The Last Dark

By: Stephen R. Donaldson

Narrated by: 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.

Critic reviews

"Although richly allegorical, the novel's great strength is the warm humanity of its characters, who distinguish themselves by repeatedly confronting and overcoming their personal frailties. Donaldson's fans will find this fitting finale 36 years in the making." --Publishers Weekly

Praise for FATAL REVENANT:
"Difficult but worthwhile, this complicated and emotional continuation of the Thomas Covenant saga is exactly what Donaldson's fans have been hoping for." --Publishers Weekly

Praise for THE RUNES OF THE EARTH:
“[A] landmark fantasy saga.” --Entertainment Weekly

“A reawakening of a classic fantasy saga.” --Library Journal

“A trilogy of remarkable scope and sophistication.” --Los Angeles Times

“Startlingly original antiheroic fantasy resonating with echoes of both Tolkien and Philip K. Dick.” --Publishers Weekly

“An epic with page-turning intrigue.” --Detroit Free Press

“Impressive…filled with splendid inventions.” --Booklist

“The most important and original work of epic fantasy after Tolkien…Rich in paradox, metaphor and symbolism…Donaldson’s writing remains one of the most original and intellectually challenging works to have graced contemporary epic fantasy.” --SF Site

"Donaldson has met [readers'] high expectations...you might utter at the book's end: 'I want the next book right now.'" --Detroit Free Press

"Fans can celebrate." --The Kansas City Sta

Praise for THE CHRONICLES OF THOMAS COVENANT:
"A feast for epic fantasy addicts." --Publishers Weekly

"The most original fantasy since THE LORD OF THE RINGS." --Time Out

"I don't think a books like this come along more than a few times in a lifetime." --Marion Zimmer Bradley

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!