Chapter Five | Chapter Six (Part II)
A good day, everyone, and welcome back to Lord Foul’s Bane! Last time, Covenant was healed, he creeped on Lena, and they finally made it to Mithil Stonedown.
For the reader post, I don’t have anything; I do want to welcome Silver Adept, though!
Let me go on with this, then.
( We still haven't unpaused quite yet. )
Chapter Thirty-Six (Part II) | Table of Contents | Chapter Thirty-Seven (Part II)
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, Azhure was accepted by the GhostTree Clan for rather dubious reasons, and we learned some more about the Avar. For the reader post:
A good day, everyone, and welcome back to Lord Foul’s Bane! Last time, Covenant met with Lena, who dumped quite some names on us, Covenant had trouble with his situation, and he eventually managed to climb down Kevin’s Watch.
( I would class this as filler. )
A good day, everyone, and welcome back to Lord Foul’s Bane! Last time, Covenant had two evil beings, one of whom is a Dark Lord, evilly monologue at him, and nothing much of consequence happened besides that.
For the reader post… I don’t have much, so let me go on!
Chapter Thirty-Six (Part I) | Table of Contents | Chapter Thirty-Seven (Part I)
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, we spent some more time with the Avar, and we saw them react to earlier events. For the reader post:
( “Wanton violence always results in heartbreak” )
A good day, everyone, and welcome back to Lord Foul’s Bane! Last time, we got the last bit of Covenant’s backstory, he had a meeting with the old man from the first chapter, and he decided to do something… before he presumably fell unconscious.
( (evil laughter) )( This is hardly bad; I just have trouble appreciating it through all the recaps. Oh well, better next time. )
Chapter Two (Part I) | Chapter Three
A good day, everyone, and welcome back to Lord Foul’s Bane! Last time, we got another chunk of Covenant’s backstory, including how he ended up in the leprosarium and got out again.
Chapter Thirty-Five (Part I) | Table of Contents | Chapter Thirty-Six (Part I)
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome to BattleAxe! Last time, Axis confronted Ogden and Veremund about their lies, and they revealed themselves. For the reader post:
Chapter One | Chapter Two (Part II)
A good day, everyone, and welcome back to Lord Foul’s Bane! Last time, we were introduced to our protagonist in a way that very much failed to grab my attention. Let’s see if this time will be better.
( It is, but you'd better be engaged with Covenant's illness. )
Chapter Thirty-Four | Table of Contents | Chapter Thirty-Five (Part II)
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, Azhure met up with the GhostTree Clan, which was about all that happened.
( If we do not get some new material soon, I am going... to... go... complain heavily! )
So the choice for the next book after Mister Monday fell on The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, by Stephen Donaldson, a considerably older series and, I think, reasonably famous in its day. I’ve liked this series since I was a lot younger, and I think taking it on with a more critical view will certainly be interesting.
For reference, this series consists of the books Lord Foul’s Bane, The Illearth War, and The Power That Preserves (the First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant), The Wounded Land, The One Tree, and White Gold Wielder (the Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant), and The Runes of the Earth, Fatal Revenant, Against All Things Ending, and The Last Dark (the Final Chronicles of Thomas Covenant). In other words, this will keep me busy for quite a while!
( This really looks odd compared to the rest of the books. )
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, Axis had a confrontation with Azhure, Raum and GoldFeather, which went surprisingly well. For the reader post:
Chapters Twenty-Eight and Twenty-Nine | Table of Contents | Grim Tuesday
Kerlois: A good day, everyone, and welcome to Mister Monday, for the very last time! Last time, Arthur got home, finally cured the Sleepy Plague and the book ended with a sequel hook. Now it is time for the final thoughts.
Overall
Corneille Blanche: All in all… it is not a bad book, but not a great one, either. It reads smoothly enough and it certainly is compelling, but the plot problems keep it from being what it could be. Sure, they are not so conspicuous on a casual read, but if I am to like a book, it should stand up to deeper examination. So I would say this book passes, though it does not rank very highly.
And that is that! Off we go. (picks up Kerlois and leaves along with Vermaanti)
Scales: Well, that was Mister Monday, then! I’ve finally managed to finish a review! I hope whoever read this had fun reading along with me, and maybe you’ll go on to the book that takes its place: Lord Foul’s Bane. See you there!
Chapter Thirty-Three (Part II) | Table of Contents | Chapter Thirty-Four
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, Azhure managed to free Raum and flee with him, Axis discovered this and Hagen’s death, and he decided to pursue Azhure despite a strange discussion.
( I could do with some less drama, but this is decent enough. )
Chapter Twenty-Five | Table of Contents | Chapters Twenty-Eight and Twenty-Nine
Kerlois: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to Mister Monday! Last time, we had the climax, as Arthur fought and defeated Monday and was about to claim the Key. Let us see what happens now.
( Wrapping all the House business up. )
Chapter Thirty-Three (Part I) | Table of Contents | Chapter Thirty-Three (Part III)
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, we learned that Hagen is eeeevil and has been abusing Azhure… and then he just died. For the reader post:
Chapter Thirty-Two | Table of Contents | Chapter Thirty-Three (Part II)
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, Axis went to see Raum and Shra, inexplicably developed sympathy for them and beat up Hagen.
( Azhure's dark secret )
Chapters Twenty-One and Twenty-Two | Table of Contents | Chapter Twenty-Five
Kerlois: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to Mister Monday! Last time, Arthur and Suzy arrived at Monday’s Antechamber, they were busted by Noon (again), Dusk allowed them to escape, and they began the descent to Monday’s Dayroom.
Chapter Thirty-One | Table of Contents | Chapter Thirty-Three (Part I)
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, Axis arrived in Smeartown Smyrton, we met Azhure, and Axis learned that the people of Smyrton are holding Raum and Shra prisoner.
Chapters Nineteen and Twenty | Table of Contents | Chapters Twenty-Three and Twenty-Four
Vermaanti: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to Mister Monday! Last time, Arthur and Suzy stumbled through all kinds of time periods on the Improbable Stair, and we saw that Suzy’s family is dead. Now… we’ll finally get to see the plan to do something about Monday, when we’re 78% of the way through.
( This story actually gets exciting, and it is such a difference. )
Chapter Thirty (Part II) | Table of Contents | Chapter Thirty-Two
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, Faraday went to the Sacred Grove and received a bowl to keep contact with the Mother, while Timozel (quite dubiously) pledged allegiance to Gorgrael.
For the reader post:
( Reader Post & Reflections )
Well, let me go on with the next chapter, then!
( Meeting Azhure (which is about it). )
Chapter Thirty (Part I) | Table of Contents | Chapter Thirty-One
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, Faraday was pledged to the service of the Mother.
There is no reader post this time, because I cheated and am doing this out of schedule. The book will pick up quite a bit next time, so I would rather not delay that moment if I can help it.
( I do wish we can see more of the Avar; their plot is one of the better ones so far. )
Chapter Twenty-Nine | Table of Contents | Chapter Thirty (Part II)
Content Warning: Animal sacrifice
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, we met Raum and we had a host of nonsense to get through.
Now for the reader post:
( Reader Post & Reflections )Well, let me begin with the next chapter, then!
( I have very little to say now, but I guess a description of a ritual is not very fertile soil for analysis. )Chapter Seventeen | Table of Contents | Chapters Nineteen and Twenty
Vermaanti: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to Mister Monday! Last time, Arthur escaped the Clock-Marchers and he talked a bit with Pravuil. We are also slightly over two-thirds in and the actual action of the book has yet to happen. At least it will happen now?
( The book's “astonishing turnabout”: from dull drag to excitement. )
Chapter Twenty-Eight | Table of Contents | Chapter Thirty (Part I)
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, Jack, Yr, and Faraday went to Fernbrake Lake and left Timozel behind in a magical sleep. Now for the reader post:
( Reader Post & Reflections )
Well, that is about all I can put in the reader post. Let me go on, then!
( Maybe I should not be so hard on Raum, but if you kill children and are dishonest about it, I think it is deserved. )
Chapter Twenty-Seven | Table of Contents | Chapter Twenty-Nine
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, Faraday and co. travelled a bit, Faraday distrusted the Sentinels… but then she trusted them again, so that is all fine.
( Reader Post & Reflections )
Let me do the next chapter, then!
( It may be setup, but it still has more in it than nearly every chapter so far. )
Chapter Twenty-Six (Part II) | Table of Contents | Chapter Twenty-Eight
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, Gorgrael sent a “storm of fear” at the Axe-Wielders, which was defeated without causing any trouble whatsoever.
Now for the reader post:
( Reader Post & Reflections )
With that done, let me do the next chapter!
( Faraday: Trust Jack and Yr )
Chapter Twenty-Six (Part I) | Table of Contents | Chapter Twenty-Seven
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, we learned that the Sentinels plan to have the Way of the Axe and the Plough destroyed and we had some ruminations.
Now for the reader post:
( Reader Post & Reflections )
Let me do the other half of the chapter, then!
( Another attack of Gorgrael's! Smart though it may be, it is foiled quite (too) effectively. )
Chapter Fourteen | Table of Contents | Chapter Sixteen (Part I)
Vermaanti: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to Mister Monday! Last time, Arthur was thrown into a prison pit and he had a conversation with Monday’s Dusk.
Chapter Twenty-Five | Table of Contents | Chapter Twenty-Six (Part II)
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, Faraday and co. spent a day at the Renkins and that was about it. For the reader post:
( Reader Post & Reflections )
Well, let me go on with the next chapter, then!
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, Faraday and co. reached the farm of the Renkins and they had some interesting dreams.
( Reader Post & Reflections )
Now for the next chapter, then!
( I mostly do not mind this, but this story should *get* somewhere, too. )
Chapter Twenty-Four (Part I) | Table of Contents | Chapter Twenty-Five
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, Faraday, Jack, Timozel and Yr finally escaped from the underground, and they set out for some friends of Jack.
( Reader Post & Reflections )
Well, let me go on with the second part of this chapter, then!
( Finding some rest and recovery. )
Chapter Twenty-Three (Part II) | Table of Contents | Chapter Twenty-Four (Part II)
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, we saw the Star Gate and Faraday lost her religion a bit further. Let me attend to the reader post, then:
( Reader Post & Reflections )
Well, let me begin with the next chapter, then!
( Try to scrape through a wall with bare hands. )
Chapter Twenty-Three (Part I) | Table of Contents | Chapter Twenty-Four (Part I)
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, Jack, Yr, Faraday and Timozel spent an impressive while in the tomb of the Enchanter-Talon whose name we should not know, and Timozel has some visions. Before we begin with the second part, let me do the reader post:
( Reader Post & Reflections )
Let me resume with the second part of this chapter, then! Hopefully we will actually see the Star Gate!
( That we will, though this bit is as messy as ever. )
Chapter Twenty-Two | Table of Contents | Chapter Twenty-Three (Part II)
SCSF: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, Ogden and Veremund talked with Axis and convinced him that Gorgrael is just so very evil.
Before I begin, I see I have a huge stack of reader post to attend to, so let me see that at once.
( Reader Post & Reflections )
Well, let us get started with this chapter, then.
( Explanations, explanations... )
Chapter Eleven | Table of Contents | Chapter Thirteen
Vermaanti: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to Mister Monday! Last time, we had a quite large infodump, because the information in this book is not divided very well. This time, we find out just what Arthur is supposed to do.
( The book turns much better! (It still gets very stupid, though) )
Chapter Twenty-One | Table of Contents | Chapter Twenty-Three (Part I)
SCSF: Welcome back to BattleAxe, everyone! Last time, Timozel pledged himself as Faraday’s Champion and nothing much else happened. Before we begin, there is the reader post:
Let us begin, then!
( It seems like the Sentinels are the real villains of this book... )
Chapter Twenty (Part II) | Table of Contents | Chapter Twenty-Two
NRSG: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to BattleAxe! Last time, Jack succeeded in abducting Faraday and Timozel also came along. This also marks the point where we will have two separate plotlines.
Now for the reader post.
( Reader Post & Reflections )And with that, I am done here! I will see you again in chapter 34 of Threshold! Until then! (leaves)
(an anthro salamander comes in, who is black with yellow stripes. They are wearing a robe patterned to look like the skin of a fire salamander)
Studious Considerate Silly Fire-Salamander (SCSF): My, I have finally graduated to doing this for myself… For whoever may be reading this, I will be doing chapter 21 to 38 of this book, and I am very excited to begin with this!
Let us start, then.
( Convincing Timozel for the length of a chapter. )
Chapter Nine (Part I) | Table of Contents | Chapter Ten (Part I)
Vermaanti: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to Mister Monday! Last time, Arthur managed to get inside the House, and he talked with the Lieutenant Keeper of the Front Door. We left off on Arthur discovering that he doesn’t have any trouble from his asthma inside the House.
( It's fine, but also boring. (Not a complaint I thought I'd have!) )
Chapter Eight | Table of Contents | Chapter Nine (Part II)
Vermaanti: A good day, everyone, and welcome back to Mister Monday! Last time, Arthur managed to avoid going to the quarantine hospital, the Will created a cloudburst to help him escape, and he was about to step through Monday’s Postern. Let’s see what will happen now!
( Arthur's inside the House now, though with quite some difficulty. The book ought to pick up soonish, too. )
Chapter Four | Table of Contents | Chapter Six
Vermaanti: A good day, and welcome back to Mister Monday, everyone! Last time, things began to ramp up, and Arthur discovered that an epidemic was brewing. Let’s see what will happen now!
( And now we meet Monday's right-hand man. )
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