How to Read The Last Dark Epub Books by Stephen Donaldson on Any Device
Outline of the article ----------------------- H1: Stephen Donaldson The Last Dark Epub Books: A Review H2: Who is Stephen Donaldson? H3: His early life and influences H3: His writing career and achievements H2: What is The Last Dark? H3: The plot summary H3: The main characters H3: The themes and messages H2: Why should you read The Last Dark? H3: The pros of the book H4: The epic conclusion of the Thomas Covenant saga H4: The rich and immersive world-building H4: The complex and flawed characters H3: The cons of the book H4: The length and density of the story H4: The dark and grim tone of the story H4: The controversial and divisive aspects of the story H2: How can you get The Last Dark Epub Books? H3: The benefits of Epub format H3: The sources and prices of Epub books H2: Conclusion H2: FAQs --- # Stephen Donaldson The Last Dark Epub Books: A Review Are you a fan of epic fantasy novels that challenge your imagination and emotions? Do you enjoy stories that explore the themes of courage, redemption, and sacrifice? If so, you might want to check out Stephen Donaldson The Last Dark Epub Books, the final installment of the acclaimed Thomas Covenant series. In this article, we will give you an overview of who Stephen Donaldson is, what The Last Dark is about, why you should read it, and how you can get it in Epub format. By the end of this article, you will have a better idea of whether this book is for you or not. ## Who is Stephen Donaldson? Stephen Reeder Donaldson is an American writer who was born in 1947. He is best known for his fantasy and science fiction novels, especially the Thomas Covenant series and the Gap Cycle series. ### His early life and influences Donaldson grew up in India, where his father was a medical missionary. He was exposed to different cultures and religions, which influenced his worldview and writing. He also developed a love for literature, especially the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, William Faulkner, and Ernest Hemingway. He attended Kent School in Connecticut, where he was bullied and ostracized by his peers. He later said that this experience shaped his sense of alienation and empathy for outsiders, which are prominent themes in his books. He studied at Ohio Wesleyan University, where he majored in English literature. He then went to Kent State University, where he earned a master's degree in English literature. He also served as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War, working at a hospital instead of joining the military. ### His writing career and achievements Donaldson began writing stories when he was in college, but he did not publish his first novel until 1977. That novel was Lord Foul's Bane, the first book of the Thomas Covenant series. It was an instant success, earning critical acclaim and commercial popularity. It also sparked controversy for its unconventional portrayal of a leprous anti-hero who commits rape in the first book. Donaldson continued to write more books in the Thomas Covenant series, which consists of three sub-series: The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever (1977-1983), The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant (1980-1983), and The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant (2004-2013). The series has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 20 languages. Donaldson also wrote other fantasy and science fiction novels, such as Mordant's Need (1986-1987), The Gap Cycle (1991-1996), The Man Who (1993-1997), and The Great God's War (2017-2019). He has won several awards for his writing, such as the John W. Campbell Award, the British Fantasy Award, the World Fantasy Award, and the Balrog Award. ## What is The Last Dark? The Last Dark is the tenth and final book of the Thomas Covenant series. It was published in 2013, ten years after the previous book, Against All Things Ending. It is the culmination of the epic saga that began in 1977, spanning four decades of Donaldson's writing career. ### The plot summary The Last Dark follows the final struggle of Thomas Covenant and Linden Avery, two people from our world who have been transported to a magical realm called the Land. They have fought for what they love in the Land, facing many enemies and challenges along the way. Now they face their ultimate crisis: the Worm of the World's End, a monstrous creature that threatens to devour the Land and unmake Time itself. They must find a way to stop the Worm, while also dealing with their personal issues and conflicts. They are not alone in their quest, however. They are joined by their allies, such as Covenant's son Jeremiah, the Haruchai warriors, the Giants of the Search, and the Ranyhyn horses. They also encounter new friends and foes, such as the mysterious Insequent, the powerful Elohim, and the evil Cavewights. Together, they must resist the ruin of all things, giving their last strength in the service of the world's continuance. ### The main characters The Last Dark features a large cast of characters, both old and new. Here are some of the main ones: - Thomas Covenant: The protagonist of the series. He is a leper and a writer from our world who was summoned to the Land by Lord Foul, an evil being who wants to destroy it. He is also a reincarnation of Berek Halfhand, the ancient founder of the Land. He has a white gold ring that gives him immense power, but he does not know how to use it properly. He is cynical, bitter, and guilt-ridden, but he also has a hidden capacity for heroism and love. - Linden Avery: The co-protagonist of the series. She is a doctor and a mother from our world who was brought to the Land by Covenant. She is also a reincarnation of Loric Vilesilencer, another ancient founder of the Land. She has a special ability called "the health-sense", which allows her to perceive and manipulate life-force. She is compassionate, courageous, and loyal, but she also struggles with self-doubt and fear. - Jeremiah: The son of Linden Avery and Roger Covenant, Thomas Covenant's son from his first marriage. He was kidnapped by Lord Foul when he was a baby and raised by his servants. He was brain-damaged and mute for most of his life, until he was healed by Linden in the previous book. He has a talent for making things out of wood and metal, which he uses to create wonders and weapons in the Land. He is curious, creative, and cheerful, but he also has a dark side that he inherited from his father. - Stave: A former Haruchai warrior who was exiled from his people for helping Linden. He is now her companion and protector. He is strong, skilled, and stoic, but he also learns to express his emotions and opinions more freely. - The Giants of the Search: A group of seafaring Giants who have been searching for their lost homeland for centuries. They are led by Pitchwife, a deformed but jovial Giant who is married to Honninscrave, the Master of the Search. They are brave, wise, and humorous, but they also suffer from grief and despair. - The Ranyhyn: A race of intelligent horses who can communicate telepathically with humans. They are loyal, noble, and fast, but they also have their own wills and desires. ### The themes and messages The Last Dark explores many themes and messages that are relevant to our world today. Some of them are: - The power of love: The book shows how love can motivate people to do extraordinary things, even when they face impossible odds. It also shows how love can heal wounds, overcome differences, and create bonds. - The cost of redemption: The book shows how redemption can be achieved through sacrifice, forgiveness, and acceptance. It also shows how redemption can be painful, difficult, and uncertain. --- ## Why should you read The Last Dark? The Last Dark is not a book for everyone. It is a long and complex novel that requires a lot of patience and attention from the reader. It is also a dark and grim novel that deals with some controversial and divisive topics. However, if you are a fan of epic fantasy and Stephen Donaldson's writing style, you might find The Last Dark to be a rewarding and satisfying read. Here are some of the pros and cons of the book: ### The pros of the book - The epic conclusion of the Thomas Covenant saga: The Last Dark is the final book of a series that has spanned four decades and ten books. It wraps up all the loose ends and mysteries that have been built up throughout the series. It also delivers a climactic showdown between the heroes and the villains, as well as an emotional resolution for the main characters. If you have followed the series from the beginning, you will appreciate how Donaldson brings everything to a close in a fitting and satisfying way. - The rich and immersive world-building: The Last Dark continues to showcase Donaldson's impressive skill in creating a detailed and vivid world for his story. The Land is a magical realm that is full of wonders and horrors, beauty and ugliness, life and death. Donaldson describes the Land with poetic and evocative language, making it easy for the reader to imagine and experience it. He also introduces new aspects and elements of the Land, such as the Insequent, the Elohim, and the Worm, that add more depth and complexity to the world. - The complex and flawed characters: The Last Dark features a large cast of characters who are not simple or stereotypical. They are complex and flawed human beings who have their own strengths and weaknesses, hopes and fears, virtues and vices. They also grow and change throughout the story, facing their inner demons and overcoming their personal challenges. Donaldson makes the reader care about these characters, even when they make mistakes or do questionable things. ### The cons of the book - The length and density of the story: The Last Dark is a very long book, with over 800 pages and 250,000 words. It is also a very dense book, with many subplots, flashbacks, dialogues, descriptions, and explanations. It can be hard to keep track of everything that is happening in the story, especially if you are not familiar with the previous books in the series. It can also be tedious and boring at times, especially when Donaldson repeats or rehashes some information or events. - The dark and grim tone of the story: The Last Dark is not a cheerful or optimistic book. It is a dark and grim book that depicts a lot of violence, suffering, death, and despair. It also deals with some controversial and divisive topics, such as rape, leprosy, suicide, faithlessness, betrayal, and nihilism. It can be depressing and disturbing to read some parts of the book, especially if you are sensitive or easily offended by these topics. - The controversial and divisive aspects of the story: The Last Dark is not a book that everyone will agree on or enjoy. It is a book that has polarized many readers and critics over the years. Some people love it for its originality, complexity, and depth. Others hate it for its pretentiousness, verbosity, and bleakness. Some people praise it for its courage, honesty, and vision. Others criticize it for its arrogance, inconsistency, and confusion. ## How can you get The Last Dark Epub Books? If you are interested in reading The Last Dark, you might want to get it in Epub format. Epub is a popular digital format for ebooks that has many benefits over other formats. Here are some of them: --- - Epub is flexible and customizable: You can adjust the font size, style, color, and layout of Epub books according to your preferences and needs. You can also add bookmarks, notes, highlights, and annotations to Epub books for easier reading and reference. - Epub is lightweight and portable: You can store and carry many Epub books on your device without taking up too much space or memory. You can also transfer and share Epub books with other devices or people easily and quickly. There are many sources and prices of Epub books online. You can buy them from official publishers or retailers, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, or Google Play. You can also download them for free or for a donation from legal websites or platforms, such as Project Gutenberg, Open Library, or Smashwords. The price of The Last Dark Epub Books varies depending on the source and the region. For example, on Amazon.com, the book costs $9.99 USD. On Kobo.com, the book costs $10.99 CAD. On Smashwords.com, the book costs $7.99 USD. ## Conclusion The Last Dark is a book that will appeal to fans of epic fantasy and Stephen Donaldson's writing style. It is the final book of the Thomas Covenant series, which has been one of the most influential and controversial fantasy series of all time. It offers a rich and immersive world-building, complex and flawed characters, and a climactic and emotional conclusion to the saga. However, it is also a long and dense book that requires a lot of patience and attention from the reader. It is also a dark and grim book that deals with some controversial and divisive topics that might offend or depress some readers. If you are interested in reading The Last Dark, you might want to get it in Epub format, which has many benefits over other formats. You can find many sources and prices of Epub books online, both legal and illegal. We hope this article has given you a better idea of what The Last Dark is about and whether it is for you or not. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. ## FAQs - Q: How many pages is The Last Dark? - A: The Last Dark has 864 pages in the hardcover edition and 784 pages in the paperback edition. - Q: How long does it take to read The Last Dark? - A: The average reading speed is about 250 words per minute. The Last Dark has about 250,000 words. Therefore, it would take about 16 hours and 40 minutes to read The Last Dark at an average speed. - Q: Is The Last Dark a standalone book? - A: No, The Last Dark is not a standalone book. It is the tenth and final book of the Thomas Covenant series. It is highly recommended to read the previous books in the series before reading The Last Dark. - Q: What is the order of the Thomas Covenant series? - A: The order of the Thomas Covenant series is as follows: - The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever - Lord Foul's Bane (1977) - The Illearth War (1978) - The Power that Preserves (1979) - The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant - The Wounded Land (1980) - The One Tree (1982) - White Gold Wielder (1983) - The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant - The Runes of the Earth (2004) - Fatal Revenant (2007) - Against All Things Ending (2010) - The Last Dark (2013) - Q: Where can I find more information about Stephen Donaldson and his books? - A: You can visit his official website at https://www.stephenrdonaldson.com/ or his Wikipedia page at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_R._Donaldson.
Stephen Donaldson The Last Dark Epub Books
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