. As it was, I couldn't wait to get it over with & read something more entertaining. Hopefully Brent Week's "The Way of Shadows" will be more satisfying.

"Linden had made him mortal again. His mere flesh and bone refused to hold his power and knowledge, his span of comprehension. With every beat of his forgotten heart, intimations of eternity were expelled. They oozed from his new skin like sweat, and were lost."

AGAINST ALL THINGS ENDING picks up right where FATAL REVENANT left off. Linden Avery has used High Lord Loric's Krill and the Staff of Law to bring Thomas Covenant back to life, releasing him from his prison within the Arch of Time. Though his body is restored, his mind is essentially dismantled while being ripped free of the Arch. The hope Linden held that his return would be a step toward salvation is nearly lost as he is not the fiery, passionate man she remembered him as being. He is not capable of leading a charge against Lord Foul and saving the Land. As if that were not enough of a downside, a greater problem now looms: the great surge of power needed to bring Covenant back to life has succeeded in awakening the Worm of the World's End. It devours anything and everything in its path and will ultimately unmake the Land.

Across the Land the company travels, visiting spots quite familiar to long-time readers of the series. They split forces at the Spoiled Plains, with Linden Avery and her contingent engaged in Muirwin Delenoth while Covenant leads a group into the very heart of Foul's Creche. Enemies and seemingly unavoidable apocalypse converge from all directions, and along the way there will be those who fall, and choices made that bear terrible consequences. The first portion of the book deals solely with Linden and her desperate attempt to save her son, Jeremiah. Along the way, and through heartbreak, revelations will come to surface about Jeremiah, Lord Foul, the Elohim, and a great many other things readers have wanted and waited to know more of.

Stephen R. Donaldson's strengths as a storyteller continue to shine in this penultimate installment of The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. As with every other volume (and virtually every other work of his), it's replete with fantastic visual descriptions. The Land is as real in your mind as it is for Covenant and for Linden. While Donaldson is sometimes criticized for the long descriptive passages or even with the word choices that make having a dictionary handy a good idea, it is worth noting that these things are conscious decisions of the author. It is a stylistic device specific for this series of books. At times, it slows down the pace of the novel, but the upside is that you are treated to some brilliance in visual storytelling and world-building.

Another of the great achievements that continue here is the notion that heroes are not perfect and that, unlike a lot of fantasies built on game mechanics, there are also no easy answers. Covenant and Linden, in particular, are deeply flawed souls. Linden bears the weight of the entire world on her shoulders, from bringing back Covenant, to saving Jeremiah, to trying to find a way to stop Lord Foul and prevent the extinction of all life and Time. Both she and Covenant are full of self-doubt and guilt, and their decisions sometimes bring about destruction, albeit unintentional. They are emotionally scarred, and while they can be despised for some of their decisions, it does make them seem all the more human and thus are more relatable.

Linden has her self-loathing and her guilt confronted by Stave, a former Master, who explains to her that she is seeming more and more to be on the path of Kevin Landwaster, an historical Lord who broke the land ages before. "Arrogating to himself responsibility for the fate of those who fell, he demeaned them --- and failed to perceive Corruption clearly. Faulting himself for error rather than Corruption for treachery, he was self-misled to the Ritual of Desecration, and could not turn aside. So it is with you." He goes on to add, "[Y]ou demean all who stand with you by believing that there can be no other fault than yours, and that no fault of yours can be condoned. Doing so, 'You tread paths prepared for you by Fangthane's malice,' as Manethrall Mahrtiir has said. Thus you emulate High Lord Kevin. In your present state, Chosen, Desecration lies ahead of you. It does not crowd at your back." It is a fantastic scene, and one that is perfect at laying open Linden and exposing her to the folly and the unnecessary burdens of self-blame.

Like all the books in this series, AGAINST ALL THINGS ENDING is an amalgamation of fear, apathy and despair with hope, perseverance, and the idea that no matter how low one may have fallen, there is no statute of limitations on redemption. And without divulging any of the events, the final quarter of the book is a two-fisted assault of emotion that will leave readers more than eager to see the unfolding events in the concluding volume, THE LAST DARK.

Stephen R. Donaldson is a masterful fantasist. It is said that this series is not for everyone, and that may be true to the extent that if you're looking for a quick, page-flipping cookie-cutter read, this is most definitely not it. But if you're looking for world-class writing and a story the mines the emotional landscape of those who populate a sensational world brought to life with vivid description, then this is your kind of work. For those who have come on the ride thus far, sit back and enjoy.

--- Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard

It took me a couple weeks to finish this installment of the series.
And now I have to wait another 2 years for the ending?
I have been avidly reading Donaldson's work since the first Thomas Covenant, and I must say that for the first time I did get the feeling that he was playing for time here. I hope that this is under the guidance of the publishers to try to build up as much suspense and money for the author and not Donaldson losing his place in the story repeatedly.

Having said this, I am still pretty satisfied with the structure of the story.
I am not overly concerned, as some are, with the proliferation of extremely powerful beings interacting in the book. This series is the closest that Lord Foul has come to the destruction of the Earth and I can understand that these beings would "come out of the woodwork" as it were. This is demonstrated with the arrival of the Feroce and the explanation for their arrival.

I do think that the story should have been completed and, if necessary, the second release before the end of 2011. The delay would look less contrived. There simply is too much filler.
To anyone who has followed the series, the continuous, and unnecessary interplays and interpretations distract from the flow of the story.

I've enjoyed the other installments of Thomas Covenant, even with the very introspective and depressing self-pity bends that Donaldson can go off on.

I agree with many of the other reviewers of this book, it seems that Donaldson got carried away with the thesaurus. I'm an avid reader, but some of the word choices were stretching the meanings of the word and really detracting to the over-all reading experience. I would compare it to watching a very intriguing and engrossing movie that had a pop-up ad that appeared every time there was a change of camera view.

I wanted to get the ending to the series, to wrap it all up. That isn't happening. There is a 4th book in the Last Chronicles.

I won't be buying that book, I'm finished with this series. I'll just pretend that everyone died.

I too was dissapointed with this book. Nothing happens for so much of the book, endless introspection goes on and on for pages and pages. It is such a slog you stop caring about any of the characters and just want it all to end. I actually started to feel guilty that I was not enjoying the book and began to doubt my own judgement, perhaps its a literary masterpiece and I'm just not hip enough to appreciate it all. Aaagh, see now he has me doing it, although in this book that would have taken up at least 20 pages.

I also assumed that the final series was a trilogy and 100 pages from the end was wondering how he was going to wrap it up, given the pace of the book my only guess was that the worm would suddenly appear and kill everyone. Then I got to the end and omg there is another book to come! I will have to read book 4, I've been a fan since I read the first chronicles way back in High School, but its going to be tough and I'm not looking forward to it :(

The Thomas Covenant series is my all time favorite series. I've read the first 6 books a dozen times, maybe more. Fatal Revenant was superb so I have been waiting patiently for the third book. Which has turned out to be a massive disappointment. What made the old series great was the well written secondary characters. Except for a couple, all the secondary characters in this series are like the bulk of this book -filler, and completely forgettable. That compounded with Linden's endless whining, Covenant being "lost in memories" until the final chapter & so being almost no part of this book plus the fact that almost nothing happens made for an extremely dull book. **Spoiler** And the extremely lame plot point of adding yet another Insequent just to save a few of the company & then kill him off seems like something a first-time writer would do. I was very disappointed in Mr. Donaldson for pulling this lame tactic. **End Spoiler** And Linden's power has turned black. In White Gold Wielder all the secondary characters were horrified when this happened. In this book they're like "yeah, whatever". The book is just bad everywhere you look and should have simply been condensed to a couple chapters at the end of Fatal Revenant.

I normally read through a Covenant book in just 2-3 days. This took me 18 days to slog through. Any other author/series & I would not have finished this book. As it was, I couldn't wait to get it over with & read something more entertaining. Hopefully Brent Week's "The Way of Shadows" will be more satisfying.

"Linden had made him mortal again. His mere flesh and bone refused to hold his power and knowledge, his span of comprehension. With every beat of his forgotten heart, intimations of eternity were expelled. They oozed from his new skin like sweat, and were lost."

AGAINST ALL THINGS ENDING picks up right where FATAL REVENANT left off. Linden Avery has used High Lord Loric's Krill and the Staff of Law to bring Thomas Covenant back to life, releasing him from his prison within the Arch of Time. Though his body is restored, his mind is essentially dismantled while being ripped free of the Arch. The hope Linden held that his return would be a step toward salvation is nearly lost as he is not the fiery, passionate man she remembered him as being. He is not capable of leading a charge against Lord Foul and saving the Land. As if that were not enough of a downside, a greater problem now looms: the great surge of power needed to bring Covenant back to life has succeeded in awakening the Worm of the World's End. It devours anything and everything in its path and will ultimately unmake the Land.

Across the Land the company travels, visiting spots quite familiar to long-time readers of the series. They split forces at the Spoiled Plains, with Linden Avery and her contingent engaged in Muirwin Delenoth while Covenant leads a group into the very heart of Foul's Creche. Enemies and seemingly unavoidable apocalypse converge from all directions, and along the way there will be those who fall, and choices made that bear terrible consequences. The first portion of the book deals solely with Linden and her desperate attempt to save her son, Jeremiah. Along the way, and through heartbreak, revelations will come to surface about Jeremiah, Lord Foul, the Elohim, and a great many other things readers have wanted and waited to know more of.

Stephen R. Donaldson's strengths as a storyteller continue to shine in this penultimate installment of The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. As with every other volume (and virtually every other work of his), it's replete with fantastic visual descriptions. The Land is as real in your mind as it is for Covenant and for Linden. While Donaldson is sometimes criticized for the long descriptive passages or even with the word choices that make having a dictionary handy a good idea, it is worth noting that these things are conscious decisions of the author. It is a stylistic device specific for this series of books. At times, it slows down the pace of the novel, but the upside is that you are treated to some brilliance in visual storytelling and world-building.

Another of the great achievements that continue here is the notion that heroes are not perfect and that, unlike a lot of fantasies built on game mechanics, there are also no easy answers. Covenant and Linden, in particular, are deeply flawed souls. Linden bears the weight of the entire world on her shoulders, from bringing back Covenant, to saving Jeremiah, to trying to find a way to stop Lord Foul and prevent the extinction of all life and Time. Both she and Covenant are full of self-doubt and guilt, and their decisions sometimes bring about destruction, albeit unintentional. They are emotionally scarred, and while they can be despised for some of their decisions, it does make them seem all the more human and thus are more relatable.

Linden has her self-loathing and her guilt confronted by Stave, a former Master, who explains to her that she is seeming more and more to be on the path of Kevin Landwaster, an historical Lord who broke the land ages before. "Arrogating to himself responsibility for the fate of those who fell, he demeaned them --- and failed to perceive Corruption clearly. Faulting himself for error rather than Corruption for treachery, he was self-misled to the Ritual of Desecration, and could not turn aside. So it is with you." He goes on to add, "[Y]ou demean all who stand with you by believing that there can be no other fault than yours, and that no fault of yours can be condoned. Doing so, 'You tread paths prepared for you by Fangthane's malice,' as Manethrall Mahrtiir has said. Thus you emulate High Lord Kevin. In your present state, Chosen, Desecration lies ahead of you. It does not crowd at your back." It is a fantastic scene, and one that is perfect at laying open Linden and exposing her to the folly and the unnecessary burdens of self-blame.

Like all the books in this series, AGAINST ALL THINGS ENDING is an amalgamation of fear, apathy and despair with hope, perseverance, and the idea that no matter how low one may have fallen, there is no statute of limitations on redemption. And without divulging any of the events, the final quarter of the book is a two-fisted assault of emotion that will leave readers more than eager to see the unfolding events in the concluding volume, THE LAST DARK.

Stephen R. Donaldson is a masterful fantasist. It is said that this series is not for everyone, and that may be true to the extent that if you're looking for a quick, page-flipping cookie-cutter read, this is most definitely not it. But if you're looking for world-class writing and a story the mines the emotional landscape of those who populate a sensational world brought to life with vivid description, then this is your kind of work. For those who have come on the ride thus far, sit back and enjoy.

--- Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard

It took me a couple weeks to finish this installment of the series.
And now I have to wait another 2 years for the ending?
I have been avidly reading Donaldson's work since the first Thomas Covenant, and I must say that for the first time I did get the feeling that he was playing for time here. I hope that this is under the guidance of the publishers to try to build up as much suspense and money for the author and not Donaldson losing his place in the story repeatedly.

Having said this, I am still pretty satisfied with the structure of the story.
I am not overly concerned, as some are, with the proliferation of extremely powerful beings interacting in the book. This series is the closest that Lord Foul has come to the destruction of the Earth and I can understand that these beings would "come out of the woodwork" as it were. This is demonstrated with the arrival of the Feroce and the explanation for their arrival.

I do think that the story should have been completed and, if necessary, the second release before the end of 2011. The delay would look less contrived. There simply is too much filler.
To anyone who has followed the series, the continuous, and unnecessary interplays and interpretations distract from the flow of the story.

This book moves so slowly, that even one of the most important secondary characters starts complaining that they should just stop talking and get moving toward their destination. And that's in the first scene, which takes 1/5th of the entire book. To frame that, you could read a Hemingway novel in fewer pages.

The best of the Covenant novels so far. Like all Donaldson's books the writing is excellent. Very reminiscent of Tolkien, for readers unfamiliar with Donaldson's other works. However, unlike the first and second trilogies, stuff HAPPENS in this series. Characters DIE. In that regard it is much darker than the earlier books - and in my opinion, better.

I've read all of the Covenant books, many of them many times, but this time it struck me--hard--how thoroughly Donaldson is rewriting the Lord of the Rings, how heavily he continues to be dependent on it. Almost every aspect of the Land descends from some aspect of Middle-earth, filtered through Donaldson's very different emotional and intellectual sensibilities: Ramen v. Rohirrim, giants v. ents, forests v. forests, Andelain v. Lothlorien, Mount Thunder v. Moria, aliantha v. lembas, ur-Viles v. orcs, Ravers v. Nazgul, ring v. Ring. When he gets out of the Land proper, in the Second Chronicles, that influence wanes, but now he's back to it, and packing TLOTR with him.

Even more fundamentally, however, Donaldson has learned from Tolkien how to base high fantasy on lore. As you probably know, Tolkien made up his elvish languages first, then had to write a story in order to sell a book about those languages. The lore was his priority, the thing he liked to think about and tweak in his spare time. Except for the hobbits, his characters are not particularly distinguishable or "round." Could you tell Elrond from Celeborn after you hung out with them for a couple of hours? The races have more distinct and interesting characteristics than the characters themselves. People who don't like fantasy so much like the hobbits, who feel like humans, but the real test of whether you read Tolkien to the fullest is how you feel about the Council of Elrond. I remember where I was when I heard that the Challenger exploded, when I saw 9/11, and when I first read the Council of Elrond. My family were missionaries in Africa, and I was curled up in a chair while my dad tried to raise someone through a radio. I was learning the lore of Middle-earth, staring right into its vertiginously beautiful heart, and my life would never be the same.

Likewise Donaldson. Perhaps the clearest image of how his fantasy works is the Wards of Lore, seven of them, and we never ever see all seven--always we know that something beautiful's out there we'll never know. His races are more distinct and interesting than the characters within them (see Haruchai, Giants, Stonedownors, Waynhim). Much of the drama in the Covenant books has to do with finding the lost lore, or, to put it another way, making decisions based on way too little information. It is a fantasy based on ideas. Donaldson is rewriting religions in these books: resurrection, choosing between a son and a world, apocalypse, eternal torment. Its plot is a series of unrealistic ethical dilemmas. The dilemmas are agonizing, but those caught in them experience larger-than-life, heroic emotions. Few of us this side of Horton Hears a Who have had to choose whether or not to risk or kill a world of people we're not sure even exist, whether or not to possess someone, whether to trust sensory data once we have been a leper, in what instances it is proper to use power that could destroy the structures that hold the universe together. The characters and the plot serve the ideas and tragic cathartic emotional complexes, run their implications like a computer program.

The thing about lore-based fantasy is that talking drives the plot. And that brings us to Against All Things Ending. These characters will pass up no opportunity to chat for a while. Dump them into pitch darkness under a mountain, and they'll talk things over, and most everyone in the sizable band will get a say. Events--really important, soul-stirring events--will happen in order that people can rehash them three or four times and wring all the meaning out they possibly can. Linden tries to save Jeremiah, for instance. Several times. Each time she talks her way up to it, in internal monologue and external dialogue. She discursively thinks her way through the attempt. Then, when it fails, she tries to figure out why, and asks for help in doing so, and gets it in sheaves of pages.

And that's OK. That's the kind of book this book is. It exists for the sake of its lore, for the sake of what more we can learn about how the Land works. And how we can interact emotionally with its grandeur. I keep reading the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant not so much because I care about Jeremiah or Joan or Liand but because Donaldson keeps feeding me answers to questions about the Land that I used to have in earlier books, as well as more questions to which I now want answers. AATE is a remarkably stimulating cognitive experience, tinged with wonder. I liked it a lot. This is high fantasy: a land and a full cosmology we can love insatiably.

This book is certainly not as good as it could be. Donaldson adheres closely to the principle: Never use one syllable when three or four will do. And that's too bad, because he can write lean mean prose when he puts his mind to it: "Free / Unfettered / Shriven / Free." At least that's of a piece with his penchant for abstraction and abstract ideas (sidenote: at one point something lies along the ground "like immanence." Really? Immanence? Immanence doesn't lie along the ground, for one thing. But it is something above involved with something below, while remaning ontologically separate from it--there's philosophical information here, if not sensory. Anyway, these are not thoughts we'd get from, say, Robert Jordan). There's one good poem in the book, and several bad ones. The (frequent) Council of Elrond kinds of scenes are too talky and chatty, more often reminding us of what had come before and explaining it rather than providing new information about what's coming. It is the ninth of ten books, after all, and the eighth one was written three years ago. Keeping all that information straight for readers is sometimes an intolerable strain on author and plot. The emotions are too over-the-top. Maybe that's in keeping with the X-treme ethical dilemmas, but, come on, Linden, let someone else take the blame for once.

But, bottom line, if you read the Lord of the Rings for Samwise Gamgee and his whimsical attachment to beer and potatoes, this is not the book or series for you. If you read it for the Council of Elrond, or, better yet, if you read the Silmarillion from cover to cover because you just couldn't get enough of undifferentiated, tragic Elves and the high buzz of wonder they give you, you're much more likely to enjoy Against All Things Ending. I'm reminded again of why they told Tolkien the Silmarillion would never be published. Better yet--why forty + publishing houses turned down Lord Foul's Bane . . . and why Del Rey said yes.

I listen to audio books in the car. That's all. The ipod lives in the car. And when it's really cold, the battery will die overnight. Now an audio book like this one, with twenty-odd hours of play, and only 4 chapters, well that just won't work. How much fun would it be to refind your place 3 hours into a chapter? Just wouldn't happen.

If this doesn't matter to you - and you don't think you'll ever accidentally skip chapters - then ignore this entirely. But to me, this is critical.

I began reading the Thomas Covenant series from the very first printing of the very first book. This last trilogy took an odd turn, and I was excited to see how Donaldson would wrap it up.

Sadly, it seems Mr. Donaldson's heart wasn't in producing a quality finale. It seems he ran out of ideas, and was up against a deadline. He uses an obviously hoaky tsunami (gee, did anyone else get that idea a couple of years ago???), introduces unexplained new beings (the insequent?), turns other beings into the bad guys (the elohim), doesn't explore the central threat of the book (the worm of the world's end), and leaves lots of loose story threads (whatever happened to that old beggar... the creator?".

No, this is a terribly dissatisfying, poorly written, weak story. Instead of inking himself into hallowed halls with Tolkien and Lewis, Donaldson has relegated himself to the world of hackery.

Shame on you, Stephen. My thirty-plus years following your work is as wasted as The Land in this book.

I have read the entire series to date starting the first book when in high school in the very early 1980s. Almost 30 years later still going! But this shows the enduring strength of the series. Stephen Donaldson takes a different approach to fantasy than many other authors, he really gets into the heads of the main characters Linden Avery and Thomas Covenant. All their foibles, troubles, lamentations, guilt, limitations, and yearnings are laid out to be experienced as the reality they are trapped in begins to unravel around them. The series stands out from the pack and is a great contrast to other "recent" epic well written fantasy series e.g. Malazan Book of the Fallen by Scott Erickson, Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin (I'm still waiting for that new book George!) and Book of the New/Long/Short Sun by Gene Wolfe. The characters are not anti-heroes, goodness knows why its in the tag list - some sort of crass prejudice in what defines a "hero" I guess.

Judging from many other reviews here this intense and often grim character focussed emotive style is obviously not to everyone's taste. If you like your characters to be tough superheroes who always win, who save the world by themselves, who are emotionally stable, who regularly crack jokes, and/or have a perfect lovelife then you will simply not enjoy this book and honestly the whole series. But then why would you be reading book 9, I have no idea! Honestly though to appreciate these books you have to get into the heads of the characters and journey with them. They get there in the end and makes the journey worthwhile. Perhaps Stephen over does it from time to time ...those times when you want to shout at Linden ... just do it you silly cow! The use of obscure words is a fun but sometimes annoying artifice used by Donaldson. Overall the novel is well worth reading if you are willing to have a little patience with lots of mental hand wringing and some florid writing. 4/5 stars recommended especially if you have read the prior novels. The next novel "The Last Dark" could be a very very compelling read.

I read all of the previous Covenant books, and I waited for this for years. The story drags horribly with endless whiney introspection. Not only are his characters self absorbed to a fault, they are much less clever than they once were. I got about two thirds of the way through with this book, and I gave it away. I just no longer care.

I saw the new series begin with great anticipation as I liked the first two trilogies immensely. I picked up the first series in high school when they were first published. Because I hate reading a series as it is published, I anxiously waited for the last book of this final trilogy to be published to begin with the first. I read the first two books with difficulty, witnessing under-edited author excess: unnecessarily complex vocabulary and depressed character introspection and self-flagellation at the expense of action and pacing. I normally can read of book of this type over a few days, and it has now been three weeks as I can tolerate it only with small bursts and by skimming. I found myself craving a cliff-notes version or online synopsis so I could just cut to the chase and end the agony. After reading two previous trilogies and the first two books of the last series, I felt too deeply invested to just stop. As an avid reader and lover of the genre I badly wanted to like this book and the final chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Instead I felt that this was simply an exercise in author self-indulgence at the expense of fans that have stood by for two decades. Mr. Donaldson - it is time to put the keyboard down and find other pursuits.

I loved much of the book - I didn't want it to end. But I share much of what other reviewers have complained about: Too much mulling over past conversations -- as if you had to take a literal interpretation of everything everyone said. Leave a little to the reader to notice the parallels and foreshadowing. Character development: Linden and Covenant were wonderful. I could feel the despair and transformations. But there was way too much telling us about the characters, and not enough showing them actually displaying their CHARACTER. I fear perhaps Donaldson has become too subtle a writer and is lost in the weavings of his psychological symbolism, and has forgotten how to tell a story. That said, I still give it four stars and can't wait for the next one. The paradoxes of wild magic, I suppose.

As Stephen R. Donaldson himself has said, in this Final Chronicles "everything is ramped up to 10". This includes all the characteristics of a Thomas Covenant installment. For some reviewers here, that has been a problem. But I'd like to reassure people that if you've enjoyed reading the First and Second Chronicles, you're going to enjoy the Last Chronicles in general and Against All Things Ending in particular.

Just as in Fatal Revenant, the previous volume, the stakes are extremely high in this one. There are more villains, more dangers, and more obstacles in front of our heroes than ever before.

Donaldson has also ramped up the introspection of the characters, their self-doubt, their insecurities. He's also ramped up the complexity of the lexicon and dialogue vocabulary. Again, these things seem to have thrown several reviewers here for a loop. But Donaldson's literary devices aren't without purpose. They are just one more expression of the extreme danger and extreme cost of the events happening in the Final Chronicles.

Seemingly throwaway lines from the First and Second Chronicles become major plot points (example: the mention way back in Lord Foul's Bane of things "more powerful than the Illearth Stone" buried under Mount Thunder). Characters and even whole races change sides. Both good and evil beings die. And still the stakes grow higher.

A hierarchy of villains awaits the heroes. Threats like the Insequent and Esmer give way to Joan and the Ravers, the croyel and Roger, and the Elohim Infelice. Past them lie mad Kastenessen, She Who Must Not Be Named, and the Worm of the World's End. And, of course, Lord Foul, the instigator of all that is evil, laughing somewhere beyond.

It's enough to make any hero despair, but these are not normal heroes. Thomas Covenant is back, and with the Haruchai, the Ranyhyn, and the Giants is going to stop the villains or die trying (again).

As for Linden Avery, anyone complaining about too much of her in a Covenant book is like a person complaining that there is too much rain in Seattle. She's been front and center for 4 books now, get used to her!

For my dollar, Against All Things Ending is a worthy addition to the Thomas Covenant canon. Since the book spent time on the NY Times bestseller list, obviously I'm not alone in this opinion.

I already want to enter The Last Dark. 2013 can't come quickly enough for me. Five stars!

This is the third book in a sequence of four (or ninth in a sequence of ten) and in many ways Donaldson is putting pieces into place for what I expect to be an astounding finale. Many commenters complain of the slow pacing - and yes, it is slow, and yes, there are passages that could have been edited and trimmed back - but I suspect what Donaldson is doing is giving his characters their last (thorough) self-examinations, as there are so many major issues that will need to be resolved in the last book that there simply won't be so many opportunities to do what he does here. And in the long run, those things will be seen differently, and valued as such.

Nobody who isn't a fan will read this book, but fans will appreciate it. It has some stand out moments of shock and awe, and the major plot developments are clearly necessary. It's just a shame that we'll have to wait another two or three years for the conclusion!

I felt the author tried to spread out the story as long as possible. It could have been condensed into one decent good book, but because it was four books long, it was very slow and drawn out, often boring. The first trilogy was excellent! I expected more, but was disappointed.

I've been a HUGE fan of Donaldson for years and love the original Covenant series, but I have to say I'm not feeling the love for the new books. Contrived, forced, and formulaic Donaldson in the extreme. Way too many characters and side dramas and no cohesive story. He can't even explain his own plot in the forward BTW.

With "All Things Ending" Donaldson has officially "jumped the shark" and puked up his collective vocabularic contents on the other side. Not happy I'm going to have to suffer through another one just to find out what happens. As soon as I'm done these books are getting donated and I'm never reading them again.

Donaldson needs treatment ASAP to cure his George Lucas syndrome.

This final series is worth reading overall. However, if would have been better had Donaldson

1. Relied less heavily on his thesaurus.
2. Spent less time trapping the reader inside of Linden's head, where he bludgeons us with page after dreary, repetitious page with her self-doubts and circular thinking. The reader gets it after, say, 20 such pages. After 100, well, to use a Donaldism, it is simply a prolix surfeit of dross.

I have read and loved all of Donaldson's books. This is the second to last of the Covenant books. For many of his books, I can pick out the characters based on what they said, but this one I couldn't. Maybe it was too many characters to maintain or such a short time in which the story takes place. I'll read the last book to get closure. There are several anti heros in this story and maybe that's what the issue is, perhaps? Donaldson is brilliant, but this book really isn't his best.

I'm a long-time Covenant fan (who else would really read this?) and yes, it is too long, and it could have been edited down significantly (does he even have an editor?What does he do?). It does take a commitment to get thru this, but the second half really pays off. Near the end, there are jaw-dropping events that take place; then you will say "Now it has been worth it." I too would have liked the symmetry of only 3 final books instead of 4, but we will have to wait for the end to judge. Stephen..next time: edit, edit!

You know, with Stephen R. Donaldson you expect an amount of self doubt and self loathing in the characters...you expect some reflection, some inner turmoil.

You do not expect it to be used so much that it becomes meaningless filler.

If you took the actual events that happen in this book, it could be a novella. The rest (literally chapters of it) is mace-in-the-face character self recrimination - over and over and over and over.

In spite of having hurled the book across the room several times, I am giving it three stars - first because I have been fond of the previous Thomas Covenant books, and the actual story buried in all those wails of character inadequacy is fairly engaging.

None the less, this book is literal torture to get through to those engaging parts.

Mr. Donaldson, In my view, you have lost the purpose and scope of your writing in your character's cries of uselessness. Torture your characters, not your readers.

Michael G

I have walked out of movies before but this is the first time I have walked out on a book.

From the time I first picked up the "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever" in my parents bookcase I loved the land the characters and the story. Those books were borrowed for the last 30+ years. I cannot pick up book one without staying up all night for several days to consume the books in sequence. I even enjoyed "The Second Chronicles" equally as much, but alas the third trip to the land is not so.

Although it was rough to track the story with the "Fatal Revenant", it has become a chore to try and read the Against All Things Ending, and I find myself skipping pages just to get to where ever the story line will eventually take me. Mr. Donaldson's literary droning and his word choice leaves me confused and looking for a dictionary to understand what I am trying to read. (A suggestion may be including one with the last book in the series as a gift). I enjoy increasing my vocabulary but not at the expense of my reading enjoyment.
I read fantasy to go somewhere else. I impose no penalty to the writer in creating words/terms that are non-standard, to describe something that does not exist in our reality or to show the differences in the vernacular of the residents of the land, but enough with the cerebral assault. I have almost completed my graduate degree and the story line confused me more than any class I have ever been challenged with.

In all honesty it is easier to just put "Against All things Ending" down and do something else, than figure out what was said or occurred. To term an entity as "who shall not be named"...really? We all know that has been done. I am surprised J. K. Rowling did not send Mr. Donaldson a card simply written with "Really?"

Our world changes and so on par, The Land changed. Unfortunately all the things that I loved about it went with it.

For a series that I loved it was 6 months still trying to read this book and I decided I done with the third Chronicles. The fourth book may be purchased in case someone wants to borow the complete set but it will not be for my enjoyment.

If, like me, you grew up with this story and are curious how it ends, don't be put off by the haters that have gone before. In this novel, the time spent setting things up in the first two novels starts to pay off. Donaldson has built a house he clearly intends to tear down in a really big way. Yes, there is dialog. Yes, some of the main actors are horses. But, clearly all bets are off now. This is one of the very few novels in my life that literally made me gasp in surprise. If you've already put in the time to absorb the first eight novels of this series, you'd be nuts (IMO) to stop now.

Anyone expecting a frenzied race from one harrowing (pun intended) adventure to another will obviously be disappointed with this book. That simply isn't Donaldson's style. That said, Against All things Ending does deliver scenes of powerful and dramatic action. The importance and gravity of these moments is dependent on the oft-bemoaned stretches of conversation, doubt and debate. Without understanding the personal consequences of each action or inaction, there is no reason to tell the story.

I have different expectations for different authors. When reading Donaldson I expect to be challenged. I have to consciously slow down my reading pace. For me, reading Donaldson is a lot like reading Dickens. Half of the enjoyment is in how the author tells the tale, the elegant use of language and obvious forethought that goes into every moment of the story. By slowing down and enjoying the contemplative moments for what they are, the entire adventure becomes magical.

Donaldson's style is not for everyone. For those who have followed Covenant through many years and volumes, this penultimate book is truly rewarding. Not only have my expectations for the finale been raised, I expect when that volume is finally delivered the entire odyssey will take on more meaning than even his biggest fans imagine.

As a lifelong Donaldson fan, it slays me to admit it - but this book is just not very good (though it does get better as it goes along).

For the third book in a four book series, just not enough happens, and a huge number of problems and foes are left to be settled in the fourth book - and with the glacial pace of this book, I actually wonder if the author can pull if off without a bunch of cheap and lame deus ex machina moments, as so marred this book (far too many of the deaths were random, cheap, and lame, for example).

There is far too much time spent in pointless and repetitive introspection (particularly in the mind of Linden Avery, who rarely seems to have any new thoughts or revelations) and in conversation between the characters - OK, so the world is ending, and we will spend dozens and dozens and dozens and dozens of pages just standing around talking? About the same issues again and again? And again and again and again? And then again some more?

What ever happened to an author showing rather than telling?

Donaldson has seemingly forgotten his strengths as a writer. In the past even when you wanted to reach into one of his books and strangle Covenant or Linden, you still had Mhoram and Pitchwife and other wonderful and lovable secondary characters to keep you going. In this book I cannot even manage keep the names of most of the secondary characters straight. There are few if any differences between the Humbled (between themselves) or the Giants (other than Longwrath). It is hard to care about characters who are little more than mere plot points - and this from an author who has previously written some of the best character driven epic fantasy out there.

Instead the author seems to be trying to write a Malazan book - with a huge cast of mostly undeveloped characters, lots of uberpowerful mages, never before (or rarely) mentioned godlike beings coming out of nowhere, and some confusion as to exactly what is going on. But what works with Malazan - in a universe MEANT to be like that - does not work particularly well in an already established universe which has not previously contained these elements. It just manages to screw around with some long established elements of the series (and NOT in a good way).

As a lifelong fan, I will be reading the fourth book. But I hope it will be a heck of a lot better than this one.

Like many of you, I am a huge Donaldson fan. Lord Foul's Bane was the first book I ever read at age 12. 25 years later, I was of course thrilled to read yet another book in this series that I have turned to again and again to re-read. Most of the negative reviews have covered it but please let me reiterate that this is possibly the most self indulgent, mind numbingly awful piece of fiction I have read in my 3000 book collection. I didn't think it was even possible for something as grand as this series to be turned into such rubbish. How could this have happened? Am I the only one who noticed that he dropped his ridiculous penchant for excessively difficult vocab words about 2/3rds of the way through the book? If I see Argent one more time I will go vertical on my wrists. How on earth did his editors let this through? Didn't anyone have the courage to tell him that he had lost his way? I literally had to skim page after page, and when I felt guilty and went back to read it again, I was vindicated in my initial choice to skim it. Did I really need to know the order of the traveling companions? Did I really need to read about Linden's angst and ....oh god, it's just so painful. SRD - I love you man, but this is such an injustice. Somewhere in the book you wrote, the only way to hurt a man who has lost everything is to give him back something broken...I haven't lost everything, except maybe my faith in your ability to finish this series with the clear minded focus and class it deserves.

P.S. - The second star is a gift.

First of all, I simply had to post a review to counter those ridiculous 5 star reviews. I have the same feelings as those other reviewers who rated 2 or 3 stars. This book is simply too painful to read for any length of time and the thought seriously crossed my mind to toss it into the fireplace as kindling. As others mentioned I have read the first 2 chronicles a half dozen times as well and had always considered Mr. Donaldson as my favorite author, much less an avid reader of many other authors, Terry Brooks included. It is almost a chore that I have to bring myself to pick up the book just to slog through it, so that I can get closure for the series. I have read the first two books in this series twice and while they weren't in the same class as the first two chronicles I did get some enjoyment out of them, but this 3rd book is a poor, pathetic shadow of a once great series.

I have read everything that Donaldson has written and I can honestly say I've loved it all. The Kindle version was useful because yes I had to use the dictionary for some of his more archaic words. But that's what makes it a rich and glorious fantasy. The deep psychology of the characters is beautiful. Linden and Covenant are so broken so hurt and yet they find within themselves the capacity for courage, huge personal risk, forgiveness, and redemtion. If you don't enjoy books about moral integrity and the quest to surpass personal doubt and simple humanity to find greatness within this is not the book for you. I found it to be utterly lovely. It did start slow but it sure didn't end that way. What a ride! My only regret is having to wait til 2013 for the next (and last?) installment.

Excellent read! I have been a fan of Mr. Donaldson for 30+ years and he does not dissapoint with this latest installment of the Covenant chronicles. Against All Things Standing, does an excellent job of engaging the reader into the emotional states of mind of all the key characters and drives home what is at stake. This book was not what I expected and raises more questions than answers, but that only makes me look forward to the next and final book!

This book, as so many self-fulfillingly point out, is not for everyone. Hell, the series as a whole is not for everyone; however much affection you may feel for Covenant (or perhaps only for the Land), recommending the series to your acquaintances is akin to the proverbial indiscriminate scattering of corn. Nonetheless, even many apparently die-hard fans of the series find this installment wanting for one reason or another. I believe that this largely cold reception among fans is a microcosm of the equally cold reception among readers (say, only of Lord Foul's Bane) as a whole.

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever is a slowly constricting gyre with the question of power at its nexus. The earlier you are in the series, the less clear this is; thus Lord Foul's Bane only hints (albeit shockingly and, for many, off-puttingly enough) at the true focus. The Second Chronicles, however, focuses more and more on what power means--particularly, what it means to wield power and what the objective and subjective consequences of such a decision (or even such a potential) can be. The Last Chronicles, predictably enough, hone in even further on this question.

As we see this more and more closely, several things happen in parallel. First, Donaldson's writing becomes less focused on the beauty and value of the Land where that beauty is not a necessary plot element. Lord Foul's Bane is rife with wonder at the fecundity and bounty of a world so different from our own and so similar to our ideals; but White Gold Wielder takes it as a given that the reader, unlike Linden, understands this. Following that pattern, Against All Things Ending hardly spares a line for the reified beauty which we--having read, presumably, the whole series to this point--know surrounds our characters, choosing instead to focus more and more on the inscape of our main characters, which leads us to the second point. Donaldson deliberately sacrifices that external perception and description for the internal landscape of Linden and Covenant and even Joan. Similarly, the strongest external characters appear in the first series; and as Covenant's character strengthens, as he comes to trust and rely on his companions, their beauty and character becomes less and less important also. Pitchwife and the First were poor substitutes for Foamfollower; Sunder and Hollian were poor substitutes for Mhoram and Elena; the Clave's bloodthirst was a poor substitution for Kinslaughterer's gleeful ruin. This is a fair criticism and a perfectly good reason to put down the series after reading, say, The Wounded Land or The One Tree. However, if you found that the disappointment of the Second Chronicles was more than redeemed by the deeper analysis of darkness and guilt; if you discovered, in your general dislike of Linden Avery's weakness and self-pity, a conviction that stirred your soul--an insight, profound and troubling, into the question which first arose in your mind when Covenant raped Lena--then you have no cause to complain about this book.

It was, in so many ways, inevitable from the start.

The whole series has moved ineluctably toward apocalypse from Covenant's first translation to the Land. The story has always been about how to fight the only kind of fight possible against Despite: a doomed rearguard action, the finally fatal, however triumphant, battle of life against death.

I prefer to remember the land in its original clarity. These last few books have been a sheer trial by ordeal to read. There is nothing in them to celebrate, gone is the laughter of Saltheart Foamfollower and the dedication of Banner. I won't even borrow a copy to know how it all ends. Ruined for me. And I don't believe Donaldson wrote these books. I think a woman did.

If I could, I would have given this book zero stars. This book is nothing but a collection of introspection, one long, boring introspection after another, it reminds me of the US Congress. This series is called the final chronicles, however, we do NOT see TC in book one, we do NOT see TC in book two (until the end) and when we do see TC in book 3 his mind is shot until the very end. I fell in love with this series because of the author's beautiful, breathtaking, sweeping descriptions of the land's beauty. however, I have not seen the land in all it's glory for so long (since book two of the original trilogy) that I no longer care if it's saved or not. The characters in this book are flat and one dimentional, can't tell one giant from another, and the same goes with all the other characters as well. I had to force myself into reading this "book" to the end, and while it did pick up as it moved along, for me it was too little too late. I'll read the final book, but I will only borrow it from the library, I will not pay money to read it. I'm very disapointed in this series and would NOT reccomend it to anyone.

I have read all the books in this series and sadly Donaldson is just collecting a check. You can tell from the reviews that something is very wrong here. I usually never write a review, but I have to vent my anger at the author for doing such a poor job. Shame on you Donaldson! I will not waste your time with all the things that are wrong with this book; it has been recorded well enough in the other reviews. I just wanted to give voice to my displeasure.

This was a tough one to get through, slogging through all the self flagellation, self pity and indecision. The book is all over the place with characters popping in and out throughout with no apparent plot movement. Covenant's holding Linden, caressing her as she lays comatose, as soon as she snaps out, it's "Don't Touch Me" Linden, Covenant wants nothing to do with her, wtf Donaldson, can't these two get together, just one page is all I'm asking for? The terrible choice for the audible reader didn't help any, some Scottish guy with just one dialect (Scottie from Star Trek) for every single character. I can only hope the last book is better than this.

So boring, I wish Donaldson would write as succintly. I don't think I can slog through the last book. He named a character "she who must not be named". I kept waiting for Lord Voldemort to make an appearance, that would have advanced the plot at least. Does every page have to have the word puissant? I was not expecting fantastic, but this book was incredibly dull.

It goes on and on...
But somehow the Thomas Covenant series retains interest, even here in its 9th installment. Against All Things gets off to a real slow start, with the lead characters spending over a hundred pages engaged in conversation, literally, but once things start going they don't stop. I'm only about half-way through, but it's fun enough, even though Thomas and Linden Avery remain two of the most frustrating (and frustrated) heroes in fantasy.

I love the Covenant series and I have anxiously awaited each new installment. Halfway through this book I started rooting for the Despiser just to put an end to it all. I believe introspection is useful in character development but ENOUGH ALREADY. WE GET IT. MOVE ON.

I'm having trouble understanding the thinking of some of the other reviewers. This is Donaldson's 9th book, in a planned 10 book series. To me, it was *exactly* what I expected. If you've read the first 8 books, surely you know what to expect. How could anyone be disappointed?

It's true, the pace was slow. But I've found that to be true of the entire Thomas Covenant series. I give it 5 stars for the excellent writing.

This penultimate book in what I consider to be an exquisitely-crafted saga made me stop and breathe. Laugh out loud. Shout OMG! OMG! OMG! over and again. And then I'd breathe again. And grieve again - no one writes characters I love like Stephen Donaldson. Each of the prior books in the Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant had intelligent & engaging passages that elicited an experience that is so rare and precious and unique to the pleasure of reading at it's finest. Against All Things Ending provided me with this sublime experience repeatedly. I can think of no higher praise.

Donaldson is a master of writing many pages in which nothing interesting happens. Frankly, the shtick of pseudo-psychology babble and constant reuse of words from the word of the month calender is old. I really enjoyed the first trilogy, rather enjoyed the second, but in this case some poor trees died and my tax dollars to the library were wasted for a series that so far would have been more interesting not being committed to paper.

As an avid Donaldson fan I purchased this book "hot off the presses". If you've ever read any of the previous "Covenant" books you WILL NOT be disappointed. However, as with many of Donaldson's other creations the characters are not intuitive and as a reader you find yourself mentally screaming at the characters to shut up with their self loathing. But in my humble (LOL) opinion this makes for a great book. When words on a page can elicit a strong emotional reaction, its obviously well written. BUT BE PREPARED....even those of you who think you have an expansive vocabulary will still run across more than a few words that will challenge you. (At times even stymying deciphering by its contextual use)

The only part of the book I think could be better is if there was a bit more of Thomas Covenant in it. He was there but too much was from Lindens POV. Other that that I was pleased. I read it once and thought "not as good as I hoped" but when I read through it the second time it really solidified this as a good book for me. I think this is one of his best works.

I don't pretend to be as eloquent as the author or some of the other reviewers, but 200 pages in I can't pick this book back up. I've been reading Covenant since the late 70's when I was 13. I used to think that Covenant was the equal of Middle Earth. Donaldson should put down his thesaurus and just move the story along. I don't need to be reminded over and over that TC's mind is broken and Linden doesn't know what to do! Get on with the story!!!!

Linden Avery worries about her adopted son Jeremiah as the Despiser wants the lad though she is unsure why. Meanwhile, over the objections of others who fear what she plans will destroy the world, Linden, using her Staff of Law and the High Loric's krill dagger, brings out of the Arch of Time her dead lover Thomas Covenant.

However, for every action there is a reaction. In this case her awakening her beloved from beyond the grave also rouses the dormant Worm of the World's End, who will devour all in its path. While her lover lies calmly in a field hating who he is; Linden knows she must risk her life to prevent what she wrought. Her only answer to her desperate prayer comes from the last person she would expect to possess such power.

The latest tale in the Last Chronicles arch of the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever series is a fascinating fantasy with a neat twist that makes it read different from previous entries. While Thomas is mostly negatively musing but inert, this time Linden is the prime player as she tries to undo what she caused while also keeping her lover alive; a want your cake and eat it too scenario. The story line is fast-paced and contains a strong back story though first time readers will still be lost in the complex realm of Stephen R. Donaldson. At a minimum, readers should read the first two entries in this segue (see The Runes of the Earth and Fatal Revenant). For long time fans, Against All Things Ending is a strong thriller even with Thomas taking a time out to reflect.

Harriet Klausner

In the archetypical fantasy series - following the blueprint first drawn by dear old J.R.R - a Dire Threat appears, a Motley Band is assembled to combat the threat, a Quest is undertaken, they Have Adventures Along The Way, and, ultimately, the Quest Is Successfully Concluded.

The rest is just details.

Donaldson doesn't play that game. His characters, far from being archetypes, are very real and very human. They carry deep flaws and insecurities. They get cranky and say things they shouldn't. They make decisions based on incomplete (or sometimes downright mistaken) information. When things go badly - as frequently, they do; Donaldson has no problems sending his characters off on quests that prove to be disastrous red herrings - they are consumed by self-doubt and self-recrimination. And those doubts and mistrusts invariably lead to yet more problems and more disasters.

And the lead antagonist KNOWS this and actively schemes to promote situations that will produce exactly the types of disasters he requires. Of all the Big Baddies in epic fantasy, he is probably the most competent. He learns from his mistakes and adapts his schemes accordingly - and some of those schemes can be very, very subtle. More than once has a protagonist made what they felt was a series of "correct" choices at every turn, only to learn that they have been carefully and deliberately manipulated to produce those choices.

This produces stories that are as like to the "real" world as you can ever hope to expect. We don't have plucky Hobbits, dour but steadfast Dwarves, heroic Knights, and inscrutable but all-knowing Wizards ticking the boxes in sequences as part of a near-seamless Master Plan for Redemption; instead we have deeply flawed and troubled (but ultimately very real) human beings trying to make the best of a mess they don't completely understand.

Who else but Donaldson can have his characters, after narrowly escaping another disaster, face each other with the question "now what?" and nobody has an answer?

And deaths... as in real war, often death comes swiftly and with no meaning. Donaldson will KILL characters. Unlike most movie gunfights or epic fantasy battles where tons of firepower is crashing around but nobody gets hurt, Donaldson's fights have consequences. When power is exercised, people can die. When Donaldson's characters unleash epic forces, ruin follows.

And his characters don't just shrug off ruin and carry on unaffected. They hurt. They doubt. They question.

This makes them real.

And it makes their rare triumphs exultant.

If you like genre fantasy, where everything follows the rails and the archetypes are respected, this can be a very, very difficult series to read. Not only is there Donaldson's amazing vocabulary to deal with (something that adds a great deal of weight and seriousness to the tone of the story and an integral part of this series) but you have to deal with characters who don't automatically know the next step in the script, who misunderstand the other characters, and who are not afraid to wallow in misery and self-pity (just like a real human would). This refusal to colour inside the lines can be intensely frustrating to those who like formula books, and you can see that frustration boiling over in many of the reviews.

But for those tired of Fantasy Plot #3, Donaldson offers a Land that is challenging, colourful, and above all, grown-up.

He is at the height of his powers and this series is by far the strongest of the three.

Its only flaw is that it depends very heavily on character development and growth established in the earlier series. This series cannot be jumped into lightly; one must have read the previous two series or risk being left completely at sea. One cannot understand the true tragedy of the Masters without having first experienced the Bloodguard. One cannot understand the triumphant redemption of the ur-viles in Against All Things Ending without having been terrified of them in earlier works.

The true shame here is how under appreciated this work is. One wonders if Hamlet's opening night review complained of a mopy, emo Prince of Denmark. One expects that later generations will celebrate what so many of this generation denegrate.

DG

Against All Things Ending is not where fresh readers should begin in the Covenant Saga. I suspect only those familiar with Donaldson will be reading this review. And only those who love the Donaldson style will get this far--book nine in a ten-book series.

I am both pleased and concerned with this latest installment. When Donaldson wrote the first Covenant trilogy, it was complete unto itself. The Land was real and the angst in Covenant over his leprosy and coping mechanisms was agonizing to empathize with. The supporting characters were loveable in ways Thomas Covenant couldn't be. He -- and we -- had to learn how to accept his power.

When the publishers were able to convince Donaldson to create the second trilogy, the new twist was that Thomas Covenant had to give up his power and sacrifice himself. However, someone new was there to pick up the slack--Linden Avery. With references to the Elohim, the Brathair, The Great Desert, and Sandgorgons sprinkling the first trilogy, the reader didn't feel there were components out of place in the saga, even if they had not been players in the plot before. They had at least been referenced. Donaldson was able to expand the saga into those new realms in a credible way.

However, there was certainly a reason for Donaldson to stop at book six. He'd already taken Covenant as far as he could credibly go. So for the last four books Donaldson had to try something fresh in some ways--which is what he has given us here.

For the third and final saga, we have been introduced to the Insequent. The strength in their presence is due to their originality. The weakness in their presence is in their existance at all--in that they are a race of demigods who live by their own codes, but hunger to be involved in major events in their world for diverse reasons. How is it, then, that they were never present during Covenant's first two trials in the Land? If they had been at least referenced before, they would not instill the sense of Deus Ex Machina they seemed to serve in the plot this time around. The Theomach, The Ma-Doubt, the Harrow, and the Ardent could all have been more readily received by the reader had they been referenced in earlier incarnations. I don't fault their existance. I do find them intriguing. But one or more of them should have joined the characters on their quest long enough to be serious long-term players rather than merely functionaries for advancing the plot.

The advantage of constantly referencing events from the past slows down the practice of self-reflection in the characters. On one hand it does broaden the scope of the saga. We see places and people we never would have seen before, such as the group of Forestals. However, the story seemed to need to move at a faster clip. Linden's role in the Land's past was intriguing in Fatal Revenant. But here, we could do little more than witness events from memory. The story was slowed.

The scenes provided included highs and lows. I loved seeing the characters visit the Lost Deep. Seeing their home reminded me of the Krell in Forbidden Planet. The Viles had been referenced in previous sagas, so they had a place in the current story. I felt intense emotional release as Kevin Landwaster was forgiven and learned to forgive himself in the presence of Loric, Damelon, and Berek. I felt anguish at the unresolved pain in Elena. However, as lows were visited in the story--Elena's fate, the Harrow's defeat, the Ardent's error, and Liand's loss--I was aggravated. It seems to me that unless there was a purpose served in their respective destinies with ramifications for the future, I will be disappointed in the last volume. With Liand in particular, I felt short-changed--really short-changed.

Of course, the final book is yet to be published. It could be that the sacrifices of both Elena and Liand will be catalysts for the last volume. And on that basis alone, I will reserve judgment of this installment. She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named may gain something positive from Elena the same way the sandgorgons were influenced by Samadhi. Pahni may make a sacrifice to help the others in deference to Liand. But we don't know yet.

The writing style is consistant with all of Donaldson's previous work. The language is rich. The themes of guilt-innocence, power-impotence, blame-forgiveness, and the error of 'absolutes' in life is very much a part of the series still. Flashes of Donaldson's brilliance continue to appear throughout. In loyalty to the saga, I will give it five stars. Only with the resolution of the saga in place will I be prepared to lower my rating if I am not satisfied with the conclusion in The Last Dark.

I am about 3/4 of the way through the book. And I like it a LOT!

I've read all the Thomas Covenant books and this one is a great addition to the series.

It starts off slow as other reviewers have noted--there is a little too much talk and not enough action. But once the action starts, it gets very exciting. I'm finding it hard to put down now.

I am definitely looking forward to the final book. If this one is any indication, it'll be a humdinger!

The latest in the Covenant series blends some fantastic new frantic situations with character complexity and development that Donaldson fans have become accustomed to. It drags a little at times, but only because the characters need to soak in what has happened before they go off crashing into their next dire straits. If you're used to Donaldson, you won't be disappointed. Take some time to soak in character developments instead of crashing through the book, and you will be much rewarded.

Without wishing to insult the current mixed reviews of Against All Things Ending, the reading of such a fine book is dependent upon what type of reading and life experiences you are prepared to bring to the text. The book is an astonishing achievement, operating at a number of levels of readership engagement- emotional, intellectual, symbolical, and spiritual. Worthy of five stars. Unique, powerful and unmissable .

I am about 3/4 of the way through the book. And I like it a LOT!

I've read all the Thomas Covenant books and this one is a great addition to the series.

It starts off slow as other reviewers have noted--there is a little too much talk and not enough action. But once the action starts, it gets very exciting. I'm finding it hard to put down now.

I am definitely looking forward to the final book. If this one is any indication, it'll be a humdinger!

The latest in the Covenant series blends some fantastic new frantic situations with character complexity and development that Donaldson fans have become accustomed to. It drags a little at times, but only because the characters need to soak in what has happened before they go off crashing into their next dire straits. If you're used to Donaldson, you won't be disappointed. Take some time to soak in character developments instead of crashing through the book, and you will be much rewarded.

Without wishing to insult the current mixed reviews of Against All Things Ending, the reading of such a fine book is dependent upon what type of reading and life experiences you are prepared to bring to the text. The book is an astonishing achievement, operating at a number of levels of readership engagement- emotional, intellectual, symbolical, and spiritual. Worthy of five stars. Unique, powerful and unmissable .

I have read and enjoyed almost off of SRD's books. So I was anticipating this. Bought it the day it went on sale. Big disappointment. Either he or his agent must have demanded filler because his repetitive list of names and where they are located gets annoying fast. Also, more filler, his constant use of "remembrance phrases", it gets old real fast.
I am slogging through this book. I doubt I will buy the final book as I can see where it's going.
Do not recommend.

Wow. That was intense. Inredible tension held together for such a long time. I could hardly put it down. And it took me weeks to read. Donaldson has surpassed himself and reached new heights. Fantastic. Will be counting down the days to book 4.

This is ridiculous. This is NOT the store. This is the PUBLISHER (Grrrrrrrrr)
I WILL NOT pay more for a Kindle copy of your book. Therefore I will not buy your books (Hardback or Paperback).
I will not do it, today or tomorrow. Get off your high horse or lose business. Change your business model to reflect consumers demand or become irrelevant.

Slurped this into my Kindle at 12:01 last night, stayed up until 4:00 am reading it (could not stop myself). It starts with a bang, in about 25%, love it so far: Thomas Covenant at it's best. Like LOST Donaldson keeps you guessing at where he's heading. Get it now!!!! Highly recommended.