The Belgariad, Vol. 1 (Books 1-3): Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician's Gambit

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David Eddings: The Belgariad

Author	David Eddings
Made	Del Rey
Date	2002-08-27
Media	Paperback
Catalog	Book
Sales Rank	4363
Availability	Usually ships in 24 hours
List Price	US$17.95
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Reviews:

Rating 4.5/5 from 143 reviews

Masterful Formula Fantasy

Rating: 5/5 2008-05-22

The Belgariad, by David and Leigh Eddings, is a fantasy story recounting the adventures of Garion. The Belgariad is a five volume set, collected together.

Garion thinks he is a common kitchen boy, until an old story-teller, Wolf, comes and tells him he must flee for his life. With his friends Silk, Aunt Pol., Durnik the smith, and assorted others gathered on the way, Garion travels through the 7 kingdoms seeking the legendary Orb of Aldur, possessed by the evil god Torak.

This is one of my all-time favorite books. As David Eddings acknowledges, it follows a classic fantasy tale formula, yet the book is original and well-written. Eddings is a master at working within his fantasy formula, and creates a fascinating world for the reader. I think this is Eddings' best fantasy series, and I strongly recommend the reader read it, then the Mallorean, then the Polgara and Belgarath books.

Fantastic Fantasy

Rating: 5/5 2008-05-13

There is really nothing I can say that hasn't already been said about this series. Engaging characters, fast-paced dialogue, vivid descriptions, and a story that moves right along are only a few of the wonderful things offered in these books. This has been, and always will be, my favorite series of any genre of books. The Belgariad and the Mallorean, along with the companion novels about Belgarath and Polgara, are books that I first read when I was in middle school, and are the books that I am currently reading as I approach my wedding. They never get old, and I look forward to re-reading them every year. There is no other series that even comes close to comparing for me - NONE. I cannot recommend this book and its companions enough.

Some Fantasy is More Equal Than Others

Rating: 5/5 2008-04-09

I was lucky enough to read Eddings after only a few Dragonlance productions in the 80s. Reading Eddings is like watching The Godfather -- there are books that entertain, just like there are movies, but some are just at a different level. I enjoyed watching Armageddon (I admit it), but it will never be A Beautiful Mind. I was entertained with Brooks and other Forgotten Realms fare (not saying Brooks is at that level -- but I really did like Drizzt Do'Urden the black elf character by Salvatore), but there is something immediately different with Eddings. His story is fresh and moves nicely. The characters are imperfect and lovable. I recommend this series to fans of fantasy and who appreciate a higher level of writing than most fantasy offerings.

Entertaining. Period.

Rating: 3/5 2008-03-23

I am totally boggled by the number of comparisons people are making of this series to the Lord of the Rings. To me that's tantamount to comparing a child's Tinker Toy construction to the Brooklyn Bridge. This series is not bad per se, other than the cliches that are rampant. Eddings takes a word (for example, "blandly") or a conversation style ("I liked that" "I thought you might") and uses them repeatedly. The story itself has an interesting premise. The delivery is too fluffy and predictable. I wouldn't recommend this series to anyone over 12.

Belgariad Part One

Rating: 5/5 2008-02-23

One to read over and over, make sure you also read the Belgariad Part 2 and the Mallorean series to see what happens to Garion on his journey.

Editorials:

Product Description

Millions of readers have discovered the magic of David Eddings’ NewYork Times bestselling series The Belgariad. Now the first three books in this monumental epic appear in a single volume. Here, long-time fans can rediscover the wonder—and the uninitiated can embark upon a thrilling new journey of fantasy and adventure.

It all begins with the theft of the Orb that for so long protected the West from an evil god. As long as the Orb was at Riva, the prophecy went, its people would be safe from this corrupting power. Garion, a simple farm boy, is familiar with the legend of the Orb, but skeptical in matters of magic. Until, through a twist of fate, he learns not only that the story of the Orb is true, but that he must set out on a quest of unparalleled magic and danger to help recover it. For Garion is a child of destiny, and fate itself is leading him far from his home, sweeping him irrevocably toward a distant tower—and a cataclysmic confrontation with a master of the darkest magic.

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