David Eddings

The Belgariad

Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician's Gambit, Castle of Wizardry, Enchanter's Endgame

When we compiled our list of the best fantasy books, there wasn't any question that we both thought this series deserved a spot on the list. At first glance, though, I have to wonder why I would consider it to be one of the greats. The story is not particularly unique or original, a standard fantasy tale of good versus evil. The characters are interesting and fun, but not spectacularly so (OK, maybe Silk is spectacularly so, but only because he's so damn cool...). The style of magic ("the Will and the Word") is interesting, but again, not drastically original.

What I would have to say makes this series into one of the greats is the simple fact that David Eddings is a storyteller of the highest order. This series is light and airy fantasy, good guys and bad guys and magic everywhere, and is generally just a remarkably enjoyable read. As Sven can tell you, we've both read the series several times - something simply draws us back to it every few years to renew our companionship. What makes this series great, is that it is very simply one of the best ways to escape reality for an afternoon (in terms of fantasy books, anyway...).

General Comments

One unfortunate side effect of the Belgariad being such a fun read (and so popular, I would imagine)(that is, a side effect of being popular - I know that it's popular) is that the other Eddings series, The Malloreon (the second series of the Belgariad characters), and at least the first Sparhawk series, while entertaining, are in many ways just reworkings of the Belgariad. They are fairly enjoyable to read, but they are by no means as good as the original. Still, if you have made your way through the rest of the stuff on the list, and are in dire need of a light fantasy fix, they are probably worth the time.