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Summary: Classic Fantasy
Review: This was not deep or boring but good light reading. This is ENTERTAINMENT, not meant to make us think to much. That is why I think it is good. It has all the classical fantasy elements, including a lot of scorcery. If you like books that help releive stress and can take you away from the world for a brief moment then this is the book for you.
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Summary: a worthy addition to the epic fantasy for DUMMIES series...
Review: I read this series fifteen years ago as I remember, and it was passable then while I was still a teenager. I have come to the unfortunate realization that this is a perfect example of the mass market, popular fantasy material that has weakened this genre as a viable literary style. Novels like this are akin to Hollywood's horrid attempts at fantasy movie making.(do dragonheart, highlander, or 13th warrior ring a bell?) I know it is a tired lament, but why do so many authors fall so short of Tolkien? Today there are a few great authors writing fantasy, but they can be counted on one hand. A great fantasy novel doesn't necessarily have to be Pulitzer Prize material, but it does need something unique to set it apart, not just another rehash of the acorn that becomes the oak. Moorcock's Eternal Champion, Zelazny's Amber, Donaldson's Thomas Covenant are perfect examples of works that may never be considered great pieces of literature, but are very unique and contribute to the pantheon of great fantasy. These novels all have believable characters in unbelievable settings. Characters with weaknesses to balance their strengths and keep them interesting. Do yourself a favor and avoid this series and others by Eddings. Pick up Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin (I think I'm going to add R.R. as my middle initials, it seems connected to excellence in fantasy writing), or go back and read the previously mentioned novels by Moorcock, Zelazny, or Donaldson. Don't waste your time with this one, you deserve better.
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Summary: The Best Series Ever!
Review: I loved this series and could not put them down! If you like medieval, fantasy books you will love this series too! The story is about a boy who comes into sorcery powers and has to learn how to deal. His Aunt, 'mister wolf,' and a slue of other wonderful characters lead him down a road of trials while Garion asks "WHY ME! " I'm not the best writer in the world but I have to say READ IT! I never liked fantasies before because I thought them very fake but these series made me want to read more!
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Summary: What can i say
Review: David Eddings' books are just the thing for those cold winter evenings. You never know when you might run out of kindling. Some people might suggest you read them but unless you want put to sleep by the most tedious nonsense ever written I would avoid it. i found the plot slow and unoriginal and the characters were practically identical. If you want a proper fantasy story Eddings wasn't too bad in the Elenium although I'd go for Ursula LeGuin myself who is capable of getting to the point in a story instead of making 1 page worth of plot last a chapter.
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Summary: You know that scene in Wayne's World...
Review: ...The one where Wayne, having just learned a bit of Cantonese, has a very lengthy and diverse conversation in that language with Cassandra? It was funny in the movie because it was so ridiculous that someone "just learning" could have such an extensive vocabulary.
Well, that's what Eddings does here, only he tries to pass it off as something within the realm of possibility. As a famous comedian says, I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but the main character, Garion, is learning the secret hand gesture language of spies from the thief they travel with. Only after a couple days of learning, they have a lengthy conversation at a dinner table, using words no secret sign language should have, such as names. And the whole time, we the readers are expected to believe this conversation is so subtle that most people wouldn't notice it. I was picturing the two conversants standing on the chairs, wiggling their noses at each other, belching, pulling hair... it would be the only way they could get the kind of variation needed for the vocabulary this secret language possesses.
Anyway. The series was cute, but not great. I had a number of complaints throughout, such as the predictability of the plot, the cookie-cutter characters... I did read the whole Belgariad, because it was light enough and fast-paced enough that I could knock out a book every other day or so. But it just seemed too much like everyone had the same personality and sense of humor, and it was always the same joke being made on Garion.
Teens should like it. If you haven't read that much fantasy already, by all means, this is decent enough to get your feet wet in the genre. If you prefer something with a little more substance and creativity, then avoid this one.
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Summary: First Book of Amazing Series
Review: This is the first of many books in the series. This book brings the charecters to life and really gets you hooked on the series.
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Summary: Pawn of Phrophecy
Review: This book is incredible, it's exciting, full of adventure, and incredibly well written. The tale of Garion, Polgara, Belgarath, and the rest of their friends had me spellbound, I absolutely couldn't put the book down. I recommend this book to every one and anyone!A+
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Summary: A riveting read.
Review: This is merely the beginning of a wild and fantastic series of books (I mean BOTH the Belgariad and it's successor, the Malloreon). This is definitely a must read for fantasy buffs, as the characters will simply come to life. Eddings has done a masterful job in this book, and the entire Belgariad/Malloreon series as a whole. If you think you know about how magic works after reading OTHER series of novels, Eddings gives you a fierce reality/fantasy check... and it's a refreshing one as well.A caveat if I may... if you read this novel, you WILL be reading the whole series eventually. There is simply no escaping it.
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Summary: I loved these books when I first read them
Review: These books are a lot of fun to read. They are clearly written for the most part and the author doesn't wander off too much. When I read them in high school, they were the best I had ever read, but looking back, I see many flaws. No matter, as pure escapism, they have everything most fantasy readers want, fast paced action, likeable heros and a lot at stake (the entire world in fact). I like to compare them to Raymond Feist's "Rift War Saga", they came out at the same time, and fit the ideas that I quoted in the last paragraph. Definately worth looking at if you're a fantasy reader.
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Summary: Start with this book... then read the series!
Review: This series of books are literally the best fantasy novels I have ever read. No kidding! The main characters are very well developed and it is so easy to follow along with them in the story, root for them, worry with them, laugh with them, love them. The use of magic and descriptions of the powers and limitations of magic make it seem all more plausible and real. You will want to read the rest of the books in the Belgariad series and then read the Mallorean, which is a sequel series to this series. My only criticism is that the overall plot of the Mallorean stems from the reoping of something that seemed to have been concluded in the first series, the Belgariad. However, this is a small flaw and can easily be forgiven after experiencing the true joy of spending time with these characters. Pay particular attention to the relationship between Aunt Pol, Garion and the story teller at the beginning of the series. Be sure to look at the maps included with the books. Be familiar with the layout of the countries and land masses. They all come into play as Garion travels around the world in the series. This is definitely a series to purchase. The characters make this series worth reading over and over. I've read both series twice, and plan to continue to read them every couple of years for a long time. Even if you are not that interested in fantasy you will be when you are finished with "The Pawn of Prophecy." A HIGHLY recommended series. Happy reading!
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