This is technically a review of the last book in two connected series but it can stand as a review of all ten books in both the The Belgariad and The Malloreon series. Because, let’s face it, they’re all more or less the same book.
Now, unless it is loving satire written by Diana Wynne Jones, I am not typically a huge fan of quest fantasy. I find quest fantasy to be old-fashioned, trope-y, and sexist. And the books of David and Leigh Eddings hit all of those ticks (the sexism is less egregious than in other books of this type/era but still very much present). But the characters are fun and there’s a lot of humor in the books and sometimes it’s nice to read something utterly predicable so you don’t have to think too much while you read. Because, let’s face it, in quest fantasy you know the good guys are going to win and you don’t have to worry that characters you have grown attached to will die. It’s very relaxing.
One thing I found less relaxing than usual was that this book felt the need to marry everybody off after the evil had been defeated, which I didn’t feel was necessary. I mean, if I had been Liselle (the best spy in a nation of spies), I would have told Silk (who, don’t get me wrong, I’m quite fond of but who is also kind of an ass, especially when it comes to women), “No thanks, I’ve proved my point i.e. you are mine for the taking and that’s enough for me” and gone off and been a badass spy all on my own. But that’s just me and my feminist agenda talking.
All in all, these books are funny, super repetitive (the fact the repetitiveness is a plot point doesn’t actually make it better), and old-fashioned. From the first book, you know exactly how it’s all going to end. But they are also a very un-annoying example of the genre. I’m sure the Eddings are delighted by this high praise.
This is an entirely accurate review. I read the first few books many years ago, and then the entire series about three years ago. I agree with everything you have said.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks these things!
Repetitive and sexist? Well sign me up!
I used to read a lot of this stuff back in the day but find there is so much original writing in fantasy I have no patience for the old sword and sorcery stuff. A few years ago I tried to get through Wheel of Time but felt it functioned too effectively as a sleep aid.
Ha, right, I made these books sound so attractive!
And yeah, I’ve only read Fellowship of the Ring because I just find the books so boring. *ducks thrown objects* There’s just only so much trekking around and occasionally bashing things with swords a girl can take, you know?
I cannot be entirely objective on David and Leigh Eddings, as their books are the first real fantasy I read as a young teen and I absolutely loved them. I re-read them a few years ago, and yes, there are lots of things wrong with them, but I am still incredibly fond of them. The nostalgia factor is too high.
I always thought that the Eddings’ did their plot recycling better in The Elenium and The Tamuli and that there is a bit more depth to the story-telling in those books. Yup, still a bunch of people going on a quest to find a magic rock, but slighly more nuance to the way the story’s told. For one thing, Sparhawk is a grown man at the start of the series, so you don’t have to faff around with Garion and Ce’Nedra being awkward teens for much of the books.
I can definitely see how if I’d read the Eddings’ work 15 years ago, I would have loved it and had very few problems with it, but at 30, well…
But I don’t get me wrong, I did like the books and am for sure willing to give other stuff by David and Leigh a go! Thanks for the recommendations!
I agree with the repetitiveness. And as much as I adored the “Belgariad” series, but I had a real hard time getting into the “Mallorean” since it just felt like more of the same.
I will unashamedly admit that this 12 book series is my #1 favorite, but then again, I started reading them when I was in middle school. They’re my comfort books! And the Mallorean is *supposed* to be more of the same – the characters even acknowledge it! The other two books, Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polagra the Sorceress go into the backstory before the events of the Belgariad. There is the same kind of “sameness” because Polgara and Belgarath are telling the same story, but they are both really fun! You see how they both become BAMFs. If you’ve made it through the 10 book series, you might as well finish the other two!