David & Leigh Eddings - The Redemption of Althalus
Overview:
Genre: Fantasy
Stars: 3 out of 5
Author's Website: Fantastic Fiction - David Eddings
Published: 2000
My thoughts: A stand alone fantasy novel by David and Leigh Eddings? Will wonders never cease! Ok, so the story is a little familiar, the characters are the same and the jokes are the same jokes that are in all their other fantasy books. Did you notice that? I thought I noticed you noticing. Despite that, it's a good read - entertaining, light-hearted, and it being one volume makes a nice change from the series of five (or ten or thirteen!) books.
The Book:
"The Redemption of Althalus"
The world's greatest thief, Althalus, is hired to steal the Book from the House at the End of the World. Althalus, who doesn't even know what a book is, gamely enters the house, then is trapped there by a talking cat while he learns how to harness the powers of the book - that is, to do magic.
There are three sibling gods who rule the world. Dweia (the fertility goddess) and her brothers Dewois (the creator) and Daeva (the destroyer) are preparing for battle. Dweia enlists Althalus's aid to obtain a knife covered with runes that can be read by his chosen companions, and to fight on the side of good. Althalus, traveling with the cat Emmy, seeks and enlists the help of several unlikely (yet strangely familiar!) accomplices, including a young boy, a priest, a witch, a warrior, and a princess.
David & Leigh Eddings - Regina's Song
Overview:
Genre: Psychological thriller
Stars: 4 out of 5
Includes: mention of Rape
Author's Website: Fantastic Fiction - David Eddings
Published: 2002
My thoughts: I quite enjoyed this book, despite a couple of niggling doubts about the ethicality of several sections and the neatness of a few coincidences. It makes a nice change from the fantasy novels the Eddings couple usually write, and despite a few familiar phrases, I thought the idea was different enough to make for a very interesting novel.
The Book:
"Regina's Song"
Twins Regina and Renata are so identical that even their mother can't tell them apart. They have identical DNA, the hospital lost their footprints, they have their own language and they regularly swap identities - it's so difficult to tell them apart that everyone simply calls both twins "Twinkie". Then tragedy strikes: late one night one of the twins is raped and murdered, leaving the other so traumatised that she turns completely inward, incapable of telling anyone what happened or even which twin she is. After arbitrarily deciding that the remaining twin is Renata, a visit from Mark, a family friend and the twins' surrogate big brother, triggers Renata's memory, and "Twinkie" begins her slow recovery, despite her almost complete amnesia.
Mark, the narrator of the book, helps her return to the real world through campus life in Seattle and the aid of his housemates and Renata's aunt. Renata is plagued by terrible nightmares and mood swings, and Seattle is plagued by a series of grisly homicides. Could there be a connection between Renata's mood-swings and nightmares and the horrific murders? Is there a supernatural explanation?
David Eddings - The Belgariad
Overview:
Genre: Fantasy
Stars: 3 out of 5
Author's Website: Fantastic Fiction - David Eddings
My thoughts: I really enjoyed this series. It's written for a teenage audience, and it has all your typical fantasy novel components: Your young and unknowing hero, the wise and trusted advisor, the magical object, the evil enemy, the dangerous quest, and the trustworthy companions! The books are full of excitement and amusing quips, and keep you entertained throughout the story.
The Books:
"Pawn of Prophecy" - Published 1982
Garion was raised by his Aunt Pol on a small farm in Sendaria owned by a man named Faldor. One day the storyteller, Mr Wolf, came to the farm bearing news of a terrible theft, and Garion, together with his Aunt, Mr Wolf and the smith, Durnik, leave the farm on a dangerous quest to find the stolen object.
"Queen of Sorcery" - Published 1982
Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress, assisted by their many companions, are on the trail of the Orb, a magical jewel stolen by a priest of Torak the Dragon-God. Traveling with them is Garion, a simple farm-boy who is finding himself in the focus of the struggle, and learning that he has more power than he ever dreamed of - or wanted!
"Magician's Gambit" - Published 1983
Ce'Nedra, Imperial Princess of Tolnedra, was confused. Despite everyone knowing that sorcery wasn't real, it seemed that her companions, Belgarath and Polgara, could do things that were seemingly impossible, and even Garion, a farm boy, was learning to do things he shouldn't have been able to do! And now, he was going to a strange tower, to face a powerful, evil magician, and she wouldn't be there to watch over him. She might never see him again...
"Castle of Wizardry" - Published 1984
Now that the Orb has been regained by the forces of good, the quest is nearing its end. Of course, our heros still have to escape the enemy fortress and flee across the desert whilst persued by soldiers and magicians, and somehow make their way to Riva by Erastide! After that, however, Garion is sure that his part in these great events would be finished - but the Prophecy hasn't finished with him yet...
"Enchanter's End Game" - Published 1984
The quest was over. The Orb has been restored, and the Overlord of the West has been crowned. However, the Prophecy remaines unfulfilled - Torak the Dragon God is about to awaken and Garion has to face him! The destiny of the world rests upon the outcome of their duel to the death - but how does a man kill an immortal God? The Princess Ce'Nedra leads the armies of the West in a desperate effort to divert the forces of Torak's followers, while the Prophecy drives Garion and Belgarath towards the final battle.
David Eddings - The Mallorean
Overview:
Genre: Fantasy
Stars: 3 out of 5
Author's Website: Fantastic Fiction - David Eddings
My thoughts: The books in this series are related to the books in "The Belgariad".
I enjoyed the continuation of Garion's story almost as much as the Belgariad. There were some great new characters and the same amusing jokes that keep you entertained throughout the book. Again, the series is written for teenagers, and despite a few repetitions, this series is just as enjoyable as the first.
The Books:
"Guardians of the West" - Published 1985
Three years have passed since Garion slayed the Dragon God, Torak, and married Princess Ce'Nedra. He is slowly learning how to do his duties as husband, father, King, and Overlord of the West. When the Orb warns Garion to "Beware Zandramas!", Garion and his companions come to realise that this is the beginning of a new quest to save the world from great evil.
"King of the Murgos" - Published 1988
Garion, Ce'Nedra, Belgarath, Polgara and Silk continue their quest to recover Garion and Ce'Nedra's infant son, Geran, abducted by the mysterious Zandramas. As they follow the trail of the kidnapper through the swamps of Nyisssa and into the dark kingdom of the Murgos, they form new alliances and struggle to remain hopeful for the return of their son.
"Demon Lord of Karanda" - Published 1988
Garion, Ce'Nedra and their companions have discovered that the infant heir has been kidnapped to be used in a terrible ritual, which will make the dark half of the prophecy supreme. The Emperor of Mallorea, Zakath, has detained the group indefinately, and as they linger, the trail left by Zandramas grows stale.
"Sorceress of Darshiva" - Published 1989
As Garion, Ce'Nedra and their companions continue their desperate serach for Zandramas, the child of dark and abductor of Geran, they travel from Mallorea to the island of Melcena, to Kell, where they must uncover the location of their final destination: The Place Which Is No More. The friends are not alone in their search, however, as the prophecies of Cyradis, the Seeress of Kell, begin to be fulfilled.
"The Seeress of Kell" - Published 1991
In the final stages of their search for Geran and Zandramas, Belgarion the Godslayer sets out with those who must join him: the Eternal Man, the Guide, the Man with Two Lives, the Bearer of the Orb and the Silent Man, and the rest of their companions to The Place Which Is No More, where the final choice between darkness and light must be made. If Zandramas reaches The Place Which Is No More with Geran before them, however, Garion will have to make a terrible choice: Slay his son, or destroy the world...
David Eddings - Belgarath the Sorcerer
Overview:
Genre: Fantasy
Stars: 3 out of 5
Author's Website: Fantastic Fiction - David Eddings
Published: 1995
My thoughts: Prequel to "The Belgariad" and "The Malloreon"
This is a wonderful addition to "The Belgariad" and "The Malloreon". Personally, I would read it after reading the series - I read it first, and whilst it was a great book on its own, I kept waiting for "the event" to happen, and was left a little confused at the end, when nothing did! You also get a lot more out of if when you know who, exactly, he's talking about!
The Book:
"Belgarath the Sorcerer"
In this book, Belgarath, the Eternal Man, the great sorcerer upon whom the fate of the world depends, reveals the history of the world, and the struggle that began before "The Belgariad" and "The Malloreon". After all, he was the only one who was there for it all.
David and Leigh Eddings - Polgara the Sorceress
Overview:
Genre: Fantasy/Horror
Stars: 3 out of 5
Author's Website: Fantastic Fiction - David Eddings
Published: 1997
My thoughts: Prequel to "The Belgariad" and "The Malloreon"
This is a wonderful book, and the female in me loves all the emotion and relationships which have such love, depth and tragedy. This book really fills the gaps in the story and leaves you feeling happy.
The Book:
"Polgara the Sorceress"
Polgara, daughter of Belgarath and Queen of Sorcery, tells her own version of the events that occurred before "The Belgariad" and "The Malloreon" - because, of course, Belgarath missed out an awful lot of important information!
David and Leigh Eddings - The Rivan Codex
Overview:
Genre: Fantasy
Stars: 3 out of 5
Author's Website: Fantastic Fiction - David Eddings
Published: 1998
My thoughts: Companion book to "The Belgariad" and "The Malloreon"
The Rivan Codex is a book which stands in the same relationship to "The Belgariad" and "The Malloreon" as The Silmarillion does to "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit". If you loved the series, it's well worth a read, even if it's only for the highly amusing author comments and footnotes.
The Book:
"The Rivan Codex"
Comprising the ancient texts of "The Belgariad" and "The Malloreon", geography, myths and folktales, peoples, gods, customs, social organisation, political hierarchy, laws, dress, modes of address, produce, culture, flora, fauna, and the background of the races and histories of the Belgariad/Mallorean characters.
David Eddings - The Elenium
Overview:
Genre: Fantasy
Stars: 3 out of 5
Author's Website: Fantastic Fiction - David Eddings
My thoughts: I really enjoyed this series. Again, like most of the Eddings's books, this series was written for teenagers. The characters are familiar and the jokes are amusing, but the world is quite different and the story follows a different path to its conclusion. Plus, I just love Sparhawk ;)
The Books:
"The Diamond Throne" - Published 1989
After a long spell of exile, Sparhawk, Pandion Knight and the Queen's champion, returns to his native land to find it overrun with evil and intrigue, and his young Queen grievously ill. Ehlana lies poisoned, but magically entombed within a block of crystal that preserves her life. Unless a cure can be found within a year, the crystal will fail and she will die. As Sparhawk and his allies (who include Sephrenia, the ageless sorceress, and Flute, the strange and powerful girl-child) seek to save Ehlana and the land, they discover that the evil is even greater and more pervasive than they feared.
"The Ruby Knight" - Published 1990
Ehlana, the young Queen of Elenia, clings to life by a thread, as one by one, the twelve Pandion Knights who help Sephrenia carry the burden of her magical crystal tomb sacrifice their lives to keep their queen from death. There is only one thing powerful enough to save Ehlana: the Bhelliom, an exquisite and magical jewel that has been lost for centuries. Sparhawk and his band of allies must set off on a perilous quest to locate the precious stone, but the evil God Azash has plans for it himself!
"The Sapphire Rose" - Published 1991
Aided by the goddess Aphrael, Sparhawk and his band of companions have recovered the magical jewel Bhelliom from the cave of the dwarfed troll, Ghwerig. Now they have the power to wake and cure Ehlana, but while they were seeking Bhelliom, great forces of evil moved into the power vacuum left behind. The alliance between Otha, degenerate sorcerer-king of the Zemochs, the renegade Pandion Knight Martel, and Annias, traitorous Primate of Cimmura, threatens to overrun all of Eosia. In returning to Cimmura to wake Ehlana, Sparhawk risks delivering the Sapphire Rose into the hands of his enemies, who will use it to give the evil god Azash dominion over the whole world. To stop them, he may need to unleash the full power of the jewel, but no one can predict whether the world itself will survive such an event.
David Eddings - The Tamuli
Overview:
Genre: Fantasy
Stars: 3 out of 5
Author's Website: Fantastic Fiction - David Eddings
My thoughts: The books in this series are related to the books in "The Elenium".
I'm sure everyone will notice the similarities between "The Tamuli" and "The Malloreon" - they do tend to stand out. But again, it's the characters and the sub-stories that make these stories wonderful - Mirtai, Kring, Talen and Kalten are all wonderful characters, and it's for them that I recommend this series.
The Books:
"Domes of Fire" - Published 1992
With Ehlana fully recovered from the poisoning that nearly stole her life, she has married her life-long love, Sparhawk, and is ruling Elenia peacefully - but this is not to last. In the Tamul Empire, unrest is brewing, which threatens the nation's stability. Investigations show that the trouble is clearly of paranormal origin, and the Tamul people look towards the legendary warrior, Sparhawk, for assistance.
"The Shining Ones" - Published 1993
Prince Sparhawk, Queen Ehlana and their daughter, Princess Danae must remain with their retinue of Pandion Knights in the Eastern land of Daresia to assist the beleagured Emperor Sarabian. The rebellion against Sarabian was defeated, but Sarabian's enemies will regroup and plan an attack that will be less easily routed. Trolls, vampires, werewolves, zombies, ghouls and ogres are terrorising the land, but most disturbing of all are reported sightings of Shining Ones - the most fearful creatures of them all. Armed once more with the Bhelliom, Sparhawk defends the rest of the world, but while he does so, he can't protect his beautiful Queen.
"The Hidden City" - Published 1994
The oposite of the Bhelliom, the Klael, has been called forth by King Cyrgon of the Cyrgai, and while Sparhawk is leading armies of Pandion Knights, Atan giants and Trolls in battle, Queen Ehlana is taken hostage by the renegade Styric Zalasta and the madman Scarpa, who are demanding Bhelliom in exchange for the Queen's safe return. Will Sparhawk exchange the world for his wife? The ultimate battle must be fought.
David and Leigh Eddings - The Dreamers
Overview:
Genre: Fantasy
Stars: 1 out of 5
Author's Website: Fantastic Fiction - David Eddings
My thoughts: I was really disappointed by this series. I bought the first, full of excitement, because Hooray! A new Eddings book! But no - it reads like a badly written children's book, the characters are the same characters you've had in every other book, but they aren't anywhere near as engaging or exciting. There's not really any plot line to speak of - Four sleeping gods, teamed with four awake gods, between whom the world is divided, and four books - I'm sure you can see where this is going. I was very disappointed. I bought the second book when it was cheap, and was disappointed with that also, as it was the first book all over again. Maybe if you hadn't read anything else by Eddings you'd enjoy them - but I wouldn't recommend these to anyone over the age of eight. Try the Belgariad, instead.
The Books:
"The Elder Gods" - Published 2003
"The Treasured One" - Published 2004
"The Crystal Gorge" - Published 2005
"The Younger Gods" - Published 2006
The Dreamers are children, who have the power to change the world with their dreams. However, they aren't actually children - they're sleeping gods. There are eight gods that rule the world, and four sleep whilst four are awake for alternating periods of 25,000 years. The time for a switchover is approaching fast, but this is the time when they are vulnerable to destruction by the Lord of the Wasteland, and he is going to do his best to destroy them all...