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 2 series ever! - Rated
These two series, the belgariad and the mallorean are the best series ever, and every person who likes fantsay/sci-fi will love these books, and if they don't they have a poor taste in books.
Belgarion, Silk(my favorite person) and the rest follow Zandramas in this book with many twists and turns. New or undelvoped people are plently full including one of my favourites, Kal Zakath of Mallorea.
Its Eddings stupid .... - Rated 
So here's the deal ... Belgarth, Garion, Polgara et al are very well written in a cosy somewhat moralistic world of excitement and adventure. Its not Tolkien - its warmer and more empathetic than that ... the Belgariad is one of the most wonderful series of books I have ever read and when they were done I rapaciously looked for more. Here is "more" and I can give it no higher praise than it met my desperate need for more of these characters. It is perhaps books 5 - 10 of the Belgariad but you know what? Thats not faint praise ... I would take the Belgariad on my desert island ... if I found the Mallorean there it would delay my search for someone to find me for at least one more week ....
Worst fantasy series ever ? - Rated 
The Mallorean is certainly the worst fantasy series I have ever read. The trouble being that that the plot is driven rigidly by "the prophecy" leaving no room for any element of surprise,mystery or suspense. Most of the main characters have been fully developed in the preceding and superior Belgariad and of the new characters only the King of the Murgos adds any complexity or depth. In short avoid it.
One of their Better books - Rated
The books is one of the authers books. One good thing about it is that the pace is much faster then in "Guardian of the West" which while being a good book was a bot slow. In this book we continue following Belgarion on his quest to find his son and his Kidnapper. in course of this story we meet some old favourits and Some new ones who will become favourites. we also get to find out a lot more about the murgos their culture,etc and a surprise revelation.I woud't spoil it for you so go on and enjoy the book.
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