Castle Of Wizardry

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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

Amazing book from an amazing series. - Rated
Just when you think Eddings has written the best book you've ever read, he gives yet another fantastic read. More plots as the characters rush towards their destinies. I place The Belgariad on my bookshelf with a mixture of pride and awe at Eddings' work.

The FSFH Book Review says: - Rated
Book four of The Belgariad.

This is by far the most mature book in the series so far. It is a coming-of-age story, not only for Garion, but also Ce'Nedra. Both characters are forced to think hard on their changed situations and it's interesting to see how Garion, having been thrust into a position of command, finds himself lonely and confused, not being able to rely on others to make the decisions. Ce'Nedra also grows as a character as she slowly puts aside the spoiled brat that has plagued the other books in the series and takes the reigns of responsibility that go with power.

Eddings continues to capture that sense of myth, using the fulfilment of prophecy to do so, but at the same time, using prophecy to build the tension ahead of the impending war.

As always, Polgara annoys me as a character. She spent all her time talking down to people about their faults and insisting on the necessity of things and then, here she throws a magical hissy fit and trys to stand in the way of necessity. Eddings' real fault is to try and portray her as a wise character.

Castle of Wizardry - Rated
I've enjoyed the Belgariad series. There can be too much of a good thing though. While the story is still entertaining, it is beginning to seem to go on and on.

The Mrin prophecy is still being fulfilled. The orb has now been found again, along with one of Mara's children - Taiba. All the gang has to do now is leave Murgo country without being caught. For some reason the orb is taking a great interest in Garion during this trip. Noone but Errand is allowed to touch the orb (or rather noone dares). The orb tends to disagree with people. Belgarath overextended himself during his fight with Ctuchik, and Garion gets his first taste of leadership. The gang makes it back to Allorn country (barely of course) and Garion and Ce'Nedra discover their futures and how they intertwine.

But Torak is still not defeated and Garion feels compelled by the voice in his head to leave the island of Riva. He takes along Belgarath and Silk, who are only too eager to leave. This leaves Ce'Nedra and Polgara having to find a diversion so none will seek the Overlord of the West where he really is.

The book is good. It just seems that some of these series could have managed without quite as many books. This is one of them.

What can I say? - Rated
David Eddings is the master of modern fantasy. Fear him. Buy this book to save face when 'The Belgariad' replaces the Bible.