R.I.P. David Eddings

David Eddings died on Tuesday.

I read and reread the Belgariad as a teenager. The first fantasy story I wrote, when I was twelve, was an homage to Eddings so blatant that I think the correct word is really "rip-off." I'm careful not to reread Eddings now, just as I'm careful not to reread Heinlein, because I know I'll only see the glaring problems, and not the things I loved.

But I loved those books, and I daydreamed about having friends like Barak and Silk.

Rest in peace, Mr. Eddings, and thank yo