Magician’s Gambit

Magician’s Gambit (1983) David Eddings

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

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