The Last Dark

The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 4

By: Stephen R. Donaldson

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 33 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2013 Stephen R. Donaldson (P)2013 Penguin Audio

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!

Great Series

I love this series by Steven r Donaldson. I read the first six books 20 years ago. so glad to have the opportunity to listen to them. Scott Britt is the best to listen to he did a wonderful job. these are all well worth the listen. thank you I'm sure in a few years I will go back and listen to them again.

more!! more!! more!! more!! more!! more!! Awsome

the most amazing story I've ever heard of! want more! move over JR Tolkien, Thomas covenant is here!!

Classic Series

I first read this series in the 80s. I decided to revisit it audibly this time around. I listened to all 10 books straight through. It was a long but rewarding journey. I don’t think I realized how many other authors have honored this story in their own writings—Rowling and Goodkind are a couple of those.
This book was a great ending to the series. The only black mark on the whole series is that book 9 is not narrated by Scott Brick. The narrator was not a bad one but it was still jarring to my ears. I tried to find it in brick by brick narration (three of the series are not available in audible so I bought them there) but he evidently did not ever narrate it. That is my only complaint.
If you love classic fantasy, this series is for you!

Amazing ending for an amazing saga...

Scott quite evidently grew into his narrative in a truly amazing way. I didn't just hear a story. I became, in every possible way (save physically being there), an actual participant in this incredible "Unbeliever"'s Masterwork saga. Going back through the previous narratives, I now believe I understand, in some immeasurable way, the "strategy" guiding me. My many thanks cannot express my gratitude deeply enough for the incredible efforts that Scott and his team have expended throughout this entire series.
Scott, especially, stand tall, ya done good!

phenomenal ending to an amazing story.

I loved every second of this series! I hope that if there is ever a movie series made, that it happens soon 😅😂