One time while I was working at Camp Barakel in my college years, I broke both my arms. I couldn’t do as much in the weeks afterwards (though I did continue to be the archery instructor that summer), so my girlfriend at the time brought me 5 books; Pawn Of Prophecy, Queen Of Sorcery, Magicians Gambit, Castle Of Wizardry, and Enchanters End Game. These 5 books make up a series called The Belgariad. I read them in 5 days, the first book being about 180 pages, the last being over 300.
In my opinion, they encompass all the great elements of Fantasy Fiction; multiple cultures, sorcery, sword fighting, sailing, humor, and adventure. It’s pretty light reading all things considered. If books were food, these would be potato chips. Not the finest in the world, but who doesn’t want to just sit and eat a whole bag once in a while?
I’m not going to say a whole lot about story other than it’s a diverse group of adventurers travelling the world on a quest. Is that not classic? If you’re not going to read it, you don’t care, but if you are going to read it, you’re in for a treat.
When I took the books back to my girlfriend, she had a bag with the next 5, The Mallorean. More on that later.
I’ve read both the Belgariad and the sequel series (The Mallorean) many many times – and I agree that it’s one of my all-time favorite Fantasy series. The characters and their interaction are just great…
Silk being one of my favorite characters *heh* with classic lines such as: “Do you realize that the only thing between us and the North Pole is the occasional stray reindeer?”
Have you read his other series, such as The Elenium (The Diamond Throne, The Ruby Knight, and The Sapphire Rose) or it’s sequel The Tamuli (Domes of Fire, The Shining Ones, The Hidden City)?
I have read them, and while they were good and enjoyable, they didn’t seem to have the same spark.
I’ve also read The Redemption of Althalus, which was also quite good and fun, but still not the same.
I’m a certified Eddings Raving Fan… Usually, I have at least one of his series that I’m reading through.
Also great reading for fans of The Belgariad and The Mallorean are the two “prequels”… Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress. There’s also the collection of “ancient documents” called The Rivan Codex, but I don’t recommend it for anyone but the frothing-at-the-mouth fan. (yes – that’s me, and I’ve read it…)
Love the Elenium & The Tamuli – but that’s another song for another day…
Yup, read all of those except for the Rivan Codex (Chronicles?)…
Has anyone read the new series “The Dreamers”? Reviews I’ve seen say that they stink – but I’m guessing that it’s a point of view and personal preference issue mainly?
Yes, these are definitely the standard for me in comparing other fantasy literature. I just haven’t found anything else that has such light-hearted flavor. Terrible things happen (but not too terrible) but you are kept laughing through the whole series.