Enchanters' End Game (The Belgariad, Book 5)

published	August 12th 1986 by Del Rey
first published	1984
binding	Mass Market Paperback
isbn	0345338715 (isbn13: 9780345338716)
pages	384
description	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 ...more [close] 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 that dread duel rested the destiny of the world. Now, accompanied by his grandfather, the ancient sorcerer Belgarath, Garion headed toward the City of Endless Night, where Torak awaited him. To the south, his fiancée, the princess Ce'Nedra, led the armies of the West in a desperate effort to divert the forces of Torak's followers from the man she loved. The Prophecy drove Garion on. But it gave no answer to the question that haunted him: How does a man kill an immortal God? Here is the brilliant conclusion to the epic of The Belgariad, which began in Pawn of Prophecy--a novel of fate, strange lands, and a Prophecy that must be fulfilled--the resolution of the war of men, Kings, and Gods that had spanned seven thousand years! [close]
date added	04-15-07 edit book

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 2001)

Ryan rated it:

(review of isbn 0345300785)

06/24/08

bookshelves: fantasy

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in June, 2008

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Kelly rated it:

(review of isbn 0345300785)

05/29/07

bookshelves: fantasy, fiction

Read in November, 1999

recommends it for: young adults, fantasy lovers

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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Tim rated it:

(review of isbn 0345300785)

06/19/08

Read in June, 2008

recommended to Tim by: Sylv

Again, good pace of commentary, and does finish the story well, leaving one with no bitter aftertaste of feeling cheated by the ending. There are enough openings left to follow other threads, without wishing they'd been completed here.
Overall, this series has been compared (by the book covers) to the Lord of the Rings. Whilst the parties involve have travelled more or less all over the worlds the saga is set in, this is missing the niceties of the multiple languages and ancient traditions of...more

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Michelle rated it:

(review of isbn 0345300785)

05/27/08

I read the Bellgraid and the Malloreon about 10 years ago now, so my memory isn't up to a synopsis of the series or anything, but I did highly enjoy them then, they still grace my shelves now, and I hope to reread them in the near future.

These books are great for the reader that enjoys fantasy series reading (so if you prefer a one off, try something else). They develop an amazing story and history that kept me engaged. The two series are intimately related/connected. The world is more of...more

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Laura rated it:

(review of isbn 0345300785)

02/20/08

bookshelves: childhood-favs

I've always felt that Eddings threw a war into this book just to have the requisite number of pages for a fifth novel. As a child, I found the war intolerable, but as an adult, I'm able to read it through it without too much difficulty.

The conclusion of the Belgariad series is ultimately very satisfying. Everything pretty much happens the way it should, and you're left wishing you knew more about what happened next. Luckily, Eddings does tell us what happens next in the "Mallorean"

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Coy rated it:

(review of isbn 0345300785)

01/23/08

Read in January, 2008

recommended to Coy by: Kenneth and Greg Blankenship

This series is a solid fantasy effort. It's not superior or even excellent, but it's good and for fantasy good is an accomplishment. I think it's harder to satisfy readers when you create a new world. The female characters in this series left some to be desired. I don't think real women or even real fantasy women are consistently that childish or petty. I looked forward to being able to find time to read this series though and that counts for something. I'll miss the characters a little.

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Julie rated it:

(review of isbn 0345300785)

10/13/07

Enchanter's End Game' brings us the story of how Garion travels towards his final encounter with the god Torak, which he will have to fight in order to save the world from a grim fate. At the same time, Ce'Nedra and the others are gathering an army to meet the threat of the Murgo and Malloreon forces which are converging upon the western kingdoms. I will not give away the ending, but this book is as great as all the other books in the series, and gives a suitable ending to the tale.

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Richard rated it:

(review of isbn 0345300785)

06/08/08

bookshelves: fantasy

The Belgariad kind of seems like the Sword of Truth Lite. It's good epic fantasy, with a smattering of Good vs. Evil philosophy. Although the Belgariad is not as in-depth and psychologically complete as the Sword of Truth (although the Belgariad does a great job of creating a sense of history), it is also about 1/3rd as long as the Sword of Truth. There's something to be said for being concise >.>

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Todd rated it:

(review of isbn 0345300785)

04/19/07

bookshelves: irrelevant-fantasy

Read in January, 2005

The real conclusion of the Belgariad wraps up with the climactic good-vs.-evil battle you would expect of any epic fantasy. I found this book not as exciting as Castle of Wizardry, but there are memorable moments here as well. On the whole the Belgariad is an excellent--if simplistic--epic fantasy. Eddings's style of writing makes is a quick read as well; recommended, but by no means crucial.

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Jennifer rated it:

(review of isbn 0552148113)

05/24/07

bookshelves: faves

i have read this series about 5/6 times and i still love it every single time!!! you can never get tired of eddings' sarcastic humour, or his vivid descriptions. this book made me realise that no matter how insignificant you may feel at a particular point in your life, you will achieve a greatness that is suited to your personaility and character.

cheesy rubbish i know, but just read it!!

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Sarah rated it:

10/03/07

bookshelves: fantasy, fiction

Read in October, 2007

recommends it for: a comfort read: predictable, but entertaining

Book five is, in a way, a coda to the series. It would be entirely superfluous were it not for the fact that all those secondary characters from the earlier books are given a chance to step into the limelight while the <strike>playable</strike> main characters go about the business of fulfilling the prophecy.

Now to wait a year or two until I've forgotten enough to read these again.

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Theresa rated it:

(review of isbn 0345300785)

02/11/08

Read in January, 2007

I Love the David Eddings Pawn of Prophecy Series. The story of the young boy who doesn't know he is the center of the entire series is so captivating for me and I love to watch all of the love stories that are intertwined throughout the series. It has just the right amount of action and romance strewn throughout it to keep my interest. Loved this series.

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Dashiel rated it:

06/20/07

Picture if you will, a 12 to 13 year old bone-thin man-child in sweat pants who finds himself too lazy to read the instruction manual for Dungeons and Dragons, but motivated enought to read David Eddings entire Belgariad series.

If you can see this in your head, then you are looking at a picture of the enigma that is moi, circa junior high.

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Alexander rated it:

(review of isbn 0345300785)

06/21/08

Read in April, 1999

I loved these books. I know that David Eddings wanted to make a point that history keeps repeating its self but I found that it bugged me a little bit. That is the only thing that I did not like all that much. The writing and stories are amazing and I will read this series over and over again. This series is right up there with the best.

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Jay rated it:

(review of isbn 0345300785)

05/10/08

I want to say this is a novel for children or pre-teens but reluctantly admit a great story for adults too. Excellent exposure to Eddings if you've not read him before. Pages went by quickly. The personae in the series often seemed to be extreme caricatures of little dimension yet I found myself enjoying it.

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Karaline rated it:

(review of isbn 0345300785)

03/04/08

bookshelves: fantasy-series

A great end to the story. I was imprested with how close i felt to the people in the book, I realy almost cryed when Durnik died. and in the end i liked how the gods all morned for there lost brother, showing that he torak was wrong all along he was loved but he didnt know it truely a sad end.

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Megan rated it:

(review of isbn 0345300785)

02/02/08

Read in March, 1995

This is the 5th book in the David Eddings "Belgariad" series. I read these and the "Mallorean" series every 2 years or so, because it feels like coming home. It's an engaging fantasy story with few slow parts, and vivid characters I'm always glad to reacquaint myself with.

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Geof rated it:

(review of isbn 0345300785)

04/30/08

i read these in middle school but they were great and i'm sure that i would still find them so. I enjoyed this series and the next called the mallorean which follows the same characters. fun and clean. as for their other series not as much.

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Dani rated it:

(review of isbn 0345300785)

03/01/07

A great series overall. Only criticism is the way Eddings sticks pretty strictly to the typical fantasy storyline of finding a quest, going on the quest, and then resolving the quest. Not so many surprises, yet much anticipation.

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Beth rated it:

(review of isbn 0345300785)

04/13/08

bookshelves: fantasy

Read in January, 1988

These books were my favorite when I was in high school. I read them over and over, I especially loved the characters and the humor. I keep them around as they are old friends.

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