Eat your heart out Tolkein - Rated 
This book forms part of a terrific series beginning with `Belgareth the Sorcerer'. I don't read much of this genre (fantasy) but like The Hobbit/ Lord of the Rings this will appeal to a large audience.
Following Belgareth the Sorcerer there are two series of 5 books, `The Belgariad' and `The Mallorean' and it is advisable to read them in order, and if you can read `Belgareth' first (although you could save it and read it afterwards like a prequel).
I raced through the series. The Eddings' (the books were written by a couple) create a Tolkein-esque world with our hero Belgareth learning powers known as `the will and the word' through centuries of study under a benevolent God (the gods that created this world still live on it in physical form). This study elevates him to the status of a sorcerer and elongates his life span - he becomes a legend and a force for good in the world. However, another disciple of his benevolent master rebels and steals the holy `Orb' stone, following a more sinister God. In the later series the Gods have left the planet in fear that their battle will destroy the world but their peoples continue to war - following the Prophecies left to them by the Gods. The two series follow the course of events as Belgareth leads the hunt for the traitor and the stone. It's very cleverly written and characters and events reappear as we become familiar with the history of this fictional world through the course of the books.
Really good fun and a definite recommendation if you want a light hearted escape that will keep you reading late into the night.
This is the order of the books:
The Belgariad
1. Pawn of Prophecy
2. Queen of Sorcery
3. Magician's Gambit
4. Castle of Wizardry
5. Enchanters' End Game
The Malloreon
1. Guardians of the West
2. King of the Murgos
3. Demon Lord of Karanda
4. Sorceress of Darshiva
5. The Seeress of Kell
The Best Fantasy books! - Rated
Well i started reading the belgariad series a couple of months ago an ever since i have been hooked on these books so ive just started the mallorean serieds an the 1st book is brilliant and i really understand all the characters! a must read for any fan of david eddings or in fact any one who wants a good book to read!
Eddings writes like a child - Rated 
Look, if you want to read amazing fantasy books, Read David Gemmell, I never even thought about this style of book until I was turned on to them by a friend and after reading (and re-reading)all of Gemmell's back catalogue I turned to Eddings as my next literary conquest...sadly he writes books with all the pinache and skill of a bear thats been struck by lightning, its just poor dialogue a cringeworthy sense of humour which basically consists of 'sly,witty' remarks, the sort of things fools whisper under their breath, along with this is a complete loss of character development. I feel terrible saying this about an old man but then again, its an old man who has become wealthy for writing this sort of bluunder that eases my conscience. As it is, I am back to Gemmell, if anyone else knows of a good stepping-stone from here to another fantasy author please feel free to tell me.
Guardians of the west - Rated
I first started reading David Eddings when I was on holiday in 1990. The book was Pawn of Prophesy. Since then I've read all of his books, including the Mrin Codex! Guardians of the West described for me the importance of sheer loyalty, integrity and love, even though Mandorallan or Silk would cut your heart out soon as look at you and still be polite about it. The battles were graphic enough for you to be totally pulled into the book and the way David and Leigh choreograph all the chapters leaves you reeling in your seat when the book ends. I've read these books four or five times now and they're a treat for me when I start reading them again. Guardians of the West is the book that stands out as the best of them all
GREAT! - Rated
After I read the Belgariad (one of my favorite series) I was really sad that there was no more, but then I discovered the Malloreon and I was so happy! I read this book and the other two after it and so far it has met all my expectations and has definetly lived up to the standard that the Belgariad had before it. I look forward to reading further on in this wonderful series!
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