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The Malloreon #4
Sorceress of Darshiva
BOOK 4 OF THE MALLOREON, the worldwide bestselling fantasy series by one of the godfathers of the tradition. Discover the epic stories that inspired generations of fantasy writers - from Raymond Feist's The Riftwar Cycle to George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones.
The Dark Destiny will soon become clear...
The Ashabine oracles have been found. They carry a message from the evil god Torak, who Garion once destroyed � one that spells the end of all he thought he knew.
A great battle of demons and men looms. The forces of good must ready themselves for attack from all sides.
A war that is impossible to win � and that they cannot afford to lose
The Dark Destiny will soon become clear...
The Ashabine oracles have been found. They carry a message from the evil god Torak, who Garion once destroyed � one that spells the end of all he thought he knew.
A great battle of demons and men looms. The forces of good must ready themselves for attack from all sides.
A war that is impossible to win � and that they cannot afford to lose
400 pages, Paperback
First published November 9, 1989
148 people are currently reading
5641 people want to read
About the author
David Eddings
220 books5,560 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 385 reviews
April 13, 2018
I find it rather strange that The Belgariad and The Malloreon are my favorite series. I read this series every year [at least] but I still see so many issues in the way women are characterized. But it’s still my favorite series. When I have reading slumps or I’m feeling out of sorts, this is the series that I always turn to. I see it’s faults (characterization, slow pace, repetition, etc) but I still love it. And I recommend it (to people who like old school Fantasy) quite often. So even though a lot of the below are complaints, don’t get it twisted: I LOVE this series and I will be reading it again in 2018 (ooorrrr maybe again in 2017).
With that said, let’s get started!!
Love this quote about Belgarion!
So. Let's talk Nadraks and sexism. Women - all women - are property in Nadrak. The way the authors made this "ok" is that the owners of the women aren't allowed to touch them, they just own them. *rolls eyes* The Nadrak women all carry sharp knives that they use to cut any man who would dare touch her person without permission. And because they're feisty! *rolls eyes* The woman also gets 1/2 of her "sale price" when/if her owner decides to sell her. The typical Nadrak woman does not get married until she's been with the man for some time and (usually) have had at least 1 child by him. Though marriage can happen without children.
But because women are property – sometimes they are required to wear a collar and chain. Need I say more?
You know, I will! Let’s talk the characterization of [basically all] women who are designated antagonists. Starting with this book and Zandramas, the current Child of Dark (she’s the Big Bad):
When Zandramas first became possessed by the Dark Spirit, she
What is with constant association of “bad women” and “sexually active but unmarried?” I have to say it doesn’t pass the smell test.
For another example, we need to look back at book two of this series, The King of the Murgos. The King of the Murgos has another female antagonist, Chabat. Chabat also had sex with her Archpriest - as well as another Grolim priest while performing disgusting rituals. Chabbat was described as once beautiful (she scarred herself for religion) but after her scarring ritual was referred to as “that scar-faced hag.” Chabat was also innately cruel and delighted in blood. Hmmmmmm
And this is just another passing quote about Polgara being an Alorn – even though Belgarath the Sorcerer will negate all of this.
Favorite Quote:
With that said, let’s get started!!
Love this quote about Belgarion!
"There was some turmoil in Katakor, your Majesty - up around Ashaba. It was the sort of thing one might associate with Belgarion - strange lights in the sky, explosions, that sort of thing.
P21
So. Let's talk Nadraks and sexism. Women - all women - are property in Nadrak. The way the authors made this "ok" is that the owners of the women aren't allowed to touch them, they just own them. *rolls eyes* The Nadrak women all carry sharp knives that they use to cut any man who would dare touch her person without permission. And because they're feisty! *rolls eyes* The woman also gets 1/2 of her "sale price" when/if her owner decides to sell her. The typical Nadrak woman does not get married until she's been with the man for some time and (usually) have had at least 1 child by him. Though marriage can happen without children.
But because women are property – sometimes they are required to wear a collar and chain. Need I say more?
You know, I will! Let’s talk the characterization of [basically all] women who are designated antagonists. Starting with this book and Zandramas, the current Child of Dark (she’s the Big Bad):
"Anyway, among his [Naradas] followers there was a young Grolim priestess named Zandramas. She must have been about sixteen then, and very beautiful, I've heard. Naradas reintroduced the old forms of worship, and the altar in the Temple at Hemil ran with blood." He shuddered. "It seems that the young priestess was the most enthusiastic participant in the Grolim rite of sacrifice – either out of an excess of fanaticism, or innate cruelty, or because she knew that this was the best way to attract the eye of the new archpriest. There are rumors that she attracted his eye in other ways as well. She'd unearthed a very obscure passage in the Book of Torak that seem to say that the rite of sacrifice should be performed unclad. They say that Zandramas has a striking figure, and I guess the combination of blood and her nakedness completely inflamed Naradas. I've heard that things used to happen in the sanctum of the Temple during the rite I cannot be described in the presence of ladies."
P115
When Zandramas first became possessed by the Dark Spirit, she
"...reached the edge of the city, she stripped off her clothes and ran naked into the forest."
P115
What is with constant association of “bad women” and “sexually active but unmarried?” I have to say it doesn’t pass the smell test.
For another example, we need to look back at book two of this series, The King of the Murgos. The King of the Murgos has another female antagonist, Chabat. Chabat also had sex with her Archpriest - as well as another Grolim priest while performing disgusting rituals. Chabbat was described as once beautiful (she scarred herself for religion) but after her scarring ritual was referred to as “that scar-faced hag.” Chabat was also innately cruel and delighted in blood. Hmmmmmm
And this is just another passing quote about Polgara being an Alorn – even though Belgarath the Sorcerer will negate all of this.
"Polgara is an Alorn? 'Zakath sounded surprised.
"Use your eyes, man. Her hair's dark, I'll grant you, but her twin sister was as blonde as a wheat field. Look at her cheekbones and her jaw. I rule a kingdom of Alorns and I know what they look like. She and Liselle could be sisters."
P198
Favorite Quote:
I'm very disappointed in you, Kheldar. You're a spy, an assassin, and a thief. You cheat at dice, you counterfeit money, and you're unscrupulous with married women. You swindle your customers outrageously and you soak up ale like a sponge. You're the most corrupt man I've ever known, but you refuse to transport a few harmless little compounds that will make your customers very happy."
"A man has to draw the line somewhere," Silk reply loftily.
-31 Omnibus Edition
March 15, 2018
If you like fantasy, aren't troubled by uncomplicated plots, don't really mind that characterisation is pretty thin, then you will like this book. Most of the characters are annoyingly smug. I think my favourite character of them all is the wolf, who appears towards the end of the book, because her simple understanding of the world about her is a fresh change from the frequent smarmy comments of the other characters. It might sound like I didn't enjoy this book, but I did. This is because I read the book early in the morning, on my way to work, when my brain has barely switched on, and the easy, reasonably predicatable storyline, the magic, the monsters and demons, is just what I need at that time of the day. Along with my cup of coffee.
March 7, 2017
Warming up nicely now. But I still wish Garion had a bit more side to him...
July 18, 2015
As the fourth in the Malloreon series this book sees things get serious, setting up the characters and the story for the finale to come. Here our intrepid crew manage to uncover an undamaged version of the Ashabine Oracles, a vital piece of the puzzle that leads them to the next stage in their quest and the very thing that allows Garion to see the truth behind what he might have to sacrifice to stop Zandramas' plans. As our heroes continue their quest war breaks out amongst the various factions and races that have been stirred up by Zandramas and her henchment as they lead the world to the edge of destruction. While the writing doesn't offer much more than the previous novels, the story and the characters have become warm and familiar making this a joy to read despite its flaws and somewhat predictable events and outcomes. Bring on the epic final book in all its good vs evil glory (as I bet that's exactly what it's going to be).
May 1, 2016
I love the in depth history and geography that Eddings develops here. I could easily picture travelling alongside the characters while they were on their quest. The sense of inevitability was inescapable. The different uses of the will & the world kept me entertained as the increasing intensity of the plot had me glued to the pages.
The characters were a lot of fun too. I truly enjoyed the time I spent with them. I love how each of them stood out on their own, yet really fit together as a group as well. The well-developed accents for each region really serve to bring this world together while also allowing each person to stand out.
This was a very entertaining tale that has me dying for the conclusion of this high intensity tale.
The characters were a lot of fun too. I truly enjoyed the time I spent with them. I love how each of them stood out on their own, yet really fit together as a group as well. The well-developed accents for each region really serve to bring this world together while also allowing each person to stand out.
This was a very entertaining tale that has me dying for the conclusion of this high intensity tale.
January 11, 2022
Fluffy, silly, and fun
The Malloreon books are, let's be honest, not incredibly well written. All the main characters have started to sound the same, they all use the same idioms and expressions, and things got far too well for them. It's like a band of Mary Sues.
I still love this book.
It's fun to read, the events and writing are fun and good enough to be enjoyable. It's not war and peace, but it's still a fun read.
The Malloreon books are, let's be honest, not incredibly well written. All the main characters have started to sound the same, they all use the same idioms and expressions, and things got far too well for them. It's like a band of Mary Sues.
I still love this book.
It's fun to read, the events and writing are fun and good enough to be enjoyable. It's not war and peace, but it's still a fun read.
May 12, 2018
Shortly before the end, in the fourth book in the series, our heroes continue to roam in the war zone, trying to make sense out of the various prophecies to be able to find the place of the final confrontation. Of course this work is not easy at all, but it slowly seems to be getting untagled and they understand what they have to do. In short, there is not much happening and the book is more a preparation for the last one where everything will be decided. In general, however, I feel that the series begins to lose momentum and somehow becomes tedious and repetitive, so fortunately is completed the next book that I'm sure will have more interest.
Λίγο πριν το τέλος, στο τέταρτο βιβλίο της σειράς οι ήρωες μας εξακολουθούν να περιφέρονται στην εμπόλεμη ζώνη προσπαθώντας να βγάλουν άκρη με τις διάφορες προφητείες για να μπορέσουν να βρουν τον τόπο όπου θα γίνει η τελική αναμέτρηση. Φυσικά αυτό το έργο τους δεν είναι καθόλου εύκολο αλλά σιγά σιγά φαίνεται τα πράγματα να ξεμπλέκονται και με καταλαβαίνουν τι ακριβώς πρέπει να κάνουν. Με λίγα λόγια δεν γίνεται και πολλά πράγματα και το βιβλίο είναι περισσότερο μία προετοιμασία για το τελευταίο όπου θα κριθούν και τα πάντα. Γενικότερα, όμως, έχω την αίσθηση ότι η σειρά αρχίζει να χάνει τη δυναμική της και κάπως να γίνεται κουραστική και επαναλαμβανόμενη, οπότε ευτυχώς ολοκληρώνεται στο επόμενο βιβλίο που είμαι σίγουρος ότι θα έχει περισσότερο ενδιαφέρον.
Λίγο πριν το τέλος, στο τέταρτο βιβλίο της σειράς οι ήρωες μας εξακολουθούν να περιφέρονται στην εμπόλεμη ζώνη προσπαθώντας να βγάλουν άκρη με τις διάφορες προφητείες για να μπορέσουν να βρουν τον τόπο όπου θα γίνει η τελική αναμέτρηση. Φυσικά αυτό το έργο τους δεν είναι καθόλου εύκολο αλλά σιγά σιγά φαίνεται τα πράγματα να ξεμπλέκονται και με καταλαβαίνουν τι ακριβώς πρέπει να κάνουν. Με λίγα λόγια δεν γίνεται και πολλά πράγματα και το βιβλίο είναι περισσότερο μία προετοιμασία για το τελευταίο όπου θα κριθούν και τα πάντα. Γενικότερα, όμως, έχω την αίσθηση ότι η σειρά αρχίζει να χάνει τη δυναμική της και κάπως να γίνεται κουραστική και επαναλαμβανόμενη, οπότε ευτυχώς ολοκληρώνεται στο επόμενο βιβλίο που είμαι σίγουρος ότι θα έχει περισσότερο ενδιαφέρον.
July 11, 2014
A fitting lead up to the final book. A lot happens in this book, some of which will be a interesting but pleasant surprise to the reader. Nearing the end of their journey Garion and his friends find themselves in a lot of sticky situations in this book. An enjoyable and exciting read for a book which may be considered the hardest to get right. I can't wait to read the last and final book of the series.
September 4, 2018
Thoughts after a reread a decade later.
There is a lot of travel in this book, much through a war zone. Everyone has plenty of witty dialogue to share & we learn up close more about the Karands & the Melcenes. I love the Melcenes.
We also learn more about the Nadraks as Yarblek, Silk's partner and Vella, Yarblek's woman appear in it more often than others. Queen Porenn of Drasnia spends some time teaching wild & free Vella how to be a lady. I cannot for the life of me figure out how Nadrak society works. Women are property but they are well armed and dangerous property that chooses their owners & gets half the sales price. They dance provocatively, deliberately to make men wild, and then pull knives on the guys. Vella has been abroad in the world since she was 12. So her father sold her as a 12 year old to some guy? Is 12 the age of consent? Was her first owner a wannabe pedophile? (since touching gets you stabbed it has to be just a wannabe) I can kind of, just barely, get my head around the idea of adult women being legally property but actually having complete body autonomy & men just accepting they will get stabbed if they touch where touch isn't wanted. I kind of like the idea of armed women stabbing gropers until as men, as a whole in society, learn to keep their hands to themselves. But I can't make it work with a 12 year old girl.
Between all the bad women being characterized as sexually lax in some way, the whole of Nadrak society, and Polgara's rampant misandry, this book has some rough spots for me.
But just some rough spots. They don't really much diminish my enjoyment in the story but they need to be acknowledged.
There is a lot of travel in this book, much through a war zone. Everyone has plenty of witty dialogue to share & we learn up close more about the Karands & the Melcenes. I love the Melcenes.
We also learn more about the Nadraks as Yarblek, Silk's partner and Vella, Yarblek's woman appear in it more often than others. Queen Porenn of Drasnia spends some time teaching wild & free Vella how to be a lady. I cannot for the life of me figure out how Nadrak society works. Women are property but they are well armed and dangerous property that chooses their owners & gets half the sales price. They dance provocatively, deliberately to make men wild, and then pull knives on the guys. Vella has been abroad in the world since she was 12. So her father sold her as a 12 year old to some guy? Is 12 the age of consent? Was her first owner a wannabe pedophile? (since touching gets you stabbed it has to be just a wannabe) I can kind of, just barely, get my head around the idea of adult women being legally property but actually having complete body autonomy & men just accepting they will get stabbed if they touch where touch isn't wanted. I kind of like the idea of armed women stabbing gropers until as men, as a whole in society, learn to keep their hands to themselves. But I can't make it work with a 12 year old girl.
Between all the bad women being characterized as sexually lax in some way, the whole of Nadrak society, and Polgara's rampant misandry, this book has some rough spots for me.
But just some rough spots. They don't really much diminish my enjoyment in the story but they need to be acknowledged.
August 26, 2024
★★★★
Almost at the end!
Almost at the end!
November 11, 2007
Have I mentioned how nifty it is to have the Main Evil Guy be, in fact, a woman? And not a shriveled old crone of a woman, even?
I didn't know Leigh Eddings died in February of this year. Thank you, Leigh, for making sure we got as many good female characters as males in these series.
I didn't know Leigh Eddings died in February of this year. Thank you, Leigh, for making sure we got as many good female characters as males in these series.
March 25, 2021
April 2020: continuing my reread of The Malloreon.
May 27, 2018
Serinin 4. kitabı. Diğer 3 kitapta olduğu gibi bu kitapta karakterlerin iyi işlenmesi aralarda sürpriz olaylar olması ile kendisini okutturuyor. Bu serinin bir filmi yapılsa ne güzel olurdu diye geçiyor insanın aklından.
April 1, 2023
Again, it's funny how some scenes just stick with you through time. I absolutely remember the scene of Silk swindling the fleeing shopkeeper and them stealing the wrong kind of carriage so clearly. One book to go!!!
July 20, 2019
That was a quick fun reread. First read this upon its release in hardcover.
April 9, 2023
3.5 stars
July 22, 2018
Before starting this review, I read a few plot summaries of this book to refresh my memory (I've since started the fifth book in the series and I didn't want to conflate them) and I also read a few reviews, just to see what some other people thought. These actions confirmed two things for me: First, that there isn't actually all that much plot in these novels and second, that there is a lot of repetition of themes and ideas.
The fourth installment of The Malloreon finds our heroes in the far East, still traveling toward a confrontation between the two destinies. As with previous books in the series, they travel to various locations and have relatively brief encounters with a variety of people, seeking out information. In this case, they travel through the island nation of Melcena, followed by Peldane, Gandahar and eventually Darshiva. They meet up with a sorcerer who is covertly teaching at a college, a drunken Melcene noblewoman, a pig farmer and a former Grolim. In each case, they learn snippets of information that might be useful to them in their eventual confrontation with Zandramas. But for the most part, it feels as if Eddings provides these scenes as a way of doling out exposition to his readers, one small chunk at a time.
Belgarion and his companions continue to travel just days behind Zandramas, the Child of the Dark. There are only brief moments of action and in most cases the resolution of any given conflict, physical or otherwise, is never really in doubt. The most momentous thing to happen in this volume is that Emperor Zakath recaptures the traveling party and must be convinced to let them go. There is also a rather spectacular revelation about Durnik near the very end, although it didn't feel like as big a deal as Eddings seemed to make it out to be. We already knew Durnik was a sorcerer so why shouldn't he also be . I found the reactions of the other characters a little confusing on this score.
It's interesting to consider how popular these books were when they were first written in the 1980's and early 90's. Was this truly the gold standard of the fantasy genre? Terry Brooks' Shannara series is better than this and, depending on your tastes, so are the The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, although the latter probably wouldn't be acceptable for younger readers. My guess is that these books were so immensely successful because they read quickly, were easy to digest and the public was absolutely starved for fantasy content in the wake of the renewed interest in The Lord of the Rings in the late 1970's. Now, we have so many more options for good fantasy - in a wide variety of subgenres - that a mediocre series such as this probably wouldn't past muster and get published. Or if it did, it wouldn't make much of a splash.
My biggest complaint at this time (beyond the fact that the pattern of the books has become extremely repetitive and that nothing much really happens in them) is that there are too many characters and Eddings doesn't really offer us sufficient time with any of them. Although a part of the fellowship, Ce'nedra barely appears in this book. Others, such as Sadi or Toth, get only incidental mentions. And a brief section that takes us back to the lands of the West reminds us that there are a whole slew of other characters who are languishing back there, including Queen Porenn and Barak. I felt that Eddings would have been better off to commit to going deep into the exploration of two or three of these characters and willfully ignoring the rest than trying to remind us that everyone is still there. Instead, this felt like one of those massive superhero movies where everyone's favorite characters are present, but each one gets about 30 seconds of screen time. The characters who get the most attention (Polgara, Belgarath, Belgarion, Silk, Beldin and Durnik) continue to behave in exactly the same ways they always have; there is nothing new here.
I'm eager to wrap this series up, but my hopes are not high for the final volume. These books offer very little suspense and no significant emotional attachment for me; Eddings' seemed focused on episodic action and world-building, however the emotional stakes and character development are thin. But perhaps I will be pleasantly surprised with the finale.
The fourth installment of The Malloreon finds our heroes in the far East, still traveling toward a confrontation between the two destinies. As with previous books in the series, they travel to various locations and have relatively brief encounters with a variety of people, seeking out information. In this case, they travel through the island nation of Melcena, followed by Peldane, Gandahar and eventually Darshiva. They meet up with a sorcerer who is covertly teaching at a college, a drunken Melcene noblewoman, a pig farmer and a former Grolim. In each case, they learn snippets of information that might be useful to them in their eventual confrontation with Zandramas. But for the most part, it feels as if Eddings provides these scenes as a way of doling out exposition to his readers, one small chunk at a time.
Belgarion and his companions continue to travel just days behind Zandramas, the Child of the Dark. There are only brief moments of action and in most cases the resolution of any given conflict, physical or otherwise, is never really in doubt. The most momentous thing to happen in this volume is that Emperor Zakath recaptures the traveling party and must be convinced to let them go. There is also a rather spectacular revelation about Durnik near the very end, although it didn't feel like as big a deal as Eddings seemed to make it out to be. We already knew Durnik was a sorcerer so why shouldn't he also be . I found the reactions of the other characters a little confusing on this score.
It's interesting to consider how popular these books were when they were first written in the 1980's and early 90's. Was this truly the gold standard of the fantasy genre? Terry Brooks' Shannara series is better than this and, depending on your tastes, so are the The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, although the latter probably wouldn't be acceptable for younger readers. My guess is that these books were so immensely successful because they read quickly, were easy to digest and the public was absolutely starved for fantasy content in the wake of the renewed interest in The Lord of the Rings in the late 1970's. Now, we have so many more options for good fantasy - in a wide variety of subgenres - that a mediocre series such as this probably wouldn't past muster and get published. Or if it did, it wouldn't make much of a splash.
My biggest complaint at this time (beyond the fact that the pattern of the books has become extremely repetitive and that nothing much really happens in them) is that there are too many characters and Eddings doesn't really offer us sufficient time with any of them. Although a part of the fellowship, Ce'nedra barely appears in this book. Others, such as Sadi or Toth, get only incidental mentions. And a brief section that takes us back to the lands of the West reminds us that there are a whole slew of other characters who are languishing back there, including Queen Porenn and Barak. I felt that Eddings would have been better off to commit to going deep into the exploration of two or three of these characters and willfully ignoring the rest than trying to remind us that everyone is still there. Instead, this felt like one of those massive superhero movies where everyone's favorite characters are present, but each one gets about 30 seconds of screen time. The characters who get the most attention (Polgara, Belgarath, Belgarion, Silk, Beldin and Durnik) continue to behave in exactly the same ways they always have; there is nothing new here.
I'm eager to wrap this series up, but my hopes are not high for the final volume. These books offer very little suspense and no significant emotional attachment for me; Eddings' seemed focused on episodic action and world-building, however the emotional stakes and character development are thin. But perhaps I will be pleasantly surprised with the finale.
January 11, 2018
Sorceress of Darshiva is the fourth book in The Malloreon by David Eddings. The never ending quest! Trouble and delays seem to plague Garion and the party in their efforts with Zandramas always staying one step ahead. With Demon Lords and enemy forces on one side and agents of Emperor Zakath trying to capture them on the other, the party will need to hurry if they want to make it to the Place Which Is No More in time. Assuming Belgarath can figure out what that phrase means.
This volume is all about setting the stage for the final book. It's not boring and the pacing is decent, just a lot of activity and travel happens in a short time. The constant threat to the world also feels a bit lessened in this book due to the need to rush everyone from one task to the next so the bad guys, while there, aren't quite as menacing as they were in previous installments. This is the book where Durnik gets a chance to shine, which is nice as he's not really had his moment. His major scene is one of my favorites in this series. Also love the addition of the she wolf and her pup. It's too bad they weren't in the series more towards the beginning.
This volume is all about setting the stage for the final book. It's not boring and the pacing is decent, just a lot of activity and travel happens in a short time. The constant threat to the world also feels a bit lessened in this book due to the need to rush everyone from one task to the next so the bad guys, while there, aren't quite as menacing as they were in previous installments. This is the book where Durnik gets a chance to shine, which is nice as he's not really had his moment. His major scene is one of my favorites in this series. Also love the addition of the she wolf and her pup. It's too bad they weren't in the series more towards the beginning.
May 27, 2008
I read the Bellgraid and the Malloreon about 10 years ago now, so my memory isn't up to a synopsis of the series or anything, but I did highly enjoy them then, they still grace my shelves now, and I hope to reread them in the near future.
These books are great for the reader that enjoys fantasy series reading (so if you prefer a one off, try something else). They develop an amazing story and history that kept me engaged. The two series are intimately related/connected. The world is more of a high fantasy setting with magic and prophecies (lighter than Tolkien's writing, but more in depth than Anne McCaffrey's).
I would recommend this book to teens and adult readers of the Harry Potter series, Tolkien fans, and Pern fans.
These books are great for the reader that enjoys fantasy series reading (so if you prefer a one off, try something else). They develop an amazing story and history that kept me engaged. The two series are intimately related/connected. The world is more of a high fantasy setting with magic and prophecies (lighter than Tolkien's writing, but more in depth than Anne McCaffrey's).
I would recommend this book to teens and adult readers of the Harry Potter series, Tolkien fans, and Pern fans.
April 2, 2012
Out of all the battles they had, someone finally got injured! Bruised. For a couple days. And it wasn't even an important character.
Okay, so I find books more interesting when characters have to struggle through injuries every now and then.
Very repetitive. Attacks, storms, lots of traveling, any problems are solved in a chapter or two. It felt like a bunch of miniature episodes of adventure instead of one super-duper long one. Not even a middling sized one. If they had come up against the demons more, or Zandramas's competitors more, then it might have felt more connected. Instead, the main characters managed to avoid a lot of the fighting and hardly got involved.
Okay, so I find books more interesting when characters have to struggle through injuries every now and then.
Very repetitive. Attacks, storms, lots of traveling, any problems are solved in a chapter or two. It felt like a bunch of miniature episodes of adventure instead of one super-duper long one. Not even a middling sized one. If they had come up against the demons more, or Zandramas's competitors more, then it might have felt more connected. Instead, the main characters managed to avoid a lot of the fighting and hardly got involved.
October 29, 2012
Eddings Sagan om Mallorea är ett intressant verk och mot slutet av serien blir det väldigt tydligt att ingen av böckerna står sig speciellt bra för sig själva. Att hela serien är ett verk som ska betraktas och läsas tillsammans är inte ovanligt, men extra tydligt i det här fallet. I takt med att berättelsen knyts ihop och upplösningen nalkas så förklaras också mycket av de händelser och skeenden som byggt upp de tidigare böckerna. Lite oväntat, men det här är en bra bok, och lämnar en spänd förväntan inför upplösningen!
July 19, 2010
I read these books as a kid and they were great then. As I've grown older, I've noticed the detracting factors from the quality of writing to the originality of the story - but my nostalgia wins through. This series - The Mallorean - does not have as many good qualities as the first, but again, nostaglia. This series will always be a classic for me. Will update once I've read them again.
March 5, 2023
There's not much more to say, just another great entry into the series, you all know by now how I feel about these books. I'm reading this in an omnibus and I got so caught up in this one I didn't even realise I was near the end untill I finished it, that should tell you something. I'm kind of sad I only have one more to go...I'll miss reading this series for the first time dearly.
June 3, 2014
The writing style is good, the humor is still there, but the plot is flat. It's just the same old characters, doing the same old things they've been doing for nine books now, and I really don't care that much about them anymore. Entertaining enough to read, but only if you have nothing better to do.
July 22, 2017
Still very much enjoying this five-book series and now look forward to the final denouement in the last of this epic.
For anyone thinking of reading the Malloreon I would suggest you get the whole set, since each book is a continuation of the story and they are more like five parts of the whole, than separate books.
For anyone thinking of reading the Malloreon I would suggest you get the whole set, since each book is a continuation of the story and they are more like five parts of the whole, than separate books.
February 8, 2018
The ongoing challenges facing our Heroes continue to grow in danger and the levels of deceit reach new heights. We meet a new disciple and a new prophet. Things are a changing!
August 13, 2017
The Belgariad and Malloreon are wonderful series that can happily be read and re-read time and time again.
April 8, 2023
Zandramas’ı kovalamaya devam ediyor Garion ve yol arkadaşları.Çünkü Zandramas, Belgarion ile Ce’Nedra’nın oğlu Geran’ı, Sardion taşına ulaşmak ve o güç taşını kötü emeller için kullanıp Geran’ı da bu kötülüğe alet etmek için kullanmak niyetinde.
’Zakath ile tekrar karşılaştılar ve Cyradis adlı kahinenin de öngördüğü gibi o da artık Garion ve yol arkadaşlarına dahil oldu, böylece 12 kişiye tamamlandılar.Bir yandan eski yol arkadaşları olan Barak, Relg, Hettar, Mandorallen, Lelldorin’in de, Garion’lar için bir takım planları var.
Bir başka taraftansa tıpkı Urvon’un Nahaz adlı ifrit beyini çağırması gibi, Zandramas da Mordja adlı bir ifrit beyi çağırdı ve bu ikili Sardion taşına ulaşmak için ifritlerini kullanarak birbirleriyle savaşmaya ant içtiler.Tabi bunlara dahil olarak bir de Agachak tehdidi var.Zandramas, Urvon, Agachak ve Garion ile yol arkadaşları, aynı anda bir yandan Sardion adlı güç taşının, bir yandan da Kell’e gitmenin peşindeler çünkü Cyradis adlı kahine Artık Olmayan Yer’in neresi olduğunu açıklayacak.Bunun sonucunda da Işığın Çocuğu Garion ile Karanlığın Çocuğu Zandramas son kez karşılaşıp, yüzleşecekler.Bakalım bunun sonu ne olacak.
’Zakath ile tekrar karşılaştılar ve Cyradis adlı kahinenin de öngördüğü gibi o da artık Garion ve yol arkadaşlarına dahil oldu, böylece 12 kişiye tamamlandılar.Bir yandan eski yol arkadaşları olan Barak, Relg, Hettar, Mandorallen, Lelldorin’in de, Garion’lar için bir takım planları var.
Bir başka taraftansa tıpkı Urvon’un Nahaz adlı ifrit beyini çağırması gibi, Zandramas da Mordja adlı bir ifrit beyi çağırdı ve bu ikili Sardion taşına ulaşmak için ifritlerini kullanarak birbirleriyle savaşmaya ant içtiler.Tabi bunlara dahil olarak bir de Agachak tehdidi var.Zandramas, Urvon, Agachak ve Garion ile yol arkadaşları, aynı anda bir yandan Sardion adlı güç taşının, bir yandan da Kell’e gitmenin peşindeler çünkü Cyradis adlı kahine Artık Olmayan Yer’in neresi olduğunu açıklayacak.Bunun sonucunda da Işığın Çocuğu Garion ile Karanlığın Çocuğu Zandramas son kez karşılaşıp, yüzleşecekler.Bakalım bunun sonu ne olacak.
February 16, 2021
I don't have much to add to my previous reviews of the Malloreon; Sorceress of Darshiva continues with a similar pace, plot, and characters from where Demon Lord of Karanda left us. The book is still very much character-focused, as the adventure draws closer to its inevitable climax. It's still such a cozy and comfortable read, and I would most likely even read a spinoff story where all these characters take a trip to the DMV. I liked the ending of the book, and it builds up well the anticipation of the final book of the series.
April 9, 2023
Sorceress of Darshiva continued the Mallorean series well, however I do feel like it missed some of the action that the previous novels had. The rise towards the climax has been well written and this book ended leaving me excited to read the final one. Also Durnik’s the man and the ending proved it.
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