Rating: 
Summary: The Mixture As before, But Denser
Review: If you've read the Eddings' work before, then you know if you liked or didn't like it.And whichever way you may have felt about the Belgarion books or the Sparhawk books you'll probably feel about this book. I happen to enjoy Eddings books, even though, objectively, i can see a number of flaws in them. There's a certain progression in size here, from the ten-plus-two-point-5 volumes of the Belgarion stories to the six volumes of the Sparhawk stories to this single volume. But there's really about the same amount of story from series to series -- which means that things have to happen faster and closer together to get it all in. Which means things can get a little crowded, muddled or confusing, which means periodically one of the charcters explains things to another character -- entertainingly, but it's still an expository lump. The standard Eddings characters are all here -- Althalus, the thief, recruited as a sort of disciple by Dweia, one of three sibling gods whose conflicts are the basis for the story, is amazingly similar to what you'd get if Silk had Belgarath's's sorcerous abilities. Eliar is Garion or Berit -- the eager young man who has to learn some lessons the hard way. And so on -- just as most Heinlein novels, Eddings books are stocked with pleasantly familiar characters constructed out of the Very Finest Cardboard, who make their way through various horrific but not particularly frightening (to the reader, anyway) adventures until, after some sacrifices, they arrive at the happy ending. Along the way, they exchange clever/flippant/dry/cynical badinage and make jokes about their adventures and the way in which the young girl-type people (to use this books rather arch term) pursue the young boy-type people with marriage on their minds. No previous Eddings book has ever been particularly earth-shatteringly important or ground-breaking, and certainly, this one doesn't change the pattern or break the mold. But it's good for a pleasant afternoon or two and, so long as you're not looking for Incredible Significance or Deep Meaning in your fantasy it's certainly somewhat above the average in quality. And it will certainly satisfy a carving for light fantasy for a while... As a character in the movie "Zachariah" says "[It's] what ye're lookin' for -- if that's what ye're lookin' for..." -- a remark that might well issue from the mouth of an Eddings character.
Rating: 
Summary: not enough fake 5-stars to drown out the honest reaction.
Review: Known among my friends as an aficionado of fantasy, when asked what authors I recommend, I never fail to mention Eddings. Even now, even after this book. Belgariad, Malloreon, Elenium, Tamuli are all on my bookshelf. They've been read and enjoyed by myself, and by many of my friends. Now and then, I reread them, because these books are great. Been through them 4-5 times by now, and will read them more, and recommend them to anyone interested. Redemption of Althalus is someplace in my less enjoyed book closet. I barely stood going through it once - and will never open it again. To all who cares to listen, my advice is: don't spoil the wonderful Eddings experience with this book. When I started reading it, my first thought was that maybe this was some early work, some crude first take? Unfortunately, not so. I find it highly unfortunate and sad to have to move Eddings from my 'still is' to 'has been' list. Now, to the subject of my review's title: yes, I understand that someone hired to write a 5-star review in an attempt to prop up sales for a book that flopped does not question the task - but anyone with half a brain, upon seeing those 5-star cliche one-liners among so many eloquent 1-2 star articles, will get a picture. If nothing else, this damages book's reputation even further. Maybe, if backlash on Althalus has not been diluted by the fake praise, Eddings would pause more before putting out that new Elder Gods book - which, from the looks of it, is shaping up to be an even worse flop. And I also have to wonder if some of the other reviewers are right, and Leigh is indeed the detrimental influence here. I found that I far more enjoyed those books that don't have Leigh's name on them. If her vanity indeed takes precedence over her husband's reputation as a storyteller, I am afraid that her vanity is no winner here, either.
Rating: 
Summary: Real bad one.
Review: I read Belagariad series a few months ago. I was not too bad. But this one is not worth your time. This book belongs sort of to teens. 14 years old at the most I would say. There is no real magic with the "magic". Through first half of the book you are expecting that something real should happen but it never happens and finally you realize it will never really happen. No unexpected moments. No unusual turns. The plot is very poor. Well it is not a surprise, when your lover is a goddess you can do just anything and bad guys will _always_ loose.
Conclusion: This book for me was like a parody on a serious fantasy, bad one though. The only reason I give the book 2 stars and not 1, is because I have met a few even worse books.
Rating:
Summary: Mind Candy of the Gods
Review: First of all, contrary to the verbose reviewer, let me say I enjoyed the book. I agree with many of his points, it was still a fun read. If this was Edding's first novel, we'd be all over their witty commentary and character development. Instead of taking 5 books to really know your characters, you are introduced to them and know them right away - a little stereotyping, but there you are. But as authors write, they get good at somethings, and forgetful of others (compare AC Clark early and current novels to watch plotline conclusions go down hill, for instance). Eddings' series are getting shorter - the Belgariad/Mallorean were 5 books each, the Elenium/Tamuli were each 3. This story settles down in one and is over. So they've improved on consiseness. I don't know where this desire to marry off EVERYONE in the novels comes from, or how societies manage to hold onto themselves so long (must be the strong influence of the gods), or what Althalus is being redeemed from (I didn't see him pawned). But the characters are amusing, and the world theory (reflections from the House) is at least internally consistant. I'd like to challenge Dave and Leigh to put together a book or series that does not involve warring gods, has a character who is better off single and stays that way, and has no physical journey across great distances - basically break out of the formula that made Belgariad and Elenium so successful. Not that I didn't enjoy these books - I re-read them alot - but to prevent such minute comparisons of the formula between series. I enjoyed this novel, and think that long-time Eddings fans would enjoy it too - but ignore the title, and expect no more from the plot then from a short story. It's fun, but not deep.
Rating:
Summary: So bad it left me hostile
Review: Other reviews have really said it all. Horrible writing. Stereotyped characters that have the most trite and repetitive of dialog. Boring. Offensively stupid. Glaring plot holes. Ridiculously overpowered, unchallenged heroes. The list goes on and on. I'm ashamed that I read the whole thing. The last line made me throw the book, first against the wall and then away.
Rating:
Summary: predictable
Review: I love david and leigh eddings. However, this book was just annoying. The characters were all one dimensional and their main function was to deliver "funny" one liners. The book started off pretty good, but about 3/4 of the way through i stopped reading. It was just very boring and predictable. Don't waste your money.
Rating:
Summary: Is Leigh the poison?
Review: I've been reading D.Edding's books for a long time now... I've read every one. Generally, his books are interesting, creative and well written... Redemption falls painfully short. The characters are downright childishly portrayed... there isn't a single woman that can't act like she's a clever wiley and very feminine child bent on grabbing a man. At points the book almost slips into foolish romance-novel style behavior that just makes me ill. It's such a total waste of time. To be honest, if I were a woman reading this book I think I'd be completely insulted by the demeaning manner in which the women are portrayed. What's more is that the characters all have nearly the same exact personalities. There's not a character in the book that doesn't deliver "cute" little comments, and there isn't a single character in the book that doesn't respond by saying "Be nice" and the like. There are minor deviations so we can sort of keep track, but they are -weak-. If they at least had different speech patterns (ok, one character speaks as if he is uneducated... whoop-deee-doo... did we learn how to do that in high school english?) Also sometimes the writing is just unintelligable, though I blame the editors far more than the authors for this one. A couple times I almost had the impression that the editors were told to have a very hands-off approach to this book... they were probably told "after, all this is DAVID EDDINGS!" Sure, it's a best seller. Eddings is going to be a best seller for a while because people like me who trust that he'll write a book worth reading. Show some integrity, David, oh and some backbone... tell the wife to pound sand. From everything I can tell, she is NOT a good influence. For the record, I DID finish the book, but primarily because I didn't have time to find anything better. I almost tossed it into the airport trash can a couple of times. The oddest thing was that the last part of the book (which initially seemed misplaced and a total waste of time) was probably the most interesting. Maybe Leigh Eddings was sick while David wrote that part.
Rating: 
Summary: C'mon, this is a good book.
Review: This is a good book. By past Eddings books, this one is not as good. Maybe a 3 out of 5, but by normal standards, its a perfect 5. I has a good plot, good charactors, and a good pace. While similar to Eddings' other books, such as the Belgariad, it's different enough to keep you entertained. This was the first Eddings book I read and thought it was great, but after I read the Belgariad and Mallorean, I didn't think it was that great (hence the 3 by past standards). If this is your first Eddings fantasy, you will love it.
Rating:
Summary: Rehashed story line
Review: The other reviews say it all. Eddings has rehashed his story line, syntax and characters yet once again. Time for him to quit his day job.
Rating:
Summary: Damn
Review: I don't know where many of these people have been. I loved this book. Everyone has an opionion so what can you do. I would have to say that is book was quick and full of wit. One reviewer wrote that the duo are out of touch of how people talk. I think that 1) Usually the plot is in the past so that can account for the difference and a learning curve and 2) The banter and wit inside of the conversations are what good speakers with something to say speak with. I seem to have a sarcastic and witty streak in me, so maybe that is why this book's banter agreed with me. Those who have read Eddings know that the story is more than just the plot but the characters and the interplay between. The ending is symmetrical to follow the symmetry of the book. Weddings happen. Love is their theme if you will. For a stand alone fantasy novel, I would recommend this to about anyone. The concept of time travel was unique and exciting. The fact that Althalus was a witty storyteller theif sucked me in. Even when he was telling the story of the wolfskin to the bridge guard I found myself believing him. I am not a poor reader. Maybe not the best typer but not a poor reader. So, by that I mean that I can realize good writing and not just be took in by action and cussing. Attention spans have been shortening in our country and that is sad. The plot is different and fast paced. The ending is really one of my favorites of theirs.
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