Review - Thomas Covenant 4-6

The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen Donaldson

Generally: From what follows it might appear that I wasn't too impressed with these books, but far from it. The good points far outweigh the bad. Sometimes frustrating, it is still an incredibly compelling ride. Every bit as good as the first chronicles, rich in scope, plot and characterisation. Meticulously carved and lovingly handled. In short: this is how fantasy should be written.

Good bits:
Donaldson's use of language; some of this is, simply put, beautiful.
The return of the Land -- changed immensely but every bit as real and as important -- and the introduction of new lands and people.
Linden Avery -- Awesome character. Ditto for Vain.

Bad bits:
Donaldson's use of language. I like to think I've got a pretty good vocabulary, but bloody hell someone's got an extensive thesaurus[7]. How anyone who's first language isn't English manages is anyone's guess.
It is an epic. By page 1199 I was longing to read a David Gemmell fantasy that would be over in 300 pages. The three books together in this volume are -- dare I say it? -- too much to read in one go.

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[7] Why use the word 'green' when you can use the word 'chrysoprastic', for example?