The Last Dark

The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 4

De: Stephen R. Donaldson

Narrado por: Scott Brick

Compelled step by step to actions whose consequences they could neither see nor prevent, Thomas Covenant and Linden Avery have fought for what they love in the magical reality known only as "the Land." Now they face their final crisis. Reunited after their separate struggles, they discover in each other their true power - and yet they cannot imagine how to stop the Worm of the World's End from unmaking Time. Nevertheless they must resist the ruin of all things, giving their last strength in the service of the world's continuance.

©2013 Stephen R. Donaldson (P)2013 Penguin Audio

thank you Scott for doing this last chronicle

the culmination of such a great work of literature was narrated perfectly. thank you

I believe

This was another great entry in the series, I highly recommend it in all forsooth.

Joy is in the ears that hear.

The 10th book in the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant series brings it all to a close (for the 3rd time.) I started the original series in 1979 and the first two Chronicles remain some of my favorite books to this day. Donaldson instantly trapped me between sympathy for Covenant the leper and hatred for Covenant the rapist. The Land and the people in it were amazing and I was forced to root for Covenant the antihero to succeed because the Land was so special: Bannor, Saltheart Foamfollower, Mhoram, the Forestals, the Raynyhyn, Revelstone, Andelain, Soaring Woodhelven – I loved it all. That is, except for Covenant himself, although I was willing to let him slide if he would step up and save everyone else.

Then the second series started and my heart was broken when I saw the devastation that had been wrought upon Land. The pain I felt for the inhabitants of the Land was palpable. All of a sudden I was a fan of Covenant because this travesty had to be addressed and he was the guy to do it. Now I resented Linden because she wasn’t Covenant and had no right to be more important than him. Again Donaldson convinced me to change my mind and root for her to succeed so that she could repair the damage that had been done to the Land. I even enjoyed his wordy writing because I was able to spend more time in the Land that way. Those two series turned me into a lover of Fantasy books.

When the third series started I was ecstatic and pre-ordered the hard cover version of the first book. It didn’t take long for the series to feel like a money grab that was exploiting my love for the Land. The books were full of uber-beings, time travel, and forgettable new companions for Linden. The Giants, which were so memorable in the first two series, had become expendable and boring. The same could be said for the Haruchai and when Linden once again summoned Covenant from beyond the grave I felt like a fool for continuing to read. The third book was by far the worst of the bunch and thus my expectations were pretty low heading into this finale.

But if you are reading this review then you have probably read/listened to the prior books in the series and there is little reason to stop now. Donaldson returns to his old self (too much at times) and once again I found myself rooting for the defenders of the Land. I started to care about the Giants and the Haruchai again and it felt a lot more like the first two series. Donaldson couldn’t resist mixing in more uber-beings, time travel, and “Deus ex machina” but he doesn’t go too far. This book felt more like the original books than any other in the final series and I don’t feel exploited for having listened to it.

As any Giant will tell you, “Joy is in the ears that hear” so if you are a long-time fan know that it is worth being summoned to the Land for one final time. This finale has stirred within me a desire to re-experience the first two series again and I plan to do just that. I still have my beaten up original paperbacks but this time I plan to listen instead of read and have picked up the First Chronicles on Audiobook. (It’s not available on Audible but if you search you will find it.)

Be true Unbelievers!

I have enjoyed this entire series since I was a ki

loved it, great series, I wished it would never end. I didn't need fifteen words!

The End!

An amazing ending to one of the best series ever written. well done by all!

Great Series

I love this series by Steven r Donaldson. I read the first six books 20 years ago. so glad to have the opportunity to listen to them. Scott Britt is the best to listen to he did a wonderful job. these are all well worth the listen. thank you I'm sure in a few years I will go back and listen to them again.

Great story, great ending!

The story of the Land and all its wonders - giants, magical horses, healing mud, and virtuous life giving plants to name just a few, was great fun to read. The thoughts and attitudes of the various players in the drama were thought provoking though at many points admittedly frustrating to my thinking. Yet, the shear majesty and wonder of the tragedy and triumph Donaldson weaves with his eloquent prose is undoubtedly satisfyingly. My one criticism would be his cartoonish characterization of supposedly "Christian" believers in one part of his story. Scott Brick does a fantastic job of brining the story to life, a usual! Be sure to read the whole story from the beginning!

Amazing ending to a truly epic tale!

Although portions of this book are slow and filled with self loathing and endless introspection of the main characters, this is a fitting end to the Thomas Covenant saga. Of course Scott Brick is amazing in this reading and of this last series, The Last Dark is by far the best book. I initially read and loved the first and second chronicles in high school so I was already invested emotionally to start the last chronicles. In fact, I actually had to pre order White Gold Wielder because it wasn't out yet so when I founded out that Donaldson had written 4 additional books in the Covenant series I had to plunge in. I'm glad I finished them but saddened the story is over.

Fabulous!!!

Bring your dictionary and get ready for an apt and fitting end to the wondrous saga of the timewarden and the chosen!!!

The First Light

An excellent, if not unwanted, ending to an epic tale. It would be nice to have one more book of Thomas and Linden just living in the Land as it regrew to glory.