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The Power That Preserves

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, Book 3

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The Power That Preserves

Written by: Stephen R. Donaldson
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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Twice before, Thomas Covenant had been summoned to the Land, the strange, otherworldly realm where magic worked and his leprosy vanished. Twice before, he’d been dragged reluctantly into conflict against Lord Foul’s minions, with disastrous consequences for everyone around him. Now, Covenant is back.

In a land blasted by war and drowning in despair, Covenant is the only hope against Foul’s imminent triumph. Yet in order to win he must stand against his dearest friends and direst foes in combat. As Lord Mhoram leads the armies of the Land in helpless warfare, the wild magic of Thomas Covenant’s white gold wedding ring is once again the Land’s only salvation - and he still has no idea how to use it.

©1977 Stephen R. Donaldson (P)2020 Brick by Brick Audiobooks Adventure Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction Magic
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The story crawls forward imperceptibly for the first half of the book. With many authors I would have given up part way through, but Donaldson’s writing is such beautifully descriptive prose, that I kept listening. I am glad that I did, because the second half of the book is fabulous, and a great climax to the trilogy.

A great climax to the trilogy

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Stephen R. Donaldson returns Thomas Covenant to "The Land" in this third installment in the series. It continues the interesting dynamics of nature-based magic vs. defiling corruption.. using the ultimate in living rot and decay - namely leprosy - to underline the theme. Donaldson provides clever allegory & imagery.. but makes his protagonist so persistently bitter & self-doubting that it becomes tiringly annoying. I really want Covenant to abandon his woe-is-me schtick.

As to presentation: Scott Brick is typically professional.. but a bit too dramatic in his reading on this project to my tastes.

Altogether, 'The Power That Preserves' is a 5/10-star fantasy foray into a clever world with some weighty themes. It's worth a Credit but one of the weaker entries in the series.

[Note: Donaldson has a couple of preoccupations that tend to stand out for some reason: guilt as a motivation and distances & travel times. They don't interfere with the plot, mind you.. they just come across as striking]

I Kinda Wish Covenant Would Grow Up

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Could not tear myself away from this one
Well voiced and moving highly recommend this series

Gripping

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Powerfully and beautifully written, this reads like the poetry of an epic saga. Redemption, impotence, power, and renewal are explored in the conclusion to the trilogy, a story about a man - and a land - who must face their own potential for destruction and believe that their love is equal to the task.

Donaldson is a master

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