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228th out of 943 books
—
658 voters
Belgarath the Sorcerer (Belgarian Prequels)
Bestselling authors David and Leigh Eddings welcome readers back to the time before The Belgariad and The Malloreon series. Join them as they chronicle that fateful conflict between two mortally opposed Destinies, in a monumental war of men and kings and Gods.
When the world was young and Gods still walked among their mortal children, a headstrong orphan boy set out to exp...more
When the world was young and Gods still walked among their mortal children, a headstrong orphan boy set out to exp...more
Paperback, 840 pages
Published
July 22nd 1996
by Voyager
(first published 1995)
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So this is the second time I've read this book, mainly cause I was out of stuff and I *really* hated the follow-up. I'll get to that sooner or later, but what I might have found charming about the digressions this time, I just found irriating and "clever." And it was carried to extremes in Polgara.
I loved this series and perhaps it's been too long since I've read it, but I more think it's a matter of "you finished the series" let it go. The jokes that were sparkling are now tired.
But maybe I'm...more
I loved this series and perhaps it's been too long since I've read it, but I more think it's a matter of "you finished the series" let it go. The jokes that were sparkling are now tired.
But maybe I'm...more
This was just kind of a fun little pre-history of the Belgariad and Malloreon series. I really liked it because it showed where the main characters had come from and what their importance was in the series (just incase you didn't already figure it out). The only thing that was hard for me to get used to was the style of writing. Unlike the rest of the series, "Belgarath the Sorcerer" was written in first person from the perspective of Belgarath, and just like the character, it was a bit long win...more
3.5
I gave this book an official "4" because I liked it more than I didn't, but it had some serious problems for me, especially when covering the sections that were dealt with in some detail in the two main series.
Belgarath the Sorcerer refreshingly does not follow the same tired plot that all the rest of the Eddings books (with the exception of Polgara the Sorceress, but that one uses THIS template)do. There is no major quest, no hero in the traditional sense; instead this probes into the life o...more
I gave this book an official "4" because I liked it more than I didn't, but it had some serious problems for me, especially when covering the sections that were dealt with in some detail in the two main series.
Belgarath the Sorcerer refreshingly does not follow the same tired plot that all the rest of the Eddings books (with the exception of Polgara the Sorceress, but that one uses THIS template)do. There is no major quest, no hero in the traditional sense; instead this probes into the life o...more
Belgarath the Sorcerer is best read after both the Belgariad and the Mallorean. Although it is a standalone novel, the prologue is built upon events that happen at the end of the Mallorean.
How to describe the novel? Calling it a history book is a grave injustice, on the scale of calling a Lamborghini a car (which it is, of course, but surely you can come up with far more dazzling ways to describe a Lamborghini.) "Belgarath the Sorcerer" is the story of one man's love--for his god, for his wife,...more
How to describe the novel? Calling it a history book is a grave injustice, on the scale of calling a Lamborghini a car (which it is, of course, but surely you can come up with far more dazzling ways to describe a Lamborghini.) "Belgarath the Sorcerer" is the story of one man's love--for his god, for his wife,...more
Well, this book is complicated to review. Mainly, because I am not quite sure what to say about it. The first time I read it, a few years ago, I fell in love with it and subsequently read all other David Eddings books (that is, until I realized that each and every one was the same and that I was not discovering any new characters from saga to saga). I recently tried it again, and hated it for how shallow, unrealistic and purely useless the book was, and when I decided to review it wanted to put...more
So, I have listened to my first mega audio book at nearly 30 hours. It would have been perfect were it not for the cliffhanger. Don't get me wrong, I had no problem with the time I spent listening to Begarath chronicle his story and clarify his legend. The is a very long saga about Gods at war and how they use human servants such as Belgarath to bring about circumstances that give them the edge. Belgarath and his daughter Paulgarath's story spans centuries. They coax the bloodlines and political...more
David Eddings has told one story really, really well...about eight times now. The Belgariad is the Mallorean is the Eleniad is the Tamuli is the Redemption of Althalus. If you've read his books, you know this story. You know who will live, who will die (usually) and who will show up during the introductory sequences.
That said, I heart every one of his books, and Belgarath the Sorcerer is no different. It's not edge-of-your seat reading, because you already know where this story will end (it's a...more
That said, I heart every one of his books, and Belgarath the Sorcerer is no different. It's not edge-of-your seat reading, because you already know where this story will end (it's a...more
Feb 12, 2012
Shawne
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
extreme completists
Shelves:
fiction
There are times when I mightily rue the sad fact that I am, by nature, a completist. Because this means I stick with book, movie and tv franchises long after these series have worn out their welcome - if you win my heart at all, you win it for good, apparently. That's great if the series remains consistently good, intelligent and surprising - not so great if it lapses into predictability, laziness and mediocrity.
The sad truth of the matter is that David and Leigh Eddings had been stretching my p...more
The sad truth of the matter is that David and Leigh Eddings had been stretching my p...more
Dec 07, 2008
Sanity Assasin
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
david eddings enthusiasts
Recommended to Sanity by:
tolkien... when i found lotr's boring!!!
it's epic! that's for sure. it took me a while to read. i recently read the redemption of althalus by david eddings and that was about the same quality of story telling. it's not amazing but it'll keep you happy on a quiet afternoon. quite a few of the characters seem a bit one dimensional again... in the sense that they'd never do anything out of character. i've already read the sparhawk books and i think they were better. i think eddings has gone downhill a bit since he started taking advice f...more
I loved the story told by the point of view of the old man. I also liked the realistic and contradictory account of Polgara The Sorceress told by the point of view of his daughter. I thought that this was a highly inventive way of correcting information from book that is not congruent or is just plain contradictory from book to book. I think that it gives this incredible fantasy world a great realistic twist. Terry Brooks should have thought of this when he became mesmerized by a redhead in real...more
Of all the books with Belgarath the Sorcerer in them, this was the best in my opinion. The main problem with it is, for me, that it was the book that really should have been written first. If not published, then at least sitting on his shelf like Tolkien did with the Silmarillion.
Because as much as I loved this book, it totally threw the previous canon into the wood chipper.
It was clear that Eddings never had any real plans for a sequel to the Belgariad. The Mallorean tacked on a lot of things...more
Because as much as I loved this book, it totally threw the previous canon into the wood chipper.
It was clear that Eddings never had any real plans for a sequel to the Belgariad. The Mallorean tacked on a lot of things...more
By the time I'd read through most of Edding's main series (The Elenium, The Tamuli, The Belgariad, The Mallorean), I was a little annoyed with his writing style. His characters are oh-so-clever and smug and that gets a little irritating after a while. I'm glad that I left a good long gap between finishing the Mallorean and reading this book, otherwise I think I may have thrown it out of the window. I enjoyed reading in more detail about events that were mentioned in passing in the main series, a...more
I read the Belgariad and the Malloreon cycles several years ago, and really enjoyed them. As a prequel to those series, I thought this was only decent. It was interesting to see some of the story from before those series began, but there wasn't really that much to this book. The characters were for the most part fairly flat. The book was ostensibly the autobiography of the 5,000 (more?) year old "Eternal Man" Belgarath, so there weren't very many characters who were in the story for very long, b...more
This was actually the first book I read by David Eddings, even though it was actually published after the two series' it's a prequel for. I read it when I was 11 or 12, and loved it so much it's where I got my online screen name. (polgie is short for "Polgara", one of the main characters. If you read the book, you'll understand why I picked her.)
I recommend it for any fans of epic fantasy, and think it works as a stand-alone even if you don't read the Belgariad series. (But they're excellent!) F...more
I recommend it for any fans of epic fantasy, and think it works as a stand-alone even if you don't read the Belgariad series. (But they're excellent!) F...more
Absolutely wonderful, riveting read! Belgarath is one of the most complex, entertaining and lovable characters in the Belgariad and the Malloreon, without whom none of the events in those books would have taken place, and it's extremely fitting that he would have his own story to tell! His own account is a nice background to the Belgariad and provides all the juicy details of the legendary characters and events that you've always been curious about but was never told in full. Eddings' trademark...more
First, David and Leigh Eddings gave us "The Belgariad" and "The Mallorean" (among many other books), and now Belgarath comes to tell his own story. Belgarath wasn't always "older" and wiser, nor did he always have the power he wields. In this book, he reaches back through the millennium to let the reader in on things like how he changed from Gareth to Belgarath, what his relationships with Poledra, Polgara, Beldin, and many others were like, and whether or not he has been lonely. This book revis...more
Apr 19, 2013
Dark-Draco
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites,
fantasy-series
Belgarath the sorcerer has lived for thousands of years and been instrumental in bringing about the events described in 'The Belgariad', but the story started a long time before Zedar stole the Orb. In his own words, he tells his story, from being a young orphan chased out of his village to when he met Aldur, the God, who took him on his first disciple. As the centuries role by, he has to balance his own family and personal life, with the Events that keep occuring around him. As the NECCESITY gu...more
The Pawn of Prophecy series was a page-turner, but what I guess I really mean to say is that it was pulp light fantasy in the usual tradition with a thoroughly standard plot that he liked so much he used it in whole in his next series. What stands out for me after all these years are the characters. The plot may be trite, the good vs evil thing entirely overdone and the characters themselves the most common sort of stereotypes, but Belgarath, Belgarion, Silk and Polgara still live in my memory i...more
The Belgariad Series and the Mallorean Series are hands down one of the best science fiction series ever written. These series along with the companion books, Belgarath and Polgara are must reads for any science fiction fans. The characters are extremely well developed. These start off slow, but they are well worth the reading. I have recommended these series to at least 30 different people and not one of them have not come away being a die hard fan. My daughters have even recruited their friend...more
Belgarath the Sorcerer was my first introduction into the genre of comptemporary fantasy, and I think I was lucky to have landed on this. Not only was it an exceptional story, but it was also a prequel that set me up for a further two five-book epics (Belgariad and Mallorean respectively).
Belgarath the Sorcerer, the Enternal Man. Disciple of the God Aldur and general ass-kicking sorcerer. The book chronicles his ascension to this status, from lowly beginnings, ending up as the man who pulls the...more
Belgarath the Sorcerer, the Enternal Man. Disciple of the God Aldur and general ass-kicking sorcerer. The book chronicles his ascension to this status, from lowly beginnings, ending up as the man who pulls the...more
David Eddings is a giant in the fantasy genre and I've read his Belgariad and Mallorean series several times since I first read them in Junior High. Belgarath the Sorcerer tells the life story (all 7000+ years) of the titular character, giving new information and context to events mentioned in the earlier series. The book is written true Eddings style, full of overly witty characters/dialogue and very of aware of the cliches it depicts.
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot and was pleasantly surpri...more
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot and was pleasantly surpri...more
[Full Review to be uploaded shortly]
Re-reading this book (and series) for review purposes.
I decided to go back and re-read (and review) this book (and series) as it was a much read and loved favourite from my teen years. I probably read and re-read this series more than a dozen times between it's release and my 21st birthday, and it is probably one of the primary reasons for my love of the epic/high fantasy genre.
Over 20 years later, and with a much broader experience of various writing styles a...more
Re-reading this book (and series) for review purposes.
I decided to go back and re-read (and review) this book (and series) as it was a much read and loved favourite from my teen years. I probably read and re-read this series more than a dozen times between it's release and my 21st birthday, and it is probably one of the primary reasons for my love of the epic/high fantasy genre.
Over 20 years later, and with a much broader experience of various writing styles a...more
This book was pretty good. If you chopped off the middle 200 pages or so. It was one thing reading about history repeating itself once The Mallorean came to pass, but to find out the history has been repeating itself in a glorious 5-millennia cycle might be slightly off-putting. The beginning stages of Belgarath's story, at least, was amusing and intriguing enough to read.
That said, I loved reading about how the Old Wolf's character was shaped. I loved how the narration was in his perspective, a...more
That said, I loved reading about how the Old Wolf's character was shaped. I loved how the narration was in his perspective, a...more
Belgarath the Sorcerer is another one of those Del Rey series-padding specials - there were a whole bunch of these in the early 90s, where authors rewrote their successful work from the point of view of another character. I adored the Garion books, and I was quite fond of this one, but its charm has worn off - even more than the original series.
Part of the problem is that Eddings's worldbuilding is just sloppy. He doesn't seem to care all that much for consistency, and alters things in later boo...more
Part of the problem is that Eddings's worldbuilding is just sloppy. He doesn't seem to care all that much for consistency, and alters things in later boo...more
Jun 08, 2009
Elamb
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Those into Belgariad series or fantasy.
Shelves:
fantasy
Started reading this one and found out it was a prequel to the Belgariad Volume 1, series. Its pretty good. Although, I'm more into super descriptive, really deep stuff, this is a fun read if you liked the first set of Eddings books (which I did). I really enjoy the world he created.
I'm even thinking of re-reading the Belgariad and finally reading Polgara the Sorceress.
The odd thing is that I started reading this just before David Eddings passed away.
Rest in Peace great sorcerer, David Eddings...more
I'm even thinking of re-reading the Belgariad and finally reading Polgara the Sorceress.
The odd thing is that I started reading this just before David Eddings passed away.
Rest in Peace great sorcerer, David Eddings...more
This book presumes knowledge of the storyline of The Belgariad and, to a lesser extent, The Malloreon. If you haven't read those ten books (yes, 10), and you dislike spoilers, then you'd best put this one down for now. It would be rather like trying to read The Silmarillion without knowing anything about The Lord of the Rings. Worse, actually, since the Silmarillion barely touches on the events or characters of the trilogy it follows, whereas this prequel presumes that the reader is already fami...more
As a fan of the original Belgariad series I've been putting off reading this for some time. I didn't think that it could be as good as the series and didn't really want to spoil my memories of what was, for me, one of my favourite stories/sagas of my teens. But once I started this I coulnd't believe I'd been so stupid - this is great. Most of the characters are familiar, so it is like delving into your own family history. I'll be searching out Polgara The Sorceress and reading that as soon as I...more
A wonderful look at the adventures of a 7,000 (give or take a few) year long life. This book can be read as a stand alone, apart from the Belgariad and Mallorean, which the characters are tied to. The characters that Eddings creates in the collection that includes the Belgariad, the Mallorean, Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress are what truly makes them my all time favorite fantasy novels. I gladly return to them over and over, with each time being a reuniting of old friends.
Jan 03, 2012
Robyn
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
given-away,
sci-fi-or-fantasy
Long since donated, I read this when it first came out. Both the Belgariad and the Malloreon series became absolutely a part of me. I read them, in order, straight through over the course of two weeks and when I came to the end I was devastated that it meant I had to bid the characters farewell. Of course I grabbed this when it was published, but it wasn't the same, whether because I had changed or because Eddings' writing had changed, I don't know.
May 27, 2008
Michelle
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
high-fantasy,
series
This book focuses on the character Belgarath the Sorcerer from the Eddings Bellgriad series (and later the Malloreon and a couple other related titles). I personally loved this book and the series.
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...more
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...more
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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
More about David Eddings...
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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“When you know that something's going to happen, you'll start trying to see signs of its approach in just about everything. Always try to remember that most of the things that happen in this world aren't signs. They happen because they happen, and their only real significance lies in normal cause and effect. You'll drive yourself crazy if you start trying to pry the meaning out of every gust of wind or rain squall. I'm not denying that there might actually be a few signs that you won't want to miss. Knowing the difference is the tricky part.”
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“It's all very well to put the government in the hands of the perfect man, but what do you do when the perfect man gets a bellyache?”
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Feb 28, 2012 11:21pm