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The Belgariad #1-5
The Belgariad Boxed Set: Pawn of Prophecy / Queen of Sorcery / Magician's Gambit / Castle of Wizardry / Enchanters' End Game
book 1 -- PAWN OF PROPHECY -- A fierce dispute among the Gods and the theft of a powerful Orb leaves the World divided into five kingdoms. Young Garion, with his "Aunt Pol" and an elderly man calling himself Wolf --a father and daughter granted near-immortality by one of the Gods -- set out on a complex mission. In the process, as Garion grows into his early teens, he learns to defend himself, grapples with a wild boar, uncovers spies at a king's palace, learns about sorceryand starts to gain a sense of what his own destiny may be. “Fabulous . . . Eddings has a marvelous storyteller style . . . exceedingly well portrayed and complex people." - Anne McCaffrey "Eddings' BELGARIAD is exactly the kind of fantasy I like. It has magic, adventure, humor, mystery, and a certain delightful human insight." - Piers Anthony on PAWN OF PROPHECY "Absorbing. Touches all the right Fantasy bases. Warring gods, political intrigues, supernatural creatures, and appealingly human magicians." -Publishers Weekly on QUEEN OF SORCERY
1635 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
About the author
David Eddings
341 books5,329 followersDavid Eddings was an American author who wrote several best-selling series of epic fantasy novels. David Eddings' wife,
Leigh Eddings
, was an uncredited co-author on many of his early books, but he had later acknowledged that she contributed to them all.
They adopted one boy in 1966, Scott David, then two months old. They adopted a younger girl between 1966 and 1969. In 1970 the couple lost custody of both children and were each sentenced to a year in jail in separate trials after pleading guilty to 11 counts of physical child abuse. Though the nature of the abuse, the trial, and the sentencing were all extensively reported in South Dakota newspapers at the time, these details did not resurface in media coverage of the couple during their successful joint career as authors, only returning to public attention several years after both had died.
After both served their sentences, David and Leigh Eddings moved to Denver in 1971, where David found work in a grocery store.
David Eddings' first books (which were general fiction) sold moderately well. He later switched to writing epic fantasy, a field in which he achieved great success. In a recent interview with sffworld.com, he said: "I don't take orders from readers."
On January 26, 2007 it was reported that Eddings accidentally burned about a quarter of his office, next door to his house, along with his Excalibur sports car, and the original manuscripts for most of his novels. He was flushing the fuel tank of the car with water when he lit a piece of paper and threw into the puddle to test if it was still flammable.
On February 28, 2007, David Eddings' wife, Leigh Eddings (born Judith Leigh Schall), died following a series of strokes. She was 69.
David Eddings died on June 2, 2009 at the age of 77.
They adopted one boy in 1966, Scott David, then two months old. They adopted a younger girl between 1966 and 1969. In 1970 the couple lost custody of both children and were each sentenced to a year in jail in separate trials after pleading guilty to 11 counts of physical child abuse. Though the nature of the abuse, the trial, and the sentencing were all extensively reported in South Dakota newspapers at the time, these details did not resurface in media coverage of the couple during their successful joint career as authors, only returning to public attention several years after both had died.
After both served their sentences, David and Leigh Eddings moved to Denver in 1971, where David found work in a grocery store.
David Eddings' first books (which were general fiction) sold moderately well. He later switched to writing epic fantasy, a field in which he achieved great success. In a recent interview with sffworld.com, he said: "I don't take orders from readers."
On January 26, 2007 it was reported that Eddings accidentally burned about a quarter of his office, next door to his house, along with his Excalibur sports car, and the original manuscripts for most of his novels. He was flushing the fuel tank of the car with water when he lit a piece of paper and threw into the puddle to test if it was still flammable.
On February 28, 2007, David Eddings' wife, Leigh Eddings (born Judith Leigh Schall), died following a series of strokes. She was 69.
David Eddings died on June 2, 2009 at the age of 77.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
November 22, 2017
I'm a closet sci-fi/fantasy/adventure fan. I make no apologies for that. And I'll make no apologies for loving this series of books. I've read this series at least a dozen times and it never fails to entertain.
This series is deceptive. Because the five books are quick reads, it can be easy to dismiss them as light reading in the genre. They're not. Mark Twain once apologize for writing a long letter because he didn't have time to write a short one. David Eddings (and his noncredited co-author wife, Leigh) took the time to write a enjoyable, smart, funny and engaging adventure series. It IS of the "farm boy led by prophecy" subgenre that has fallen out of favor in the era of gritty fantasy with flawed main characters, but Eddings sets up a tale with competing prophecies. I particularly enjoyed how he differentiates between sorcery and magic and the mechanics of how sorcery works in this world.
Serious adventure fans will find enough in here to enjoy and to justify the time spent reading; casual fans just looking for a good read will enjoy it for the fast, fun ride it takes them on.
This series is deceptive. Because the five books are quick reads, it can be easy to dismiss them as light reading in the genre. They're not. Mark Twain once apologize for writing a long letter because he didn't have time to write a short one. David Eddings (and his noncredited co-author wife, Leigh) took the time to write a enjoyable, smart, funny and engaging adventure series. It IS of the "farm boy led by prophecy" subgenre that has fallen out of favor in the era of gritty fantasy with flawed main characters, but Eddings sets up a tale with competing prophecies. I particularly enjoyed how he differentiates between sorcery and magic and the mechanics of how sorcery works in this world.
Serious adventure fans will find enough in here to enjoy and to justify the time spent reading; casual fans just looking for a good read will enjoy it for the fast, fun ride it takes them on.
March 17, 2008
The Belgariad series and its sequel, the Mallorean series (also 5 books) are some of the best fantasy novels you will ever read. Unlike most fantasy books, it is relatively easy to quickly figure out the world in which they take place. The characters are absolutely fantastic - some of the best characters in any fantasy book I've ever read. I think Silk is my favorite. So read all 10 of these books. They are great!
Read
March 25, 2020I started by reading the third book of this series when I was about fifteen, it was a Christmas present and spread out from there. The series is very easy reading. The humorous banter of the characters has a mildly addictive quality, perhaps more than mildly addictive at a susceptible age since I went on to read the whole series and it's sequel series.
The books have better moments, certainly I remember that in principle there were better moments although for the life of me I can't recall any now. My memory of reading these is like that of eating sliced packet bread smeared with margarine and shipham's paste, but you could probably read them while drunk and suffer no appreciable loss of enjoyment or understanding of the plot. It is easily consumable and writing something that is consistently light and fluffy is a skill, perhaps even an under appreciated one.
They are fine for what they are and I could recommend them to somebody who was young, or maybe learning English as a foreign language, but otherwise life is short, tempus fugit and all that. Dispensable.
The books have better moments, certainly I remember that in principle there were better moments although for the life of me I can't recall any now. My memory of reading these is like that of eating sliced packet bread smeared with margarine and shipham's paste, but you could probably read them while drunk and suffer no appreciable loss of enjoyment or understanding of the plot. It is easily consumable and writing something that is consistently light and fluffy is a skill, perhaps even an under appreciated one.
They are fine for what they are and I could recommend them to somebody who was young, or maybe learning English as a foreign language, but otherwise life is short, tempus fugit and all that. Dispensable.
September 8, 2022
L'intera saga è molto bella. Bellissimi i personaggi e le ambientazioni. Quello che mi è piaciuto molto è l'idea della magia. La magia è parola e volontà. Non è la classica concezione del potere, se una cosa si deve fare è perché il fato ha deciso che va fatta e si fà tramite la comunicazione tra maghi. Sono descritte molto bene le ambientazioni e le lotte che non sono lotte scontrose ma bensì lotte di pensiero.
Il primo volume è di presentazione ma dopo la storia parte molto bene. È abbastanza lunga (2050 pagine nella versione kindle) e ho apprezzato che l'autore di tanto in tanto ricorda al lettore cosa è successo in precedenza. In questo modo si evita la confusione. A mio parere il terzo libro è il migliore.
Il quinto e ultimo libro l'ho apprezzato si e no. Nella seconda parte è molto lento e si sofferma troppo su una vicenda lasciando da parte una storia parallela che viene interrotta bruscamente per poi essere ripresa parecchio dopo. L'ho invece apprezzato per il finale. Non è scontato (anche se alcune cose si erano già capite) ma è fatto veramente bene.
Se si pensa che la,saga risale agli anni '80 , ci si rende conto come gli scrittori moderni, pur nella loro bravura narrativa, copino spesso dei concetti già espressi prima di loro. È sicuramente una lettura più impegnativa ma nel complesso sono soddisfatto. Sicuramente consigliato.
Classifica dei volumi: 3, 4, 2, 5 ,1.
Il primo volume è di presentazione ma dopo la storia parte molto bene. È abbastanza lunga (2050 pagine nella versione kindle) e ho apprezzato che l'autore di tanto in tanto ricorda al lettore cosa è successo in precedenza. In questo modo si evita la confusione. A mio parere il terzo libro è il migliore.
Il quinto e ultimo libro l'ho apprezzato si e no. Nella seconda parte è molto lento e si sofferma troppo su una vicenda lasciando da parte una storia parallela che viene interrotta bruscamente per poi essere ripresa parecchio dopo. L'ho invece apprezzato per il finale. Non è scontato (anche se alcune cose si erano già capite) ma è fatto veramente bene.
Se si pensa che la,saga risale agli anni '80 , ci si rende conto come gli scrittori moderni, pur nella loro bravura narrativa, copino spesso dei concetti già espressi prima di loro. È sicuramente una lettura più impegnativa ma nel complesso sono soddisfatto. Sicuramente consigliato.
Classifica dei volumi: 3, 4, 2, 5 ,1.
June 11, 2011
Okay, what to say about Eddings?
Let me start by saying that while LOTR was the first fantasy I read (back in the early 90's, when there was a sense that there wasn't a fantasy genré yet, at least not in the small time where I lived, there was just SF and then there was LOTR) Eddings was the one that made me a fantasy fan.
There's a lot of (for good reasons!) dismissing of Eddings, yes, it's a simple narrative, yes, the characters are stereotypes, yes, it's sometimes pretty blatantly racist, he repeats the same story about seven times in different series, and yes, he did it all purely to make money.
On the other hand, for the right age-group it's wonderful. I just introduced my half-brother (he's about 12) to Eddings and he loves it. There's a kind of magic there, and for all the charges (justified!) of being unoriginal, Eddings (RIP) mainly uses clichés because they work. The thing I'd compare it to would be the Star Wars original trilogy: (and like Lucas, Eddings has read Campbell)
If you have a kid the right age, or if you ARE a kid the right age, or if you just feel like some mindless fun with good guys, bad guys, some teenage angst and a happy ending, this is a good book to read.
Let me start by saying that while LOTR was the first fantasy I read (back in the early 90's, when there was a sense that there wasn't a fantasy genré yet, at least not in the small time where I lived, there was just SF and then there was LOTR) Eddings was the one that made me a fantasy fan.
There's a lot of (for good reasons!) dismissing of Eddings, yes, it's a simple narrative, yes, the characters are stereotypes, yes, it's sometimes pretty blatantly racist, he repeats the same story about seven times in different series, and yes, he did it all purely to make money.
On the other hand, for the right age-group it's wonderful. I just introduced my half-brother (he's about 12) to Eddings and he loves it. There's a kind of magic there, and for all the charges (justified!) of being unoriginal, Eddings (RIP) mainly uses clichés because they work. The thing I'd compare it to would be the Star Wars original trilogy: (and like Lucas, Eddings has read Campbell)
If you have a kid the right age, or if you ARE a kid the right age, or if you just feel like some mindless fun with good guys, bad guys, some teenage angst and a happy ending, this is a good book to read.
December 24, 2022
Belgariad 1-5
While the Belgariad is far from being perfect or original, it does an extremely good job with the tools at its disposal. The journey is constantly moving and evolving without suffering from the snail-like pacing typically associated with classic epic fantasy. The world is creative and full of vibrant life and simple yet interesting magical systems.
The characters felt like a group of close friends I could actually hang out with. They squabble, support each other and love each other like any old group of pals. Sometimes they’re annoying and stupid, but in ways all people can be which ironically made me like them even more. They all go through some great character development over the series and constantly change into better, more likable and more mature versions of themselves. By the end, I felt like they had all truly grown up for the best, even the stubborn old folks that’ve been alive for hundreds of years changed quite a bit in ways that made me feel proud of them.
This is also one of the few fantasy series out there where I actually thought the comedy was constantly hilarious and entertaining, and the romance was handled in ways that made me feel emotionally invested without being sappy or cringe-inducing. The relationships were genuinely pleasant, wholesome and funny to watch.
I can totally understand why a lot of people may criticize and dismiss this series for its flaws, but I think it’s a very endearing, charming and memorable experience with a lovable cast of characters if you can forgive it for its missteps and plot contrivances.
While 4.8/5 may seem like a higher rating than it critically deserves, I’m rating this series overall based on how much joy, fun and pleasant escapism it gave me every time I read it. Far from perfect, but I had an absolute blast.
My rating: 4.8/5
***
Pawn of Prophecy
Garion is a young orphaned farm boy believed to be the descendant of heroes, destined to confront the fallen Dark Lord Torak who betrayed the gods of the old age and threw the world into darkness. With Torak's wicked forces rising from the shadows to wreak havoc in search of an ancient orb that will allow their master to be resurrected, Garion sets out on an epic quest to gain the support of kings from around the world and claim the orb before it falls into the wrong hands. Accompanied by his fierce yet motherly Aunt Pol, the wise sorcerer Wolf, and a slew of colorful companions, Garion must face many challenges before he confronts his mortal enemy and discover the truth behind his lineage.
An engaging classic fantasy with fun characters and charming humor. The plot and characters are rather simplistic and cliche, but not necessarily in a bad way. All the characters are recognizable archetypes that have been done hundreds of times before. Garion is the orphaned farm boy turned hero of prophecy. Pol is the harsh yet lovable sorceress. Wolf is the wise old bearded wizard. Silk is the cunning sharp-tongued jester. Barak is the barbarian warrior with a heart of gold, etc. But the Belgariad manages to utilize these archetypes much better than most typical classic epic fantasy stories by making them far more human, realistic and relatable.
The story is as formulaic and by the numbers as fantasy can possibly be, but this was actually an intentional choice by the author. He wanted to prove that he could make a fun, engaging and entertaining series using all the familiar tropes often associated with classic fantasy. Where Eddings succeeds where many classic fantasy epics don’t is the great dialogue, stronger prose, tighter pacing, characters with bright personalities that pop out of the pages and consistently witty and humorous banter between the core cast.
Is it a monumental work of fantasy that redefines the genre? No. Is it highly entertaining with moments of brilliance here and there? Definitely.
Silk is my favorite character so far. He’s like Littlefinger from Game of Thrones, but if he were actually a decent guy that just likes gambling, debating and being a sassy little devil.
My rating: 3.8/5
***
Queen of Sorcery
Queen of Sorcery continues right where Pawn of Prophecy leaves off and expands upon everything the first book spent setting up. We continue following Garion and his crew of ageless royals on their quest to gain the support of foreign nations, receive support from a slew of colorful allies and hopefully retrieve the Orb of Aldur from the clutches of their enemies before the Dark Lord Torak can return to full power. They encounter many dangerous threats while Garion slowly matures and comes to understand what he’s truly capable of.
I’m glad I decided to give this series another chance. On a surface level, it’s easy to write the Belgariad off as a tropey epic fantasy saga that brings nothing new to the table. Once you peel back its familiar exterior however, it’s rich with imaginative writing, great characters, genuinely funny and entertaining dialogue, and surprising moments of emotional growth for the protagonists. The romance, comedy, pacing and distinct personality of the core cast is done better than most other classic series that fall into the same style of vintage quest fantasy.
Queen of Sorcery does struggle a bit to find its footing in the first half of the book, as the characters are lost and trying desperately to figure out a plan of action before they get outdone by the enemy. The second half of this one is truly great though, developing the protagonists, their relationships, their supernatural abilities as well as building up the threat of their deadly adversaries. The action scenes are also much more gritty and gruesome. Lots more bodies dropping this time around.
Now I’m actually emotionally invested in the story and looking forward to the rest of the series.
My Rating: 4.2/5
***
Magician's Gambit
Garion and his crew finally uncover the culprit responsible for stealing the Orb of Aldur and spreading chaos all over the world. Ctuchik, an old acquaintance of Belgarath and a faithful servant of the evil lord Torak stands between Garion and the orb. Before they can hope to stand a fighting chance, Garion must master his control over sorcery in the Vale of Aldur, travel through the haunted lands of Maragor, deliver Princess Ce'Nedra to safety and trust in his companions to have his back in the face of disaster and war.
Magician's Gambit was a bit of a mixed bag compared to the first two books, but my feelings are more positive than negative. The first half of the book is the best the series has ever been so far. It has great character development. The mentor/student training between Garion and his grandfather is a nice balance between wholesome and hilarious. The romantic chemistry between Garion and Ce'Nedra, as well as the subtle feelings between Durnik and Pol were nicely implemented.
It has some of the most interesting worldbuilding and lore, delving into the gloomy family history of Garion's ancestors while visiting some truly haunted places like a city made of tortured wailing souls and ancient wizard towers with strange technology. I also like that we got to meet some of the god figures of the story which have been teased since the very beginning. The encounters with them were chilling. A religious zealot that spent his whole life in a cave also joins Garion's party, which offers some unique dynamics to the group.
The second half wasn't nearly as good in my opinion, but far from bad. It just broke away from all the great magic, worldbuilding and character development going on in exchange for a standard fantasy quest adventure where Garion and his party track down Ctuchik in a final standoff for the Orb of Aldur. The ending also wasn't quite as emotionally impactful as the last two books, but does a nice job of setting up the sequels.
My rating: 4.1/5
***
Castle of Wizardry
The Orb of Aldur has finally been retrieved from the clutches of Torak’s henchmen, but the journey is just beginning. A terrible war is brewing. Ruthless soldiers and evil cultists are terrorizing the world with dark magic, slavery and human sacrifice. Garion must bear the burden of the destiny he was born to uphold and reach the heights of his true potential to stand against the ever growing threat of Torak’s awakening.
My favorite of the series so far. The prose and dialogue have improved a lot since the first book. The action scenes have more weight, sadness and brutality to them. The religious and political themes feel much more nuanced and thought-provoking. Everything feels more mature and serious in this one. Surprisingly, the comedy, romance and banter still remains just as consistently fun and entertaining as it’s always been in spite of all of this.
Garion and Ce’nedra receive a boatload of character development upon being forced to overcome some world-changing ordeals and internal struggles. Relg the religious zealot is more complex and interesting as he’s now placed in a position where his extreme beliefs are constantly being challenged. Polgara has a lot of emotional backstory moments that made me like her a lot more. Even Silk and Barak receive some development beyond being a couple of troublemaking goofballs. Barak evolves as a father and as a husband, Silk evolves as a son and as a friend. I’ve liked them both since the very beginning though.
There’s some really good subplots weaved in between the main narrative as well. Each one has a touching resolution that increases the depth of the internal struggles of the main cast as well as the finality of the building climax.
The pacing does get a bit messy in this one though. Some revelations are rushed and some really big moments fly by unexpectedly quickly. The last couple of chapters revolving entirely around Ce’nedra are great for her character development, but not quite as engaging or emotional as a lot of things that went down in the earlier parts. Still my favorite book in the series so far though.
Garion and Torak’s fated battle is finally on the horizon and I’m ready for the showdown.
My rating: 4.4/5
***
Enchanters End Game
Garion marches on with his companions on a quest to slay his immortal nemesis Torak before he awakens to full power. His dear princess Ce’Nedra has taken command of his kingdom to lead an army to serve and protect the people of the land before they’re wiped out by the encroaching calamity. All the pawns of prophecy have been assembled. All the pieces of a centuries-old puzzle have been placed down. Now the time for the final battle to decide the fate of the entire universe has come.
I had some mixed feelings about this final novel in the Belgariad series initially, but I walked away from the finale feeling happy and satisfied with how things ended overall. My main problem with this book is there’s a ton of needless filler content packed in the middle, most of which doesn’t even contain any of the main cast of characters that I’ve spent so much time growing attached to. It was the only time in the series I felt like skimming through some chapters in hopes of getting back to the good stuff.
Once the filler portions of the story are pushed aside however, the main characters return front and center for an epic and heartwarming final arc where everyone gets a satisfying resolution that makes the whole arduous journey feel worth it. This book is filled with death, carnage and war, but it manages to wrap it all up with the familiar charm, uplifting humor and gentle touches of human compassion that I’ve come to really enjoy from this series. I was smiling through the whole last few chapters.
As of now, I haven’t decided if I want to read the sequel series yet because I feel really good about how everything was finished up here, but I’m sure I’ll be tempted to revisit this world some time in the not so distant future. A lot of the filler content in this book seemed to be setting up issues for the second series to handle, so maybe some of the less enjoyable portions of this one will pay off in later books.
My rating 4.5/5
While the Belgariad is far from being perfect or original, it does an extremely good job with the tools at its disposal. The journey is constantly moving and evolving without suffering from the snail-like pacing typically associated with classic epic fantasy. The world is creative and full of vibrant life and simple yet interesting magical systems.
The characters felt like a group of close friends I could actually hang out with. They squabble, support each other and love each other like any old group of pals. Sometimes they’re annoying and stupid, but in ways all people can be which ironically made me like them even more. They all go through some great character development over the series and constantly change into better, more likable and more mature versions of themselves. By the end, I felt like they had all truly grown up for the best, even the stubborn old folks that’ve been alive for hundreds of years changed quite a bit in ways that made me feel proud of them.
This is also one of the few fantasy series out there where I actually thought the comedy was constantly hilarious and entertaining, and the romance was handled in ways that made me feel emotionally invested without being sappy or cringe-inducing. The relationships were genuinely pleasant, wholesome and funny to watch.
I can totally understand why a lot of people may criticize and dismiss this series for its flaws, but I think it’s a very endearing, charming and memorable experience with a lovable cast of characters if you can forgive it for its missteps and plot contrivances.
While 4.8/5 may seem like a higher rating than it critically deserves, I’m rating this series overall based on how much joy, fun and pleasant escapism it gave me every time I read it. Far from perfect, but I had an absolute blast.
My rating: 4.8/5
***
Pawn of Prophecy
Garion is a young orphaned farm boy believed to be the descendant of heroes, destined to confront the fallen Dark Lord Torak who betrayed the gods of the old age and threw the world into darkness. With Torak's wicked forces rising from the shadows to wreak havoc in search of an ancient orb that will allow their master to be resurrected, Garion sets out on an epic quest to gain the support of kings from around the world and claim the orb before it falls into the wrong hands. Accompanied by his fierce yet motherly Aunt Pol, the wise sorcerer Wolf, and a slew of colorful companions, Garion must face many challenges before he confronts his mortal enemy and discover the truth behind his lineage.
An engaging classic fantasy with fun characters and charming humor. The plot and characters are rather simplistic and cliche, but not necessarily in a bad way. All the characters are recognizable archetypes that have been done hundreds of times before. Garion is the orphaned farm boy turned hero of prophecy. Pol is the harsh yet lovable sorceress. Wolf is the wise old bearded wizard. Silk is the cunning sharp-tongued jester. Barak is the barbarian warrior with a heart of gold, etc. But the Belgariad manages to utilize these archetypes much better than most typical classic epic fantasy stories by making them far more human, realistic and relatable.
The story is as formulaic and by the numbers as fantasy can possibly be, but this was actually an intentional choice by the author. He wanted to prove that he could make a fun, engaging and entertaining series using all the familiar tropes often associated with classic fantasy. Where Eddings succeeds where many classic fantasy epics don’t is the great dialogue, stronger prose, tighter pacing, characters with bright personalities that pop out of the pages and consistently witty and humorous banter between the core cast.
Is it a monumental work of fantasy that redefines the genre? No. Is it highly entertaining with moments of brilliance here and there? Definitely.
Silk is my favorite character so far. He’s like Littlefinger from Game of Thrones, but if he were actually a decent guy that just likes gambling, debating and being a sassy little devil.
My rating: 3.8/5
***
Queen of Sorcery
Queen of Sorcery continues right where Pawn of Prophecy leaves off and expands upon everything the first book spent setting up. We continue following Garion and his crew of ageless royals on their quest to gain the support of foreign nations, receive support from a slew of colorful allies and hopefully retrieve the Orb of Aldur from the clutches of their enemies before the Dark Lord Torak can return to full power. They encounter many dangerous threats while Garion slowly matures and comes to understand what he’s truly capable of.
I’m glad I decided to give this series another chance. On a surface level, it’s easy to write the Belgariad off as a tropey epic fantasy saga that brings nothing new to the table. Once you peel back its familiar exterior however, it’s rich with imaginative writing, great characters, genuinely funny and entertaining dialogue, and surprising moments of emotional growth for the protagonists. The romance, comedy, pacing and distinct personality of the core cast is done better than most other classic series that fall into the same style of vintage quest fantasy.
Queen of Sorcery does struggle a bit to find its footing in the first half of the book, as the characters are lost and trying desperately to figure out a plan of action before they get outdone by the enemy. The second half of this one is truly great though, developing the protagonists, their relationships, their supernatural abilities as well as building up the threat of their deadly adversaries. The action scenes are also much more gritty and gruesome. Lots more bodies dropping this time around.
Now I’m actually emotionally invested in the story and looking forward to the rest of the series.
My Rating: 4.2/5
***
Magician's Gambit
Garion and his crew finally uncover the culprit responsible for stealing the Orb of Aldur and spreading chaos all over the world. Ctuchik, an old acquaintance of Belgarath and a faithful servant of the evil lord Torak stands between Garion and the orb. Before they can hope to stand a fighting chance, Garion must master his control over sorcery in the Vale of Aldur, travel through the haunted lands of Maragor, deliver Princess Ce'Nedra to safety and trust in his companions to have his back in the face of disaster and war.
Magician's Gambit was a bit of a mixed bag compared to the first two books, but my feelings are more positive than negative. The first half of the book is the best the series has ever been so far. It has great character development. The mentor/student training between Garion and his grandfather is a nice balance between wholesome and hilarious. The romantic chemistry between Garion and Ce'Nedra, as well as the subtle feelings between Durnik and Pol were nicely implemented.
It has some of the most interesting worldbuilding and lore, delving into the gloomy family history of Garion's ancestors while visiting some truly haunted places like a city made of tortured wailing souls and ancient wizard towers with strange technology. I also like that we got to meet some of the god figures of the story which have been teased since the very beginning. The encounters with them were chilling. A religious zealot that spent his whole life in a cave also joins Garion's party, which offers some unique dynamics to the group.
The second half wasn't nearly as good in my opinion, but far from bad. It just broke away from all the great magic, worldbuilding and character development going on in exchange for a standard fantasy quest adventure where Garion and his party track down Ctuchik in a final standoff for the Orb of Aldur. The ending also wasn't quite as emotionally impactful as the last two books, but does a nice job of setting up the sequels.
My rating: 4.1/5
***
Castle of Wizardry
The Orb of Aldur has finally been retrieved from the clutches of Torak’s henchmen, but the journey is just beginning. A terrible war is brewing. Ruthless soldiers and evil cultists are terrorizing the world with dark magic, slavery and human sacrifice. Garion must bear the burden of the destiny he was born to uphold and reach the heights of his true potential to stand against the ever growing threat of Torak’s awakening.
My favorite of the series so far. The prose and dialogue have improved a lot since the first book. The action scenes have more weight, sadness and brutality to them. The religious and political themes feel much more nuanced and thought-provoking. Everything feels more mature and serious in this one. Surprisingly, the comedy, romance and banter still remains just as consistently fun and entertaining as it’s always been in spite of all of this.
Garion and Ce’nedra receive a boatload of character development upon being forced to overcome some world-changing ordeals and internal struggles. Relg the religious zealot is more complex and interesting as he’s now placed in a position where his extreme beliefs are constantly being challenged. Polgara has a lot of emotional backstory moments that made me like her a lot more. Even Silk and Barak receive some development beyond being a couple of troublemaking goofballs. Barak evolves as a father and as a husband, Silk evolves as a son and as a friend. I’ve liked them both since the very beginning though.
There’s some really good subplots weaved in between the main narrative as well. Each one has a touching resolution that increases the depth of the internal struggles of the main cast as well as the finality of the building climax.
The pacing does get a bit messy in this one though. Some revelations are rushed and some really big moments fly by unexpectedly quickly. The last couple of chapters revolving entirely around Ce’nedra are great for her character development, but not quite as engaging or emotional as a lot of things that went down in the earlier parts. Still my favorite book in the series so far though.
Garion and Torak’s fated battle is finally on the horizon and I’m ready for the showdown.
My rating: 4.4/5
***
Enchanters End Game
Garion marches on with his companions on a quest to slay his immortal nemesis Torak before he awakens to full power. His dear princess Ce’Nedra has taken command of his kingdom to lead an army to serve and protect the people of the land before they’re wiped out by the encroaching calamity. All the pawns of prophecy have been assembled. All the pieces of a centuries-old puzzle have been placed down. Now the time for the final battle to decide the fate of the entire universe has come.
I had some mixed feelings about this final novel in the Belgariad series initially, but I walked away from the finale feeling happy and satisfied with how things ended overall. My main problem with this book is there’s a ton of needless filler content packed in the middle, most of which doesn’t even contain any of the main cast of characters that I’ve spent so much time growing attached to. It was the only time in the series I felt like skimming through some chapters in hopes of getting back to the good stuff.
Once the filler portions of the story are pushed aside however, the main characters return front and center for an epic and heartwarming final arc where everyone gets a satisfying resolution that makes the whole arduous journey feel worth it. This book is filled with death, carnage and war, but it manages to wrap it all up with the familiar charm, uplifting humor and gentle touches of human compassion that I’ve come to really enjoy from this series. I was smiling through the whole last few chapters.
As of now, I haven’t decided if I want to read the sequel series yet because I feel really good about how everything was finished up here, but I’m sure I’ll be tempted to revisit this world some time in the not so distant future. A lot of the filler content in this book seemed to be setting up issues for the second series to handle, so maybe some of the less enjoyable portions of this one will pay off in later books.
My rating 4.5/5
March 28, 2007
This is the series that really got me hooked into the fantasy genre. The pace at which the story moves along is one of the best... introducing you to the innocent, somewhat naive farmboy Garion, who quickly grows on you as everything that has been kept secret from him is slowly revealed, forcing him to come to grip with his destiny. The variety of characters and their unique personalities are great, and the often funny banter between the characters makes this a guaranteed enjoyable read!
March 22, 2008
Truly great story. When I read LOTR, I was left with images of all of these grim people with little in the way of comic relief.......to which you might respond "Sauron's got the world practically in his grasp, what's the humor in that?" I just think that I'd rather sit down and have a drink with Belgarath, Silk, Barak and company rather than Gandalf and Frodo.
Having said that, LOTR is the far superior work, but I don't think that Eddings had that sort of goal with his series. Just a lot of fun to read, full of stereotypes, archetypes, but sometimes you want to eat Beef Wellington and sometimes you want a hamburger pizza.
Having said that, LOTR is the far superior work, but I don't think that Eddings had that sort of goal with his series. Just a lot of fun to read, full of stereotypes, archetypes, but sometimes you want to eat Beef Wellington and sometimes you want a hamburger pizza.
March 8, 2007
The Belgariad is the best series of books I have ever read.
The books take you into a well defined world, each country very different from the next, and envelops the reader in such a riveting story-line that he would want to never put the book down.
The series is full of magic (sorcery), action, and believeble characters.
Well worth the read
The books take you into a well defined world, each country very different from the next, and envelops the reader in such a riveting story-line that he would want to never put the book down.
The series is full of magic (sorcery), action, and believeble characters.
Well worth the read
March 5, 2023
Belgariad è una saga fantasy composta da cinque libri qui raccolti in un unico enorme volumone, dallo stampo squisitamente classico, indubbiamente debitrice da Il Signore degli Anelli e molti altri titoli che hanno fatto la storia del genere, dai quali riprende tutta una serie di elementi e tropoi tipici quali il viaggio, la profezia, l'eletto, un potente oggetto magico, il confronto tra un bene e un male assoluti e molti altri, mettendoli tutti su carta in modo indubbiamente sapiente ed efficace. Ma in aggiunta a questo, Belgariad è al contempo anche la storia di formazione di un giovane ragazzo, il nostro Garion, che si troverà strappato dalla vita bucolica cui era abituato per intraprendere suo malgrado, scortato da un nutrito gruppo di compagni, un lungo e pericoloso percorso, attraverso il quale, passo dopo passo, crescerà in un uomo consapevole del proprio destino, delle proprie immense responsabilità e dell'ancor più grande potere, e dal quale dipendono le sorti del mondo intero.
I primi tre libri di Belgariad presentano una struttura narrativa piuttosto semplice, in cui seguiremo passo a passo il gruppo capeggiato da Belgarath, zia Pol e il nostro Garion finire catapultato in un evento via l'altro sulla strada di un viaggio alla ricerca dell'Occhio di Aldur, che li porterà ad attraversare numerosissimi paesi e culture diversi. Questi eventi, che in genere vengono risolti in uno o due capitoli prima di riprendere il cammino e ritrovarsi inevitabilmente invischiati in quello subito successivo, oltre a dare un tono decisamente avventuroso alla narrazione, ci offrono ampi scorci sul complesso e ricco mondo in cui si muovono i nostri eroi e i numerosissimi interpreti secondari, introducendoci tutta una serie di tasselli che andranno poi a unirsi e ricomporsi nella seconda metà di questa grande avventura. Tutta la narrazione è filtrata attraverso uno stile di scrittura scorrevolissimo e sempre molto chiaro, cui piace molto indugiare sui personaggi e i loro rapporti, lasciando ampio spazio a un certo humour che conferisce al tutto un tono leggero e piacevole, non risultando mai pesante.
Gli ultimi due libri della pentalogia, pur mantenendo per lo più lo spirito avventuroso e quasi scanzonato dei primi tre, ne tradiscono però la struttura narrativa Garion-centrica, dividendo i personaggi in due o più macro gruppi che si avvicenderanno di volta in volta sulle pagine. Una soluzione che servirà a dare più ampio respiro alla vicenda e a conferirle una portata più globale, alla luce dell'imminente e inevitabile scontro finale tra bene e male, nonché a meglio contestualizzare e dare un ruolo di primo piano a tutti quei personaggi introdotti nel corso dei primi tre volumi che ritroveremo qui a calcare il palcoscenico da protagonisti, conferendo alla saga un tono corale quasi inaspettato. Una scelta che forse, pur essendo indubbiamente essenziale nell'economia del racconto, a mio giudizio può rivelarsi a tratti un po' anti-climatica, andando a togliere il focus al protagonista proprio quando il suo ruolo si fa più importante... anche se questo produce inevitabilmente un crescente senso di aspettativa e tensione che mantiene alto l'interesse del lettore.
Ma il vero punto di forza della saga trovo risieda nei suoi personaggi, sia principali che secondari, su cui è evidente sia stata posta un'enorme cura e attenzione: la figura saggia, materna ma allo stesso tempo decisa e irremovibile di Polgara, l'alone di mistero e quasi sacralità che avvolge un Belgarath che ci appare però come un uomo quasi comune, sciatto e incline al vizio, allo scherzo e che fatica a tener testa alla sua stessa figlia, il Drasniano dalle numerose identità e dagli infiniti assi nella manica sempre incline alla battuta graffiante e all'avventura, il cavaliere impavido che vive crogiolandosi in una tragica e infelice storia d'amore, la principessina capricciosa ma adorabile che ben conscia del proprio fascino lo sfrutta leziosamente per ottenere sempre ciò che vuole, sono solo una manciata delle numerosissime e accattivanti personalità delineate da Eddings a cui è decisamente difficile non affezionarsi.
Ci sarebbe molto altro da aggiungere, come una visione della magia molto semplice concettualmente eppure interessante e versatile, ma in conclusione posso solo ribadire che Belgariad è una saga magari poco indicata per chi, ormai ben avvezzo al genere, sia sempre alla ricerca di qualcosa di nuovo e di diverso, ma d'altro canto assolutamente ideale per chi voglia tuffarsi in qualcosa di tradizionale e che trasudi vecchia scuola da tutti i pori, così come per un pubblico giovane cresciuto con letteratura young adult che desideri avvicinarsi al fantasy tradizionale per la prima volta... a patto di non lasciarsi intimorire dal numero di pagine!
I primi tre libri di Belgariad presentano una struttura narrativa piuttosto semplice, in cui seguiremo passo a passo il gruppo capeggiato da Belgarath, zia Pol e il nostro Garion finire catapultato in un evento via l'altro sulla strada di un viaggio alla ricerca dell'Occhio di Aldur, che li porterà ad attraversare numerosissimi paesi e culture diversi. Questi eventi, che in genere vengono risolti in uno o due capitoli prima di riprendere il cammino e ritrovarsi inevitabilmente invischiati in quello subito successivo, oltre a dare un tono decisamente avventuroso alla narrazione, ci offrono ampi scorci sul complesso e ricco mondo in cui si muovono i nostri eroi e i numerosissimi interpreti secondari, introducendoci tutta una serie di tasselli che andranno poi a unirsi e ricomporsi nella seconda metà di questa grande avventura. Tutta la narrazione è filtrata attraverso uno stile di scrittura scorrevolissimo e sempre molto chiaro, cui piace molto indugiare sui personaggi e i loro rapporti, lasciando ampio spazio a un certo humour che conferisce al tutto un tono leggero e piacevole, non risultando mai pesante.
Gli ultimi due libri della pentalogia, pur mantenendo per lo più lo spirito avventuroso e quasi scanzonato dei primi tre, ne tradiscono però la struttura narrativa Garion-centrica, dividendo i personaggi in due o più macro gruppi che si avvicenderanno di volta in volta sulle pagine. Una soluzione che servirà a dare più ampio respiro alla vicenda e a conferirle una portata più globale, alla luce dell'imminente e inevitabile scontro finale tra bene e male, nonché a meglio contestualizzare e dare un ruolo di primo piano a tutti quei personaggi introdotti nel corso dei primi tre volumi che ritroveremo qui a calcare il palcoscenico da protagonisti, conferendo alla saga un tono corale quasi inaspettato. Una scelta che forse, pur essendo indubbiamente essenziale nell'economia del racconto, a mio giudizio può rivelarsi a tratti un po' anti-climatica, andando a togliere il focus al protagonista proprio quando il suo ruolo si fa più importante... anche se questo produce inevitabilmente un crescente senso di aspettativa e tensione che mantiene alto l'interesse del lettore.
Ma il vero punto di forza della saga trovo risieda nei suoi personaggi, sia principali che secondari, su cui è evidente sia stata posta un'enorme cura e attenzione: la figura saggia, materna ma allo stesso tempo decisa e irremovibile di Polgara, l'alone di mistero e quasi sacralità che avvolge un Belgarath che ci appare però come un uomo quasi comune, sciatto e incline al vizio, allo scherzo e che fatica a tener testa alla sua stessa figlia, il Drasniano dalle numerose identità e dagli infiniti assi nella manica sempre incline alla battuta graffiante e all'avventura, il cavaliere impavido che vive crogiolandosi in una tragica e infelice storia d'amore, la principessina capricciosa ma adorabile che ben conscia del proprio fascino lo sfrutta leziosamente per ottenere sempre ciò che vuole, sono solo una manciata delle numerosissime e accattivanti personalità delineate da Eddings a cui è decisamente difficile non affezionarsi.
Ci sarebbe molto altro da aggiungere, come una visione della magia molto semplice concettualmente eppure interessante e versatile, ma in conclusione posso solo ribadire che Belgariad è una saga magari poco indicata per chi, ormai ben avvezzo al genere, sia sempre alla ricerca di qualcosa di nuovo e di diverso, ma d'altro canto assolutamente ideale per chi voglia tuffarsi in qualcosa di tradizionale e che trasudi vecchia scuola da tutti i pori, così come per un pubblico giovane cresciuto con letteratura young adult che desideri avvicinarsi al fantasy tradizionale per la prima volta... a patto di non lasciarsi intimorire dal numero di pagine!
May 4, 2021
This was my introduction to high fantasy. My gateway drug, I suppose. I have loved these books since they were loaned to me in high school, and I used to reread them at least once a year. When times were bad, I could still follow along with Garion, sigh over Silk (one of my original literary crushes), enjoy the interplay and intrigue, and the DIALOGUE!!! I had never read a book like that. I still haven't. My opinion on the series may have changed somewhat on my latest reread but David Eddings still writes the best dialogue on the planet.
If this series was written today, it would have been YA, and some details would have changed--not for the better. The main character Garion ranges from 14 to about 16 through the course of the novels. It was written at a time when the age of the protagonist did not immediately categorize a work, so Eddings was able to deal with adult material that his young hero didn't necessarily pick up on but mature readers would, yet told plainly and cleanly. There is some light commentary on social and domestic issues, and the violence is somewhat restrained and justified.
It has been years since the last time I picked it up. But I was in the need of chicken soup style comfort, so I was moved to spend time with Garion and co. again. The flaws that bothered me were much more abundant and pronounced in the Mallorean than here in the Belgariad, but they were still there. David Eddings has an almost unlimited magical system, where these sorcerers live forever and can do anything. With such lack of constraints, it is understandable that you run into plot holes from time to time. There are small scenes that are hard to justify, a "why didn't they just--?" sort of question that occurs to the reader. A sort of an explanation is presented to cover most of it, but it's a stretch to make it do for all. However, there is a simple, straightforward charm about the Belgariad, both the characters and the quest are fun and engaging, and I have always loved roaming his world--where the idea of national identity is raised to new heights.
ED 5/21 CW. I'm leaving the stars alone, because I did get a lot of enjoyment out of these books for many years. I just can't recommend them now without a huge caveat. There is a scene in the first book (!!) with serious consent issues that has aged VERY poorly. And it can't be excused away as a despicable character beat, because it's one of our main adventurers who is otherwise very likable. Also, how the consequences of the incident plays out in the series given its origin is appalling. So, be aware.
If this series was written today, it would have been YA, and some details would have changed--not for the better. The main character Garion ranges from 14 to about 16 through the course of the novels. It was written at a time when the age of the protagonist did not immediately categorize a work, so Eddings was able to deal with adult material that his young hero didn't necessarily pick up on but mature readers would, yet told plainly and cleanly. There is some light commentary on social and domestic issues, and the violence is somewhat restrained and justified.
It has been years since the last time I picked it up. But I was in the need of chicken soup style comfort, so I was moved to spend time with Garion and co. again. The flaws that bothered me were much more abundant and pronounced in the Mallorean than here in the Belgariad, but they were still there. David Eddings has an almost unlimited magical system, where these sorcerers live forever and can do anything. With such lack of constraints, it is understandable that you run into plot holes from time to time. There are small scenes that are hard to justify, a "why didn't they just--?" sort of question that occurs to the reader. A sort of an explanation is presented to cover most of it, but it's a stretch to make it do for all. However, there is a simple, straightforward charm about the Belgariad, both the characters and the quest are fun and engaging, and I have always loved roaming his world--where the idea of national identity is raised to new heights.
ED 5/21 CW. I'm leaving the stars alone, because I did get a lot of enjoyment out of these books for many years. I just can't recommend them now without a huge caveat. There is a scene in the first book (!!) with serious consent issues that has aged VERY poorly. And it can't be excused away as a despicable character beat, because it's one of our main adventurers who is otherwise very likable. Also, how the consequences of the incident plays out in the series given its origin is appalling. So, be aware.
September 13, 2008
Yes, you are reading that correctly - this is a fantasy series of five books. Actually, ten, for there is a sequel series of five called The Mallorean, although it isn't quite as good. As would would expect in a series of such length, there are many characters and storylines, but not so many that you get lost in them. The five books of the Belgariad are wonderfully creative; Eddings creates a fantasy world that is fun to become part of.
October 7, 2008
So this is REALLY schlocky fantasy, and even at like 15 I knew it was schlocky, and yet kept reading, and kept waiting until next year when the next novel would come out.
Now, I had no idea at the time that after a hardcover comes out, its usually another YEAR before the soft cover is published. Its actually funny, the South Park with Cartman waiting on the Wii -- the wait for the 5th book was INTERMINABLE !!!!
This MIGHT be why I was able to break the spell that Robert Jordan threw on so many folks in the late 90s into the double aughts --- David Eddings had already done it to me 10 years prior.
I guess he saved me from Harry Potter.
I feel dirty -- these books are SO predictable that even *I* was able to guess what was happening YEARS before the events happened on paper.
And yet... I can remember pretty much when every one arrived in its little Science Fiction Book Club box, and I would get a bag of Doritos, a 3 Liter of Pepsi, and just go into lockdown mode for the evening.
I guess its just a good memory of my dad coming to check on me at like 2 or 3 AM, and he'd get me refills of ice, and just cut me a little slack about chores and everything on those days.
Then, and I wont use vulgarity, but he started writing a SECOND set of 5 novels WHICH WERE EXACTLY THE SAME!!!!!!!!!!
O. M. G.
So much anger having to wait another 5 years.
GRRR!!!!
Now, I had no idea at the time that after a hardcover comes out, its usually another YEAR before the soft cover is published. Its actually funny, the South Park with Cartman waiting on the Wii -- the wait for the 5th book was INTERMINABLE !!!!
This MIGHT be why I was able to break the spell that Robert Jordan threw on so many folks in the late 90s into the double aughts --- David Eddings had already done it to me 10 years prior.
I guess he saved me from Harry Potter.
I feel dirty -- these books are SO predictable that even *I* was able to guess what was happening YEARS before the events happened on paper.
And yet... I can remember pretty much when every one arrived in its little Science Fiction Book Club box, and I would get a bag of Doritos, a 3 Liter of Pepsi, and just go into lockdown mode for the evening.
I guess its just a good memory of my dad coming to check on me at like 2 or 3 AM, and he'd get me refills of ice, and just cut me a little slack about chores and everything on those days.
Then, and I wont use vulgarity, but he started writing a SECOND set of 5 novels WHICH WERE EXACTLY THE SAME!!!!!!!!!!
O. M. G.
So much anger having to wait another 5 years.
GRRR!!!!
February 13, 2012
I've been told by countless people that this book is horrible because it's predictable - but, isn't some predictability a good thing in a book? I'm sure not everyone will agree with me, but I don't like to be completely surprised by a book. Not all surprises are good, after all.
Anyway, with that being said, I first read this book when I was 8 years old. I skipped the prologue, and went straight into reading the book with very low expectations...I am a creature of habit, and my mother had requested I read this book. I was originally unhappy about not being able to reread old favorites.
I have read this book over 40 times since then, and I have never been disappointed. This is what I would classify as a "safe" read. This book is very safe. First of all, at 8 years old I found there to not be anything I didn't understand, even vocabulary (though I will admit I had a good vocabulary for an 8-year-old). There is no child-inappropriate content whatsoever. And yet, even as an adult I find that I still greatly enjoy this series. It's a book for the whole family, and it's a fun and creative world to get lost in.
As mentioned above, I rather enjoy the predictability. I can read through the book knowing that I don't have to worry about being unsettled by a bad surprise,
If you enjoy reading about fictional worlds, prophecies don't bother you, and you're looking for a family oriented book that can spark a vivid imagination, you should at least consider giving this one a try. I can't promise that you'll like it - I don't pretend to know the minds of others - but I can at least say that I enjoyed it, and I hope you will too.
Anyway, with that being said, I first read this book when I was 8 years old. I skipped the prologue, and went straight into reading the book with very low expectations...I am a creature of habit, and my mother had requested I read this book. I was originally unhappy about not being able to reread old favorites.
I have read this book over 40 times since then, and I have never been disappointed. This is what I would classify as a "safe" read. This book is very safe. First of all, at 8 years old I found there to not be anything I didn't understand, even vocabulary (though I will admit I had a good vocabulary for an 8-year-old). There is no child-inappropriate content whatsoever. And yet, even as an adult I find that I still greatly enjoy this series. It's a book for the whole family, and it's a fun and creative world to get lost in.
As mentioned above, I rather enjoy the predictability. I can read through the book knowing that I don't have to worry about being unsettled by a bad surprise,
If you enjoy reading about fictional worlds, prophecies don't bother you, and you're looking for a family oriented book that can spark a vivid imagination, you should at least consider giving this one a try. I can't promise that you'll like it - I don't pretend to know the minds of others - but I can at least say that I enjoyed it, and I hope you will too.
July 24, 2012
In the Belgariad, David Eddings leverages archetypes to the hilt--the orphaned child of destiny, the old and wise advisor, the protective mother-of-all--and weaves them into a beautiful detailed world, populated by people in nations who seem determined to live up to every stereotype about their race. What might have otherwise come across as dull and repetitive characterization instead turns into an insider joke of which the reader is a part. When a character rolls their eyes and says, "Alorns!", the reader is laughing right along, nodding in fervent agreement.
The plot itself is familiar and has been used by others in one variation or another--the orphaned child rises to claim his destiny as savior of the world, and oh, by the way, find the precious blue gem before the enemy does. (Eddings has a fixation for precious and pretty blue gems--read the Elenium/Tamuli for more blue gem obsession). That said, the story-telling is crisp, the plot brisk, and his descriptions draw you into the story, painting a picture that allows the reader to see each scene as it unfolds.
I have spent many happy hours immersed in the world of the Belgariad. My hardcover novels are looking a little tattered from repeated use. Thank you, Eddings, for a truly outstanding high fantasy series.
The plot itself is familiar and has been used by others in one variation or another--the orphaned child rises to claim his destiny as savior of the world, and oh, by the way, find the precious blue gem before the enemy does. (Eddings has a fixation for precious and pretty blue gems--read the Elenium/Tamuli for more blue gem obsession). That said, the story-telling is crisp, the plot brisk, and his descriptions draw you into the story, painting a picture that allows the reader to see each scene as it unfolds.
I have spent many happy hours immersed in the world of the Belgariad. My hardcover novels are looking a little tattered from repeated use. Thank you, Eddings, for a truly outstanding high fantasy series.
February 15, 2013
The Belgariad is a series of five books that are the first of 12 that follow the same characters. Edding's most powerful feature is his characters. It is the intimate relationship that the reader cannot help but develop with his characters that will make reading these books seem like all too short of an experience. The characters that Eddings creates in the collection that includes the Belgariad, the Mallorean, Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress are what truly makes them my all time favorite fantasy novels. I gladly return to them over and over, with each time being a reuniting of old friends. My mother introduced me to these books and, like her, I have reread them many times and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.
December 8, 2007
I read these books starting in Jr High, I think, and read them all multiple times. I love the author and the world he created. His characters are alive and well in my imagination. Though Eddings world is not nearly as developed as Tolkien's, if you liked The Lord of the Rings, you'll like these too.
July 18, 2018
The Belgariad by David Eddings consists of five books; Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician’s Gambit, Castle of Wizardry, and Enchanters’ End Game. This is just one five book series out of two that make up the base of work Eddings put together for his created universe. The second five-book series is called The Malloreon. I’ll be reading and reviewing that as well in the future. Then there are some supplementary texts. There are two prequels based on two central characters entitled Belgarath the Sorcerer, and Polgara the Sorceress. Then there is also a book entitled The Rivan Codex which is a kind of behind the scenes book to how Eddings and his wife put the whole thing together. I just wanted to let you know that if you picked up Pawn of Prophecy and thought it sounded interesting, here’s what you’re getting yourself into. There is a lot of content to read - which can be good or bad, depending on how you look at it. Let me explain.
I made the choice after finishing the first book that I was going to wait until I finished the whole first series to write a review. The reason why was because 1) I went through the book so quickly, and 2) I didn’t feel like I had read enough to write a review on. The first book didn’t have a sense of completeness to it. Rather than each book being a solid and complete story in and of itself, I realized that this series was more like one story being told over the course of five books. I don’t really care for that, but I wasn’t going to quit reading the series because of it. A lot of series do that, so if I refused to read every series that does, I’d be left with even less potential reading material. It’s just a pet peeve of mine that I feel like each book in a series should be able to stand on its own as well as be part of the whole, and this series didn’t hold up to that standard.
Then I ran into a snag. I was getting the audiobook versions of the books on loan from my library’s e-library service. I went through books 1-3 super fast. Then, when it came time to read book 4, I had to wait 127 days for it to be available. That really put a damper on things. Also, in the downtime, I started two other series. One of which is another completed series, but the other one only has the first book published. This is all on top of the fact that my memory already sucks. So, I may not get into specifics with this review. For that, I apologize. I will do my best though to give you a general overview with my spoiler-free review and hope it suffices. However, I will probably end up doing a review for each book in the Malloreon to try and avoid something similar to this from happening again.
Now that I’m really getting into my review of The Belgariad, let me just say that had I read this when I was a kid - I would have absolutely loved it. I told my wife that after reading the first book. The problem with that is simply that these books are not children’s books. There are themes and scenes that are more adult oriented that let me know for certain that these are absolutely not children’s books, yet I felt like the quality of writing was what I would expect from a children’s book. That would not have stopped me from reading these books as a kid, but it would mean that as a kid I would not have been the intended audience. I felt this was an important distinction to make. As soon as I began reading this series, and lasting all the way through it, all I could think as a writer was that this is a perfect example of what we’re always being told NOT to do. Everything was a trope. Everything felt cliche. Everything was entirely predictable. It got annoying quick.
That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy the series though. I allowed myself to enjoy it, in spite of all that. Like I said, I realized that if I read this as a kid, before I had come to expect certain things from writing, I would have absolutely loved it. So, I tried to let myself love it now. The story is interesting and had me hooked, regardless of how “tropey” it was. The characters are diverse and relatable - some are even lovable. The setting spanned over a large continent that was interesting and different. The plot was pretty standard, good vs evil, light vs dark. Everything was preordained - except for how it would end because that could go one of two ways.
There are plenty of subplots going on as well, but they’re all rather obvious as well. The group that was assembled was pretty typical with each character representing something similar to what you’d expect from a class in DnD. They are part of the party because “the prophecy” says they must be, and of course their purpose is revealed through key moments where only they could get the group out of their current situation. It’s all just SO cliche. But, it was a fun ride. Even though each book didn’t stand apart on its own very well, the series as a whole did wrap up the story nicely, all the while setting up the continuation of events that are sure to follow in The Malloreon. I think that if you’ve read a lot of stories/series similar to this one (meaning, very cliche and very tropey), then you may be too jaded to let yourself enjoy this one. I haven’t read a lot of them, so I was able to let myself enjoy this series despite all its faults. I just had to remember that tropes became tropes because they work. That’s why they’re so prevalent. We are just challenged as writers today to come up with new ways to use the tropes so that they seem fresh and interesting. At the time, I’m sure this was fresh and interesting. It just seems so overused and cliche now because so many other people copied him and authors like him.
One of my other major complaints about this series was how I felt like it could have been done in fewer books. I think with more editing, a lot of useless stuff could have been cut, other things could have been moved around, and it could probably have been honed down into a trilogy. After doing a little research though, I found out that this was largely due to Eddings’ publishers. They were very clear and rigid in what they wanted Eddings to do because it was what they thought would sell the best. They wanted x amount of volumes, with roughly x amount of words, in about x amount of time. Another peeve of mine was the title of the last book in the series (because there are no enchanters in the books) but come to find out that was due to the publishers too. The title Eddings wanted to use was a lot better in my opinion, but they felt it was too many words to look good on the cover. I think that these things were errors on the publishers part, but the series seems to have been rather successful and has quite the fan following even still, so maybe they were right.
The last thing I wish to point out is the lack of character progression. The supporting characters don’t change, and it could be argued that they don’t need to. They are who they are, and that’s who they needed to be due to the prophecy, so if they changed they would no longer be who the prophecy needed. Fine. My main issue is with the protagonist. Garion really doesn’t change through the whole series. Honestly, if he’s still the same in The Malloreon, I’m going to be really hard pressed to get through it. The kid is numb. You would think that after the shit he’s been through, he might have smartened up a bit. I would at least expect him to have a hardened exterior - at least a little bit! Something. I just wish there would have been something. I have a hard time believing that the events Garion has gone through wouldn’t have changed him more than they did. I guess that I will kind of understand if the real shift in his character comes out in The Malloreon, but I think we should have at least started to see it in these books. No matter how I try and defend it in my head to play devil’s advocate, I just can’t come up with anything good. I think this is a huge fault in the series. It doesn’t make it unreadable, but I just wish it was done better.
All in all, I rate this series with 4 stars. I acknowledge that this series has its faults, but I still found it enjoyable to read on the whole, and I think you might too. If you’re too jaded by other stories similarly as tropey, you may not be able to let yourself enjoy this one, but I think you should try. Even though I got annoyed by certain things, and stayed annoyed by them throughout the series because they kept occurring, I wouldn’t say that these books were hard for me to get through. Quite the contrary: I flew through them. So I say give ‘em a read and let me know what you think. Cheers!
I made the choice after finishing the first book that I was going to wait until I finished the whole first series to write a review. The reason why was because 1) I went through the book so quickly, and 2) I didn’t feel like I had read enough to write a review on. The first book didn’t have a sense of completeness to it. Rather than each book being a solid and complete story in and of itself, I realized that this series was more like one story being told over the course of five books. I don’t really care for that, but I wasn’t going to quit reading the series because of it. A lot of series do that, so if I refused to read every series that does, I’d be left with even less potential reading material. It’s just a pet peeve of mine that I feel like each book in a series should be able to stand on its own as well as be part of the whole, and this series didn’t hold up to that standard.
Then I ran into a snag. I was getting the audiobook versions of the books on loan from my library’s e-library service. I went through books 1-3 super fast. Then, when it came time to read book 4, I had to wait 127 days for it to be available. That really put a damper on things. Also, in the downtime, I started two other series. One of which is another completed series, but the other one only has the first book published. This is all on top of the fact that my memory already sucks. So, I may not get into specifics with this review. For that, I apologize. I will do my best though to give you a general overview with my spoiler-free review and hope it suffices. However, I will probably end up doing a review for each book in the Malloreon to try and avoid something similar to this from happening again.
Now that I’m really getting into my review of The Belgariad, let me just say that had I read this when I was a kid - I would have absolutely loved it. I told my wife that after reading the first book. The problem with that is simply that these books are not children’s books. There are themes and scenes that are more adult oriented that let me know for certain that these are absolutely not children’s books, yet I felt like the quality of writing was what I would expect from a children’s book. That would not have stopped me from reading these books as a kid, but it would mean that as a kid I would not have been the intended audience. I felt this was an important distinction to make. As soon as I began reading this series, and lasting all the way through it, all I could think as a writer was that this is a perfect example of what we’re always being told NOT to do. Everything was a trope. Everything felt cliche. Everything was entirely predictable. It got annoying quick.
That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy the series though. I allowed myself to enjoy it, in spite of all that. Like I said, I realized that if I read this as a kid, before I had come to expect certain things from writing, I would have absolutely loved it. So, I tried to let myself love it now. The story is interesting and had me hooked, regardless of how “tropey” it was. The characters are diverse and relatable - some are even lovable. The setting spanned over a large continent that was interesting and different. The plot was pretty standard, good vs evil, light vs dark. Everything was preordained - except for how it would end because that could go one of two ways.
There are plenty of subplots going on as well, but they’re all rather obvious as well. The group that was assembled was pretty typical with each character representing something similar to what you’d expect from a class in DnD. They are part of the party because “the prophecy” says they must be, and of course their purpose is revealed through key moments where only they could get the group out of their current situation. It’s all just SO cliche. But, it was a fun ride. Even though each book didn’t stand apart on its own very well, the series as a whole did wrap up the story nicely, all the while setting up the continuation of events that are sure to follow in The Malloreon. I think that if you’ve read a lot of stories/series similar to this one (meaning, very cliche and very tropey), then you may be too jaded to let yourself enjoy this one. I haven’t read a lot of them, so I was able to let myself enjoy this series despite all its faults. I just had to remember that tropes became tropes because they work. That’s why they’re so prevalent. We are just challenged as writers today to come up with new ways to use the tropes so that they seem fresh and interesting. At the time, I’m sure this was fresh and interesting. It just seems so overused and cliche now because so many other people copied him and authors like him.
One of my other major complaints about this series was how I felt like it could have been done in fewer books. I think with more editing, a lot of useless stuff could have been cut, other things could have been moved around, and it could probably have been honed down into a trilogy. After doing a little research though, I found out that this was largely due to Eddings’ publishers. They were very clear and rigid in what they wanted Eddings to do because it was what they thought would sell the best. They wanted x amount of volumes, with roughly x amount of words, in about x amount of time. Another peeve of mine was the title of the last book in the series (because there are no enchanters in the books) but come to find out that was due to the publishers too. The title Eddings wanted to use was a lot better in my opinion, but they felt it was too many words to look good on the cover. I think that these things were errors on the publishers part, but the series seems to have been rather successful and has quite the fan following even still, so maybe they were right.
The last thing I wish to point out is the lack of character progression. The supporting characters don’t change, and it could be argued that they don’t need to. They are who they are, and that’s who they needed to be due to the prophecy, so if they changed they would no longer be who the prophecy needed. Fine. My main issue is with the protagonist. Garion really doesn’t change through the whole series. Honestly, if he’s still the same in The Malloreon, I’m going to be really hard pressed to get through it. The kid is numb. You would think that after the shit he’s been through, he might have smartened up a bit. I would at least expect him to have a hardened exterior - at least a little bit! Something. I just wish there would have been something. I have a hard time believing that the events Garion has gone through wouldn’t have changed him more than they did. I guess that I will kind of understand if the real shift in his character comes out in The Malloreon, but I think we should have at least started to see it in these books. No matter how I try and defend it in my head to play devil’s advocate, I just can’t come up with anything good. I think this is a huge fault in the series. It doesn’t make it unreadable, but I just wish it was done better.
All in all, I rate this series with 4 stars. I acknowledge that this series has its faults, but I still found it enjoyable to read on the whole, and I think you might too. If you’re too jaded by other stories similarly as tropey, you may not be able to let yourself enjoy this one, but I think you should try. Even though I got annoyed by certain things, and stayed annoyed by them throughout the series because they kept occurring, I wouldn’t say that these books were hard for me to get through. Quite the contrary: I flew through them. So I say give ‘em a read and let me know what you think. Cheers!
April 3, 2009
The Belgariad by David Eddings is one of those epic sword-and-sorcery fantasies. It was a good story, with lots of interesting characters, a detailed world and a unique sorcery system. I quite enjoyed it.
One thing I didn’t enjoy about it though, was that it was in many ways very very similar to Lord of the Rings. I realize that LOTR is a seminal fantasy work, and it’s hard to be completely unique and still have a similar storyline, but there were quite a few times that I thought - as I was reading the book - “Oh, look, it’s just like LOTR.“
The gods created the world and man to entertain. Each god adopted a race of people, except for Aldur, who kept to himself and took on a few men to be his disciples. He taught them sorcery, and they lived for many years. Aldur also made the orb, a thing of great power, that he used to make things more beautiful. But Torak, Aldur’s brother, was jealous of the orb, and he stole it and used it for evil. A large contingent of men from many races made war on Torak and his race, and they were able to wrest the orb from Torak, which they took away and placed in the throne room in the palace of the Isle of Winds. The Rivan people of the Isle of Winds were tasked with keeping the orb safe from Torak. And Torak went to sleep, even though he was in great pain from the orb. And time passed. (See how this feels like Lord of the Rings?)
Faldur’s Farm, in the midst of Sendaria is a normal farm. It is also the only home Garion has ever known. Garion’s Aunt Pol is the chief cook, but she may be more than she seems. When rumor reaches the farm that the orb has been stolen, Aunt Pol and Mister Wolf, the old storyteller, take Garion on a journey that changes his life.
I don’t want to give anything away, because it was a good story. Garion is likeable and I really liked Aunt Pol. There are many other characters as well, a quest, several large duels, chases, escapes, true love, miracles…(yes, really) In fact, The Belgariad would make a fantastic movie. I hope they make one, but be sure and read the book before any such film comes out, because it’s a good one!
One thing I didn’t enjoy about it though, was that it was in many ways very very similar to Lord of the Rings. I realize that LOTR is a seminal fantasy work, and it’s hard to be completely unique and still have a similar storyline, but there were quite a few times that I thought - as I was reading the book - “Oh, look, it’s just like LOTR.“
The gods created the world and man to entertain. Each god adopted a race of people, except for Aldur, who kept to himself and took on a few men to be his disciples. He taught them sorcery, and they lived for many years. Aldur also made the orb, a thing of great power, that he used to make things more beautiful. But Torak, Aldur’s brother, was jealous of the orb, and he stole it and used it for evil. A large contingent of men from many races made war on Torak and his race, and they were able to wrest the orb from Torak, which they took away and placed in the throne room in the palace of the Isle of Winds. The Rivan people of the Isle of Winds were tasked with keeping the orb safe from Torak. And Torak went to sleep, even though he was in great pain from the orb. And time passed. (See how this feels like Lord of the Rings?)
Faldur’s Farm, in the midst of Sendaria is a normal farm. It is also the only home Garion has ever known. Garion’s Aunt Pol is the chief cook, but she may be more than she seems. When rumor reaches the farm that the orb has been stolen, Aunt Pol and Mister Wolf, the old storyteller, take Garion on a journey that changes his life.
I don’t want to give anything away, because it was a good story. Garion is likeable and I really liked Aunt Pol. There are many other characters as well, a quest, several large duels, chases, escapes, true love, miracles…(yes, really) In fact, The Belgariad would make a fantastic movie. I hope they make one, but be sure and read the book before any such film comes out, because it’s a good one!
April 12, 2010
A young adult series that stands the test of re-reading as an adult. I suspect that I first read the series in the early 90s, it wasn't new at the time, and I was in my early twenties. It still grabbed me, and I find that it has an enduring appeal, from the naivete of the main character to the oddly subdued but supremely powerful elder figures, with a quick plot, nice dialogue, and well structured action sequences. In talking to random people over the years, I have been periodically surprised by who is a fan of David Eddings, which only makes me think more of his work, to attract hard core fantasy geeks like myself, as well (in particular) a moderately humorless human resources manager that I spent a memorable hour or two discussing the series with. Always recommended.
April 1, 2009
So finished the whole series, these five and the next five and they were fine, but not really compelling to read. I just would have a hard time recommending these books to anyone because they aren't that spectacular. Also someone commented on my review of the first book that the various gods/peoples are not that difficult for even the most juvenile of minds. However the way the gods are portrayed is not god-like at all. They are, except Aldur, kind of irritating. Also, after having read Eddings other series, (the jewel one, with diamond, rubies and sapphire) he has some serious issues with his heroes being attracted to childlike, waif-like young girls that never age.
September 27, 2008
David Eddings' finest work. Tough to break the books down individually...so I'm cheating and writing about the 5 book series as a whole. All the characters are fresh...wizards, princesses, mystic swords...This series just rocks.
October 11, 2020
When i was a teen i HATED books and reading... The was the book series that my Mother made me read, which changed my veiw on books forever 😊
After reading these i fell in love with book, so maybe you will like it too😉
After reading these i fell in love with book, so maybe you will like it too😉
November 27, 2007
Fantasy is pure awesomeness.
January 31, 2008
Do you know how hard these are to get at the library?! They're never in!
April 7, 2008
My favorite series by far - I'm just about ready to re-read it!
May 23, 2008
I'm currently reading this too. One of my favorite series from my teenage years.
October 2, 2008
Best fantasy books on the planet. My kids will read these over and over!
October 26, 2008
Another great fantasy series about a boy who has to save the world. This series has it all: great characters, lots of funny banter, plenty of fighting, and magic.
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