Scan barcode
A review by steven_v
The Runes of the Earth by Stephen R. Donaldson
5.0
This novel is the first in a 4-book series that concludes the Thomas Covenant saga. Ten fictional years have passed in "our" world since the events of White Gold Wielder, the last novel before this one, and as usual, more than three thousand have passed in the Land. But also, more than 20 years had passed between the publication of the last book and this one, and more than thirty since the first time I read the original two series. When I saw that Donaldson had returned to the Land once again, I was filled with both excitement and trepidation. He's written numerous other novels since the last Covenant book - the Mordant's Need serries, the Gap series - and to be perfectly blunt, I haven't really liked any of them. His writing style is wildly different in everything else he does, and I worried that he would not be able, after all this time (and after getting out of practice by writing in other styles) to return to his former "Covenant" form.
My worries were groundless. Donaldson's unique and highly enjoyable writing style don't miss a beat. I have no idea how he can turn it on and off like that -- I sure couldn't! -- but this novel reads like he started writing it the day after he finished White Gold Wielder.
The story itself is a page-turner if there ever was one. Assuming one enjoyed the prior novels and liked the earlier characters and races such as Waynhim, stonedownors, and Haruchai, there is much to love in this first installment. Chief among these things to love is the main character, who once again is Linden Avery, the Chosen. She's been in our world for ten years, and the changes wrought into her character by the last series are clearly evident. But she is immediately confronted by a daunting foe -- Covenant's son Roger. Linden begins to suspect that Ravers or Foul are at work in Roger and his mother, Joan, who has been under Linden's care for ten years. And once again events conspire inevitably to call Linden to the Land, that magical place of wonder and Earthpower.
I won't supply any more details of the plot here, as they would simply spoil things. Suffice it to say there are many twists and turns, and many surprises. There are moments of deep grief... and moments when you will want to cheer.
This novel also has the biggest cliffhanger ending of any Covenant book. Originally three years separated the publication of each novel. When I saw this book in stores back on its first publication, although tempted, I decided to wait until the series was finished so I could read them all at once. I'm so glad I did -- because if I'd had to wait 3 years instead of 3 hours to start the next book I might possibly have gnawed off my own arm.
If you enjoy the Covenant books, this first novel of the last series is definitely for you. Once again, it feels like this series should have been called the Chronicles of Linden Avery rather than of Thomas Covenant, but that's just fine with me -- I like Linden better anyway.
My worries were groundless. Donaldson's unique and highly enjoyable writing style don't miss a beat. I have no idea how he can turn it on and off like that -- I sure couldn't! -- but this novel reads like he started writing it the day after he finished White Gold Wielder.
The story itself is a page-turner if there ever was one. Assuming one enjoyed the prior novels and liked the earlier characters and races such as Waynhim, stonedownors, and Haruchai, there is much to love in this first installment. Chief among these things to love is the main character, who once again is Linden Avery, the Chosen. She's been in our world for ten years, and the changes wrought into her character by the last series are clearly evident. But she is immediately confronted by a daunting foe -- Covenant's son Roger. Linden begins to suspect that Ravers or Foul are at work in Roger and his mother, Joan, who has been under Linden's care for ten years. And once again events conspire inevitably to call Linden to the Land, that magical place of wonder and Earthpower.
I won't supply any more details of the plot here, as they would simply spoil things. Suffice it to say there are many twists and turns, and many surprises. There are moments of deep grief... and moments when you will want to cheer.
This novel also has the biggest cliffhanger ending of any Covenant book. Originally three years separated the publication of each novel. When I saw this book in stores back on its first publication, although tempted, I decided to wait until the series was finished so I could read them all at once. I'm so glad I did -- because if I'd had to wait 3 years instead of 3 hours to start the next book I might possibly have gnawed off my own arm.
If you enjoy the Covenant books, this first novel of the last series is definitely for you. Once again, it feels like this series should have been called the Chronicles of Linden Avery rather than of Thomas Covenant, but that's just fine with me -- I like Linden better anyway.