Enchanters' End Game (The Belgariad, #5)

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Enchanters' End Game (The Belgariad #5)

4.14 of 5 stars 4.14 · rating details · 37,565 ratings · 312 reviews

THE DRIVE OF PROPHECY

The quest was over. The Orb of Aldur was restored. And once again, with the crowning of Garion, there was a descendant of Riva Iron-grip to rule as Overlord of the West.

But the Prophecy was unfulfilled. In the east, the evil God Torak was about to awaken and seek dominion. Somehow, Garion had to face the God, to kill or be killed. On the outcome of tha...more

Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages

Published August 12th 1986 by Del Rey (first published 1984)

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May 29, 2007 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: young adults, fantasy lovers

Shelves: fantasy-and-scifi, fiction

I will let my review of this book speak for all of the Eddings books that I have read, which include four series of books (Belgariad, Mallorean, the Elenium and the Tamuli). I discovered these books in the seventh grade, and as a testament to how much I loved them: not only I, but all of my friends and I ripped through all four of these series over the course of six months to a year, sharing books and working out arrangements of who would buy the next one. I remember sitting around in a circle a...more I will let my review of this book speak for all of the Eddings books that I have read, which include four series of books (Belgariad, Mallorean, the Elenium and the Tamuli). I discovered these books in the seventh grade, and as a testament to how much I loved them: not only I, but all of my friends and I ripped through all four of these series over the course of six months to a year, sharing books and working out arrangements of who would buy the next one. I remember sitting around in a circle after tests waiting for others to be done where someone would finish a book in the series, and simply reach over and take the next one from the girl next to her who had just finished that one and so on down the chain. These were the books that got me into epic fantasy.

These are simplistic stories, and many of the characters are quite similiar. I had my disillusionment with the author when he started to create a whole new series with characters whose names were simply changed and plots that weren't even /trying/ to be disguised as different from these best sellers. It is very good vs. evil, with only a few shades of grey in between, and the characters are at most two dimensional. It's quick and fun and enjoyable, and has no pretenses to being anything but a good story.

But. It is also witty and bright, and for a book series geared towards adolescents, does not simplify its writing style for them either in word choice or in some of the subjects that it deals with. For at least these four series, Eddings seems endlessly inventive and comes up with good jokes to last out nearly twenty books. Even the old ones that come back are usually funny as sort of an in-joke for people who have read the rest of them.

It is what it is, and it obviously doesn't hold up as well as it used to when I was 12 and very impressed with myself for understanding it all. But I'd still recommend it for some fun.

Note: The rating given is for the series over all. However, The Elenium and Tamuli are a little more mature, and the characters are better, and those are both four star worthy series.(less)

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Jun 24, 2008 Ryan rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 13, 2011 Peter added it · review of another edition

A tantalising end to the series...: Enchanter's End Game nicely ends The Belgariad series leaving the discerning reader with plenty of questions......well written, with as much action, drama, tears and laughter as any decent epic needs, this book brings to an end the quest for the Orb of Aldur with lots of sword and sorcery shenanigans and wonderful characters such as Silk and Barak who you know could never really exist (and if they did, they'd be incredibly irritating!) but without whom, these...more

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Dec 17, 2008 Kurtbg rated it 3 of 5 stars

Here ends the Belgariad by David Eddings. What is it?
A fantasy series about righting a world where a god went mad with jealousy over a bauble his older brother created. Well, as all younger brothers are (except mine) he steals the bauble and tries to use it to rule the world. The Bauble strikes back! It maims the insecure god and puts him into a sleep until... enter the one human born to deal with him... he's the son of... no, silly, not a god, but of a line of magicians who serve a god. Well, t...more

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Feb 23, 2013 C.E. Murphy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Turns out ENCHANTERS' END GAME has all kinds of POVs in it, mostly, in fact, of women. Well, no, not mostly: mostly it's Garion. But every other POV is a female, because Eddings dips in around the West and visits the queens who are holding the thrones while their husbands are off fighting the big war.

Re-reading as an adult, I found that interesting for two reasons: one, it means every POV in the Belgariad that is not Garion's is female, which--from the adult perspective--is fairly awesome. One...more Turns out ENCHANTERS' END GAME has all kinds of POVs in it, mostly, in fact, of women. Well, no, not mostly: mostly it's Garion. But every other POV is a female, because Eddings dips in around the West and visits the queens who are holding the thrones while their husbands are off fighting the big war.

Re-reading as an adult, I found that interesting for two reasons: one, it means every POV in the Belgariad that is not Garion's is female, which--from the adult perspective--is fairly awesome. One wonders if that was his wife Leigh's (whose name went on the much later Eddings books) doing, or if--well, honestly, it does simply make the most sense. Ce'Nedra's a fairly obvious viewpoint character, since she's the most important of them whose storyline doesn't follow the same physical path as Garion's, and the kings' activities can be related through her gaze, since she's with them. The queens, however, are entirely out of either Garion or Ce'Nedra's line of sight, and they're doing important things, so bringing them in as viewpoint characters makes sense.

Two, it means that Eddings presented a totally different series of points of view in the final book, which is, like, Not Allowed. Readers have certain expectations, dammit! You can't go around messing with them! ...except apparently you can. So that's kind of cool from a writer's POV, 'cause hey, look, perhaps one can get away with that kind of thing.

I also realized on this re-read that although my youthful perception was that this story was done, upon reflection it's clear Eddings never intended The Belgariad to be the whole story. He always intended The Malloreon to follow it. All the threads are in place, and while I, like many others, might object to the fact that he wrote the same story again (and again, and again; Eddings is an excellent demonstration of Robin McKinley's theory that perhaps at the heart of it we all only have one story to tell), there is the fact that he wrote that same story many times to huge success. His books, and that story, with its faintly different trappings, were and are immensely popular. There may be a lesson there, for those of us who do this for a living.

Lastly, my reaction to the whole series is: my goodness, those are straight-forward books. I'd forgotten how much of them is about Collecting Each Token (a character from each race), Visiting Each King, etc. There's nothing really devious about any of it, though this is not meant as a slight: I spent a little while imagining these books as written today, GRRM-style, and while you could *do* it...

...well, you wouldn't have the Belgariad when you were done, and that would be a shame, because despite their flaws, these are still entertaining, delightful reads that I would not hesitate to recommend to any fantasy reader. (less)

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Feb 19, 2013 Slobodan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

ENCHANTER’S END GAME brings THE BELGARIAD saga to an end. I remember this series being much more enjoyable when I first read it as a teenager. The reason being that now after reading this final edition, I, found it somewhat naïve. What I mean by that is at times I felt like there wasn't enough depth and structure. It all plays out too quickly and by happenstance. Here is a great prophecy that the whole UNIVERSE is depending on and it is settled in a few swings of swords and the rebuke by Belgari...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Patrick rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-not-ya

Meh. I like many of the characters, but they do the same things in the same way for 5 books and it just wore on me. Many things were resolved too easily, and some were not resolved at all except in a sentence. e.g. Barak's been freaking out about his bear possession for 5 books and it's resolved in one sentence in a flashback saying now he's dealt with it.

Ce'Nedra was apparently supposed to show maturity and growth, but I think she showed very little progression. It's hard to root for this obno...more

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Jul 11, 2012 David Sarkies rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

This is the final book in the Belgariad series and some people seem to suggest that while it ties the who series up nicely apparently it still leaves some questions unanswered. Honestly, the only question that was left unanswered when I finished it was 'what happens next?' and honestly, that is one of those questions that are left unanswered at the end of most books and movies (though not all of them because some do look out to the future and paint a rough picture of where the heroes go). In a...more This is the final book in the Belgariad series and some people seem to suggest that while it ties the who series up nicely apparently it still leaves some questions unanswered. Honestly, the only question that was left unanswered when I finished it was 'what happens next?' and honestly, that is one of those questions that are left unanswered at the end of most books and movies (though not all of them because some do look out to the future and paint a rough picture of where the heroes go). In a way, to me, living happily ever after never really does it for me because it is simply unrealistic. For instance once Germany was defeated in World War II and the countries of Western Europe liberated, the world did not live happily ever after.
Anyway, Garion had become the over king, though a quick glance at the blurb of this book suggests that the name of the original king was Riva Iron-Grip. Hardly a name to inspire peace and justice. Rather he seems to be more like a tyrannical king that does not like to have his authority challenged and that his say is final, and beware those who will disagree with him. I know that Aragon in Lord of the Rings also takes the mantle of kingship at the conclusion of the novels, but there seems to be always this struggle between the ideal of what a king should be (as outline in the bible) and what a king really is (surprise, surprise, also outlined in the bible). I guess a part of us desires a good king that will stand for justice and mercy, and also protect us from dangers that may arise.
I am not sure whether the big battle was in this book or the last one, but I do know that the conclusion of this story resulted in the small party of adventurers clambering across a 'bridge' of rocks that joined the two continents to confront the evil god Torak. It was also suggested that the location where Garion was to fight (and hopefully defeat) Torak was the only part of the world where a god could stand. So, my question is, if Torak could only stand in this one spot, why was he so terrifying. Also, would it not be the case that as a god in the heavens he would have more power and influence than he would be trapped in a body of flesh. This is the argument for Christ's assenscion after his resurrection for as long as he was on Earth he was limited by his body, but in heaven he would be omnipresent.
I'm not really suggesting that the idea was silly, it was a long time since I read this book and I have no intention of really reading it again. However it is a story for teenagers and young adults, and it is simply pulp fantasy. That is what Lord of the Rings appears to be, though there is a lot in that particular story that is of interest, such as the idea of little people being able to do big things, the value of friendship, and how power corrupts. While the Belgariad has similar themes, they do not really shine as much as Tolkien does in that regard, and in the end it appears to be little more than a cheap imitation.(less)

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Jun 25, 2012 Harold Ogle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fun-characters, magic

The culmination of the Belgariad pentalogy, Eddings wraps up his high fantasy series in a satisfying conclusion, and manages to even surprise a bit with the details of the ending. Not the outcome, of course - Good triumphs over Evil - but how we arrive at that resolution is interesting.

It's hard for me to review this book separately from the books which preceded it; though they were published separately, each book's narrative feeds into the next without any break, so they almost could be read ba...more

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Oct 11, 2011 Phleghm rated it 3 of 5 stars

And so this journey cometh to an end.

I have come to realize what the greatest weakness of the story is. It is the fact that at its core stands a prophecy. Immovable, inflexible, definite. Everything else merely gives means of fulfilling it, which turns awfully stale really fast. And inevitably, boring.

The attitude of characters in the spotlight do not help either. Prophecy seems to remove any need for any action, or any personal trait really that would be self initiated and required. Instead, no...more

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Apr 27, 2011 Sally rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: re-reads, audiobooks

I finished the final book of The Belgariad more quickly than the first four books. Even though I read this series many years ago, and I'm doing my re-read via audiobook, knowing the final outcome already does not detract from how well the plot tightens and pushes you to get to the events that the previous books have set up so well. I think George R. R. Martin (author of Song and Ice and Fire saga) could learn something from how well an author can put together such an intricate saga and actually...more

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Jul 15, 2010 Julie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: scifi-fantasy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Well, I'll give it this, book 5 of the Belgariad is at least faster-paced than book 4. Things rush inexorably towards the climax all book. The first hundred pages or so sees Garion, Belgarath, and Silk moving through Gar og Nadrak (yes! another kingdom!) towards their eventual destination of Mallorea. Witty banter ensues as Our Heroes (tm) get ever closer to the inevitable confrontation with the evil god Torak.

The entire middle of the book shifts perspective to Ce'Nedra's army and their preparat...more Well, I'll give it this, book 5 of the Belgariad is at least faster-paced than book 4. Things rush inexorably towards the climax all book. The first hundred pages or so sees Garion, Belgarath, and Silk moving through Gar og Nadrak (yes! another kingdom!) towards their eventual destination of Mallorea. Witty banter ensues as Our Heroes (tm) get ever closer to the inevitable confrontation with the evil god Torak.

The entire middle of the book shifts perspective to Ce'Nedra's army and their preparations to invade Mishrak ac Thull (more kingdoms!) as a diversion to buy Garion et al some time to move into position. The point of view is mostly Ce'Nedra's, though there are some quite clever bits from the perspective of the various queens who have been left at home to run their kingdoms while the kings go to war. The army does, eventually, engage in a vary large battle, with one or two semi-unexpected plot twists along the way. Some secondary characters die, but no one of particular importance. In the end, Ce'Nedra, Polgara, Durnik, and the boy Errand are captured and sent to Mallorea, arriving the very same morning as Garion and his gang.

There's the mighty climactic battle between Garion and Torak. We've seen it coming for five books, and the good guys win, as we all knew they would. I was kind of annoyed with Eddings' writings at this point, with such overblown phrases as: "This was the EVENT for which the Universe had waited since the beginning of time." Yes, "EVENT" in all caps. Really, Eddings? Really? Was that strictly necessary? I don't know why, but more than anything else in the book, the all-caps EVENT annoyed the heck out of me.

The book ends with the marriage of Garion and Ce'Nedra, and also the marriage of Polgara and Durnik the smith. All is well... or is it? (Cue the dramatic music and the advertisements for Eddings' next series, the Malloreon.) It was fun while it lasted, but I think I need to give my brain a few weeks away from the fluffy fantasy. There's only so much of this I can take at a time.(less)

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Apr 25, 2010 Bertrand rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, high-fantasy

En cinq tomes, le cycle de la Belgariade a fini par me séduire. Il m’en a fallu pour digérer le tissu de stéréotypes déployé par l’auteur tout au long de cette saga : du petit garçon innocent destiné à sauver le monde, aux magiciens tout puissants en passant par les artefacts sacrés, les armées titanesques et j’en passe, David Eddings nous en a fait voir de toutes les couleurs.
Pourtant, en dépit de ces clichés usés jusqu’à la corde et de ce pillage du Seigneur des Anneaux, on se retrouve piégé...more

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Mar 21, 2010 Whitney rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The series gets more readable as it goes on. I still don't find the humor terribly appealing and the characters are still one-dimensional (though some of them manage to be very likable within their stereotypes.) There is a lot of action in these later novels and it is good mindless entertainment, however a few things about the conclusion bothered me. The choice Polgara, the most powerful woman in the world, is given post-climax is rather insulting. It's a rare novel indeed which offers a man the...more The series gets more readable as it goes on. I still don't find the humor terribly appealing and the characters are still one-dimensional (though some of them manage to be very likable within their stereotypes.) There is a lot of action in these later novels and it is good mindless entertainment, however a few things about the conclusion bothered me. The choice Polgara, the most powerful woman in the world, is given post-climax is rather insulting. It's a rare novel indeed which offers a man the opportunity to surrender his power for the sake of a woman! In fact, traditional gender roles saturate this series and I would be hard-pressed to name a single truly independent female character, including supposedly strong-willed characters like Ce'Nedra who substitute passive-aggressive manipulation for communication and the expectation of being listened to if they speak openly and rationally about their own needs and desires. Of course, given the behavior of some of the male characters (one of whom rapes his wife in an earlier novel, an incident which is completely glossed over), one can hardly lay all the blame on the ladies!

Furthermore, the weeping soppiness the main character and supporting gods experience over the death of the evil god Torak might manage to be a touching portrayal of unconditional love if not for the fact that several of Torak's underlings--at least one of whom, Zedar, is almost purely his victim--are disposed of with nary a tear in sight. The theological impression this reader was left with was something of a twisted Paradise Lost, where the Devil is offered forgiveness by virtue of his power and importance while the weak and frail mortals he led astray are abandoned to the flames of perdition. I realize that this is an unfair comparison to lay on a light fantasy novel, but it is the first one that sprang to mind and I can't seem to think of a better. Even light fantasy novels contain morals, and it is sometimes interesting if not always a productive use of time to examine them.

Overall I would say that this series was entertaining and I don't really mind that my OCD demands that I read the sequel Malloreon. I wouldn't recommend it to someone who hasn't already read the better and more wholesome fantasy series, such as Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Dark is Rising or any number of others but I would certainly take it over Twilight any day.(less)

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Feb 02, 2010 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

I think the Belgariad series is one of the best fantasy stories about a boy's coming of age. It predates this crazy onslaught of market-driven writers who hope to make a quick name, a huge splash, and a lot of money all in the name of the written word. In fact, if you compare the quality of Eddings' writing with that of many of the big names in young adult fantasy today (though I believe it's not intended for a young adult audience specifically), you'll see that the scales will tip quite heavily...more I think the Belgariad series is one of the best fantasy stories about a boy's coming of age. It predates this crazy onslaught of market-driven writers who hope to make a quick name, a huge splash, and a lot of money all in the name of the written word. In fact, if you compare the quality of Eddings' writing with that of many of the big names in young adult fantasy today (though I believe it's not intended for a young adult audience specifically), you'll see that the scales will tip quite heavily in David Eddings' favor. It's almost unfair to compare any current writer of fantasy to his works, particularly the Belgariad.

Anyway, the point is that I enjoyed it, again. The first time I read it I was in high school or junior high. Garion is a very well-drawn character, as are all the characters in this series. David Eddings' was very good at managing a group of characters and all their interactions, their banter, their roles, and illustrating them with realistic attributes. I will miss them, though, luckily, in a few years I will have forgotten enough of it that I'll be able to read it again and enjoy Garion's journey from naive farm-boy to well-traveled sorcerer with great responsibilities. Unlike other fantasy heroes, like, for example, Rand al'Thor (who I also love), Garion is a bit more easy for me to respect because he's less whiny about what he was born to do.

One thing I really love about the series overall is that Garion learns through trial and error. I remember a particular lesson he's taught by Belgarath, in which Garion gets a little puffed up in his power and needlessly disciplines the little colt that loves him. It was this telling moment where you can see Garion's potential to become evil -- to be merciless and cruel -- but he has his mentors around to guide him. Every person has those possibilities -- to be kind and merciful, patient and long-suffering, or quick to anger, cruel, and drunk on power over the weak -- but we all, like Garion, have to remember ourselves. So anyway, it's good to see that heroes have internal battles: they can falter, but they can also recover, repent, and do better.

Another thing I appreciate is that Garion, while being the main focal point of the series, often takes a backseat to the action. He's always there watching his friends work and manage affairs, while he simply observes, thinks, and grows. It's not all about him, even though it is. That's an accomplishment of David Eddings, I think.

So, to sum up, it's a great series. I'm glad I read it again after all these years. I really love all the characters. Maybe I'll try out the Mallorean again. I never got through it the first time though I don't remember why. I also plan on re-reading the Wheel of Time series. Ha ha. That should only take me three years. (less)

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Jul 25, 2012 Gwen rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-as-a-kid

It may be unfair of me to review this book harshly. I read it and loved it when I was in seventh grade. It was at the behest of my lovely English teacher, who noticed the other books I was reading, thought I would like David Eddings, and promptly loaned me her own copies of the Belgariad.

Unfortunately, none of the books had stood the test of time when I re-read the series recently. I had an inkling that this might be the case, because I read some of Eddings' other work in high school and found...more

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May 23, 2012 Lydia Presley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, fantasy, favorites, fiction

In just three short days I plowed through The Belgariad series and emerged, happy (and a bit melancholy to leave them behind). As much as I loved the series, wept at certain deaths, rejoiced as characters got everything and more than they could have dreamed of, I have only one small criticism to offer now that I've finished my first David Eddings series.

I think authors such as Brandon Sanderson and Mickey Zucker Reichart have spoiled me when it comes to battle scenes. Take for example, Reichart'...more

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Apr 20, 2012 Jordan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: april

Garion, along with Silk and Belgarath, is heading towards the city of Endless Night, where he must battle the evil god Torak. But Garion is extremely unsure of himself. He has no idea how one even kills an immortal god.

Meanwhile, to the south, his fiancee, Ce'Nedra, is leading an army in hopes of driving the Angaraks, people who are the sevants of Torak, from Garion. The army's chances are slim, since they are vastly outnumbered. Is there any hope for either of them?

I picked up this book because...more

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Feb 18, 2013 Derek Eby rated it 5 of 5 stars

(Pulled from Pawn of Prophecy to cover series)

I still remember walking through the book store trying to find something to pass the time one not-so-fine summer. I was young enough to identify with the cover and picked this book up the first book solely for that reason. Quite a lucky break for me...

My fascination for finding the next epic fantasy novel began with this book. Eddings brings all the characters to life with good dialogue and development. The places and lives you encounter all feel rea...more

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May 02, 2012 Stephanie Jobe rated it 4 of 5 stars

The final book is very different from the first. Instead of only following Garion you also follow Ce’Nedra. The group has been separated and while Garion, Belgarath and Silk travel cross country alone in the style of the earlier books, Ce’Nedra and Polgara and the rest along with all the kings are gathering an army to make it easier for the lone three to pass through dangerous territory. This is no idle adventure, the fate of the world is on their shoulders and no one is safe as old friends and...more

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Nov 18, 2010 Eric Moreno rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 23, 2013 Angel rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-books

I never "believed" in the love relationship between Belgarion and Tsenedra and do so even less after reading this book. Garion was never believable as the King--too young, too inexperienced. It never made sense to me that two powerful sorcerors such as Belgarath and Polgara never seemed to make more than an offhand attempt at teaching him, much less give him chances to grow up. He would have been much more believable had he undergone some rigorous initiation for a few years and grown into a man...more

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Jul 12, 2012 Jan Derksen marked it as to-read · review of another edition

De voorspelling was nog niet vervuld. In het oosten zou de kwade God Torak ontwaken om zijn heerschappij te vestigen. En Garion zou oog in oog met hem komen: om te doden of om gedood te worden. Van de afloop van dit gruwelijke duel hing het lot van de wereld af... De voorspelling dreef Garion voort. Maar deze gaf geen antwoord op de vraag die hem achtervolgde: hoe doodt een menselijk wezen een onsterfelijke God? Eindspel is het vijfde en laatste deel van De Kronieken van Belgarion. Een schittere

...more

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Jan 14, 2013 Grianne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, david-eddings

***RECENSIONE PER L'INTERA SAGA
Devo dire che è stata una delusione.
Forse anche per colpa dell'amico che me l'aveva consigliata che mi aveva parlato in termini entusiastici di questa saga...mi aspettavo qualcosa di più.
Devo dire che in parecchi punti mi sono trovata ad annoiarmi, trovo che i personaggi non abbiano il giusto spessore, che nn siano degni di essere chi sono, nn sono in grado di essere come dovrebbero...
La trama in alcune parti piuttosto scontata...
Poi che dire, li ho letti, fino...more

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Mar 07, 2013 Leo Walsh rated it 3 of 5 stars

Eddings's five volume saga The Belgariad -- indeed most epic Fantasy -- is to reading what potato chips are to eating. Even though you know that they have almost zero nutritional value, you cannot eat just one. And before you know it, you've wasted enough time, and you find yourself at the end...

That said, this book, like the entire series, is pretty predictable. And filled with some likable characters. From the main protagonist, the wholesome Belgarian, to the clever thief/merchant/spy Silk.

B...more Eddings's five volume saga The Belgariad -- indeed most epic Fantasy -- is to reading what potato chips are to eating. Even though you know that they have almost zero nutritional value, you cannot eat just one. And before you know it, you've wasted enough time, and you find yourself at the end...

That said, this book, like the entire series, is pretty predictable. And filled with some likable characters. From the main protagonist, the wholesome Belgarian, to the clever thief/merchant/spy Silk.

But the plotting in this final volume of the series gets a little carried away. And, through the battle scenes, you are re-introduced to many of the royal company that Belgarion and crew met up with in the course of their travels. The problem is, there is very little -- save the place I met them -- to distinguish them. So I ended up a little confused at times, and had to go an figure out "Just who was King Rudar again?"

But I quibble.

What really annoyed me the most was the almost Disney-like quality of the action. Unlike the Tolkien's classic Lord of the Rings trilogy, Eddings does not put his characters to the real test. The main characters lose nothing, but gain a lot. So we never sense their mettle, like we do, for instance, when the masterful Tolkien brings Frodo to Mount Doom. Frodo is forced to face himself, and what he sees shocks and humbles. He realizes that he had become nearly as weak and twisted as Grolem. His only saving grace is his ability to keep friends like Sam and Pippin around him. Because that community gives him something worth living for.

Eddings, on the other hand, is formulaic. And, unlike the master he is emulating, lacks the imagination and insight to pull it off. And, instead, places good and evil on the back of an ancient prophecy that needs to be fulfilled.

But Eddings has talent, no doubt. Because I poured through all five volumes, and enjoyed them. The low "three star" marks come from what Eddings is up against in my readings. Le Guin, Tolkien and Gaiman in the science fiction/ fantasy realm. Plus, I put him up against Shakespeare, Joyce and Woolf. So I expect a lot.

Recommended for younger Fantasy fans. For us old folks, it'll take some time. And you too will likely find plot holes and character inconsistencies that will annoy you, as they annoyed me.

I think you get the drift.

More at Leo's Blog: leo-walsh.com. (less)

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Mar 15, 2009 Holly rated it 3 of 5 stars

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Jan 12, 2012 Paul Lunger rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The final book in David Eddings "The Belgariad" series is almost a filler book to make the series go 5. In the final we wrap up the war begun previously & at long last have the final confrontation with Torak. The story essentially is a long continuation of book 4 & ties up pretty much all loose ends with little fanfare. Even the great battle scene at the end gets glossed over & we're left with an average ending to a rather average series. Eddings does go a bit further by making sure...more

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Apr 16, 2011 Freya rated it 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the series... David Eddings, The Belgariad seems to have inspired a lot of stories written these days.

Out of the five books a couple are slow but the story never stops being interesting and intriguing, I read fast through some sections just to know what happens next.

The story is well spread out across the books and the characters endearing. I loved every one of them - Belgarath, Polgara, Garion, Ce'Nedra, Barak of Cherek, Mandorellan the Knight, Silk the suave spy, Durnik the Blacksmit...more

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Apr 28, 2010 Daisy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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May 21, 2009 Zarakoda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

A predictable but satisfying end to a simplistic fantasy series. While this was not my favorite series, there were certain elements that entertained me while reading through the Belgariad. Characters, while mostly flat and static, were recognizable in their traits and loveable in their uniqueness. The plot, while undeniably basic, relaxed me and allowed me to enjoy a typical fantasy. Such a typical fantasy can be -from time to time - worthwhile to read. While I may not specifically or wholeheart...more

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About David Eddings

David Eddings is an American author who has written several best-selling series of epic fantasy novels. David Eddings' wife, Leigh Eddings, is uncredited as co-author on many of his early books, but he has lately acknowledged that she contributed to them all.

David Eddings' first books (which were general fiction) sold moderately well. He later switched to writing epic fantasy, a field in which he...more

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“You’ll fight with each other, of course, but never go to sleep angry. That was always my mistake.” — 1 person liked it

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Enchanters' End Game (The Belgariad #5)

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