Customer Reviews

White Gold Wielder: (#3)

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

White Gold Wielder is the final member of Donaldson's series of six Thomas Covenant novels. In this one, our hero finally gets around to fighting the Despiser himself. But first he has to take care of the Banefire burning from out of Revelstone. So in this book we get two climactic battles and they're both actually quite exciting with unexpected outcomes. I won't give anything away except to mention that the Sandgorgon Nom from The One Tree is back in fine form. Nom was possibly the most interesting character from that book. The One Tree is, in my opinion, the best novel in the second trilogy. White Gold Wielder, though satisfying, doesn't quite match it nor does it compare to The Illearth War (the second book of the first trilogy). It is, however, a much better finish than The Power That Preserves was to the first series.

Unfortunately, characterization takes somewhat of a nosedive from the previous books in the series (though not near as bad as the atrocious nosedive between the two books of Dan Simmons's Endymion series). The Giants in this novel are more than ever before like machines: impossibly strong and devoid of character flaws for the most part. Linden is a headcase and doesn't resemble anyone I know. The "romance" between Covenant and Linden, if you can call it that, seems ridiculously artificial and contrived. These two people never lighten up! They're stone-faced serious at all times and argue with each other more than anything else. Donaldson doesn't manage to convince the reader that they're actually lovers and I think that he should have abandoned the whole relationship from the start and just focused on the action.

The action is done very well and brings this book up to a solid four-star rating. As in all five previous books, Donaldson's development of the swords and sorcery is excellent. The first half of the book is somewhat slow, but the tension builds well as the party gets closer to the waiting enemy. The long sequence under Kiril Threndor will have you turning pages late into the night to find out what happens next.

I'm glad I read through this series. Though not quite as complex as some other offerings in the fantasy genre, the generally dark mood of the prose gives the Covenant novels a unique touch. I think that those in their late teens would get the most enjoyment out of these books.

This is one of the best stories I have ever read

To those out there who like these stories: Buy and read those six books. You will never be the same, and will wish the Land really existed.

covenant and the others have to make great decisions fast. things are coming to an end. the fate of the Land will be determined. as always, the plot develops nicely to an ending that doesn't disappoint, and i never seem to be able to guess the ending. is it just me being too dumb? i like to think not. D. gives us a lot of details concerning the Land, but you never know where he will go with them. sometimes they seem irrelevant to me, but it's really not. Lord Foul knows what to do, and he's got help.

The final book of the 2nd Chronicles does not fail to excite. This book is nothing but amazing. This book is full of so much emotion that it is hard not to feel it inside yourself. This book does take a while to read, only because it is so deep. You have to focus totally on what is happening to realize the vision that Donaldson is trying to invoke in all of us.

Covenant, Linden, and some of the Giants return to the Land in an effort to destroy the ruthless Clave and eventually take a path that leads them to Lord Foul himself. This book is a GREAT ending to the series. Questions are finally answered and plots finally come to a close. Sadness is something that runs rampant through this book. Be prepared for your heart to go out to one of the most troubled heros in the fantasy genre.

And the revelations which are in this last book concerning the Unbeliever are a trip indeed. So many colorful characters, with one of my favorites being Saltheart Foamfollower, the big-hearted giant. He steers Covenant to his destination in this last book, and his sense of humor becomes the catalyst which Covenant needs to propel him on to his destination. And what is it that they say - "laughter is the best medicine?" Read on the end and you'll discover this truth. This last book was so disappointing because it was the last. I remember writing a letter to Stephen Donaldson a year after this series ended, asking him if he was going to write a Third Installment of three books, and he graciously declined, stating that maybe in the near future something like this would be possible. But, in any event, this six book series is well worth the investment for any lover of fantasy, but please put down your comparisons to the Lord of the Rings - there's no comparison. This one stands on its own, and its Highly Recommended!!!

Donaldson has concluded his second epic trilogy on a high note. Both the First & Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant are not for the faint of heart, but for those who like books that challenge them. Donaldson is worlds removed from the formulaic, trite swords & sorcery novels that fill up so much of the Fantasy section in bookstores. His characters all have great depth and complexity, and this makes reading his novels truly worthwhile.

While I do admit that some of the books drag a little (the beginning of Lord Foul's Bane, for example), there are many moments of poignant emotion and beauty throughout. The Giants reaction to the sight of Revelstone, Covenant's caamora for the Unhomed; passages like these are a joy to read.

All in all, I highly recommend all six Covenant books to anyone who is looking for thoughtful and well-written fantasy.

This is the sixth and last of the Thomas Covenant series, originally designed as a trilogy. It is a Tolkienesque saga for the post-adolescent psyche, i.e. a slightly older target audience than Tolkien. The first trilogy was a near masterpiece, so i had high hopes for the sequel trilogy, and the Wounded Land did not disappoint! However the story began to unravel in the One Tree, which began to get shrill and mundane toward the end. White Gold Wielder, the last, must have been rushed to meet a publisher's deadline, because it's just awful. The quality of the writing deteriorated markedly; in one case, the words describing a scene were identical -- got by the editor, i guess! Also, Linden's character becomes increasingly shallow as the book progresses. She was never one of Donaldson"s greastest inventions, and in this book simply doesn't measure up to her role in the plot. SD is a wonderfully imaginative writer of page-turners that linger in the mind. He has done much better before and since. This book seems to be a casualty in the conflict between art and the business of best-seller marketing.

White Gold Wielder sums up the series with a Cliff's notes power. It's hard to say much about this book, hard to speak of the catharsis and emotional whirlwind that breezes through the brain and heart of a reader. The title itself speaks volumes, however dubious. It is an apt title, but one that also begs question. This is no fag end. Donaldson, I believe knew where he was going all along in the battle of despair and despite. He knows the world through the jaded eyes of knowing a killer (leprosy) and knowing the pain it can cause. This book serves as an inspiration to humanity on a social level, and an inspiration to writers on a professional level. Never has 'fantasy' been so well defined. I will never forget the Land or the giants who were filled with a mournful myrth or the bloodgaurds(haruchai) who gave their lives in service for a greater good and I will never forget the Chronicles (1&2) which instilled in my life such peace to unrest, such love to despite.

I have read the two trilogies twice now and am about to start them again. Nothing else has compared since in invoking the raw emotions that these books have raised. I cried at the end of WGW and how Covenant's life ceased just as he found the possibility of true love in the form of Linden Avery. I'm not normally so slushy, but Covenant's character brought something out in me, ranging from pure hate (at the rape) to sympathy to admiration. Surely that says something about the author's skills. Can't wait for the rumoured third series. The best read I have ever come across, but sadly, there is nothing to follow these books, so I have to read them again! When I marry, it will be with a white gold ring for sure.