Customer Reviews

POWER THAT PRESERVES (Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever)

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Wow.

Just wow.

"The Power that Preserves" is amazing. Astonishing. Breathtaking. The sort of fantasy novel that you expect to find once a decade, if it's a particularly good decade. This is the culmination of a story that so big you can barely believe it fits in three books, so intense that it seems amazing that any person could actually have written it. It is a story you will never forget.

One portion of the novels follows Lord Morham as he attempts to save the Land from total destruction in a final battle against Lord Foul's forces. The giant reaver Satansfist has Morham and the other wizards and defenders of the Land under siege at the castle of Revelstone. This contest is in amazing piece of virtuoso writing, perfectly melding several great action sequences with intense psychological passages to create something dazzling. I feel perfectly comfortable saying the Donaldson is the only fantasy author who has ever equaled Tolkien in writing battle scenes. The emotional triumph at the conclusion of this one is, well, words just can't describe it.

Any lesser author would have devoted an entire book just to that. For Donaldson, however, it's just the prelude to the main event. The main event, it's no spoiler to say, is the final showdown between Thomas Covenant and Lord Foul. And what a showdown it is. When Donaldson started writing this trilogy, the most important decision he made was that his main character would not be a standard fantasy hero. Thomas Covenant, of course, is the most deeply sympathetic and real character ever to appear in any fantasy novel. Having created a person as amazing as this one, of course, poses the problem of how to provide a satisfying conclusion while still remaining true to the character. Probably nobody alive could have pulled it off as well as Donaldson, but then again no one other than Donaldson would ever have attempted a fantasy series this ambitious anyway.

So in conclusion, read it, love it, be amazed by it.

Back in the 1970's it was Donaldson and Terry Brooks who proved that an audience for the genre of fantasy existed. It was Donaldson who proved that an author could publish, sell well, and still write something of definitive literary merit. While it is indisputable that Tolkien brought the genre of fantasy into existence it was still widely regarded as something for children (something fantasy fiction still struggles with today) and it is Donaldson who first wrote something that can only be aimed at adults. The Chronicles' influence over the last three decades has been and can be traced to Eddings' Belgariad, Feist's Riftwar Saga, and any of a host of crossover fantasy novels published in the genre. It's only defect and what prevents it from receiving our highest recommendations is the patina of ugliness that Covenant inevitably breeds. It's an irony about the word because it is the ugliness of Covenant that elevates the rather routine plot into something of literary merit but at the same time it will prevent The Chronicles from being the most cherished in people's minds.

WHO SHOULD READ:

For anyone who has complained that fantasy novels are too lighthearted or too childlike, Donaldson has answered your complaint with a staunch challenge. His Chronicles are a gladiatorial arena where in the pit metaphysics slugs it out not in the pristine abstractions of philosophers but in the blood, sweat, and madness of the arena. It is a terrific blend of pulse-quickening action immersed in carefully constructed philosophy. Any reader versed in philosophical discourse in either free will or ethics will be profoundly moved by Covenant's struggles. At the same time, readers with no taste in philosophy whatsoever who are firmly grounded in a sense of black/white and right/wrong will be equally moved by these books because the battles and action will mean something to them rather than events occurring like so many special effects in some rotten film starring Sylvester Stallone or Jean Claude Van Damme.

WHO SHOULD PASS:

The reader should beware of the content. It's very popular to accuse George RR Martin of having some kind of monopoly on books where bad things happen to really good (and popular) characters. That's not the case at all: next to Donaldson he is a child. Real crimes are committed and terrible sacrifices are made and it is something that the delicate should avoid. Additionally, many readers have been upset with the dense prose and idealized setting of The Chronicles. This is something that's rather important to what the book is about but that doesn't lessen the irritation that some people feel. If you have knee-jerk (and perhaps unwarranted) reactions to overt echoes of Tolkien or have a severe allergic reactions to similes (Donaldson cannot seem to write without liberal use of simile) then you might seek elsewhere. But really, these books were a groundbreaking event in fantasy publishing and shouldn't be missed.

READ THE ENTIRE REVIEW AT INCHOATUS.COM

The Power That Preserves is the sequel to The Illearth War and the final novel in the first trilogy about Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever. Just as in the previous two books, Covenant returns to the Land after blacking out in the real world from an injury. Seven years have passed in the Land while only a couple days have transpired for Covenant. He finds the Land in the grip of an unnatural winter brought on by Lord Foul, whose forces have overrun most of the Land and nearly defeated all resistance. The Lords at Revelstone are the only major obstacle left for Foul to defeat, and Foul with his Illearth Stone is much more powerful than they are. Covenant's wild magic is the only hope to turn things around, but he doesn't even know how to unleash it!

I gave the previous novel, The Illearth War, a five-star rating. It was excellent fantasy from beginning to end. The sequel is just as good until the ending, which is a tad weaker in comparison. Don't get me wrong, it's still a great ending: explosive, climactic, and quite satisfying. But it doesn't quite "jive" with how Covenant and Lord Foul have been portrayed throughout the series. So it seems a bit contrived or artificial. You'll probably know what I mean when you get there. On the other hand, you may love the ending just as much as most of the other reviewers did. Anyway, though I think the ending is the weakest part of the novel, it's still a fine close to the series and you'll enjoy it. Solid four-star material, which ain't shabby at all! I'd rate it four and a half if that rating were available.

The siege against Revelstone by Lord Foul's minions is perhaps the best part of the book. High Lord Mhoram is awesome! The enemy general and his forces truly inspire dread. Covenant's long quest in the south is full of adventure too. You'll finally get to see what's become of Lena, the girl Covenant wronged in the first book. Triock plays a major role, becoming a tragic hero in one of the finest action scenes of the novel. Dead Elena (the High Lord killed in the last book) makes an appearance, though not in the guise you may expect. A couple welcome old friends from past books accompany Covenant on his quest.

Characters show more variation in personality than in the previous books, in which most of them seemed like they were cast from the same mold. There are a few quite gory moments in the battles, like one memorable scene where blood is pumping around a knife stuck in somebody's chest (sorry!). Overall, this series consists of the some of the best fantasy I've ever read. It doesn't quite rank up there with the Wheel of Time series (at least the first six books of it), but it succeeds admirably for its relatively short length. Jordan could learn a few pointers from this series, as in how to tie things up neatly.

Highly recommended and a must read to wrap up the first trilogy!

Whether for good or ill the end is near--in his second return to the Land Thomas Covenant appears seven years after his last arrival, nearly at the end of the seven times seven years Lord Foul said would be the maximum granted to the Lords. Twice before he has striven to balance his unbelief with the needs of the Land--now it is more important than ever. High Lord Elena's rash act of summoning High Lord Kevin Landwaster broke the Law of Death and granted to Lord Foul powers beyond any he had before weilded.

There is still something pure and archetypal about the Land. The Lords devote themselves to life and its growth while the Despiser, Lord Foul surrounds himself with death and corruption. This is no mere consequence of the ages old struggle for dominance of the Land, it is the character of the Land. Donaldson has woven a picture of an epic struggle that is more than just good versus evil.

There is nothing straightforward about Thomas Covenant and his journies through the land. Each step forward is painful for the Unbeliever as he causes pain to those around him. However, as he discovers the truth of his unbelief and the white gold's power so too the reader will experience the journey, perhaps on the edge of their seat.

This excellent conclusion to The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeleiver isn't formulaic, it isn't predictable and like Hobbes the tiger (Calvin's toy or companion?) we may never know the truth of The Land.

Time in the Land has made Covenant out of place in any world. The fruits of his actions haunt him, and his search for peace drives him to the brink of death, a thing that would make too many people witout hearts rejoice. Yet, his heart has been cured of leprosy, even if his body is sicker than ever. So, when he has the chance to save a child, he takes the risk of condemning the Land to save her. Then, he is given the chance to rectify his error and is taken to the Land to find it changed. The Bloodguard and Giants are no more, the girl who loved him is old and insane. It's now or never for the Unbeliever to face Lord Foul, but with a heart so filled with lornness, how can he fight despair incarnate?

This book is another winner, one that reminds us that hope always lives.

After the indecision and angst experienced by Thomas Covenant in Lord Foul's Bane and The Illearth War, it is very refreshing to see him (at least partially) resolve his conflict and move to action in this, the conclusion to the first Thomas Covenant trilogy.

The action begins when Covenant returns to our world immediately following the events at the conclusion of The Illearth War. Filled with agony over his perceived failures and inaction in the Land (trying not to spoil the plot here), he wanders in suffering through the woods behind his house for a few days, only to be summoned yet again to the Land, where seven years have passed since he was there (time passes differently in the Land than in the "real" world). By this time, the Lords have been reduced to only controlling their fortress of Revelstone, which is beseiged by the forces of Lord Foul, who holds the rest of the Land in his grip. Through several lucky circumstances, both in our world and the Land, Covenant is outside Revelstone and free to act. At first, he is afraid to do anything due to his inner conflicts and the demands of his leprosy, as in the first two books. But, after he sees and experiences the results of Lord Foul's depradations on the Land, he decides to finally take positive action to destroy Lord Foul and attempt to purge his guilt once and for all.

As before, Donaldson proves his mastery of characterization in the peoples that Covenant encounters in his adventures. The Lords Trevor, Loerya, and Amatin are all fleshed out fully after their brief introductions in The Illearth War. Also used effectively are a trio of tragic figures from Lord Foul's Bane: the villagers Trell, Triock, and Lena, who is the ultimate focus of most of Covenant's guilt and pain. The Haruchai Bannor, who has some guilt and pain of his own, is present, as is the valorous, guilt-filled, but ultimately heroic Giant, Saltheart Foamfollower. But the most powerful and compelling figure in the whole book is the awesome High Lord Mhoram, whose struggles to defeat the forces of Lord Foul and save Revelstone, while attempting to aid Covenant in any way he can, make this book the page-turner that it is. The battle between Mhoram and the leader of Foul's army is the most epic clash of wills I have read about in a book since Gandalf the Wizard faced down the Lord of the Nazgul at the gates of Minas Tirith. It's that good.

While Donaldson leaves vague the question of whether Covenant is actin out of concern for the Land or merely his desire to end what he feels is a guilt-induced halucination, the final confrontation with Lord Foul and the end of Covenant's adventure in the Land (for now) is very satisfying. The trilogy as a whole seems to state that we all carry our personal guilts and burdens over our sins, both of commission and omission. However, as flawed and guilty as we all are, we all have the capablity to overcome our shortcomings and make a difference for good in the world. It's a powerful message that we all need to hear. No fan of fantasy, or great literature in general, should fail to read this trilogy, as well as it's sequel. Donaldson is one of the VERY few writers of fantasy out there whose work will, I feel, evetually stand alongside The Lord of the Rings as monumental literary classics.

By now, the reader is quite familiar with the deus ex machina conceit of Covenant's entering the Land by losing consciousness in the `real' world. Tired, angry, increasingly physically/psychologically diseased, and ill equipped for the journey, Covenant nevertheless dares to venture into the heart of darkness and destroy Lord Foul in this, the final addition to the First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever series.

A good portion of the book divides itself into two threads: the siege of Revelstone, led by Foul's top minion, Satansfist; and Covenant's progress towards Foul's Creche. The text skilfully skips from one to another, treading the delicate line of taking the sufficient time to develop each plot, but not lingering too long where we lose our interest in/recollection of the other story. I particularly enjoyed the latter thread; Covenant runs into some rather unique situations and characters, foremost amongst these being the dolorous `soft people,' the jheherrin. Again, however, as is wont in much of the Covenant story arc, there are many (unintentional?) references to the Lord of the Rings. Here we have the man with a powerful ring that secretly journeys through the evil part of the land, entering a volcanic mountain with the help of an altruistic friend, resulting in a climactic showdown. Perhaps such references are unavoidable, as Tolkien essentially developed the fantasy template that successive authors drew upon.

The Power that Preserves unfortunately did not maintain the momentum, excitement, and scope of its predecessor, The Illearth War, which was the best book of the three. The pacing is more plodding and deliberate than the chaotic sequence of events that made the Illearth War such a blast to read. At times, it seems as if Donaldson is running out of steam and holding on for dear life to reach the end. And once the conclusion did arrive, I contentedly closed the book, without any further desire to revisit or reconsider what I read. Although enjoyable, and well written, the Power that Preserves ultimately fails to tap into the seemingly inexhaustible supply of verve and creativity that made its predecessors such bright stars in the fantasy constellation.

The first trilogy of "Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever" was Donaldson's initial opus and launched him to immediate consideration of public & critics.

One great thing about this trilogy is that it was conceived as a whole and complete work. The other Covenant's trilogies were product of editors, market and public pressure exerted on Donaldson to continue writing adventure using this great scenery.
What do I mean with this comment? Well...that reader won't be disappointed with an open end as some time occurs with sagas &series.

Donaldson's proposal is quite risky.
The main character is a sick man unable to compromise with the fantastic universe that deploys before him. The reader will certainly not identify with Covenant's sour & bitter personality.
Nevertheless a powerful story is constructed over this implausible pillar!

"The Power That Preserves" is the third and closing volume of the trilogy and I strongly recommend reading the first two volumes before start reading this one. It is true that the author provides a two page summary of what happened before, nevertheless The Land scenery & characters is too complex to be understood with that intro only, and the reader risk to get confused and even bored.

The tale is as follows: after a second return to our own world, Thomas is recalled to the Land. Yet this time he is able to refuse returning and when he effectively and almost voluntarily returns there is a subtle difference: Covenant is in his own skewed way compromises with the Land.

This time a malignant unnatural Winter froze the Land and the soul of its inhabitants. Lord's Keep is under siege. The Giants are annihilated. The Rhiannon are decimated and the Ramen are frenzied. Stonedownors are dispersed and thrown into wilderness. Bloodguard disbanded. Ur-viles, ghouls and wicked Foul's armies are free and destroying everything.

From this starting point two main & parallel stories evolve.
One line follows the defense of Lord's Keep.
The other line follows Covenant and his small band attempting the impossible: reaching Foul's Crèche and confronting the Evil one in person.

In this third volume of the saga each character will be confronted with its own past acts and their consequences. Each of them should pay the highest price and will reach a point of supreme decision.

IMHO this volume is the best in the trilogy. There are not only adventures tales in this book, there are ethical & philosophical issues to be solved by characters and readers!

It is great book that may be enjoyed by fantasy fans and general public as well! But remember read Book One and Two first!
Reviewed by Max Yofre.

Donaldson keeps on getting better and better. The Power That Preserves is powerfully made with such a fantastic scope of character depth and the Land's diminishing beauty.

Thomas Covenant is once again summoned to the Land, still struggling with his hatred, love, and Unbelief. Covenant thinks the Land is but a dream, yet after so much pain and destruction made to the Land, he resolves to journey Lord Foul's Creche and put him down. Meanwhile, Lord Mhoram and his fellow Lords are being sieged by a horrendously larger and much more terrifying host of Lord Foul's creatures, including possibly the most powerful of the Ravers. After Troy's sacrifice, the Warwards's power has been tanked, and the Lords's lore is considerably low in strength. Their only hope is the white gold power of Covenant's paradoxical ring, the power that he STILL does not know how to control.

From start to finish, Donaldson engages us in tenser battle sequences, gradual character developments, and the smallest hopes for the Land's survival. The final battle was especially satisfying, leaving me with a hunger for more of Thomas Covenant and his seemingly hopeless adventures.

The outcast is back for a third time and this time he is pissed. Mhoram discovers the fruition of breaking with the oath of peace, but is it in time to overcome the army's of Lord Foul? And our anti-hero is on the other side of the land with heroes fighting their own battles. Elena missteps in the last book bring some surprising problems here, and good book and wonderful entertaining tale make all three books a rewarding read