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The Belgariad #4-5
The Belgariad Part Two: Castle of Wizardry / Enchanter's End Game
David Eddings’ acclaimed series, The Belgariad, reaches its stunning conclusion in these final two gripping novels. Continue on this magnificent journey and be entranced by a saga of strange lands and peoples, of prophecy and strife set against the background of a seven-thousand-year war of men, Kings, and Gods.
The quest may be nearing its end, but the danger continues. After discovering a shocking secret about himself he never could have imagined—all in pursuit of the legendary Orb—Garion and his fellow adventurers must escape a crumbling enemy fortress and flee across a vast desert filled with ruthless soldiers whose only aim is to destroy them. But even when the quest is complete, Garion’s destiny is far from fulfilled. For the evil God Torak is about to awaken and seek dominion. Somehow, Garion has to face the God, to kill or be killed. On the outcome of this dread duel rests the future of the world. But how can one man destroy an immortal God?
“Fabulous . . . Eddings has a marvelous storyteller style . . . exceedingly well portrayed and complex people. . . . More! More! More!”
—ANNE MCCAFFREY
The quest may be nearing its end, but the danger continues. After discovering a shocking secret about himself he never could have imagined—all in pursuit of the legendary Orb—Garion and his fellow adventurers must escape a crumbling enemy fortress and flee across a vast desert filled with ruthless soldiers whose only aim is to destroy them. But even when the quest is complete, Garion’s destiny is far from fulfilled. For the evil God Torak is about to awaken and seek dominion. Somehow, Garion has to face the God, to kill or be killed. On the outcome of this dread duel rests the future of the world. But how can one man destroy an immortal God?
“Fabulous . . . Eddings has a marvelous storyteller style . . . exceedingly well portrayed and complex people. . . . More! More! More!”
—ANNE MCCAFFREY
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1980
53 people are currently reading
1105 people want to read
About the author
David Eddings
220 books5,544 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 187 reviews
June 12, 2013
Thank gawd it's over.
Now, I don't regret reading this... but I could've spent my time enjoying better literature, that's for sure.
So this is straight YA fantasy, even if it's not marketed as such. Sad thing is, I would've enjoyed this series so much at 12-14 years old. Much older now, I can still like The Belgariad as a light story: tired, drunk, it's still readable (so add a half-star, if it's a main concern for you).
As a LoTR clone, it does an OK job, being easy to read (look at all the 'Tom Swifties' though), easy to understand, easy to follow. But... YAWN! So much bickering and snarky comebacks, you'd think the whole thing is a teenage TV show. Oh wait, it this, somewhat.
At the end, it's so nice and sweet that you really cannot hate it. Like your slightly racist and sexist grandfather who lived through a different Zeitgeist, Eddings will still warm your heart. But you'll wish for some female characters who are more than passive aggressive bitchy control freaks.
The end.
Now, I don't regret reading this... but I could've spent my time enjoying better literature, that's for sure.
So this is straight YA fantasy, even if it's not marketed as such. Sad thing is, I would've enjoyed this series so much at 12-14 years old. Much older now, I can still like The Belgariad as a light story: tired, drunk, it's still readable (so add a half-star, if it's a main concern for you).
As a LoTR clone, it does an OK job, being easy to read (look at all the 'Tom Swifties' though), easy to understand, easy to follow. But... YAWN! So much bickering and snarky comebacks, you'd think the whole thing is a teenage TV show. Oh wait, it this, somewhat.
At the end, it's so nice and sweet that you really cannot hate it. Like your slightly racist and sexist grandfather who lived through a different Zeitgeist, Eddings will still warm your heart. But you'll wish for some female characters who are more than passive aggressive bitchy control freaks.
The end.
November 7, 2016
This is surprisingly different from the first volume. The pacing is a lot more consistent and the story feels stronger. It's definitely an excellent end to the series. These ones are also different because they have a lot more POVs than the first ones. I've never liked Ce'Nedra but it was good to see her finally grow up a bit.
A quick word about the women in this series, though - they're manipulative. For the good of the men, of course. It's really really annoying. Especially since Ce'Nedra is a spoiled little princess who throws tantrums to get her way. And then flashes her "winsome smile" and bats her eyelashes. It's annoying. It's actually done with a great deal of humor but it would have worked so very much better if it had been only one of the female characters.
Despite this annoyance, I actually really love this series. This walk down memory lane was especially satisfying because the books held up to my memory of them. This is some seriously good reading.
A quick word about the women in this series, though - they're manipulative. For the good of the men, of course. It's really really annoying. Especially since Ce'Nedra is a spoiled little princess who throws tantrums to get her way. And then flashes her "winsome smile" and bats her eyelashes. It's annoying. It's actually done with a great deal of humor but it would have worked so very much better if it had been only one of the female characters.
Despite this annoyance, I actually really love this series. This walk down memory lane was especially satisfying because the books held up to my memory of them. This is some seriously good reading.
January 16, 2023
I think I've done a full reread of this series every two years or so since I read it when I was twelve.
It just keeps getting better and better and better.
And yes, I realize there are parts that are super ~problematic, but I'm not going to let that spoil something that I've loved so completely for so long. It's old. It's a little bit racist. The ladies are few and screech a lot. It's too hetero to stand sometimes. But it's also that sort of classic truly Epic fantasy that you don't find so much anymore. The ladies are powerful and strong despite their circumstances. There's a happy ending. They travel the entire world and save it and it's optimistic and humorous and there's not a trace of the obnoxious grim-darkness that's taken over contemporary fantasy.
It's comfort food for me, and that's never going to change. Garion will always be my favorite sunshine boy and Polgara will always be his startlingly powerful Aunt and Belgarath will always be the grumpy grandpa I love too much and Silk will always be the snarky garbage thief I accidentally fell in love with and there is nothing that will ever make me dislike this series. It is forever my favorite and I love it with all my heart.
Even on the fifteenth reread.
It just keeps getting better and better and better.
And yes, I realize there are parts that are super ~problematic, but I'm not going to let that spoil something that I've loved so completely for so long. It's old. It's a little bit racist. The ladies are few and screech a lot. It's too hetero to stand sometimes. But it's also that sort of classic truly Epic fantasy that you don't find so much anymore. The ladies are powerful and strong despite their circumstances. There's a happy ending. They travel the entire world and save it and it's optimistic and humorous and there's not a trace of the obnoxious grim-darkness that's taken over contemporary fantasy.
It's comfort food for me, and that's never going to change. Garion will always be my favorite sunshine boy and Polgara will always be his startlingly powerful Aunt and Belgarath will always be the grumpy grandpa I love too much and Silk will always be the snarky garbage thief I accidentally fell in love with and there is nothing that will ever make me dislike this series. It is forever my favorite and I love it with all my heart.
Even on the fifteenth reread.
June 12, 2017
I don't have much to add to my review on Volume 1 of this series, because I just love it. You have to like a somewhat lighter type of fantasy, though - don't expect a level of fantasy like George Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, because then you will be disappointed. Eddings' books are a nice, easy read that nevertheless have all the elements of a good fantasy series, in my opinion. I love these books. On to the Malloreon.
September 18, 2016
4.5/5
The rich, life-like characters and climatic, very satisfying ending make this a wonderful tale that will live with me forever!
The only thing I'd say is that the books could be abridged a bit, as there's often some excessive information that isn't always relevant throughout all five books.
The rich, life-like characters and climatic, very satisfying ending make this a wonderful tale that will live with me forever!
The only thing I'd say is that the books could be abridged a bit, as there's often some excessive information that isn't always relevant throughout all five books.
May 19, 2020
I really probably should have given this a 1, but I did make it through the entire series and there were a few mildly entertaining parts such as the end.
This series started out as a fairly entertaining, easy read if relatively mindless. The first book was the best of the bunch, the second was exceptionally silly and mostly filler and I didn't like it as much, the third was a little more entertaining than the last. However, the fourth and fifth books really came apart.
To me, whenever it split out beyond the normal party it really went over its head. This series always had cookie-cutter characters who never changed and always said the same things, but you accepted that. When those characters started becoming POVs and all the different races and kingdoms come together it just really is a slog. I wish I could have spent this reading a better novel. At least I never have to read this again. The worst part is that most of the section is there just for a distraction, which one of the characters even acknowledged.
When this story was focused and just an admittedly mindless adventure tale it was entertaining, but when it starts to drift into the weeds... wow just horrendous. It would have been better if these characters had personalities and you actually cared about them, but that wasn't the case here. There were absolutely zero surprises, all of the characters stayed more or less the same and did what you expected, and every race involved are just people that all seem to behave the same exact way. The fact that the author has very dated views on gender roles and a large portion of the new POVs were females who conformed to these roles didn't help. Even the most powerful women ultimately swooned to men.
I didn't mind reading the first three books, and really only finished this to complete the story but I wish I had known how much it would change before I started into this.
This series started out as a fairly entertaining, easy read if relatively mindless. The first book was the best of the bunch, the second was exceptionally silly and mostly filler and I didn't like it as much, the third was a little more entertaining than the last. However, the fourth and fifth books really came apart.
To me, whenever it split out beyond the normal party it really went over its head. This series always had cookie-cutter characters who never changed and always said the same things, but you accepted that. When those characters started becoming POVs and all the different races and kingdoms come together it just really is a slog. I wish I could have spent this reading a better novel. At least I never have to read this again. The worst part is that most of the section is there just for a distraction, which one of the characters even acknowledged.
When this story was focused and just an admittedly mindless adventure tale it was entertaining, but when it starts to drift into the weeds... wow just horrendous. It would have been better if these characters had personalities and you actually cared about them, but that wasn't the case here. There were absolutely zero surprises, all of the characters stayed more or less the same and did what you expected, and every race involved are just people that all seem to behave the same exact way. The fact that the author has very dated views on gender roles and a large portion of the new POVs were females who conformed to these roles didn't help. Even the most powerful women ultimately swooned to men.
I didn't mind reading the first three books, and really only finished this to complete the story but I wish I had known how much it would change before I started into this.
January 28, 2022
A satisfying and epic conclusion to the Belgariad series!
The storyline is fantastic, Eddings has created a lively fantasy adventure, continuing with his dynamic cast of characters and the ultimate showdown of good vs. evil. A master storyteller! The characters have grown and developed so much but still retain their signature flaws that make them lovably imperfect heroes. Silk still remains my ultimate favourite (but it’s a touch choice as I love them all so much). A fantasy series that is full of comfort during every re-read.
Eddings adds a good mixture of fantasy (of epic proportions), wit, adventure, love interests, plenty of action, and stepped in its own mythology and fantastical history. Old-school fantasy at its finest but with modern dialogue and hilarious banter. You can tell this was Edding’s literary baby; the details and thoughts put into this series and beyond (*cough* the Mallorean) are a testament his imagination and writing skills.
Everything was tied up perfectly and the journey completed.
IG Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CXwl_0Phb...
The storyline is fantastic, Eddings has created a lively fantasy adventure, continuing with his dynamic cast of characters and the ultimate showdown of good vs. evil. A master storyteller! The characters have grown and developed so much but still retain their signature flaws that make them lovably imperfect heroes. Silk still remains my ultimate favourite (but it’s a touch choice as I love them all so much). A fantasy series that is full of comfort during every re-read.
Eddings adds a good mixture of fantasy (of epic proportions), wit, adventure, love interests, plenty of action, and stepped in its own mythology and fantastical history. Old-school fantasy at its finest but with modern dialogue and hilarious banter. You can tell this was Edding’s literary baby; the details and thoughts put into this series and beyond (*cough* the Mallorean) are a testament his imagination and writing skills.
Everything was tied up perfectly and the journey completed.
IG Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CXwl_0Phb...
December 13, 2020
Wow, this series was my first fantasy series ever. I've clearly been living in a hole of science, non-fiction, and classics my entire life and this just blew me away. I am in love with these characters it wrapped up very nicely and quite emotionally in the last book. I definitely want to re-read the whole series from beginning to end in one long weekend. I love all the characters but Durnik and Polgara take the cake for me.
December 30, 2021
Better than the first omnibus, but didn’t quite make it onto my favorites list. I give it 3.5/5 stars. Felt episodic and like a travel log at times. Battles felt epic, but I didn’t care enough about the lesser developed kings and queens to really care how it turned out. The best part of the series was the completion of Garion’s character arc and his personal plot which were well done. Mostly entertaining series with some lagging moments. There are a few memorable scenes, but I wish there were more.
April 1, 2015
A really good sequel to the first. I loved the part where (spoiler!) Aunt Pol marries Durnik, especially because in the first book Garion asks Pol, "Why don't you marry Durnik? I think it would be an awfully good idea!" I also enjoy that the author mentions that Marag finally stops crying when Taiba and Relg wed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2019
I so enjoyed these two volumes, truly 5, but broken into 2 books. I haven't read a fantasy saga in a while, so it was refreshing...and this author really had some great flashes of humour with his characterizations. Classic battle between good and evil, but presented in a slightly different way this time.
Some standout parts of the story were a description of a near drowning, where the unlikely young hero of the book is saved by the village blacksmith. Having near drowned a couple of times, it was particularly haunting to read someone else's perspective and wondered if the author had experience, or just was particularly good at imagining it.
I will continue with my new tradition of quoting some parts of the books that I most enjoyed, following:
"Why are the people so unhappy," he (Garion) asked Mister Wolf. "They have a stern and demanding God," Wolf replied. "Which God is that," Garion asked. "Money," Wolf said. "Money's a worse God than Torak himself."
Speaking of a voice that Garion begins to hear in his head, that his grandfather, Wolf, says is The Prophecy, in the tale, Wolf asks him, "What did the one in your head say to to you when you talked together?" "He told me that something had happened a long time ago that wasn't supposed to happen and that I was supposed to fix it."
Regarding the power of sorcery (or, to my mind, any power), and Garion asking his grandfather if the use of the power can be either good or bad, Wolf answers, "By itself it has nothing to do with good or bad.....what you have to decide is whether you should do something, not whether you can do it." and
Regarding the purpose of the universe, as explained by Wolf: "The ultimate purpose of the universe is to create things."
Garion's Aunt Pol when discussing the grief of wolves," What is time to a wolf?" she asked cryptically. The mating of wolves is permanent, and the grief caused by separation is also permanent."
Highly recommended for those who enjoy this genre. Wish I could remember who had suggested it to me so that I knew who to thank.
Some standout parts of the story were a description of a near drowning, where the unlikely young hero of the book is saved by the village blacksmith. Having near drowned a couple of times, it was particularly haunting to read someone else's perspective and wondered if the author had experience, or just was particularly good at imagining it.
I will continue with my new tradition of quoting some parts of the books that I most enjoyed, following:
"Why are the people so unhappy," he (Garion) asked Mister Wolf. "They have a stern and demanding God," Wolf replied. "Which God is that," Garion asked. "Money," Wolf said. "Money's a worse God than Torak himself."
Speaking of a voice that Garion begins to hear in his head, that his grandfather, Wolf, says is The Prophecy, in the tale, Wolf asks him, "What did the one in your head say to to you when you talked together?" "He told me that something had happened a long time ago that wasn't supposed to happen and that I was supposed to fix it."
Regarding the power of sorcery (or, to my mind, any power), and Garion asking his grandfather if the use of the power can be either good or bad, Wolf answers, "By itself it has nothing to do with good or bad.....what you have to decide is whether you should do something, not whether you can do it." and
Regarding the purpose of the universe, as explained by Wolf: "The ultimate purpose of the universe is to create things."
Garion's Aunt Pol when discussing the grief of wolves," What is time to a wolf?" she asked cryptically. The mating of wolves is permanent, and the grief caused by separation is also permanent."
Highly recommended for those who enjoy this genre. Wish I could remember who had suggested it to me so that I knew who to thank.
February 2, 2021
I read this series on the recommendation of a few friends, and wow. I really can't believe I had never heard of it before! Everyone I've since heard discussing it after looking it up has treated it as a classic of the fantasy genre, a staple, a fallback that's on everyone's shelves... and here I was, a lifelong fantasy lover who grew up on Tolkien, who had never even heard of it? Color me shocked!
The way one of my buds described it was, to paraphrase, "every fantasy cliché you can think of—all executed perfectly." And I think that's the best description of The Belgariad that I could possibly come up with. You've got your old wizard mentor, your intrepid young Chosen One, your evil sorcerers, your flighty love interest, a Completely Average guy, a big strong warrior guy, a sneaky spy guy, so on and so forth... Even the nations themselves are each centered on one major quirk/stereotype. The plot is textbook Hero's Journey stuff. It sounds completely stupid and one-dimensional and boring, doesn't it?
And yet.
It took me forever to get through this story due to some life events that interrupted me midway through this volume, but also because the text is long and... Not dense, exactly, not in the way my good buddy Tolkien's is, but it felt like it took me a long time just to get through a few pages. And yet I was never bored reading it, and I immediately got sucked back into the story no matter how long a break I had taken between chapters. It was, to put it simply, a delightful read.
The story has so much heart, and the characters, for all their tropes and clichés and Flanderized quirks, were wonderfully nuanced and developed. I was able to keep track of the huge cast even despite my big breaks between reading sessions, and I was pleasantly surprised by the way a few character arcs resolved. Though it seems rote in many ways, this story felt fresh and exciting. I would say that it has earned its place among the all-time greats, and I'm only sorry that it took me so long to learn of its existence.
September 24, 2018
This book is the last of the Belgariad for me. It's classic fantasy. Classic good versus evil. Love the characters, because they have so much character! It was very entertaining just easy reading that made my mind escape just a little. You see the awesome good in the characters that are good, and you see just how evil creatures can be in the form of the evil god Torak. It so reminds me of our society today here in the good ole US. The evil that I see now coming out of the left and the Democrat party, the hate for Donald Trump, the hate for anything that appears to be conservative, and the staunch support and protection for things that are clearly evil: abortion, LGBT, support for evil cultures, etc. I draw so many parallels. Of course, it's my opinion, but it's also my review.
Loved the series. I think one thing I loved so much is how the author let the wizards age thousands of years old. This is very interesting to see what you do all those years with yourself.
And then it's always so interesting and kind of funny how these fantasy writers try to deal with the the spiritual, how to explain God, how to explain creation, how to explain the concept of morality and where it came from. It's just fiction but I love to read it.
Loved the series. I think one thing I loved so much is how the author let the wizards age thousands of years old. This is very interesting to see what you do all those years with yourself.
And then it's always so interesting and kind of funny how these fantasy writers try to deal with the the spiritual, how to explain God, how to explain creation, how to explain the concept of morality and where it came from. It's just fiction but I love to read it.
September 5, 2020
This is Volume Two of The Belgariad series, which contains books #4 and #5. I previously read Volume One which covers Books #1-3.
I last read this series back when I was a kid, and were the first "serious" books I ever remember reading. I waxed poetic about this in my review of Volume 1, so I'll spare you the repetition.
Overall, it was super enjoyable reading these books again, and I found them just as interesting and engaging as an adult as I did 20+ years ago when I first read them. Oddly, I didn't recall the details of Books 4-5 nearly as well as I did Books 1-3; I'm not sure if that's because I had re-read Books 1-3 as a kid (I don't recall) or perhaps if there was more novelty in the first few.
Anyway, it was great closing out the journey of The Belgariad, and I already have my bookshelf locked-and-loaded with the two-volume set for the sequel series, The Mallorean. I'll be re-reading those in the near future, and it's very likely that I'll come back again sometime in the future to read this whole series again.
I last read this series back when I was a kid, and were the first "serious" books I ever remember reading. I waxed poetic about this in my review of Volume 1, so I'll spare you the repetition.
Overall, it was super enjoyable reading these books again, and I found them just as interesting and engaging as an adult as I did 20+ years ago when I first read them. Oddly, I didn't recall the details of Books 4-5 nearly as well as I did Books 1-3; I'm not sure if that's because I had re-read Books 1-3 as a kid (I don't recall) or perhaps if there was more novelty in the first few.
Anyway, it was great closing out the journey of The Belgariad, and I already have my bookshelf locked-and-loaded with the two-volume set for the sequel series, The Mallorean. I'll be re-reading those in the near future, and it's very likely that I'll come back again sometime in the future to read this whole series again.
March 26, 2018
The final two books of Eddings Belgariad series continues to be exactly what was promised by the first three books. I loved them, but then, I've been itching for a classic sword and sorcery. The world continues to be fascinating. The newly established differences between the will and the word, magic and whatever it is that the lady in the swamp does make for fun diversions. I have a few more serious complaints about these two, though I enjoyed the books intensely. The main issue for more is that I feel like Garion never grew last the "pawn of prophecy" stage. While the idea of Garion being pushed along by the prophecy is fine to some degree, and certainly an interesting theme for the early books, I couldn't help but wish that he had eventually taken more of a personal interest in his fight with Torak. The only other issue is that, while the massive power of the Orb is established multiple times, we never see it used besides I the fight with Torak. It remains on Garion's back for more of less two whole books. For such a macguffin, it is of very little importance to the events of the story.
However, despite these complaints I enjoyed the book. I enjoyed seeing Cenedra come into her own, I enjoyed the trek into Mallorea and I enjoyed the resolution of the Polgara/Durnik situation. If you're looking for classic fantasy, I couldn't recommend the Belgariad more.
However, despite these complaints I enjoyed the book. I enjoyed seeing Cenedra come into her own, I enjoyed the trek into Mallorea and I enjoyed the resolution of the Polgara/Durnik situation. If you're looking for classic fantasy, I couldn't recommend the Belgariad more.
May 11, 2018
I was happy to have read this volume and find out how it ends, but I don't think it was as good as the first. Mostly I grew so annoyed with his portrayal of women being childish and conniving with their main goal being to annoy men and throwing tantrums when they don't get their way.
The portrayal of some of the other characters also felt inconsistent. An example: some who were bloodthirsty in the first volume now were exasperated by others that were wanting to fight.
There is also a fairly big issue regarding race in this book that may have been okay in the past, but really goes against the tide of today's social justice. Each race seems to have an overwhelming flaw that extends to all the people without exception. Stereotyping is common place in this series which could have a negative impact on a younger audience.
The portrayal of some of the other characters also felt inconsistent. An example: some who were bloodthirsty in the first volume now were exasperated by others that were wanting to fight.
There is also a fairly big issue regarding race in this book that may have been okay in the past, but really goes against the tide of today's social justice. Each race seems to have an overwhelming flaw that extends to all the people without exception. Stereotyping is common place in this series which could have a negative impact on a younger audience.
November 26, 2020
Don't waste your time...
The series is a walking simulator with not much fantasy. In addition I feel like everyone treats the main character like their better than him, and the main love story dialog is really odd, lets act like children for 5 books instead of growing up, like I said its odd the direction the author choose for this. All together I had to drag myself through the whole series thinking it would get better, book 4 is the only non walking simulator book that I enjoyed but it goes right back to a walking simulator in book 5 so yeah don't waste your time the series isn't worth the read, litterally death stranding in a book.
The series is a walking simulator with not much fantasy. In addition I feel like everyone treats the main character like their better than him, and the main love story dialog is really odd, lets act like children for 5 books instead of growing up, like I said its odd the direction the author choose for this. All together I had to drag myself through the whole series thinking it would get better, book 4 is the only non walking simulator book that I enjoyed but it goes right back to a walking simulator in book 5 so yeah don't waste your time the series isn't worth the read, litterally death stranding in a book.
November 23, 2023
The Belgriad series continues and concludes with this volume. Unlike its predecessor, I felt like the pacing of this volume was a lot slower; at times I felt like I was sluggishly going through the context, prone to easy distraction. I think my interest peaked again when Garion, Belgarath, and Silk took off on their own journey and later when our main characters reunited for the final battle. After so many pages of being told that the final showdown would be some epic revelation of which prophecy will be the true one, I felt a bit underwhelmed by what actually happened. Aside from its faults, I still enjoyed reading this volume and will continue onwards to the next series in the universe.
July 4, 2024
This is actually book four and five of the Belgariad. If I were to rate them separately, it would be 4.25 stars for book 4 and 3.25 for book 5. Book four is rather exciting with many interesting things happening such as Garion realizing his destiny and achieving it, and Ce’Nedra creating and leading an army.
Book five is all about the slow start to the war and the trek to Torak and it just never seemed to end. Everyone in book five was rather unhappy and so was I after a bit.
Either way, still felt compelled to finish. I will NOT read the second series but I’ve read them plenty over the years so it’s probably okay.
Book five is all about the slow start to the war and the trek to Torak and it just never seemed to end. Everyone in book five was rather unhappy and so was I after a bit.
Either way, still felt compelled to finish. I will NOT read the second series but I’ve read them plenty over the years so it’s probably okay.
August 12, 2024
This book has everything you could possibly want, orbs, glowing swords, earth shattering magic, a big bad undone by his own hubris, divine intervention from a pantheon of gods, a lovable cast of characters. This books had a very satisfying ending that tied up the previous books in a nice bow and set the stage for the next arc. I think what i like about eddings is his confidence in story telling he doesnt over explain. Events happen in a way that make sense in a world where the most powerful can do whatever they can will into existence. The imagery in these books really stuck with me. I love it to marry it.
November 6, 2017
OH MY LORD. This, as of today, is one of my favorite fantasy aeries of all time. Just crazy, the ending was fantastic, it wrapped things up, but didn't really wrap things up, it left several plotlines open for the Mallorean. I just love these characters, they're all so different, flawed and hilarious all at the same time.. Coming out of it, I actually don't have a favorite character, I really liked all of the characters, my opinions on them changed as I went, but wow, this whole series took me almost three months.. I'm definitely starting the Mallorean...
May 24, 2024
Je n'en reviens pas de l'avoir fini en deux jours.
Excellente fin à un excellent début, une saga vraiment majeure et définissante du genre !
Évidemment la fin est cousue de fil blanc, mais il fallait bien poser l'étalon du genre, et c'est toujours agréable dans une longue lecture complexe de savoir, finalement, où on va...
Mention spéciale aux personnages féminins forts et surtout NOMBREUX, aux méchants qui ne sont pas tout noirs, et au "méchants" réhabilités.
Moins une étoile pour la condamnation des auteurs pour maltraitance enfantile, ça a un peu gâche ma lecture.
Excellente fin à un excellent début, une saga vraiment majeure et définissante du genre !
Évidemment la fin est cousue de fil blanc, mais il fallait bien poser l'étalon du genre, et c'est toujours agréable dans une longue lecture complexe de savoir, finalement, où on va...
Mention spéciale aux personnages féminins forts et surtout NOMBREUX, aux méchants qui ne sont pas tout noirs, et au "méchants" réhabilités.
Moins une étoile pour la condamnation des auteurs pour maltraitance enfantile, ça a un peu gâche ma lecture.
November 2, 2017
I loved the first volume as i felt that everything fell into place. This book however just felt like the author was rushed and/or was restricted in telling the story. So much of the book was little encounters that I didn't think progressed the story too much and didn't have a lot of detail to them. Luckily it looks as though the sequel The Malloreon is much better so far. He even mentions at the beginning how he has less restrictions.
July 24, 2020
Overall this was a really enjoyable fantasy series, but I did not think that these last two books were really necessary. I kind of wish the first three had just been a bit longer. While I enjoyed being in this world again, it felt as though the author dragged the story out so he could show the reader the entirety of the world he had created, rather than write only as much as the plot really required.
February 20, 2018
I've read this series at least a dozen times. As I've gotten older I've noticed more and more questionable issues with it (stereotyping, gender and race issues, where the heck are the queer people), but its tropeyness and its familiarity makes it wonderful brain comfort food when I'm sick and tired.
March 6, 2020
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.
A master tale with all the trappings. Well planned and thoroughly enjoyed.
April 24, 2021
It’s a very conventional fantasy story, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. You’ve got your clash of good and evil; and the good guys are good and the bad guys are evil, and there’s not a lot of complication in that. Nevertheless there are wonderful characters, a few twists, and a satisfying story.
March 17, 2023
It was good, but it was written in the 80's and it shows sometimes... Especially when it comes to describing emotions or developing characters. Even though it is understandable considering how old the books are, there are quite a few sexists and fatphobic clichés and remarks that made the reading less enjoyable.
June 20, 2023
The last two books in the series are bittersweet, as it means this fantastical, hilarious, sarcastic, teasing, and intriguing world and its beloved inhabitants' stories are coming to a close. For now at least. Also, we get to see King Belgarion in action! No more never knowing anything! How exciting. The ending is just really well done.
0/5 chili peppers
TEARS. MAJOR TEAR WARNING
0/5 chili peppers
TEARS. MAJOR TEAR WARNING
July 22, 2017
Slow and boring with the dumbest hero in fantasy. Confusing and endless army preparation for a final battle between Garion and Torak that lasts less than one paragraph. Bitchy females seem to be in charge of airhead males. Light, young-adult, reading.
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