The Malloreon, Vol. 2: Sorceress of Darshiva / The Seeress of Kell

The Malloreon #4-5

by David Eddings

Here is the epic conclusion of David Eddings’s enthralling series The Malloreon—two magnificent novels in one volume. This monumental fantasy follows the story of two age-old opposing destinies locked in a seven-thousand-year war for control of the world, its gods, and its men. 

Troubles mount as King Garion, Belgarath, and Polgara pursue Zandramas, the Child of Dark, across the known world. The wicked creature has abducted the King’s infant son for sinister purposes. If Garion and his companions cannot reach the Place Which Is No More, as the Seeress of Kell has warned, then Zandramas will use Garion’s son in a rite that will raise the Dark Prophecy to eternal dominion over the universe. Only the Seeress of Kell can reveal the mysterious locale, but first Garion and Polgara must fulfill an ancient prophecy in the mountain fastness of the Seers. Although Kell is closed to Zandramas, her dark magic can forcefully extract the intelligence she needs from one of Garion’s party. Setting traps and dispatching her foul minions, she is determined to claim the world for the Dark Prophecy. But Garion will let nothing stand between himself and his son. . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Young Adult, Adult

528 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2005

About the author

David 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.

Reviews

[Gibson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Finalmente la fine

Fine della Saga, finalmente. Nessun entusiasmo, perché banale di una banalità che incupisce lo spirito e la fantasia.

Le caratterizzazioni dei personaggi sono superficiali e prive di nerbo — nessuna evoluzione rispetto al romanzo iniziale —, la trama gira intorno a se stessa con la scorrevolezza di un fiume ma senza nulla travolgere. L'umorismo che qua e là si intravede risulta spicciolo, senza aggiungere incisività alle vicende, peraltro piatte di suo.
Tempo perso.

[Whitney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why are there four separate instances of old dudes signing up with young hotties on the short side of half their ages? it is TOTALLY NASTY.

Also that is the smuggest (is that a word?) ending I have ever seen to anything. The constant manipulation of every event by higher powers suffocates the narrative and robs it of any power it might have had.

[elaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good! I loved how it continued the story of the first series, and the books that came before it. The ending was really good, even though I'm sad that its over. I have grown so fond of the characters, and I know that this is one of my favorite books. I am going to read the 2 prequels now, because I can't get enough of the series!

[Maddy Lanslots · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's not much I can say about this final book that I haven't said before about its predecessors. I love these books, they are brilliantly written and although at times a bit slow or stereotypical, they are also amusing, at times endearing, and they keep the reader on his/her toes throughout the story. The characters are lovable and the plot is good. This was the third time I have read these books and I noticed that I read them differently every time, which is also partly why they are favourites of mine. I'm glad I read them once again and I still recommend this entire series, consisting of both the Belgariad and the Mallorean, to anyone who likes to read some light, exciting, and fun fantasy - especially when you, like myself, have a thing for quests.

[Nickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so sad to have finished these books for the first time. I have a feeling I'll return to them if I live that long, to re-read some few others that I want to revisit while I am here.

As expected, everything did come to a proper end, with many loose ends tied. As usual, Eddings continues with the very recognizable characterizations of people that we know in real life, and with philosphical and political insights and humour, but in this fantasy world instead of our own.

Highly recommended for fans of this genre, in case it somehow missed your attention when it was new.

Some highlight quotes:

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."

More on the estates, when witnessing fox hunting from afar: "That doesn't really make any sense, Silk," Durnik objected. "If they don't farm, they don't raise chickens. Why are they worried about foxes?" "It makes even less sense in view of the fact that the fox isn't native to these islands. They have to be imported. " "That's ridiculous!" "Of course it is. Rich people are always ridiculous, and their sports are usually exotic -- and often cruel."

Later, in a university setting: "The university officials are very narrow about people from one department pilfering from other people's libraries." "Officials are always narrow." Beldin shrugged. "It's one of the qualifications for the job."

A wolf being thanked for her warning re some inclement weather approaching to the traveling group: "One is a member of your pack now, revered leader," she replied with equal formality. "The well-being of all is the responsibility of all."

Regarding the struggle between The Dark and The Light: "The Dark sought immobile stasis, The Light sought progression."

On coming to having to make a choice: "The choice, he knew, was based not only on careful reasoning but also on deep feelings."

[George Fredricck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This edition compiles the two last books in "The Malloreon" series, "Sorceress of Darshiva" and "The Seeress of Kell". In my opinion, those books are a fitting conclusion to the adventures of Belgarion and his friends, and will leave you eager to read more.

Belgarion, the Child of Light, is still seeking the clues in order to know where to meet Zandramas, the Child of Darkness. Along the way, his former enemy Zakath (the Emperor of Mallorea) and some other unlikely companions will join his cause. Cyradis, the seeress of Kell will also be part of this journey, at the end of which she will have to choose between two new Childs of light and Darkness, in an event that will involve the fate of our friends but also that of the rest of the world.

In my opinion, buying "The Malloreon: volume two" is a great idea, because it is an inexpensive and practical way of getting hold of the last two volumes in "The Malloreon" series. This volume doesn't take up too much space, but contains wonderful adventures that will keep you entertained, and laughing. On the whole, highly recommended :)

Belen Alcat

PS: If you are one of the many fans that already read the series but wants to buy an extra copy of their very well-read books (my case), do it, but don't forget that Eddings also has other excellent series. I specially recommend the Elenium triology.

[Kissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

And so the series comes to a conclusion. While I was concerned at first about the whole "history repeating itself" concept, Eddings did a great job of making the plot of this adventure feel fresh and new. The ever changing relations between characters - good and evil - was captivating and kept me reading to find out what awaited our colorful group. I did get a bit annoyed by the repetitive "I didn't think of that" comments; while it did happen a bit in the previous volumes, it seemed to occur more often in this one to be noticable. The conclusion was satisfying and I felt did a great job of wrapping up things. Overall, this was a great series and I am definitely glad I splurged to purchase all four volumes.

[Jacq.and.the.readstalk · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic final journey and conclusion to this amazing fantasy series! My aunty was the one who introduced me to this series and thank goodness she did! (She knows me so well). Everything is tied up neatly in a satisfied bow. Just after J.R.R. Tolkien would this man, David Eddings, sit. The world-building and characters are top notch. Silk is one of my favourite characters however Kal ‘Zakath really grew on me as his character developed in such a natural way that it didn’t feel forced. Another major win/spoiler is that this great fantasy doesn’t kill off all of your favourite characters! Yay for living!

IG Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CI6b9mzgzgN/

[Larry Ortman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as good as the Belgariad, but still a great read. The story was similar, nothing too original, but I enjoyed it and will definitely read it again.
David Eddings books have a lot of heart, and you really grow to love the characters and their interactions with each other. They become like old friends you hate to let go of when you reach the last page. That to me means more than an original plot.

[Julien V · Rating 1 out of 5]

My main complaint against arch paleoconservative Eddings isn't of an ideological standpoint even though his dated worldview is racist, sexist, etc. What is unforgivable about his writing is that it's so terribly boring. The whole thing is mainly repetitive dialogue where events are explained, not even described. It's predictable, annoying and juvenile. Mind numbing, coma inducing boredom.

[JT Pickering · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started to read this series when it was first published in 1982 by Del Rey. When each subsequent book was released, I started back at the beginning. This has been my habit through the Rivan Codex. Now, I revisit my old friends every few years by reading the entire collection, enjoying every moment.

A master tale with all the trappings. Well planned and thoroughly enjoyed.

[Calle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastical, hilarious, and jam-packed with action and surprising character arcs. Devastated every time to have to say goodbye to these characters! I will say, I absolutely love that David Eddings just couldn't kill off his beloved characters and introduced someone no one cares about to fulfill the prophecy.
0/5 chili peppers
no tears(personally) (but some of you might)

[Rowan Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read fantasy that hits tropes and takes the reader on an exciting adventure across a massive world. Dark moments are balanced with likeable and humorous characters.

Power level is pretty high and can sometimes feel comical in its drawbacks but when you are dealing with high powered threats sometimes the answers have to be a bit wild.

[Ian Mathers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, I think I've mostly said enough here, although I will note that despite the very real problems I had with these upon revisiting them, I was still kind of sad to get to the end and put them aside. Except I didn't have to quite yet, but we'll get to it.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the entire series and I cried when it ended. So glad to have found such an amazing writer that draws you into the stories and makes you feel like you are part of their world.
Wish I would have found his worlds sooner. Can't wait to start on the next series.

[Kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

One's childhood favorites almost invariably end up wanting in some fashion upon later revisitation, but this epic is almost a comfort read to me by this point.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very similar plot structure to the Belgariad but if you like the Belgariad, you'll like this one, probably. The characters visit many new places and the fairy tale ending is very sweet.

[Rhi Marks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the second half of this series more than the first volume. Some of my favorite moments in this series happen in these two books.

[Jeremy Preacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omnibus, standard drill.

Sorceress of Darshiva:

Like Demon King, Sorceress is a little disjointed - it's very episodic, and the episodes don't have a ton of narrative or thematic flow to them. But on the whole I find them more entertaining than the previous volume, and while it's not quite up to King of the Murgos on my fondness scale, some bits - the Senji sidebar, the injured wolf, the last ridiculously dramatic scene - are personal favorites. I do get a little tired of the insufficiently varied random refugee/seaman/peasant exposition vehicles - Eddings can do about two dialects, neither particularly charming, and he uses them way too often. (Also, the one that's explicitly bad-Western Texas is particularly jarring because it's so specific and familiar - it always jerks me entirely out of the story.) And there's just not a ton of narrative tension, because the story is so prophecy-driven - it's very clear that things will work out precisely how they're supposed to work out, and so no incidental danger is actually a threat.

This is also a good place to rant about Vella. Like Taiba in the first series, she's an attractive woman who's aware and in control of her sexuality. She has a bit more personality than Taiba ever did, but she is still explicitly being groomed to be a "reward" for one of the male characters - there's the instant-obsession factor that's frankly creepy and she has no other goals or desires at all. (Other than wanting to be worth a lot of money when she's sold. Because she's a Nadrak woman, and therefore property, but not a slave, really, it's fine... gah.) Plus, just as a bonus irritation, this volume has a detailed sidebar of her feminization - she can't just be a really hot armed badass, she has to wear dresses instead of leather and realize "there's more to being a woman" than she could possibly have known. Despite, you know, being an at least thirty year old widow. Gah. I like Vella a lot - I have a weakness for leather-clad knife-wielding foul-mouthed badasses - and I really wish she could slice her way out of this story and find one where she's taken seriously.

Seeress of Kell:

As with Enchanter's End Game, I like the climax and the leisurely happy ending a lot, and I am much less excited about all the random filler beforehand. The adventure on Perivor in particular was just egregiously pointless - it might have made a decent stand-alone short story, but there's no tension, no mystery, and a whole lot of wasted time. The Poledra reveal should have been more interesting, but it was set up so there was no tension for the reader, so all of the shocked characters just looked rather thick.

I do like the Malloreon somewhat better than the Belgariad - it's denser and aimed a little more carefully at adult readers. But neither series is shooting for a particularly high bar - the writing is understandable but hardly elegant, the plots transparent, the narrative tension nonexistant, and the characters lovable without being all that deep. (And the surface feminism is badly undercut by the core gender-essentialist sexism that pervades the entire work.) And the Malloreon in particular is plagued by what feels like a fundamental lack of plot - there's just not enough to do to fill five books, so Our Heroes have essentially random adventures while on rails towards the final event.
The fact that this is considered a point of worldbuilding is... unconvincing.

So, short version, these are beloved childhood books for me, and I'd consider giving them to an interested ten-year-old who was excited to read Adult Books, but otherwise, these are firmly Nostalgia Only.

[Sebastien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Après avoir suivi les aventures de Garion et ses amis depuis si longtemps, il serait triste d'abandonner :). Surtout que c'était clairement dans les meilleurs roman que j'avais lu jusqu'à maintenant. Donc, un dernier recueille qui contient les deux dernières histoires (bien sur je ne compte pas les auto-biographie de Belgarath et de Polgara ainsi que le Rivan Codex).

Sorceress of Darshiva fait suite à Demon Lord of Kandara et représente le centre de cette histoire, quoi qu'intéressante, est un peu trop prévisible à mon goût. La seul chose qui laisse le 5 étoiles que j'ai mis sur la série entière c'est la qualité avec laquelle l'histoire est conté. Même avec des répétitions, même avec de long passages à vide, même avec certaines longueurs et même avec l'histoire que l'on voit défiler devant nos yeux en sachant ce qui risque d'arriver à court et moyen terme, même avec tout ça j'ai embarqué et j'ai lu jusqu'au bout en me disant que j'étais rassasier.

Dans Seeress of Kell on arrive au bout de l'aventure et les héros devront faire face à la prophétie : Quelqu'un de leur groupe devra mourir s'ils veulent que leur aventure soit un succès. Bien que j'avais deviner ce qui se passerait à ce sujet, ce bout d'histoire a bien été traité et ne m'a pas laissé froid. Après avoir fini l'aventure, les auteur m'ont fait le bonheur de me donner une finale bien écrite et bien décrite. Ça ne fini pas sur un "ils sont heureux" et puis fin. On apprend ce qui arrive et on se fait laisser sur une belle note.

Donc l'histoire ce fini là et quand ça fini j'étais prêt à passer à autre chose. J'ai été incroyablement satisfait et je recommande cette série ainsi que la première à tout le monde. Vous ne serai pas déçu, si vous l'êtes dite le moi et je trouverai quelqu'un pour vous acheter le livre, c'est facile car cette histoire est et restera un classique que les gens du future pourront déguster encore et encore.

N.B.: Advenant que vous en vouliez plus vous pouvez toujours lire Belgarath et Polgara qui sont des suite et préquels en même temps (10% suite et 90% préquels). Je ne les ai pas encore lu mais j'ai entendu dire que s'était aussi bon que le reste. Pour ma part je vais les lire quand je voudrai lire pour la deuxième fois cette série ;).

[Roxane Lapa · Rating 5 out of 5]

GENRE: High Fantasy
SERIES: This review is for all 5 books The Mallorean series.
PERSPECTIVE: Third Person

BASIC SYNOPSIS
The series picks up where The Belgariad left off, so the world and the characters, the monsters, demons, and gods, and even the end quest is familiar, but this isn't just a rehash. Predictably, the characters spend more time on the Mallorean continent in this series and we get to know those areas and rulers better. There are certain ideas planted in the Belgariad that take fruit in this book, and makes the whole story feel more complete. There are also some new compelling character's that make this series feel fresh.

MY THOUGHTS
I recently reread this masterpiece and I still feel it's even better than the Belgariad. Polgara and Silk are on form, but we are also blessed with Velvet and Sadi, two more amazing characters. My only gripe is Ce'Nedra is even more annoying in this series than the previous one, and Feldegast's accent is super irritating. Even they could not bring this series down. Very satisfying ending with no loose ends.

[Mike McAdam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book (series). It came recommended to me by a friend. Let's just say the author was a HUGE fan of Lord of the Rings. There are tons of similarities. I went for 4 stars instead of 5 because the books became progressively long-winded and could have been edited down a little. There were a few scenes I read and thought "What was the point of this scene?" Sometimes there wasn't one. The series leads up to a climactic event that happened 70 pages before the book was over. It took way too long to wind down at the end. One other nitpicky thing that bugged me was about the main couple. They are supposed to be young but they talked to each other like they were ancient. "Come sit by the fire, dear." I realize this is a different world and all but the young leads didn't feel young at all. And all of that is beside the point. This book and the whole series was a lot of fun.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This concludes the entire Belgariad/Malloreon epic (unless you plan on following it up with the prequels- which I do). As stated in my Volume 1 review, The Malloreon is a bit of a rehash - but still a pleasant one. This secondary series is also a little more on the “campy” side. If, however, you love these characters and this world then it’s still time well spent and a tidy conclusion for both series.

It also contains the best insult in all of fantasy literature:

“Mandorallen turned back toward the insolently sneering baron. ‘My Lord,’ the great knight said distantly, ‘I find thy face apelike and thy form misshapen. Thy beard, moreover, is an offense against decency, resembling more closely the scabrous fur which doth decorate the hinder portion of a mongrel dog than a proper adornment for a human face. Is it possible that thy mother, seized by some wild lechery, did dally at some time past with a randy goat?’”

[Berry Muhl · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Same review as for Vol. 1.)

Everything I said about the Belgariad applies here. The story is more complex, although it follows a similar outline (a fact which is addressed in-story, by way of pointing out how the Prophecies cause events to repeat until the future can resume). The characters are as rich, and their interactions as witty, as before (although some of the repeated jokes do become a mite tedious after the 20th iteration). We get much less King Rhodar here, so Prince "Silk" Kheldar takes up the slack in the comic-relief department. Eddings' style becomes a bit more gory in this series, and romance becomes more outre, marking this as a somewhat more adult-oriented pentology.

[Veronique Auger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is different than what I would normally read seeing as it's an "adventure/fantasy" story. I would say it`s a mix between Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings and I loved it. A friend suggested it and although I was hesitant, I read it. I'm not sure it's for everyone and perhaps it's geared towards adolescents but it is interesting nonetheless.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Mallorean Series (5 books) follows the same characters in the Belgariad series, one of my all time favorites. While this series is fun to read, it is basically a 'remake' of the previous series. Events are so similar that even the characters notice it. This is explained in the series, but can be somewhat monotonous. Still, I enjoyed reading them.

[Spazfungus · Rating 2 out of 5]

The final conflict resolution felt a little too contrived, drawn out, and anti-climactic. Read this if you just want to know how the story ends (and if you like smart-mouthed oily eunuchs) Don't read if you dislike annoying child-like queens, flaky seeresses, all powerful but ineffective magic wielding sorceresses.

[Hank · Rating 4 out of 5]

A favorite of mine as a child, with characters of perhaps a stereotypical sort, but well-written and enjoyable in the end. Plenty of magic, mayhem, plots, and characters, these books whet my appetite for fantasy.

[Callandor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok...finally reading the last book. Should be the last time I'll read this series...

Edit: Done, a good read, it wraps things up nicely. Good for beginners to the fantasy genre, but gets old quickly.

[Johnny Feng · Rating 4 out of 5]

What began in Belgariad finally draws to a close in Mallorean. The time has come for the last battle between the two entities. This is the event that has been foretold in all the prophecies, when the one who shall rule over all will be revealed once and for all.