The Runes of the Earth (Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant)

Let me start by saying that I disagree that this would be a good book for readers new to the Covenant series to start with. It's true that Donaldson does a good job of explaining events from the prior books as he goes along, for the benefit of readers who may have forgotten various details over the years, but these explanations would act as spoilers of the six prior books for new readers. It would be much better for new readers to start with Lord Foul's Bane and read the first two series through first, rather than to start with this book and find that the first two trilogies have been ruined for them.

The Runes of the Earth lacks both the scope and the imaginative detail that Donaldson's writing displayed, in particular, in the second Covenant trilogy. The action is confined to a relatively small part of The Land (and to one small area of the "real" world), and takes place over a very brief timespan from the point of view of Linden Avery, the main character.

There are of course some new concepts introduced, and a new threat from Lord Foul. But too much of Runes merely recycles old themes and characters and peoples from the first two series. In the second Chronicles, Donaldson was not merely content to rehash the first trilogy. Instead, he brought us Elohim and Sandgorgons, venom and Sunbane, Bhrathrair and the Clave - and Linden herself. Runes offers nothing comparable to the shock which The Wounded Land presented to readers familiar with The Land.

Even the new characters are too dependent on the prior series. Linden's son, Covenant's son, even Cail's son and Sunder's and Hollian's son. Why not somebody brand new? 7,000 years after the first trilogy, we are still seeing Stonedowners, Haruchai, and Ramen. Do no new peoples ever arise from or migrate into The Land?

Before the publication of JRR Tolkien's Silmarillion, many readers of the Lord of the Rings trilogy feared that exploring Middle Earth's past too thoroughly would destroy the "impression of depth" that was such a compelling facet of that series. A similar effect may be at work here. By tearing away the scenery and showing what really happened with Cail, the merwives, Kastenessen, the ur-viles, the Ranyhyn, etc., Donaldson may be answering 20 years worth of accumulated fan questions, but what is he leaving for the reader to wonder about?

Runes is too dependent upon Linden, the only significant point of view character. The second trilogy gave us Linden as a counter to Covenant, as the first had given us Troy and Mhoram, but in Runes Linden must stand alone. This is problematic in several other ways besides imbalance. First of all, Linden is not nearly as compelling a character as Covenant. She is not a leper, she is not responsible for Elena's misdeeds, etc. Also, there is no longer any real reason that Linden cannot use a combination of Wild Magic and the Law to achieve basically anything. Unlike Covenant, she is unhampered by leprosy, lack of health sense, etc. And her character had already been thoroughly explored in the second trilogy, and her paralyzing refusal to act no longer applies.

So Donaldson has to contrive reasons to keep Linden from simply winning the day with White Gold or Law, and those reasons seem just that, contrived.

So does the conflict between Linden and the Haruchai as represented by Stave, a carbon copy of Cail. The Haruchai are committing their usual fatal mistake, oversimplistic certainty. As usual, they recognize that they have erred in the past, but they are unable to see that how they always err is to be too certain that they will not err again. This offers nothing new to readers of the first two series. Linden futilely attempts to argue Stave and the Haruchai out of one specific stance without addressing their meta-flaw, that they just can't admit they might be wrong.

Certain plot elements seem half-baked. A supposed added motivation for Linden to oppose Foul is that he has kidnapped her son. But surely, if the fate of the world rests in your hands, saying that the fates of the world plus that of your son rest in your hands doesn't really ratchet up the stakes any. The my-child is-in-danger device seems melodramatic as well, as if this series should be subtitled, "This time, it's personal." Is Linden Dirty Harry or Charles Bronson? Of course not. So why go down this road?

Another annoying and unconvincing device is that of madness on the part of a key character. His madness causes this knowledgeable but unreliable character to drop cryptic hints for Linden and the others to try to puzzle out rather than to just say what's on his mind. This is of course highly convenient for an author who wants to carefully ration out information to his readers, but for just that reason it is obvious that it is authorial cheating. Donaldson readers have already been through this with Adept Havelock - they deserve better than this redux.

Donaldson may simply have run out of things to say. The fact that he continues to repeat himself with his anti-absolutist stance regarding the Haruchai tends to suggest as much. He has already explored the ideas of power equaling guilt, its absence equaling freedom, and the danger of certainty. If this third trilogy is going to have a new theme, its first entry does nothing to suggest what that theme might be.

Runes is very much a 2004 book, in that it follows the current epic fantasy trend of merely being one chapter in a longer work with a single ending. In this respect is suffers by comparison to its predecessors such as The Illearth War and The One Tree, which were complete novels in and of themselves as well as being parts of larger works.

The bottom line for die-hard Donaldson readers is that of course Runes is a must-read. Though it is a somewhat unworthy follower to the two previous series, it is certainly not an irrelevant abomination such as the later Ringworld books of Niven. But it will be bound to disappoint many who go in with high expectations, hence the two stars. Let us hope that its successor books contain less setup, and that some of the new characters are allowed to develop. The new series badly needs, if not its version of Foamfollower or Pitchwife or Mhoram or Elena, at least a Sunder.

It's a complicated equation: it has been 21 years since fans of Stephen R. Donaldson have been able to visit the Land with a new Thomas Covenant novel, 10 "real-world" years since an outsider has walked in the Land, and about 3,500 native years since the Land itself has seen an outsider. Now Linden Avery returns accompanied by 3 (or possibly 4?) others, including Thomas Covenant's mad wife. Once in the Land Linden must search for her son, who is threatened by Lord Foul--and Foul now has influence over one of two white gold rings that have come to the Land. Linden holds the other; it being the ring she took from Covenant when he died 10 years earlier. Sure, Covenant is dead, but that shouldn't worry fans--Donaldson has titled this "The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant" for good reason. Through the course of the book we are reminded that the Law of Death was broken in the first chronicles, and the Law of Life broken in the second. Now it is the Arch of Time and the foundations of the Law itself that are in very real danger. To complicate matters, the Land is afflicted with a malevolent pall to rival the Sunbane and massive reality-storms known as "Caesures."
For Linden's return to the Land, Donaldson has marshaled many of the unique elements of the past six novels, reviving certain wonders that seemed to have disappeared forever from the Land. He also raises questions left open by the other books, questions fans may never have even considered. What ever became of the Ramen and the Ranyhyn, the ur-viles and Waynhim? What came of the Haruchai Cail's lust for the merewives? What use was made of the Staff of Law after Linden began the healing of the Sunbane, then left the Land? And perhaps most troubling is the transformation we see that has come to the Haruchai. Once known as the faithful Bloodguard and servants of the Lords of Revelstone, the Haruchai now occupy Revelstone themselves as "the Masters of the Land."
Donaldson has written a captivating novel to launch this 4-part series. The 90-page prologue delivers heavy echoes of the prologue piece to "The Wounded Land" and very effectively kicks off the story with a suspenseful edge. Once Linden has been transported from the real world to the Land, things slow down a bit. The rest of the book consists of two parts, labeled: "Part I: Chosen for this Desecration" & "Part II: The Only Form of Innocence." Personally, I feel that the first few chapters of Part I are somewhat loose and could have used some tightening to focus the events and drama of those chapters. However, the story soon recovers its pace. By Part II, Linden defines a quest for herself and her companions, and the unprecedented audacity of that quest is truly breathtaking. At the end of the book, this fan found himself savoring the last bite of a bitter-sweet cliffhanger and was hungry for more. Bravo, Mr. Donaldson. Keep the Covenant books coming--your fans haven't eaten in 21 years!

I read the first 6 "Thomas Covenant" books when they first came out - that was 20 years ago, when I was in high school. I remember finding the books somewhat frustrating and annoying, but I finished all six of them.

We all grow older, and hopefully wiser. When "Runes" was published, I thought long and hard before I picked up the book, finially deciding to take a chance. After all, I have matured considerably in the last 20 years, and movies and books I didn't understand as a teenager now make sense to me in adulthood.

Well, I should have trusted my teen-aged judgement. "Runes" is a walk down memory lane for me - but it is a lane filled with angsty characters, predictable plot, overly-descriptive prose that approaches bad poetry, and left me crying "Why don't they just get one with it!!!" after less than an hour's read.

"Runes" confirmed my original opinion of the characters in this series - there is little, if any, character growth until it is absolutely needed, then we see the smallest amount possible to advance the plot. Huge life events sweep over the people who populate "Runes", yet they bob along like helpless bits of cork in the water - and are equally interesting. At least, in the original CTC series, there was some rationale for this - Thomas was the perpetual 'doubter' because belief posed a very real threat to his survival in the 'real world'. This situation tied him up as a character, and explained many actions that a normal person would consider blatantly stupid or short-sighted. The crew in "Runes" ... all traumatized in some way, of course ... still does not have this as an excuse for their clueless behavior. As a result, I as a reader didn't care at all about any of these characters.

Given my experience with the first 6 books - long ago as it was - I'm obviously not the average reviewer. IF you are someone who loved the CTC the first and second time around, then perhaps you would like this book. Look to the other reviewers before making your choice. But if you found the first 6 books to be frustrating exercises in futility and 'despair' ... don't expect "Runes" to be any better. It's worse.

I got up to page 201 and finally had to give it up. The first two Chronicles were thought provoking and a scholarly departure from the main-stream fantasy genre. However, in starting a third Thomas Covenant Chronicle (which I was hoping to be a welcomed and long awaited addition to the saga), Donaldson crashed and burned. He did a great job in recapping the whole storyline of the previous Chronicles and in setting up the scenario for Linden being transported back to the Land (which took up about the first 100+ pages or so). But once she's there, its fingernail pulling time.

Her son, finding her son, her son, her love for Thomas Covenant, her son, the Despiser's motives, finding her son, using wild magic, love for Thomas Covenant, can't use wild magic, use wild magic, can't use wild magic, despair, more despair, hope...no wait, more despair, oh yeah...my son, got to find my son...AD NAUSIUM, AD NAUSIUM, AD NAUSIUM, AD NAUSIUM, AD NAUSIUM.

And the words!!!!!! I can't believe in this day and age that either he or his editors or publishers didn't use a computerized word check program to count the number of times "not common" words were used. I reckon that "puissant" was used at least 15-20 times in the first 200 pages. I looked it up in the Miriam-Walker dictionary and its one word definition is "powerful". So why not just say that? And that is just one of many examples.

All-in-all, a journey back to the Land is a puissant waste of time.

I grew up reading both Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, and was an immediate fan to Donaldson's rather intrigueing and depressing anti-hero. But there was something about Thomas Covenant and the Land that just wouldn't let go, and I found myself having many parallels with Donaldson's two trilogies.

Then I read this book, and all possible love left me.

First, I will say the story has merit - the merit of a four book series. The first book is a good start to that story, but it is still one quarter of a story. Runes doesn't stand well on its own as a story, but knowing there is more promises that a good story may come out of it.

The largest pain I had with this story - and it was almost a physical pain on the eyes - was the way the story was told. Donaldson has spent the last several books writing in the first person. That first person narrative came over into the third person narrative and really wrecked this story. As a reader, I was being told what was going on rather than being shown what was going on. All adjective use ended, particularly where the beauty of the Land was concerned. The Land, a character in the other novels, was not present in this book.

If you want a book that tells you what is going on, this is your book. But if you enjoyed the other Chronicles because you got enveloped in the Land and the story, then realize when you read this it isn't going to be up to snuff. Merely read the first chapter from White Gold Wielder, then pick up Runes and read the first chapter of the Land, and you will see what I mean easily.

Donaldson, in his Locus Interview, admits to not being the type of fantasy author he was when he wrote the first two Chronicles. He ADMITS it. So there really isn't any arguing on the issue of how this new book is written. My expectations were not met.

Good story, poorly executed in my opinion. It should have been the fantasy book of the year, and fell short by about 30 published books in my opinion.

I should first of all mention that I am currently only 3/4 of the way through this travesty called a Covenant novel, but unless the last 1/4 wows the living heck out of me, this review holds true.

Simply put, its a bad book. I know that's hard to believe from a guy who wrote the first two Covenant triligies (which were great), but there it is. The characters are flat and unbelievable, the plot is virtually nonexistant, and the descriptions of the Land make you want to bash your head against a desk. Just do something for God sake! The characters either sit around telling stories about the past, whine about their problems, or wander aimlessly up and down hills for no apparent reason (and at the pace the book progresses, it will take Donaldson at least 3 pages to describe that hill). I really hope Linden dies at the end, I dislike her so much.

I don't know about you guys, but what really captivated me in the first series was the antihero qualities of Covenant himself. He made the story. Without him, the Land is kinda lame. And Linden is the lamest. I'm usually a sucker for finishing a series even if it starts to suck (Wheel of Time, Sword of Truth), but even I am refusing to buy the next book in this series. Wish me luck as I drag myself through the remaining pages of this disaster.

This story is even more plodding and repetitious than the previous Donaldson books. However with this story there is no compelling reason to overlook Donaldson's need to increase word counts. A story is lacking, the characters are dull reincarnations of other characters. The only real interest in this book is the character Anele.

The story and the journey twist in meaningless tangles. Occasionally there is a glimpse of the work of a master story teller, but those glimpses are too few.

The book feels very much like it was propelled by accountants checking off pages, events and features, rather than an artist striving to create.

For engaging entertainment it would be far better to re-read the original Chronicles and leave this sad work alone.

Plainly put, this is a proper return to the Land.

After a concise and moving prologue in which we are reintroduced to Linden Avery, the "Chosen" and discover that she has dedicated her life to reclaiming the souls of those damaged by Lord Foul's minions and that she has given her heart to Jeremiah, a child whose right hand was nearly destroyed by the sacrificial fire which drew Covenant to his last battle with Lord Foul in the Second Chronicles. Linden's love of Covenant and her victory over Foul and the Sunbane have transformed her into a formidable woman capable of giving and receiving love.

But Covenant's son Roger kidnaps his mother from Linden's care and very soon, Linden is transported back to the Land to face Lord Foul again.

If you are a fan of the Covenant books, you will know you are in good hands the moment Linden arrives upon Kevin's Watch and from there to Mithil Stonedown. Donaldson has lost none of his gift for moral urgency and narrative grandeur.

If you are new to the Covenant books, don't be daunted. Donaldson does an excellent job of recapitulating the previous books, especially the core moral dilemmas that Covenant faced and surpassed. He has cleverly made ignorance of the Land's legendary history a key plot point so that learning the lore of the Land becomes naturally a part of the story. By the end of the first few chapters, you will understand all the important points and most of the key players.

This first book focuses on Linden's efforts to overcome obstacles set in her path by the Haruchai, self-styled "Masters of the Land" who seem, at first, to be antagonists to Linden Avery. But as the story progresses we come to understand, as Linden does, that the Masters are, at worst, misguided. The Land has several enemies, and Lord Foul seems to be the least of them!

Donaldson has two great gifts as a storyteller. He sets up seemingly insoluble moral quandaries that stymie even those whose intentions are obviously good. And, he creates archetypal characters whose motivations are all too human: Anele, who was broken by awe for his own parents. Esmer, a being in endless deadly conflict with himself. Stave, a Haruchai who must choose ambiguity though it costs him all that he holds dear. The ur-viles, creatures of incalculable self-hatred who yearn for purity of form and purpose. And, always, Linden Avery, Chosen, Wildwielder, confronted with impossible choices and the deep strategems of Lord Foul, who is not simply an unadulterated force of Evil, but a necessary consequence of Creation itself.

I can't wait for the next book. Can there be any doubt that Giants will return to the Land?

I approach this book a lot like Lucas's "The Phantom Menace." First, like the film, Donaldson is going back to a universe which has received no new material in decades -- in fact, Lord Foul's Bane was published within months of Star Wars. One might imagine SRD and Lucas set out with many of the same goals: remind old fans of basic fundamentals, win new fans too young for the originals, and attempt the skillful augmentation of a classic without destroying its original raw brilliance.

Secondly, TPM was an open exercise in misdirection; even the title was an obvious dig. Every fan knew from the start that "The Trade Federation" was not the real "Menace"; the whole Naboo affair was simply a lighthearted romp, a 1-off adventure to get things rolling again, establish characters, and prep the audience for surprises to come. Methinks Donaldson is playing a similar game with this initial foray. He covers a lot of ground, in both space and time, while arranging his pieces on an elaborate multi-dimensional chessboard. Obligingly we watch the thrilling escapades of his returning White Queen, setting ourselves up for the eventual unmasking of the artfully-cued Black King.

Too, like that flashy first flick, Runes has more action than the typical Covenant episode, with less anguish and fury than we have come to expect. (Don't worry, the darkness will come -- there is a whole trilogy of pain no doubt waiting in the wings!) On the other hand, the onslaught of powerful players, whose unscoped abilities are matched only by the riddles of their allegiance, reminded me pleasantly of Zelazny's second Amber series; Esmer is a potent echo of the Chaos Lord Luke.

Indeed, my only real complaint is with the language, which if anything comes across as a bit too polished. Some of SRD's old power and poignance seems to have diffused with age. Part of the problem, as another reviewer mentioned, is quite simply that Linden is no Covenant. She is too precise, two professional, too rational to match the wild fervor of Covenant's abrupt passions. Clean thinking makes for clean prose, and I mourn the education of Donaldson's wonderfuly over-the-top eruptions of tormented apoplexy.

One note, worth stating in an increasing world of e-texts and Acrobats: the book is beautifully presented. The type, iconography, and format cues are unusually apropos. If Donaldson is to be credited for the power of his vision and boldness of his pen, the folks at Putnam have shown him due honor in their presentation. Joy is in the eyes that see :-)

All said, I was thrilled to return to the Land, astonished by Donaldson's daring, and could not be more excited by the trilogy that awaits. "I am content..."

Just about everyone who has posted a review here has stated what a HUGE fan they are of SRD and the First and Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever...and I count myself among their ranks.

However, I know I'm not the only one who feels that this latest rehash somewhat diminishes the previous books in that it is clearly first a foremost a commercial venture. Don't get me wrong, I don't blame SRD for cashing in on a valuable franchise...but it shows.

Imagine Tolkien writing a sequal to Lord of the Rings (and I do believe that the first three books by SRD are on par with Tolkien's work) where we get to meet the great great great grandson of Frodo who is called upon to destroy a new and poweful talisman created by Sauron, who incidently has returned to Mordor to set up shop AGAIN. In the meantime, we get to see the decendants of Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas duke it out on the battlefields again...I know I'm not the only one who cringes at the thought of such a book being written, but that's exactly what SRD has done with the Runes of the Earth.

The second trilogy was weaker than the first, but a least the second trilogy broke new ground. We were introduced to a new protagonist - Linden Avery, a new menace - The Sunbane, and were taken away from the Land for a fair amount of time.

What SRD has done in this book is to essentially try to blend the first six books in to a new alloy (white gold may be a poweful alloy, but this book sure isn't). By combining the beauty of the Land with the Sunbane we get "Kevin's Dirt". By combining the Council of Lords with the Clave we get "The Masters". And make no mistake, in the next three books, by combining the protagonists Thomas Covenent and Linden Avery we're going to get "Jerimiah" (you heard it here first!).

Nevertheless, I loved the previous books (as a teenager) and reading about the Land again has been quite enjoyable, as was seeing the old cast of characters. However, the plot is stretched VERY VERY thin. How many times does Lord Foul have to return to the land to destroy the Arch of Time...a new theme would be MOST welcome (as an aside, as an adult I find the name "Lord Foul" inanely childish). And the plot device by which the power of the Illerth Stone returns to the land makes me want to scream! Is SRD so bereft of ideas that he had to reach back to the second book to find an enemy!?

In the end I will purchase and read all of the subsequent books. Nevertheless it's clear to me that this well has essentially run dry...