David Eddings
The Belgariad and the Mallorean are some of my favorite books, I tend to re-read them every other year or so, and they are just as enjoyable the 10th time as the first. The difference between these books, and others that would be classified as High Fantasy is that David Eddings sticks to humans and Gods--no elves or dwarves or anything like that, which gives these books a different flavor than others. I love his characters, and his dialogue truly makes the books, each character has a distinct personality, which is what sets these books apart from the masses of fantasy books published each year.
Pawn of Prophecy (1982)
I was given a used copy of The Belgariad series in college as part of a gift exchange where I worked. This was the series that returned me to being a reader and got me back into reading fantasy, which I hadn’t done since I was much younger.
My copy of Pawn of Prophecy is worn and a little ragged–despite the fact I purchased the entire series new again after loaning my books to someone who never returned them. The corners of the pages are somewhat rounded, from the book being carried around and shoved into various bags and pockets from many readings.
For a long time this series was my primary escape when life got ugly and things got tough. Then I started branching out and reading more, and returning less and less frequently to this series, until I realized the other day I hadn’t read The Belgariad since before we bought our house, which was eight years ago.
So to mourn the recent death of David Eddings, I decided to pick up one of my all time favorite series, and try and read it slowly, to savor the story.
Yes, sometimes David Eddings writing was over the top. But first and foremost it’s fun. I love these books: I love the story, I love the characters, and I love how–no matter how many times I read them–I frequently laugh out loud while reading.
Garion lives with his Aunt Pol on Falror’s farm where Aunt Pol is Faldor’s cook, and a storyteller called Old Wolf occasionally passes through. Much to Garion’s surprise, however, he eventually finds himself caught up in events far beyond Falror’s farm–in throne rooms and palaces and in the company of princes and wizards and warriors.
I think what I love best about Pawn of Prophecy is that Garion is young, and the mistakes he make are those someone his age inevitably makes–you may realize before he does that he is doing something stupid, but you’re your caught up in the story and how Garion feels so what he does makes perfect sense to him, and to you.
But of course it’s the secondary characters that truly make this series. As much as I love seeing Garion grow up, I love reading about Silk’s exploits even more. I love to read about thieves and scoundrels, because they’re so much fun, and Silk is probably my all time favorite scoundrel.
Of course the down side is this is a five book series, followed by a second five book series. But of course I’ve read these books so many times I can stop reading them at any point in time–I just don’t want to because I’m having to much fun.
If you want an epic fantasy with snappy dialog and a good story, this old favorite is one I can recommend again and again.
Rating: 9/10
Queen of Sorcery (1982)
The cover is coming off my copy of the second book of the Belgariad, Queen of Sorcery. As with the previous book, the spine is bent and the corners are rounded, but like the first book it’s from multiple readings and being carried around and shoved into pockets and backpacks so I could read at spare moments and escape whatever it was that was bothering me.
Garion has now come to terms with the fact that his aunt is Polgara the Sorceress and the man Aunt Pol called Old Wolf is none other than her father, Belgarath the Sorcerer. The are on the trail of the thief Zedar, who has stolen the Orb of Aldur.
As they travel through Arendia, others join their group–an Asturian and a Mimbrate. Although I don’t mind either, they aren’t my favorites. Silk remains my favorite, although his banter with Barak places him in a close third, after, of course, Polgara.
It’s quite interesting to read this book after so much time away. As is the case with many epic fantasies, the place of women in the world is quite often as second to that of men, although considering the time this book was written, I think it does a fairly good job of allowing women participation in governance and decision-making, and it gets better as the series progresses (and coincidentally, the state of women in the real world changed as the series was being written).
We continue to watch Garion grow and mature, and although he lapses into bouts of immaturity at times, as does any teenager, he still remains mostly sensible, even in the face of events. I remain fond of the following passage, for it has always felt very true to me:
The revenge he had wanted so desperately for the past several months was dreadfully complete, but the taste of it was bitter, bitter.
Then his knees buckled and he sank to the earth and wept like a broken-hearted child.
There is so much about this passage (and of course the story that surrounds it) that I absolutely love. Garion must come to terms with his actions, he does not–and cannot–take a life and brush it off lightly. And his moral uncertainty is much needed as his older companions (with one large exception) are able to kill at need and move on without thought to the consequences. I like the humanity we see here, and the recognition that despite everything, the taking of a life is not something to be easily brushed off without consideration.
Rating: 9/10
Magician’s Gambit (1983)
The third book in the Belgariad has never been my favorite. This book starts with Ce’Nedra’s point of view, and I just never really got Ce’Nedra and always found her annoying. Doesn’t mean the book isn’t good, just that I’m not a fan of Ce’Nedra’s or of reading her point of view. Of course the book does switch back to Garion’s point of view, and it is interesting to see Garion from Ce’Nedra’s point of view. But. She is a spoiled brat.
Now Belgrath and Silk have rejoined the group, they’re going to the Vale of Aldur, at Aldur’s request. We also add new characters even as others are left behind. Although it’s not exciting per se, I like watching Garion grow and develop his powers, because that is one thing this series does well: explain how talents and skills are developed. Garion starts out a child with few skills, and through the journey he has learned to read, learned the Drasnian secret language, learned how to fight (still needs some work there), and started down the road to becoming and sorcerer. We get to see him take his first unsuccessful steps, and then see him improve from there.
Yeah, it’s not exciting necessarily, but showing us–even if only in small pieces–how he learns does two things: it shows us the passing of time and it shows us that even gifts must be developed with work.
What is interesting is it seems like the series should be over now: they recovered the Orb, and yes they have to get home, but that was the goal developed in the first book. But there are two books left, so you know more has to happen, and we’ve been given plenty of hints that the world has more in store for Garion even if he doesn’t realize all the implications of what he has to do.
Rating: 8/10
Castle of Wizardry (1984)
The fourth book in David Edding’s Belgariad finds Garion and the rest of the company returning to Riva. Belgarath has collapsed from exhaustion, and events conspire to place Garion in command of the group. We also see him quickly developing his skills with the Will and the World, as well as the result of the work he has done as they have traveled.
Although this is a good book, it’s not one of my favorites, and there are things that bother me about this story, primarily Ce’Nedra. It’s possible she could be more of a brat, but it’s hard to say how. Luckily, she recovers quickly, so you don’t spend too much time being annoyed with her.
I do, however, enjoy Garion and Silk and Belgarath traveling together. As I’ve said before, Silk is one of my favorite characters, and I love his running commentary on everything (especially Drasnia).
Now it’s been a very long time since I read this book for the first time, but most of the events are not going to be much of a surprise to you, but it hardly matters, because it’s Garion’s surprise that is most important. I can easily believe that he did not know what was going on–and why should he have?
The other part I very much like is the time Garion spends with Adara. Garion’s relationship with her is very important, and something I think he desperately needed, especially after having spent so much time in the company of adults.
Yes, it’s the fourth book of a five book series, so there are events that have to happen, but for the most part, they are events I enjoy watching unfold.
Rating: 8/10
Enchanters’ Endgame (1984)
The Belgariad concludes with Enchanters’ Endgame. This is another of my favorite books, primarily because I love Garion and Belgarath and Silk traveling through Gar Og Nadrak. And Silk and Yarblek are perfect partners.
But not only is it fun to see them travel through Gar Og Nadrak, I quite like the Nadraks. The Murgos are quite horrible, and the Thulls are idiots, so it was nice to see at least some of the Angaraks not be completely horrible. And I do like the parallels drawn between the Nadraks and the Drasnians. Silk is one of the best characters in the series, so those parallels do a good deal make the Nadraks seem decent–even though that’s in comparison to their Murgo and Thull brethren.
Although she’s better, I’m still not enamored of Ce’Nedra. Yes, she does learn responsibility, and yes those lessons come at a price, but I still find her annoying. Cute just ain’t all that.
One of the strange things about this book is I’d almost it ended without the Epilogue. Yes, we needed to know all that stuff, but it takes a very strong ending and kinda wanders around and meanders and although it does tie up loose ends, it’s one of the weakest parts of the story. But at least it was made into an Epilogue.
Rating: 9/10
Guardians of the West (1987)
The first book of the Mallorean coversthe years following the events of the final book of the Belgariad. Errand, Polgara and Durnik move into Poledra’s cottage–after Belgarath helps them repair it–and we get to see some of Errand’s youth. Ce’Nedra and Garion have problems (not that this should come as a surprise) and eventually Ce’Nedra has their long awaited first child.
And of course things get difficult. Garion tries to figure out what a passage i the Mrin Codex means, and other more momentous events happen as well.
This is not one of my favorite books in the series. It’s slow moving. Events that take place in Riva are not extraordinary exciting, and there is a lot of Ce’Nedra being both cute and annoying at the same time. However, we are building up to the events that shape the rest of the series, so it’s necessary.
The book does close with a rather memorable siege, something that has always stuck with me.
Mostly though, the book is getting new readers reacquainted with the characters from the first series, and laying down the plot of this series.
Not bad, but as I said, not one of my favorites.
One other thing: who on earth are the people on the cover? Because they don’t resemble any characters from the book as far as I can tell.
Rating: 7/10
King of the Murgos (1988)
Garion and his companions continue to search for Zandramas, who has stole Belgarion’s son.
In the second book they travel again through Nyissa, and meet again with Salmissra, and travel through Cythol Murgos, where they meet King Urgit. I like Urgit–I don’t find him the slightest bit believable, but I like him. As much as I enjoy that part of the story, I have a hard time accepting Urgit as presented. Essentially, it’s fun, but I’m not sure fun makes it right.
I also like the developing relationship between Velvet and Silk. You can see what’s coming, even if Silk doesn’t, and it is amusing.
Ce’Nedra is far more subdued, and you do have to feel sorry for her, especially since she isn’t being annoying.
I like continuing to watch Garion mature. There is a particular scene as they travel through Cythol Murgos that has always stuck with me. Garion’s reaction to the deserters and their treatment of the Murgo farmers is very striking. The first series Garion spends thinking of Murgos as evil and somewhat less than human. Now he spends time in Cythol Murgos and sees Morgos as individuals instead of as a monstrous race.
Rating: 8/10
Demon Lord of Karanda (1988)
The third book of the Mallorean sees Garion and his company traveling through Mallorea. They meet ‘Zakath but even better, they also run into Yarblek and Vella.
That’s the funny thing about this series. As a whole, I don’t like the story nearly as much as I like the first series, the Belgariad. Yet, this series has some of my favorite characters and favorite scenes, so even though the story as a whole isn’t my favorite, these books have far more scenes that stick in my memory than the first series.
Of course there are also scenes I could just as well do without–the trouble Silk, Sadi, and Liselle get into in Mal Zeth has always struck me as faintly ridiculous–and I’m not sure how I feel about Garion allowing Sadi to create havoc unmonitored.
But for the most part, the scenes I love, and the dialog I love, more than make up for the parts of the story I don’t like as well.
Rating: 7/10
Sorceress of Darshiva (1989)
Garion and company are continuing to move through Mallorea, and trying to avoid Urvon and Zandramas while figuring out where they need to go next.
They spend time in Melcenea, where they discover not just where Zandramas has been and what she’s been doing, but also where they need to go next.
And they get to meet back up with Zakath.
Interestingly, although the story is almost all travel and few exciting events (although the conclusion is exciting) it still has some of my favorite quotes.
“…The whole countryside’s one huge park. Even the mountains have been landscaped.”
“That doesn’t seem very practical,” Durnik said disapprovingly.
“The people who live on the estates spent a great deal of money for them, so I guess they can do what they like with the land.”
“It still seems wasteful.”
“Of course it is. That’s what rich people do best–waste things.”
And then there’s my all time favorite quote.
Only an idiot tries to fight a war on two fronts, and only a madman tries to fight one on three.”
In the next to last book of the series, we learn a lot, and they travel far, and there’s lots of fun dialog, but they’re not necessarily exciting events.
But that’s perfectly fine with me.
Rating: 8/10
The Seeress of Kell (1991)
The fifth book of the Mallorean and the tenth book about Belgarion finishes his story. Although David Eddings wrote three more books set in this world, they were books about the past–telling the stories of how Belgarath and Polgara became who they were. This books closes the story on Belgarion and Ce’Nedra.
Interestingly, like the Belgarion, the final chapters are more like an epilogue, and that is, I think, part of the weakness of this series. The last 75 or so pages are rather anti-climatic as David Eddings wraps up almost all of the loose ends. It’s nice to know how things turn out, but as I said, it’s rather anti-climatic in comparison to the events preceding. So you end the book with a good happy feeling, but things have all but completely wound down by that point and it somewhat feels like the author was tidying everything up rather than story telling.
That said, the book and series are still well worth reading. Despite the fact that I don’t find the Mallorean as strong a story as I do the Belgariad, the writing is a bit sharper, the characters are very well developed, and because of that it is very difficult to put the books down–even knowing how things are going to turn out and knowing the events leading up to that result (since I’ve read these books so many times.)
If you have not read the Belgariad and the Mallorean, I highly recommend them. However, recognize that they are epic fantasy, and if you pick up the first book, you’re in for a ten book series.
Rating: 8/10
Books by David Eddings:
The Belgariad Pawn of the Prophecy (1982), Queen of Sorcery (1982), Magician's Gambit (1983), Castle of Wizardry (1984), Enchanter's End Game (1984)
The Malloreon Guardian of the West (1987), King of the Murgos (1988), Demon Lord of Karanda (1988), Sorceress of Darshiva (1989), The Seeress of Kell (1991)
Belgarath the Sorcerer (1995), Polgara the Sorceress (1997) and The Rivan Codex (1998)
The Elenium : The Diamond Throne (1989), The Ruby Knight (1990), The Sapphire Rose (1991)
The Tamuli : Domes of Fire (1992), The Shining Ones (1993), The Hidden City (1994)
I also recommend this Del Rey site for Polgara the Sorceress.
