A girl with a magic finger punishes a cruel family that hunts and kills animals for fun by turning them all into a family of ducks that get hunted by A girl with a magic finger punishes a cruel family that hunts and kills animals for fun by turning them all into a family of ducks that get hunted by other animals for fun to give them a taste of their own medicine.
An okay story with a well-intended message. Needless cruelty to animals for sport isn't so fun when the shoe is on the other foot. I like the message behind the story, I just don't think the plot or any of the characters are all that good. ...more
Personally didn't care for this one that much, but from a non-biased point of view I think it's a great book to teach young folks an appreciation for Personally didn't care for this one that much, but from a non-biased point of view I think it's a great book to teach young folks an appreciation for reading, poetry and art all in one go. It has a wide variety of subjects, most of them on the silly side like eating too much on the holidays or flying through the sky in a giant shoe.
Not bad, just not the target audience here....more
Billy’s mom warns him not to wander off into the dark forest outside their house because it’s filled with the most bloodthirsty beasts in the world. BBilly’s mom warns him not to wander off into the dark forest outside their house because it’s filled with the most bloodthirsty beasts in the world. Billy’s curiosity gets the better of him as it always does and he ventures out into the forest in the middle of the night. He discovers a strange but lovable race of small humanoid creatures called Minpins. The minpins are being terrorized by a giant beast that devours them by the thousands. Billy being the biggest boy in the forest wants to stand up for his new tiny companions.
A simple but fun story. Not one of Roald Dahl’s best. It doesn’t have the same level or creativity, weird world building or zany plot outcomes as much of his other work does. It’s a straightforward tale of a curious boy venturing out into the woods and proving his bravery for the sake of his new friends.
While the story is very simple, I like the resolution between Billy and his friends and the message of the ending about the greatest wonders of the world being hidden right under our noses. Short but sweet....more
In an old white cabin in the woods, a cat, a squirrel and a duck live peacefully together. Each has their own talent for a task that complements the oIn an old white cabin in the woods, a cat, a squirrel and a duck live peacefully together. Each has their own talent for a task that complements the other. When it comes to making pumpkin soup, the cat slices the pumpkins, the squirrel stirs the water and the duck sprinkles the salt. One day they get in a squabble over who should be in charge of what and who is best suited for each role, and they all end up going their separate ways. Only after losing each other do they realize just how much they care and need each other.
This is a really wholesome story about compromise and reconciliation after disagreement. The story of the three friends is funny and touching. The art is very impressively detailed, rich with visuals of Autumn (my favorite season) and vintage fairy tale vibes. Every little detail vibrantly comes to life with shades of colorful orange and a subtle darkness that haunts the atmosphere outside in the unknown wilderness. It's reminiscent of a classic halloween-themed animated movie. The three friends are drawn in a warm and cozy manner while all the dangerous creatures and landscapes that lurk outside in the deep woods are drawn terrifyingly monstrous.
It really captures the dark but gentle spirit of September and October....more
As someone that really loves walking in nature and being in the peaceful quiet of wide open spaces with no people around, this poem really resonates wAs someone that really loves walking in nature and being in the peaceful quiet of wide open spaces with no people around, this poem really resonates with me.
I love how the woods look any time of the year. The colorful leaves of Fall, the snowy branches of Winter, the blossoming petals of Spring, the vibrant greens of Summer. The woods have always brought me comfort.
The poetry of Robert Frost is very short, simple and easy to understand, but they can spark a lot of meaningful comfort and relaxation in people that enjoy the everyday simple beauties of the outdoors....more
This one little room of the house has everything in it. A bed, a fireplace, tables and dressers, a bookshelf, pictures of bears sitting in chairs, giaThis one little room of the house has everything in it. A bed, a fireplace, tables and dressers, a bookshelf, pictures of bears sitting in chairs, giant rabbits, cats, mice and more. If you look out the window, you’ll even see a cow jumping over the moon.
Am I describing a cozy bedtime dream or someone who smoked a little too much weed? You decide.
In all seriousness though, the book is pretty relaxing. The vivid color scheme really breathes a lot of life into such a simple little room....more
This is a simple short story that can be interpreted in a surprising number of different ways. At it's core, it's about a tree that's more than happy This is a simple short story that can be interpreted in a surprising number of different ways. At it's core, it's about a tree that's more than happy to keep giving gifts and a boy who's more than happy to keep taking and taking them.
Is it a commentary about unhealthy codependent relationships? Is it about the ego of being expected to be loved unconditionally just because you've done something nice for someone? Is it about the harm of entitlement or ungratefulness? Is it about humble selfless people being taken advantage of by greedy selfish people? Is it about the dangers of not setting boundaries for yourself? Is it a tragedy about not appreciating all the good things someone does for you until it's too late?
It can be all of these things or none of these things....more
This book is an accurate depiction of my life. I keep eating more and more food, but I'm still hungry...This book is an accurate depiction of my life. I keep eating more and more food, but I'm still hungry......more
Mog is a forgetful cat. She forgets she just ate right after her meals. She forgets how to get in and out through the catflap on the front door. She sMog is a forgetful cat. She forgets she just ate right after her meals. She forgets how to get in and out through the catflap on the front door. She sometimes even forgets that her family loves her because they’re always getting annoyed with her clumsy forgetfulness. That all changes when the Thomas family receives an unexpected visitor in the middle of the night and Mog’s forgetfulness suddenly comes in handy.
A funny and wholesome little story that anyone that’s ever owned a pet can relate to. It’s packed with lighthearted British humor. ...more
Maxwell Kane is a gentle giant that all the other kids are afraid of because of his unnaturally large size. The fact that he’s the son of a notorious Maxwell Kane is a gentle giant that all the other kids are afraid of because of his unnaturally large size. The fact that he’s the son of a notorious murderer doesn’t help his reputation. Max has no friends until he meets a small and nerdy little guy named Kevin who goes by the alias Freak. Max is unnaturally large but slow in the head, while Kevin is unnaturally small but he’s a total genius that’s obsessed with literature, history and science. The two come together to form an unstoppable duo who fill in the gaps of their respective weaknesses and go on dangerous quests together as Freak the Mighty.
This is really touching. The whole big slow guy befriends the small smart guy might seem a bit cliche, but the execution of the story is really heartfelt and brilliant. Though there’s a lot of wholesome touching moments, it doesn’t shy away from the harsh reality of life these types of guys can face head on from an early age. It’s gritty, dealing with themes of discrimination towards those that suffer from disabilities, family trauma and personality disorders. It also has some really sharp humor and tackles themes of violence and death as well. The ending is beautiful and bittersweet.
It hits hard in all the right ways. It’s funny, uplifting and emotional, but it’s dark, philosophical and introspective as well. It feels like a great classic coming of age tale like Stand by Me, The Goonies and Bridge to Terabithia....more
When she learns the baby pig is destined to be sold and slaughtered, a little girl named Fern begs her father not to butcher the poor thing. Tasked wiWhen she learns the baby pig is destined to be sold and slaughtered, a little girl named Fern begs her father not to butcher the poor thing. Tasked with adopting and raising the pig named Wilbur to prove that he doesn’t deserve the cruel fate that awaits him, Fern takes care of him to the best of her ability. Slowly but surely, Wilbur touches the lives of all the people and animals living with him on the farm.
A lovely classic children’s story that doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh realities of life. From the fleeting lives of farm animals to the loss of childhood innocence that comes with age, it’s a tale of life, death, and friendship in the midst of hardship.
I especially enjoyed the bond between Wilbur and the lonesome motherly spider Charlotte. Wilbur, Charlotte and Fern all have bittersweet character arcs that end on a rough but realistic note....more
A simple and sweet story about a group of owl triplets sitting in a nest waiting for their mother to return home. It brings back memories of being a sA simple and sweet story about a group of owl triplets sitting in a nest waiting for their mother to return home. It brings back memories of being a small kid and worrying because your parent is running a few hours late and didn't return home in time like they normally do. It's only a couple pages long, so that's all that can really be said. The art is gorgeous and highly detailed compared to a lot of old children's picture books.
The gritty but heartfelt coming of age tale of Ponyboy Curtis and his faithful gang of misfit hooligans who stick together through the hardest of timeThe gritty but heartfelt coming of age tale of Ponyboy Curtis and his faithful gang of misfit hooligans who stick together through the hardest of times.
Ponyboy and his gang are called greasers, low class outsiders disrespected by everyone outside of their social standing for their rugged appearances and rebellious demeanors. Their main enemies are the socs, rich snobby kids that never had to struggle for anything in their lives. The two rival factions hate each other like all mortal enemies do, but through a brutal two-week long conflict that pits them against each other in ways never seen before, they’re forced to reflect on their hateful prejudices against each other and reconsider how different from and how uncomfortably similar to each other they really are.
This book packs a whole lot of story and multiple emotional character arcs in a very short span of time. The characters are instantly likable and relatable. Even if you can’t relate to their attitudes, their social standings or their in-your-face personas, it’s easy to see how they became the way they are. Their struggles, their toxic family dynamics, the unfairly harsh scrutiny they face from everyone outside their group, the lack of support or help they receive from adults or caretakers of any kind. It’s not hard to see why they all banded together in a time of despair and desperation. It’s also not surprising that some of them feel the need to act out in typical troublemaker fashion or commit petty felonies just to receive a bit of recognition and awareness from the world that was so quick to throw them away and ignore them. At the end of the day, they’re just little kids that never received any love, guidance or help and they desperately need it.
While the circumstances are grim and there’s quite a few sad moments that hit where it hurts, the overall tone of the book is actually fairly uplifting. If there’s one thing to take away from the story, it’s about the importance of having healthy support systems in one form or another. Sometimes that doesn’t come in the form of a tight-knit family, money, a doctor, a school teacher, government officials or social workers. Sometimes it’s as simple as finding a crew of like-minded weirdos who understand and accept you for who you are and empathize with your circumstances, distancing yourself from the people who bring nothing but trouble and doing your best to do the right thing even when you’ve been given a rotten hand in life. Don’t become as bad as the ones who did you wrong, in other words.
The book also pokes holes in societal stereotypes, not taking the sides of the greasers or the socs. It reflects on the importance of not judging the outcasts of society for their misfit behavior or to assume that healthy kids that didn’t grow up on the streets are automatically free of any hardships, problems or insecurities of their own.
It’s all about learning to find a place where you belong and accept the fact that every person in the world has their own struggles and challenges, no matter how privileged or disadvantaged they may seem at first glance. It’s also about the beauty of brotherhood and boys coming together to support each other when no one else will. It’s touching, funny, adventurous, tragic and triumphant.
Matilda is a brilliant learner who loves books and problem solving. Unfortunately, her parents are nasty shallow bullies and the headmistress of her sMatilda is a brilliant learner who loves books and problem solving. Unfortunately, her parents are nasty shallow bullies and the headmistress of her school Miss Trunchbull is even nastier than they are. To stand up for herself, her classmates and her beloved homeroom teacher Miss Honey, Matilda applies everything she’s learned from her copious reading to deal with the miserable bullies in her life. To do so may require the use of supernatural levels of wittiness and trickery, however.
This was a lot of fun. Matilda is an inspiring character that puts her head to good use in comically harmless but very useful ways. What makes her truly likable is her humbleness and compassion for others. She never lets her intelligence fuel her ego or corrupt her compassion for others regardless of how smart or dull they may be.
The humor in this book is also so ridiculous I thought it was great. Miss Trunchbull is a vile villain but she’s also undeniably hilarious in her own way, especially regarding her very long list of creative insults. She also serves as a good antagonist for Matilda to test her mettle against.
The kinship between Matilda and Miss Honey is nicely developed. I like how they both brought some light into each other's lives after they were both raised around such awful people. They don’t let their tragic upbringings interfere with their ability to be kind and protective towards others.
Picked this up on a whim and enjoyed it a lot more than I expected. It’s a simple slice of life story about a girl named Opal that adopts a charismatiPicked this up on a whim and enjoyed it a lot more than I expected. It’s a simple slice of life story about a girl named Opal that adopts a charismatic homeless dog named Winn Dixie. Opal’s not very good at making friends or conversation with people, but Winn Dixie certainly is. The dog serves as a bridge between Opal and the people she meets throughout the story. The trusty little pup gives her the kindness, bravery and determination she needs to open up to others and find her own path in life.
Opal was lonely because she grew up without a mother and didn’t know how to bond with others. After meeting Winn Dixie, she mends her relationship with her father and learns that all the nice people in her local area all carry their own burdens, insecurities and past tragedies that make them lonely in their own way. Winn Dixie brings the community together one happy story at a time.
While the Belgariad is far from being perfect or original, it does an extremely good job with the tools at its disposal. The journey is cBelgariad 1-5
While the Belgariad is far from being perfect or original, it does an extremely good job with the tools at its disposal. The journey is constantly moving and evolving without suffering from the snail-like pacing typically associated with classic epic fantasy. The world is creative and full of vibrant life and simple yet interesting magical systems.
The characters felt like a group of close friends I could actually hang out with. They squabble, support each other and love each other like any old group of pals. Sometimes they’re annoying and stupid, but in ways all people can be which ironically made me like them even more. They all go through some great character development over the series and constantly change into better, more likable and more mature versions of themselves. By the end, I felt like they had all truly grown up for the best, even the stubborn old folks that’ve been alive for hundreds of years changed quite a bit in ways that made me feel proud of them.
This is also one of the few fantasy series out there where I actually thought the comedy was constantly hilarious and entertaining, and the romance was handled in ways that made me feel emotionally invested without being sappy or cringe-inducing. The relationships were genuinely pleasant, wholesome and funny to watch.
I can totally understand why a lot of people may criticize and dismiss this series for its flaws, but I think it’s a very endearing, charming and memorable experience with a lovable cast of characters if you can forgive it for its missteps and plot contrivances.
While 4.8/5 may seem like a higher rating than it critically deserves, I’m rating this series overall based on how much joy, fun and pleasant escapism it gave me every time I read it. Far from perfect, but I had an absolute blast.
My rating: 4.8/5
***
Pawn of Prophecy
Garion is a young orphaned farm boy believed to be the descendant of heroes, destined to confront the fallen Dark Lord Torak who betrayed the gods of the old age and threw the world into darkness. With Torak's wicked forces rising from the shadows to wreak havoc in search of an ancient orb that will allow their master to be resurrected, Garion sets out on an epic quest to gain the support of kings from around the world and claim the orb before it falls into the wrong hands. Accompanied by his fierce yet motherly Aunt Pol, the wise sorcerer Wolf, and a slew of colorful companions, Garion must face many challenges before he confronts his mortal enemy and discover the truth behind his lineage.
An engaging classic fantasy with fun characters and charming humor. The plot and characters are rather simplistic and cliche, but not necessarily in a bad way. All the characters are recognizable archetypes that have been done hundreds of times before. Garion is the orphaned farm boy turned hero of prophecy. Pol is the harsh yet lovable sorceress. Wolf is the wise old bearded wizard. Silk is the cunning sharp-tongued jester. Barak is the barbarian warrior with a heart of gold, etc. But the Belgariad manages to utilize these archetypes much better than most typical classic epic fantasy stories by making them far more human, realistic and relatable.
The story is as formulaic and by the numbers as fantasy can possibly be, but this was actually an intentional choice by the author. He wanted to prove that he could make a fun, engaging and entertaining series using all the familiar tropes often associated with classic fantasy. Where Eddings succeeds where many classic fantasy epics don’t is the great dialogue, stronger prose, tighter pacing, characters with bright personalities that pop out of the pages and consistently witty and humorous banter between the core cast.
Is it a monumental work of fantasy that redefines the genre? No. Is it highly entertaining with moments of brilliance here and there? Definitely.
Silk is my favorite character so far. He’s like Littlefinger from Game of Thrones, but if he were actually a decent guy that just likes gambling, debating and being a sassy little devil.
My rating: 3.8/5
***
Queen of Sorcery
Queen of Sorcery continues right where Pawn of Prophecy leaves off and expands upon everything the first book spent setting up. We continue following Garion and his crew of ageless royals on their quest to gain the support of foreign nations, receive support from a slew of colorful allies and hopefully retrieve the Orb of Aldur from the clutches of their enemies before the Dark Lord Torak can return to full power. They encounter many dangerous threats while Garion slowly matures and comes to understand what he’s truly capable of.
I’m glad I decided to give this series another chance. On a surface level, it’s easy to write the Belgariad off as a tropey epic fantasy saga that brings nothing new to the table. Once you peel back its familiar exterior however, it’s rich with imaginative writing, great characters, genuinely funny and entertaining dialogue, and surprising moments of emotional growth for the protagonists. The romance, comedy, pacing and distinct personality of the core cast is done better than most other classic series that fall into the same style of vintage quest fantasy.
Queen of Sorcery does struggle a bit to find its footing in the first half of the book, as the characters are lost and trying desperately to figure out a plan of action before they get outdone by the enemy. The second half of this one is truly great though, developing the protagonists, their relationships, their supernatural abilities as well as building up the threat of their deadly adversaries. The action scenes are also much more gritty and gruesome. Lots more bodies dropping this time around.
Now I’m actually emotionally invested in the story and looking forward to the rest of the series.
My Rating: 4.2/5
***
Magician's Gambit
Garion and his crew finally uncover the culprit responsible for stealing the Orb of Aldur and spreading chaos all over the world. Ctuchik, an old acquaintance of Belgarath and a faithful servant of the evil lord Torak stands between Garion and the orb. Before they can hope to stand a fighting chance, Garion must master his control over sorcery in the Vale of Aldur, travel through the haunted lands of Maragor, deliver Princess Ce'Nedra to safety and trust in his companions to have his back in the face of disaster and war.
Magician's Gambit was a bit of a mixed bag compared to the first two books, but my feelings are more positive than negative. The first half of the book is the best the series has ever been so far. It has great character development. The mentor/student training between Garion and his grandfather is a nice balance between wholesome and hilarious. The romantic chemistry between Garion and Ce'Nedra, as well as the subtle feelings between Durnik and Pol were nicely implemented.
It has some of the most interesting worldbuilding and lore, delving into the gloomy family history of Garion's ancestors while visiting some truly haunted places like a city made of tortured wailing souls and ancient wizard towers with strange technology. I also like that we got to meet some of the god figures of the story which have been teased since the very beginning. The encounters with them were chilling. A religious zealot that spent his whole life in a cave also joins Garion's party, which offers some unique dynamics to the group.
The second half wasn't nearly as good in my opinion, but far from bad. It just broke away from all the great magic, worldbuilding and character development going on in exchange for a standard fantasy quest adventure where Garion and his party track down Ctuchik in a final standoff for the Orb of Aldur. The ending also wasn't quite as emotionally impactful as the last two books, but does a nice job of setting up the sequels.
My rating: 4.1/5
***
Castle of Wizardry
The Orb of Aldur has finally been retrieved from the clutches of Torak’s henchmen, but the journey is just beginning. A terrible war is brewing. Ruthless soldiers and evil cultists are terrorizing the world with dark magic, slavery and human sacrifice. Garion must bear the burden of the destiny he was born to uphold and reach the heights of his true potential to stand against the ever growing threat of Torak’s awakening.
My favorite of the series so far. The prose and dialogue have improved a lot since the first book. The action scenes have more weight, sadness and brutality to them. The religious and political themes feel much more nuanced and thought-provoking. Everything feels more mature and serious in this one. Surprisingly, the comedy, romance and banter still remains just as consistently fun and entertaining as it’s always been in spite of all of this.
Garion and Ce’nedra receive a boatload of character development upon being forced to overcome some world-changing ordeals and internal struggles. Relg the religious zealot is more complex and interesting as he’s now placed in a position where his extreme beliefs are constantly being challenged. Polgara has a lot of emotional backstory moments that made me like her a lot more. Even Silk and Barak receive some development beyond being a couple of troublemaking goofballs. Barak evolves as a father and as a husband, Silk evolves as a son and as a friend. I’ve liked them both since the very beginning though.
There’s some really good subplots weaved in between the main narrative as well. Each one has a touching resolution that increases the depth of the internal struggles of the main cast as well as the finality of the building climax.
The pacing does get a bit messy in this one though. Some revelations are rushed and some really big moments fly by unexpectedly quickly. The last couple of chapters revolving entirely around Ce’nedra are great for her character development, but not quite as engaging or emotional as a lot of things that went down in the earlier parts. Still my favorite book in the series so far though.
Garion and Torak’s fated battle is finally on the horizon and I’m ready for the showdown.
My rating: 4.4/5
***
Enchanters End Game
Garion marches on with his companions on a quest to slay his immortal nemesis Torak before he awakens to full power. His dear princess Ce’Nedra has taken command of his kingdom to lead an army to serve and protect the people of the land before they’re wiped out by the encroaching calamity. All the pawns of prophecy have been assembled. All the pieces of a centuries-old puzzle have been placed down. Now the time for the final battle to decide the fate of the entire universe has come.
I had some mixed feelings about this final novel in the Belgariad series initially, but I walked away from the finale feeling happy and satisfied with how things ended overall. My main problem with this book is there’s a ton of needless filler content packed in the middle, most of which doesn’t even contain any of the main cast of characters that I’ve spent so much time growing attached to. It was the only time in the series I felt like skimming through some chapters in hopes of getting back to the good stuff.
Once the filler portions of the story are pushed aside however, the main characters return front and center for an epic and heartwarming final arc where everyone gets a satisfying resolution that makes the whole arduous journey feel worth it. This book is filled with death, carnage and war, but it manages to wrap it all up with the familiar charm, uplifting humor and gentle touches of human compassion that I’ve come to really enjoy from this series. I was smiling through the whole last few chapters.
As of now, I haven’t decided if I want to read the sequel series yet because I feel really good about how everything was finished up here, but I’m sure I’ll be tempted to revisit this world some time in the not so distant future. A lot of the filler content in this book seemed to be setting up issues for the second series to handle, so maybe some of the less enjoyable portions of this one will pay off in later books.
Garion marches on with his companions on a quest to slay his immortal nemesis Torak before he awakens to full power. His dear princess Ce’Nedra has taGarion marches on with his companions on a quest to slay his immortal nemesis Torak before he awakens to full power. His dear princess Ce’Nedra has taken command of his kingdom to lead an army to serve and protect the people of the land before they’re wiped out by the encroaching calamity. All the pawns of prophecy have been assembled. All the pieces of a centuries-old puzzle have been placed down. Now the time for the final battle to decide the fate of the entire universe has come.
I had some mixed feelings about this final novel in the Belgariad series initially, but I walked away from the finale feeling happy and satisfied with how things ended overall. My main problem with this book is there’s a ton of needless filler content packed in the middle, most of which doesn’t even contain any of the main cast of characters that I’ve spent so much time growing attached to. It was the only time in the series I felt like skimming through some chapters in hopes of getting back to the good stuff.
Once the filler portions of the story are pushed aside however, the main characters return front and center for an epic and heartwarming final arc where everyone gets a satisfying resolution that makes the whole arduous journey feel worth it. This book is filled with death, carnage and war, but it manages to wrap it all up with the familiar charm, uplifting humor and gentle touches of human compassion that I’ve come to really enjoy from this series. I was smiling through the whole last few chapters.
As of now, I haven’t decided if I want to read the sequel series yet because I feel really good about how everything was finished up here, but I’m sure I’ll be tempted to revisit this world some time in the not so distant future. A lot of the filler content in this book seemed to be setting up issues for the second series to handle, so maybe some of the less enjoyable portions of this one will pay off in later books.
Garion is a young orphaned farm boy believed to be the descendant of heroes, destiThe first three Belgariad books are a lot of fun!
***
Pawn of Prophecy
Garion is a young orphaned farm boy believed to be the descendant of heroes, destined to confront the fallen Dark Lord Torak who betrayed the gods of the old age and threw the world into darkness. With Torak's wicked forces rising from the shadows to wreak havoc in search of an ancient orb that will allow their master to be resurrected, Garion sets out on an epic quest to gain the support of kings from around the world and claim the orb before it falls into the wrong hands. Accompanied by his fierce yet motherly Aunt Pol, the wise sorcerer Wolf, and a slew of colorful companions, Garion must face many challenges before he confronts his mortal enemy and discover the truth behind his lineage.
An engaging classic fantasy with fun characters and charming humor. The plot and characters are rather simplistic and cliche, but not necessarily in a bad way. All the characters are recognizable archetypes that have been done hundreds of times before. Garion is the orphaned farm boy turned hero of prophecy. Pol is the harsh yet lovable sorceress. Wolf is the wise old bearded wizard. Silk is the cunning sharp-tongued jester. Barak is the barbarian warrior with a heart of gold, etc. But the Belgariad manages to utilize these archetypes much better than most typical classic epic fantasy stories by making them far more human, realistic and relatable.
The story is as formulaic and by the numbers as fantasy can possibly be, but this was actually an intentional choice by the author. He wanted to prove that he could make a fun, engaging and entertaining series using all the familiar tropes often associated with classic fantasy. Where Eddings succeeds where many classic fantasy epics don’t is the great dialogue, stronger prose, tighter pacing, characters with bright personalities that pop out of the pages and consistently witty and humorous banter between the core cast.
Is it a monumental work of fantasy that redefines the genre? No. Is it highly entertaining with moments of brilliance here and there? Definitely.
Silk is my favorite character so far. He’s like Littlefinger from Game of Thrones, but if he were actually a decent guy that just likes gambling, debating and being a sassy little devil.
My rating: 3.8/5
***
Queen of Sorcery
Queen of Sorcery continues right where Pawn of Prophecy leaves off and expands upon everything the first book spent setting up. We continue following Garion and his crew of ageless royals on their quest to gain the support of foreign nations, receive support from a slew of colorful allies and hopefully retrieve the Orb of Aldur from the clutches of their enemies before the Dark Lord Torak can return to full power. They encounter many dangerous threats while Garion slowly matures and comes to understand what he’s truly capable of.
I’m glad I decided to give this series another chance. On a surface level, it’s easy to write the Belgariad off as a tropey epic fantasy saga that brings nothing new to the table. Once you peel back its familiar exterior however, it’s rich with imaginative writing, great characters, genuinely funny and entertaining dialogue, and surprising moments of emotional growth for the protagonists. The romance, comedy, pacing and distinct personality of the core cast is done better than most other classic series that fall into the same style of vintage quest fantasy.
Queen of Sorcery does struggle a bit to find its footing in the first half of the book, as the characters are lost and trying desperately to figure out a plan of action before they get outdone by the enemy. The second half of this one is truly great though, developing the protagonists, their relationships, their supernatural abilities as well as building up the threat of their deadly adversaries. The action scenes are also much more gritty and gruesome. Lots more bodies dropping this time around.
Now I’m actually emotionally invested in the story and looking forward to the rest of the series.
My Rating: 4.2/5
***
Magician's Gambit
Garion and his crew finally uncover the culprit responsible for stealing the Orb of Aldur and spreading chaos all over the world. Ctuchik, an old acquaintance of Belgarath and a faithful servant of the evil lord Torak stands between Garion and the orb. Before they can hope to stand a fighting chance, Garion must master his control over sorcery in the Vale of Aldur, travel through the haunted lands of Maragor, deliver Princess Ce'Nedra to safety and trust in his companions to have his back in the face of disaster and war.
Magician's Gambit was a bit of a mixed bag compared to the first two books, but my feelings are more positive than negative. The first half of the book is the best the series has ever been so far. It has great character development. The mentor/student training between Garion and his grandfather is a nice balance between wholesome and hilarious. The romantic chemistry between Garion and Ce'Nedra, as well as the subtle feelings between Durnik and Pol were nicely implemented.
It has some of the most interesting worldbuilding and lore, delving into the gloomy family history of Garion's ancestors while visiting some truly haunted places like a city made of tortured wailing souls and ancient wizard towers with strange technology. I also like that we got to meet some of the god figures of the story which have been teased since the very beginning. The encounters with them were chilling. A religious zealot that spent his whole life in a cave also joins Garion's party, which offers some unique dynamics to the group.
The second half wasn't nearly as good in my opinion, but far from bad. It just broke away from all the great magic, worldbuilding and character development going on in exchange for a standard fantasy quest adventure where Garion and his party track down Ctuchik in a final standoff for the Orb of Aldur. The ending also wasn't quite as emotionally impactful as the last two books, but does a nice job of setting up the sequels.
The Orb of Aldur has finally been retrieved from the clutches of Torak’s henchmen, but the journey is just beginning. A terrible war is brewing. RuthlThe Orb of Aldur has finally been retrieved from the clutches of Torak’s henchmen, but the journey is just beginning. A terrible war is brewing. Ruthless soldiers and evil cultists are terrorizing the world with dark magic, slavery and human sacrifice. Garion must bear the burden of the destiny he was born to uphold and reach the heights of his true potential to stand against the ever growing threat of Torak’s awakening.
My favorite of the series so far. The prose and dialogue have improved a lot since the first book. The action scenes have more weight, sadness and brutality to them. The religious and political themes feel much more nuanced and thought-provoking. Everything feels more mature and serious in this one. Surprisingly, the comedy, romance and banter still remains just as consistently fun and entertaining as it’s always been in spite of all of this.
Garion and Ce’nedra receive a boatload of character development upon being forced to overcome some world-changing ordeals and internal struggles. Relg the religious zealot is more complex and interesting as he’s now placed in a position where his extreme beliefs are constantly being challenged. Polgara has a lot of emotional backstory moments that made me like her a lot more. Even Silk and Barak receive some development beyond being a couple of troublemaking goofballs. Barak evolves as a father and as a husband, Silk evolves as a son and as a friend. I’ve liked them both since the very beginning though.
There’s some really good subplots weaved in between the main narrative as well. Each one has a touching resolution that increases the depth of the internal struggles of the main cast as well as the finality of the building climax.
The pacing does get a bit messy in this one though. Some revelations are rushed and some really big moments fly by unexpectedly quickly. The last couple of chapters revolving entirely around Ce’nedra are great for her character development, but not quite as engaging or emotional as a lot of things that went down in the earlier parts. Still my favorite book in the series so far though.
Garion and Torak’s fated battle is finally on the horizon and I’m ready for the showdown.
Garion and his crew finally uncover the culprit responsible for stealing the Orb of Aldur and spreading chaos all over the world. Ctuchik, an old acquGarion and his crew finally uncover the culprit responsible for stealing the Orb of Aldur and spreading chaos all over the world. Ctuchik, an old acquaintance of Belgarath and a faithful servant of the evil lord Torak stands between Garion and the orb. Before they can hope to stand a fighting chance, Garion must master his control over sorcery in the Vale of Aldur, travel through the haunted lands of Maragor, deliver Princess Ce'Nedra to safety and trust in his companions to have his back in the face of disaster and war.
Magician's Gambit was a bit of a mixed bag compared to the first two books, but my feelings are more positive than negative. The first half of the book is the best the series has ever been so far. It has great character development. The mentor/student training between Garion and his grandfather is a nice balance between wholesome and hilarious. The romantic chemistry between Garion and Ce'Nedra, as well as the subtle feelings between Durnik and Pol were nicely implemented.
It has some of the most interesting worldbuilding and lore, delving into the gloomy family history of Garion's ancestors while visiting some truly haunted places like a city made of tortured wailing souls and ancient wizard towers with strange technology. I also like that we got to meet some of the god figures of the story which have been teased since the very beginning. The encounters with them were chilling. A religious zealot that spent his whole life in a cave also joins Garion's party, which offers some unique dynamics to the group.
The second half wasn't nearly as good in my opinion, but far from bad. It just broke away from all the great magic, worldbuilding and character development going on in exchange for a standard fantasy quest adventure where Garion and his party track down Ctuchik in a final standoff for the Orb of Aldur. The ending also wasn't quite as emotionally impactful as the last two books, but does a nice job of setting up the sequels.
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