The Illearth war - Stephen R. Donaldson

The second volume in The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever, now part of the Voyager Classics collection.

After scant days in his 'real' world, Thomas Covenant found himself summoned once more to the Land. There, forty bitter years had passed while Lord Foul, immortal enemy of the Land, moved to fulfil his prophecy of doom.

The Council of Lords found their spells useless, now that Foul the Despiser held the Illearth Stone, ancient source of evil power. High Lord Elena turned in desperation to Covenant and the legendary white gold magic of his ring. Nobody knew how to use the white gold - least of all Thomas Covenant.