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Summary: Castle of Wizardry - The Wizardry of Eddings
Review: David Eddings hit the Jackpot with his 5 book fantasy series "The Belgariad" and Book Four "Castle of Wizardry" continues, in great style this easy-to-read fantastic romp through the Kingdoms of the West. "Castle" is the next installment in the story of Garion, a simple farmboy, thrust into the adventure of a lifetime, in search of a magical Orb. "Castle" begins just after the recovery of the Orb and the death of Ctuchik, follower of the Evil God Torak, but if you think the quest ends here, don't despair, there is still plenty of dark magic, corrupt priests and one very irate evil God to provide plenty of entertainment and excitement for Garion and his companions. And for those softer at heart, there's just a little bit of romance thrown in as well. So don't be shy, join Garion, Belgarath, Polgara, Ce'Nedra and all their friends on an epic adventure. But don't take too long, they can't wait much longer. After all, they still have to fight their way through Book 5 before they can start on their journey through the Mallorean...but then, that's a whole separate story!
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Summary: One of my favorite series
Review: David Eddings is a wonderful author. He was one of the first authors I ever read I first got into Fantasy, and he got me hooked for life!
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Summary: A terrific book leading to a titanic match in the next book!
Review: David Eddings' five-part series, The Belgariad, comes to startling conclusions in the fourth book. I was shocked, amazed, and thrown aback, after reading the story.
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Summary: Amusing, but not very good
Review: Eddings certainly knows how to write an amusing, readable story. He has a fairly good sense of humor, the ability to keep numerous plot threads going without seeming confusing, and characters who are fairly likable.The flaws in his work are more basic. The series suffers from a bad case of "Star Trek Worldbuilding": each country has a single personality. All the Tolnedrans are crazy about money. All the Sendarans are practical. All the Arends are brave and stupid. All the Mimbrates are romantic. With a few exceptions, there is almost no good worldbuilding. The characters, also, are not very good. They seem to have no idea that they are inhabiting a Heroic Fantasy novel. Come on, now: how many of you REALLY think that a ten thousand year old Noble Sorceror would find much attraction in getting drunk? Overall, Edding's stuff is sort of like the old epic "cast of thousands" movies which are fun to watch even if they're not very good simply because they've got huge casts and fancy costumes and lavish scenery. Castle of Wizardry is good for speed-reading on a hot summer day. But don't look to it for depth.
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Summary: Fun, but fluffy
Review: Eddings is not well thought of amongst the more literate groups of fantasy fans. Nevertheless, his stuff is just outright fun. His characters are amusing, his plots interesting (if, admittedly, rather conventional), and his writing competent. This ain't Literature-with-a-capital-L, but it's enjoyable mind candy. One caveat: Eddings has a propensity for writing the same story over and over. Thus, The Mallorean differs in no significant way from The Belgariad. His other series are also very similar. If you don't like re-reading books -- or if you just think these books aren't worth re-reading -- don't bother with the sequels; but do give the Belgariad a shot.
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Summary: Nothing new here
Review: Eddings starts to go downhill with this 4th volume of the Belgariad, primarily because the more the story expands, the more problems creep up. Always conventional, although fun, Eddings should've been able to keep material this simplistic from having so many logical gaps. Still, lots of clever dialogue (sometimes this is all that Eddings has going for him) and more adventures with his well-loved characters make Castle of Wizardry a good (if brain-dead) read.
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Summary: Science fiction will never be the same. EXCELLENT!
Review: Eddings throws you, yet again, in a fantasy world where the characters will become as well known to you as life-like friends and the mystical aspects of this book don't seem cartoonish or petty. The beauty of Eddings works is they're all taken from a realistic start without any fantasy and incorporates it slowly and very believably as well. This book, as well as his other Malloreon series (which is a continuance of the Belgariad) MUST be read. Eddings is the only sci-fi type reader I will spend time with.
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Summary: The Weakest of the Set
Review: Garion, Belgarath, and group have just managed to retrieve the Orb of Aldur, and Chutchik managed to annihilate himself, and that's where this book continues. It starts off decently, as the group has to escape from Cthol Murgos with the Orb, and the odd little child Errand. Of course, half of the Murgos and most of the Grolims are on their tail. Sadly, after this exciting escape, the book starts to get a little boring. Garion's destiny, as if it was ever in doubt, it finalized, along with Ce'Nedras. Things move along rather slowly for most of the rest of the book - even as Garion, Silk, and Belgarath sneak away to face Torak. The book never really reaches any sort of climax at the end like the previous three did, sort of simply building up for the fifth book. It's good, like the entire series is, but seems to serve little more than advancing the story, instead of really being exciting to read.
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Summary: Fantastic
Review: Hands down the very best book I have ever read. The Belgariad series had me on the edge of my seat the entire time that I was read it. I have read the entire series at least a half a dozen times in the last year. Davie Edding is the finest writer I have ever encountered.
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Summary: The whole Belgariad series is great!
Review: I am really getting into the Belgariad series. I read The Elenium before this and was hooked from the start.
What I like about this book is that it keeps you turning page after page to find out what the plot will be.
Eddings is also a most excellent writer whose style is concise, humorous, and entertaining.
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