Scan barcode
todenmann's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
angemelb's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I've read this series a few times now and I feel this is my final time. Each time, I have obtained something different and with this read, it was sadly, boredom. The character development for both Linen and Thomas kept me going. A lot of unnecessary prose, so many religious connotations, and parts I couldn't help skipping, without losing any of the plot. I'm glad there's loose threads which were tied off and the ending is satisfactory. It's a collection of books I can now put aside, like old companions, thanking them for many journeys we've had together and now move onto something new.
scheu's review against another edition
5.0
It's funny to me how much of the story of WGW I forgot. Hamako and the Waynhim, or anything to do with Mistweave. This read-through made Vain and Findail's purpose more or less explicit. I can also see the lead-in for the Last Chronicles now. Satisfying.
steven_v's review against another edition
5.0
This is the third and final novel of the Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, and stands as the sixth novel out of all the series. For some twenty years, this was the final Covenant novel, until author Stephen Donaldson wrote the third series. It is now book six of ten.
As a finale to the second chronicles and, for decades, to the entire series, this book is both satisfying and somber. Donaldson writes no completely happy endings. As with the first series, victory can only be obtained at great cost. Many characters lose their lives in this final installment of the second series.
That being said, this is one of the most satisfying endings to a long-running series I have ever read. There is a great deal of "closing the circle" here. Locations and occurrences from the first few books return in a new form. Old violations are made right. And the truth of how the Wild Magic, the Arch of Time, and Lord Foul himself work (only hinted at in the first five books) are finally made clear to the reader.
Perhaps most importantly, the characters of Covenant and Linden are resolved in powerful and profound ways. Each achieves much in this last novel. And if you thought Covenant was an S.O.B. before, I can say without providing any real spoilers, he completely redeems himself in this novel. I had come to like him before this when I first read the series -- grudgingly in the first Chronicles, and then more genuinely in the previous two books of this series. But his behavior in White Gold Wielder cements Covenant for me as one of my favorite characters.
And what can I say about Linden Avery. Much though I like Covenant, and even characters like Foamfollower, Pitchwife, Bannor, and the First, Linden is far and away my favorite character in this series. She is rich, complicated, interesting... and her plight is one with which I always empathized. Unlike Covenant, I'd have made a lot of the choices she made. And indeed, her love of Covenant is perhaps one reason I came to like Covenant so much. She does not disappoint in this novel.
For many years, White Gold Wielder stood as the capper to this series, and for that reason, much as I love it, I could not fully enjoy reading it because I knew that it represented the end of my journey in the Land. Now, with four books coming after it, there is nothing to mitigate my pleasure in this novel. Indeed I read almost the entire second half o fit in 24 hours again this most recent time through. This happens most of the time -- once I get to the mid-point of this novel, I can't put it down until the end.
If you have liked the other novels in this series, White Gold Wielder is well worth a read.
As a finale to the second chronicles and, for decades, to the entire series, this book is both satisfying and somber. Donaldson writes no completely happy endings. As with the first series, victory can only be obtained at great cost. Many characters lose their lives in this final installment of the second series.
That being said, this is one of the most satisfying endings to a long-running series I have ever read. There is a great deal of "closing the circle" here. Locations and occurrences from the first few books return in a new form. Old violations are made right. And the truth of how the Wild Magic, the Arch of Time, and Lord Foul himself work (only hinted at in the first five books) are finally made clear to the reader.
Perhaps most importantly, the characters of Covenant and Linden are resolved in powerful and profound ways. Each achieves much in this last novel. And if you thought Covenant was an S.O.B. before, I can say without providing any real spoilers, he completely redeems himself in this novel. I had come to like him before this when I first read the series -- grudgingly in the first Chronicles, and then more genuinely in the previous two books of this series. But his behavior in White Gold Wielder cements Covenant for me as one of my favorite characters.
And what can I say about Linden Avery. Much though I like Covenant, and even characters like Foamfollower, Pitchwife, Bannor, and the First, Linden is far and away my favorite character in this series. She is rich, complicated, interesting... and her plight is one with which I always empathized. Unlike Covenant, I'd have made a lot of the choices she made. And indeed, her love of Covenant is perhaps one reason I came to like Covenant so much. She does not disappoint in this novel.
For many years, White Gold Wielder stood as the capper to this series, and for that reason, much as I love it, I could not fully enjoy reading it because I knew that it represented the end of my journey in the Land. Now, with four books coming after it, there is nothing to mitigate my pleasure in this novel. Indeed I read almost the entire second half o fit in 24 hours again this most recent time through. This happens most of the time -- once I get to the mid-point of this novel, I can't put it down until the end.
If you have liked the other novels in this series, White Gold Wielder is well worth a read.
mbs1236's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Alongside The Wounded Land, the best installment in the Thomas Covenant Chronicles as of yet with a beautiful ending that elevates this series as one of the fantasy greats.
elkneedshelp's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
hotsake's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If I only had one word to describe this book it would be
Pain!
If I was allowed a second word it would be
Despair!
If granted one final word it would be
Hope?
Pain!
If I was allowed a second word it would be
Despair!
If granted one final word it would be
Hope?
regnarenol's review against another edition
I'll flesh this one out later when the immediate satisfaction of a spectacular finale has settled down and I can pick out more faults through the happy glare.
All I can say is Donaldson sets this up nicely - you always knew there was never going to a happy ending proper, but there *is* a fitting ending. And what an ending it is - bittersweet yes, but wondrously breathtaking, and epic enough to give closure to this immense trilogy.
Most of the rest of the book though , while typical Donaldson in that a perilous journey stops short of being a perfect adventure by virtue of us being locked in with Linden and Covenant's morbid thoughts all the time, leans almost towards filler in comparison.
Another thing I loved about the book was the development of the Giants - the First and Pitchwife are two incredible characters that offer occasional respite from our two heroes' endless self-pity. I wish I could have seen even more of them.
All I can say is Donaldson sets this up nicely - you always knew there was never going to a happy ending proper, but there *is* a fitting ending. And what an ending it is - bittersweet yes, but wondrously breathtaking, and epic enough to give closure to this immense trilogy.
Most of the rest of the book though , while typical Donaldson in that a perilous journey stops short of being a perfect adventure by virtue of us being locked in with Linden and Covenant's morbid thoughts all the time, leans almost towards filler in comparison.
Another thing I loved about the book was the development of the Giants - the First and Pitchwife are two incredible characters that offer occasional respite from our two heroes' endless self-pity. I wish I could have seen even more of them.
edluback's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0