The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant series are the only books that have ever made me sweat. Stephen Donaldson weaves a tale that is excruciating to read if you tend to identify with protagonists in a story, but this is not really a problem if you are interested in character development. Years after I read this book, and the others in this series, I read about Donaldson's early childhood, and finally understood how he caused the protagonist's story to reach out of the book and grab you. ( )

In the Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, ten years have passed for Covenant on our earth. When he is summoned back to The Land thousands of years have passed and his deeds have become the stuff of myth and legend while the land has changed dramatically. This trilogy is even darker than the First Chronicles and both of the primary protagonists, Covenant and Linden Avery, definitely qualify as anti-heroes. The Land itself has been twisted into a malevelant caricature of its former healthy self. It is really interesting to watch the character of Linden and her relationship with Covenant slowly develop as the books move along.

Finally, in White Gold Wielder, the Second Chronicle builds to a close as the quest returns to The Land to confront the Clave and Lord Foul. Donaldson has plenty of twists left in him and plenty of dispair in store for Covenant as he reaches his final crisis. All in all the book is a great ending to finish off the Second Chronicles. ( )

We have that sinking feeling.

Having made it out alive of the complete balls up that was the sinking of the One Tree, the main problem still remains, and it is worsening.

The Clave have gone overboard with the whole human sacrifice to the Sunbane thing, chucking whole towns into the pot.

So, what do your fantasy heroes do with what seems to be an overwhelming force opposing them?

Yep, attack, and hope whacky magic and a few monsters etc. can squeak them through.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2008/04...
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See The Wounded Land.

Left me gasping for air! ( )