Sorceress of Darshiva

Rating:
Summary: Just say NO to Eddings
Review: When I was given this book for my Fantasy Literature class I had no idea what I was getting into. Here I was geared up for another exciting reading adventure, I had my game face on, the thinking cap was in place, blast-off in 3, 2, 1-- Oh no! it looks like Eddings took a crap right in the engine. Honestly, it really represented something like taking candy from a stranger in a car: the initial sensation was exciting, but the following events left me scarred for life.

Maybe I had just been spoiled by the wonderful worlds of Tolkein and Le Guinn, but it just seemed to me that Eddings has made it so I'll never be able to completely trust a fantasy author again. All the dialogue in his book just serves to reveal the crazy little quirks about the characters, and at the same time, makes you want to jump in a volcano. The quirks aren't crazy, and the characters are not interesting! Moreover, every woman in the novel is either a. making a snide comment, b. being angry, or c. being cute. That's it folks, nothing else, according to Eddings women have no depth at all; and the really scary part is that Eddings' wife helps him with his writing. Well, atleast from this book I was able to discover something revealing and inciteful from the story, right? Well yes, actually. First, that evil people are generally bad, and good people tend to fight bad people (however, the heroes are so stupid I wish they would just die); and secondly, and most imortantly, when anybody comes and offers you some tempting David Eddings fantasy literature, JUST SAY NO!

Rating:
Summary: Back of the book, since there's no synopsis listed here.
Review: "The Endless Quest - - - - Troubles and delays continued to mount as Garion, Belgarath, Polgara, and the company pursued Zandramas across the known world. Possessed by the Dark Destiny, she had stolen Garion's infant son for a ritual that would destroy all that men valued. She was always one step ahead, taunting and spying on them, flying over in the form of a great dragon. Her armies led by a Demon Lord, threatened on one side; on the other were the forces of Emperor Zakath, seeking to capture them. Somehow, as the Seeress of Kell had warned, they had to be at the Place Which Is No More for the ritual at the same time as Zandramas, or face disaster. But where that might be they still had no clue. Here David Eddings continues his bestselling The Malloreon in this story of ancient, opposing Destinies battling for control of a world and for the fate of all Gods and men."

Rating:
Summary: Trite.
Review: All the good guys are so powerful there's no way any of the bad guys stand a chance. Why do they even bother? Just let the damn seeress tell us all about how it's supposed to happen and then we can turn to the last page, read about how good triumphs with one great blast of blue light from the Orb, and we'll be done with it. Save us all a lot of time.

Rating:
Summary: finally nearing the conclusion
Review: Book 4 of the Mallorean

Have you heard the expression "The more things change, the more they stay the same"? That expression is perhaps a good analogy for Eddings' Mallorean. Belgarion, Polgara, Belgarath and company are hot on the heels of Zandramas, the sorceress who kidnapped Belgarion's infant son way back in Book 1 "Guardians of the West". Now the group is only a couple of days behind, but more than just finding Zandramas they have to follow the prophecy which is gearing up between a final (truly final) meeting between the Child of Light and the Child of Dark. This story takes place on the continent of Mallorea, and another character is added to Belgarion's group as they follow the clues laid out by prophecy. While it may feel at times that the story will never end and that Belgarion is not truly getting closer to finding his son, this novel does give the sense that there is a true resolution that is going to happen if we just wait for it.

Neither this review nor this book is capable of changing your mind about whether or not you like David Eddings or his work. If you like Eddings, the "Belgariad" or the first three books in this series, then you will certainly like this one. It is more of the same. If you don't like Eddings...you won't like this one because it is still more of the same. Every character is witty and makes jokes at the others expense, but in a good natured way because they all like each other. They are the same jokes and side comments that have run through 8 previous novels set in this world. On one hand the jokes are amusing, but on the other hand, we've been reading the same jokes and comments for eight novels. This series (along with "The Belgariad") is one which hooked me on the fantasy genre when I was a young teenager, so I will always have a certain fondness for the series. In terms of overall quality, it is not one of the best you will read but it has always been enjoyable to read.

Rating:
Summary: finally nearing the conclusion
Review: Book 4 of the Mallorean

Have you heard the expression "The more things change, the more they stay the same"? That expression is perhaps a good analogy for Eddings' Mallorean. Belgarion, Polgara, Belgarath and company are hot on the heels of Zandramas, the sorceress who kidnapped Belgarion's infant son way back in Book 1 "Guardians of the West". Now the group is only a couple of days behind, but more than just finding Zandramas they have to follow the prophecy which is gearing up between a final (truly final) meeting between the Child of Light and the Child of Dark. This story takes place on the continent of Mallorea, and another character is added to Belgarion's group as they follow the clues laid out by prophecy. While it may feel at times that the story will never end and that Belgarion is not truly getting closer to finding his son, this novel does give the sense that there is a true resolution that is going to happen if we just wait for it.

Neither this review nor this book is capable of changing your mind about whether or not you like David Eddings or his work. If you like Eddings, the "Belgariad" or the first three books in this series, then you will certainly like this one. It is more of the same. If you don't like Eddings...you won't like this one because it is still more of the same. Every character is witty and makes jokes at the others expense, but in a good natured way because they all like each other. They are the same jokes and side comments that have run through 8 previous novels set in this world. On one hand the jokes are amusing, but on the other hand, we've been reading the same jokes and comments for eight novels. This series (along with "The Belgariad") is one which hooked me on the fantasy genre when I was a young teenager, so I will always have a certain fondness for the series. In terms of overall quality, it is not one of the best you will read but it has always been enjoyable to read.

Rating:
Summary: Master of Fantasy
Review: David Eddings is the master of fantasy. I have read the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. I have read so many fiction books that sometimes i confuse fantasy and reality but I know a great book when i read it and David Eddings books are just that. They have all the elements of fiction Magic, Sorcery, Intiuge, Creatures that exist nowhere else, and a world with a past and present so finely detailed that you swear its almost real... if you could only find the door. Some claim his books are predictable that good always wins but if some thing wasnt just a little bit predictable we would all probly take to our beds to frightened to go on.

We all belive Belgarion and the Orb will win and good will once again prevail but again and agian our minds fill with doubt as Eddings tests that belief. If we all wernt so fascinated with the series and the doubts it gives us we would have stopped reading long ago.

But we havent stopped .That alone speaks for it self.

Rating:
Summary: David Eddings makes me want to puke.
Review: David Eddings makes me wanna puke, i can't think of a higher compliment. But i must say one thing about the people who think they are fantasy experts and that eddings sucks, may be the problem all you people who give eddings' books one star, maybe the problem is YOU suck, ever think of that? i have never read books as intriguing as eddings', they are simply wonderful.

Rating:
Summary: so Cynical
Review: I am truly glad to see so little revieuws for this book, and all so long ago. Bunch of semi-Gods wander around, (Why don't they fly? Oh ya, all has to be done in time, how do I sell another one of these pointless books?) no real opposition. I have read a LOT of Fantasy and science fiction, and Eddings is the worst of all.

Rating:
Summary: Different icing, same cake
Review: I do enjoy eddings work, good plot, but by god, he gets repetitive. Every character has to make some sort of dry crack after a fight "Are you okay?" "They arent." If I read "'Be nice' (character x) murmured" one more time, Im going to freak out. How can -every- person in the world use that phrase? Its getting to be boring formula. Same thing with "Oh, I do love you" (x) said, nestling her head into (blanks) neck". Once or twice, fine. 15- 20 times or more comes across as stilted and forced. It wouldnt be so bad if the Malloreon and other Belgarath books were the only ones like this, but the Sparhawk series is just like this too. Im having to force myself to finish this because the above problems are getting really distracting and aggravating. Good grief.

Rating:
Summary: Eddings is one of the best Fantasy writers alive(or dead!!)
Review: I have read all of Eddings books excluding "The Loser," I have enjoyed hours of reading emotions in every one of Eddings books. I hope he will continue to write forever!!