The Illearth War

Stephen R. Donaldson

May 2012 · The First Chronicles: Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever Book 2 · Sold by Del Rey

About this ebook

“The Thomas Covenant saga . . . will certainly find a place on the small list of true classics in its specialized field.”—The Washington Post Book World

After scant days in his “real” world, Thomas Covenant finds himself again summoned to the Land. There, forty bitter years have passed, while Lord Foul, immortal enemy of the Land, moves to fulfill his prophecy of doom.

The Council of Lords find their spells useless, now that Foul the Despiser holds the Illearth Stone, ancient source of evil power. At last High Lord Elena turns in desperation to Covenant and the legendary white gold magic of his ring. . . .

Ratings and reviews

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant series are some of the best fiction I've read (twice). On many levels better than Tolkein, though similar. You must be a true reader to appreciate Donaldson's humor, the depth of his characters, or just to follow the story for that matter. If you liked The Foundation series, you will like The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant.

Didn't get any better than the first book!

A bit wordy, and sometimes so dark it makes the soul shiver. But it's a good story and frightfully exciting, of good vs evil.

About the author

Stephen R. Donaldson is the bestselling author of the series The Gap Cycle, Mordant's Need, and the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, including Lord Foul's Bane and The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant; and other works, such as Daughter of Regals and Other Tales and a mystery series under the pseudonym Reed Stephens. He is the recipient of the first prize of the British Science Fiction Society and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award.