Quality, satisfaction, integrity of the Last Chronicles

[SkurjMaster]

Ok Watchers, I'm just gonna say it. I'm worried about the ending here. Please also note that I am a HUGE Donaldson fan. I may have not attended the gatherings and such, but his work has spoiled it for me for the writing of others. I almost always compare other authors' work to his. In fact, the late Robert Jordan was the only one that came close in recent memory, and maybe Steven Erikson. But neither really plums the depths of a character and his relation to the surrounding world or his knowledge of him/herself like SRD.

But, like others, I have some fears/doubts. It may be apples to oranges in comparison, but examples like the TV show LOST, are starting to come to mind. What if this just can't be done? Has SRD bitten off, story-wise, more than he can chew? I mean, he is trying to wrap up the existence of Covenant, Linden Avery, and the Land, its Earth, and population, all in one fell swoop.

Where I really started to doubt, sometimes really hard, was the whole Roger impersonating Thomas thing. I am still not sure what, literarily or character-wise, was achieved by that. Basing the Second and Last Chronicles on the WotWE, instead of the standard creation story, was a misstep, in my opinion. And there are some other things that I have misgivings about, but don't need to make a big list.

So, somebody please assure me that this is going to be tied up satisfactorily and consistently in the last novel. What are the loose ends?[/u][/i]

[Orlion]

The only way you are going to get confidence is to either have faith or read his other series. Having read the two previous Chronicles, Mordant's Need, and the GAP, I am very confident that I will find the ending to The Last Dark highly satisfying.

[Savor Dam]

Trust SRD.

[Vraith]

My hopes are high...although maybe that is easier for those of us who like or love the LC's so far.
I mean, I don't see the problem with the Worm...perhaps because I don't see it as a change of story basis. The Worm's awakening is the natural outcome of those who dare to "force a moment to its crisis." [maybe that's in part cuz I always assumed the Worm was at least partly literal, not ONLY myth/metaphor...and I don't see the conflict some do between the various Creations]

I think things like "Lost" fail because the ending denies or marginalizes [or in some cases pretends non-existence] of important and powerful previous events/moments.
I trust SRD wouldn't do that...I'm not sure he COULD do that, at least not on purpose.

[SkurjMaster]

The only set of things of SRD's production that I have not read are the Axebrewder series. I have the Gap (almost as riveting as the first Chrons), Mordant's Need, all TC books so far, and his short story collections.

I was also hurt by small things like the inconsistency over the Guardian of the One Tree. He is dealing with a lot of territory! I guess I just want it to be so good that I am afraid that it will be bad.

I guess that I will just have to trust him. I have read his other works and have always been satisfied.

[Savor Dam]

Might I ask why you have not picked up the "Man Who..." books?

[High Lord Tolkien]

I'm reminded by the last Potter book. I thought that there was no way she could wrap up all the loose ends and have a fantastic ending but she nailed it big time.
SRD won't let me down.

[Hashi Lebwohl]

Any lesser writer would fail at this task given the scope of the story. I do not foresee disappointment.

[SkurjMaster]

Might I ask why you have not picked up the "Man Who..." books?

Just never looked appealing.

[Romeo]

Steve was worried himself about his ability to give the series the ending it deserves. All I have to say is:

Pulls. It. Off.

(I'm sure Seareach can back me up on this.)

With regards to Roger impersonating Thomas. That whole book was aimed at tearing down Linden's hopes - pushing her toward resurrecting Covenant, and thus waking the Worm. Even the attacks by the skurj. Foul could easily have sent a swarm of them and wiped Linden and company off the face of the Earth. But he only wanted to reassure her that she did not suffice by herself - she needed Covenant.