Customer Reviews

The One Tree: (#2) (Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 2)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

THE ONE TREE is in many ways Donaldson's most richly complex book from a psychological standpoint, up to this point in the series. THE WOUNDED LAND dealt primarily with the visceral shock Covenant experiences upon returning to said land and the physical reactions of Linden Avery. We met some new characters and marveled at the changes in the land. And that was enough.

In THE ONE TREE, the relationship between Covenant & Avery grows ever more complex at every turn. They push & pull at each other, struggling with urgent need and vastly divergent understandings of where their quest should take them. We also get to revisit the wonderful giants, briefly reintroduced at the end of THE WOUNDED LAND. In the previous trilogy, we had come to know and love Saltheart Foamfollower, probably the single greatest character ever created for a "quest" fantasy story. While the giants in THE ONE TREE are wonderfully rich and alive, they don't quite reach Foamfollower's status in our hearts. BUT, we get to understand their race more clearly and experience their unbelievable strength and character.

I don't want to rehash the plot...it's been done well enough previously. Some reviewers have complained that the book is too episodic, or that some of the events that take place are just there to fill out the book to proper length. To my mind, the hardships the characters endure serve to illustrate their strength of character and the parts of their psyches that are conflicted or downright torn. I love that. Also, some mention that Covenant isn't the focus of the book as much as Linden Avery...that's okay with me. Covenant, in many ways, is less interesting than most of the other characters. He has my sympathy and support, but he's not the REASON I love these books.

Donaldson makes some remarkable leaps of imagination, and the Bloodguard are very richly portrayed. As readers of past Covenant books know, Donaldson is often very ambiguous about good vs. evil. Yes, Lord Foul is the bad guy, no question about that. But it's the bad impulses in otherwise "heroic" characters that make the books so complex. If you like that element of these books, then you'll love THE ONE TREE. It's full of conflict within the "good" guys.

Many middle books in trilogies have the problem of dangling a little at both ends. They're picking up from a thread of the first book and leaving one behind for the final book. THE ONE TREE has some of that, but the intensity of the final scenes and the resolution of some of the characters is richly satisfying, so rather than feeling let down at the end, you just want to immediately grab the next book. And thank goodness you can...unlike Donaldson's current Covenant books, which are planned to have three year gaps in between.

So, if you've like the Covenant books up until now, you'll love THE ONE TREE. It's more action-packed than THE WOUNDED LAND and more rewarding. If you haven't enjoyed the books (but for some strange reason have read up to this point), your mind won't be changed. And obviously, if you haven't read them but would like to, you MUST go back to the beginning. Do not hope to start reading at this point and just "pick it up as you go along." You'll completely miss 95% of what's going on.

In The Wounded Land Covenant confronted the Clave, strange governing body of The Land that has replaced the council of Lords, and learned the truth about Lord Foul's role in the desecration of The Land. Covenant decides the best course of action is to leave The Land to search for the Isle of the One Tree. Centuries before, Berek Halfhand had forged the Staff of Law from a branch of the One Tree. Covenant feels the only hope of redemption for The Land is to forge a new staff and restore the laws of nature that were broken when the original staff was destroyed. Accompanied by Linden Avery and a ship full of giants they depart The Land. Since no one knows where the One Tree is located, the giants suggest that the company seek the help of the Elohim. The Elohim are a fairy people that appear to be earthpower incarnate. But the Elohim have their own plans for Covenant and the white gold.

A great deal of this book explores the character of Linden Avery. She has terrible secrets in her past that she must explore and confront to overcome her feelings of helplessness. Her confrontation with the leader of the Clave in The Wounded Land left her doubting herself and feeling that she is inherently evil. She must work through her feelings and find a way to help Covenant on his quest to redeem The Land. The giants are all terrific characters, which add to the enjoyment of this book. There is a great deal of action in this book, which flows exceptionally well and never drags.

'The One Tree' is the second book in 'The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever'. It is a direct continuation of 'The Wounded Land' which should be read first.
When we last left Covenant he had decided that the only way to fight the Lor Foul's Sunbane was to create a new Staff of Law to replace the one Covenant had destroyed in the first trilogy. So he enlisted the help of the giants and their ship to search for the One Tree in oder to create a new Staff.
Like the middle book of the first trilogy which focused on Hile Troy for much of it, 'The One Tree' focuses on Linden Avery's point of view for most of the story. The story drags a little when the quest is on board the ship, but the scenes on land are better. Especially good were the scenes with the wizard Kasreyn and the Sandgorgon. Besides the slow sections this installment definitely has a couple of weak points. First of all the character of Findail is annoying. He keeps warning Covenant not to do something, but won't say why, so naturally Covenant does it anyway and disaster ensues, then Findail complains that no one listens to him. It's pointless. Secondly the whole plight of the Land seems a lot less terrible when it becomes clear that the Land is only one part of a much bigger world. Part of the attraction to 'The One Tree' is the introduction of places outside the Land but at the same time it dilutes the urgency of the fight against Lord Foul. Finally the fact that the whole quest ends in failure, with very little to show for it leaves the reader with kind of a 'what was the point' vibe.
To sum 'The One Tree' is somewhat uneven, and not as good as 'The Wounded Land', but still enjoyable as it introduces new vistas and provides interesting background for the series as a whole.

This book, though still an exciting and deep tale, is slow and not as eventful as the previous books. Also, it was in the POV of Linden Avery who is not a "love to hate" person like Covenant. She is rather...whiny.

The One Tree is about Covenant, Linden, a group of Haruchai, and a group of Giants who take a voyage across unknown sections of the world to find the One Tree and craft a new Staff of Law. However, Lord Foul sends his Ravers in order ensure the mission's failure and the world's destruction. From the faery home of Elemesnedene to the Sandhold of Braithairealm to the Island of the One Tree, the company meets dangers and enemies that want nothing more than power. The ambiguous Elohim, Kasreyn of the Gyre, and the mysterious ur-vile Vain all contribute to the frustrations and griefs of Covenant and Linden.

Although possibly the weakest book of the series, it is still a knockout and a must-read. Fantasy addicts will not be disappointed.

This one ranks right up there with The Illearth War, the second book of the first trilogy. Thomas Covenant and his companions sail deep into the Sunbirth Sea on a quest for the One Tree, from which Covenant hopes to fashion a new Staff of Law. Much of the novel (perhaps half) takes place aboard the huge Giantship Starfare's Gem. During this time the major characters have nothing to do but walk around on the boat or help with chores, so the pace of the book is clearly slower than that of the others in the series. Aside from a couple moments of excitement, Donaldson spends the bulk of the ocean sequences in developing the characters. We learn a lot more about Linden and she begins to understand her capabilities. Some of the Giants acquire distinct personalities as we spend days with them at sea. Vain is more perplexing than ever before, especially as we see how he interacts with Findail (a new character in the series). It becomes evident that these two will play some major role in the sequel "White Gold Wielder".

The story heats up in the second half, when Starfare's Gem is forced to make landfall at a fascinating but sinister port town called Bhrathairain. Here a plot unfolds to get Covenant to give up his white gold ring. We also encounter a deadly Sandgorgon, which I'm hoping will make a re-appearance in the sequel. This part of the story was my favorite. Also, the climactic events that occur at the objective of the party's quest are exciting and revealing. We learn why Lord Foul tainted Covenant with venom and get hints of the awesome might of the creature that formed the Earth.

The One Tree also has the most deaths of major characters so far in the series. So there are several tragic moments in the novel, which in my opinion gives it an element of realism and poignancy that the other novels lacked. This combined with the very good character development during the ocean sequences and the moving backstory related by the Elohim make The One Tree the deepest of the novels in the series up to this point.

The One Tree does not fail to dissapoint if you are a fan of Thomas Covenant. In an effort to return the Earthpower to the Land: Thomas, Linden, and some newly met Giants (along with Vain and some new companions) go on a desperate search for the powerful One Tree. In the first Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Staff of Law was destroyed, and Covenant plans to make another one from the wood of the one tree.

Many things happen in this book. Though, it is the slowest book in the series. But, the action scenes to make up for the lulls. Covenant must endure with the sake of the Land at stake. With his friends, (old and new) he must go on a trek that seems almost impossible.

Donaldson fails to dissapoint with this book. It is filled with some of his best work and moves the story ahead to finish in the wonderful 3rd book of the series. The One Tree is a book full of plot twists, intrigue, action, and adventure. Be sure to check it out.

Of the first two trilogies, this might be my favorite, although they are all great. The reluctant "savior", Thomas Covenant, find himself in more magical places in this book, with new intriguing and complex characters. Fascinating story and top notch fantasy with Donaldson's usual amazing vocabulary. The entire series a must read for anyone who enjoys fantasy at it's best~!

This entire series is incredibly good. Donaldson portrays the heart of his hero with understanding, compassion, and candor. His Hero, except for tenacity, is very flawed, but his very flaws make him the person he is. A great series worth reading by anyone who appreciates psychology, religion and adventure.
Leon

These are the most amazing set of magic/myth type books I have ever read. The writing is tight intricate and passionate. You truly believe you in this other land and all that is happening is real. I have read them over and over and they still blow my mind. I have not read Lord of the Rings but I would be shocked to find it better than these.

THe One Tree is spectacular. So much of the nature of the series, both one and two, are revealed through the poetic form of Donaldson's delightful prose. This book has been said to drag on by some readers, but this is innacurate, because Donaldson doesn't waste words. Everything is necessary to meet an ultimate climax. The new giants are wonderful and giants in general bring so much hope for humanity whereas Covenant can bring cynicism and Lord Foul despair. Vain is a mystery and symbolic on a level: there is no one cure that will dispell all hurt and despair. But, Covenant is the white gold... This book is beautiful.