The Redemption of Althalus

Rating:
Summary: Read his earlier books instead
Review: I have read all of Eddings' other fantasy books with great joy. The well-developed characters, wonderful character interaction, and decent-to-wonderful plots made Eddings' earlier series wonderful reading. "Althalus" has none of those qualities.

The story is taken almost exactly from "The Belgariad" and "The Tamuli": take someone destined for a life that is completely different to what he has known all of his life; determine that there is a threat to the world; begin the quest; meet people to help in the quest; build an army against a ruthless enemy; blah blah blah... Eddings did all of this before.

The character interactions are not well done. For example, in the "Belgariad" series, the verbal jabs are thrown among characters to display the love and fondness for each other while still being very funny. In "Althalus", the jabs are one-way and they are not funny at all. In fact, instead of love or affection, they seem to display more of an irritating "smart ..." attitude on the part of the characters.

Character development is nearly non-existant. The characters learn how to use their individual powers, but those powers do not enhance their self-worth at all, nor do the characters end up being more than "ends to a means". In some ways (and I am serious) certain comic book characters have had better development over the years.

The characters are completely non-believable. For example, one character acts so strong throughout the book, particularly with the very rough life that she has led, then suddenly (an not believably) collapses in tears because Althalus does not like it when she continually jokes about calling him "daddy". So much for strength of character. Unfortunately, most of the characters suffer from this flaw as well. You do not come away with any sense of spiritual or mental growth in the characters, nor do you end of developing any genuine feelings for any of the characters.

"Star Trek" greatly succeeded in explaining the intricacies of the "space/time continuum" and the potential problems of altering the past even in the very slightest of ways. Eddings apparently didn't even give changes to the timeline a first thought. They decided to play with temporal mechanics in a way that would make anyone with a shred of logic wonder how the characters could get away with what they were doing. It seems as though the concept of time travel was thrown in just for the sake of throwing it in. This just adds more to the unbelievable nature of the story.

Finally, there is no grand climax, no denoument, no great battle. The lead enemies are picked off one-by-one starting about half-way into the book, and the defeat of the main antagonist is indescribably unsatisfying.

The short of it is that this is NOT a good book. Sadly, I cannot even recommend this book even to those who have never read Eddings' books before. I was wholly unsatisfied to the point that when I finished the book I was more relieved that I could then go on to other books that are worth the time.

If you have never read any of the Eddings' series, purchase "The Belgariad". If you have already read "The Belgariad", read it again. "The Redemption of Althalus" sadly was the death of a good tree.

Rating:
Summary: Horrendous and Horrible Childish
Review: I have been a great fan of David Eddings, and I have truly enjoyed The Belagariad, The Elenium and The Tamuli series of books. However, since Leigh Eddings came along, I find his books becoming terribly childish, and having too much dialogue...the The Redemption of Althalus is of no exception (The other being Polgara the Sorceresss). Firstly, when someone goes to war, no way in hell will there be situations where teasing is so rampant. The dialogue "Be nice" simple gives me goosebumps, and almost every chapter has a character telling another to 'Be Nice'....gimme a break! And the villians seems so brainless. C'mon get real! Never have I put down a book without completing it...this one's the first!

Rating:
Summary: The Fading of a Star
Review: David Eddings at one point in time use to be my favorite fantasy author (until Robert Jordan came along!). However, he was already on the wane after Belgarath the Sorcerer, and Polgara the Sorceress. These were not bad books, but they did not represent a truly new original story. I had hoped that he would return to the world of Sparhawk and finish off that fantasy arc as the Mallorean finished off irrevocably Belgarion's and Eriond's story arc. I found Althalus to be very trite filled with one-dimensional Belgariadian and Mallorean rip-off characters. All I saw was Belgarath, Silk, Garion, Ce'Nedra, Polgara, etc, etc, etc. The magical system was blase, and I did not feel for the heroes, and the villian was a worthless, stone-blind fool of a weak character. I suffered through to the conclusion of this book and regetted that I did. Suffice it to say I will think twice about buying a book from Eddings again especially NOT in a hardback version. The disappointment was just to great. On a closing note this quote, "Oh how the mighty have fallen."

Rating:
Summary: Almost the worst book I've ever read...
Review: I am SUCH a big fan of Eddings work too. I've read everything he's written and found it totally enchanting. But this book just reads like he took his two other major series and smushed them together. I feel like I've already met all the characters before

Perhaps he's just run out of creativity and material but I've never been so disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: how to fit 100 ideas into a sentence
Review: The problem with this book is it's concept. The idea of the story was good, but the story won't fit in the format it's written in. Eddings didn't have time to develop characters. He didn't have time to stay at the good parts of the story. He only could do one thing throughout the whole book which is to hammer away at the plot. Relentlessly,neverending,ad infinitum..... Obviously he didn't want to commit to a multi-book saga which the story deserved (as well as an ending that wasn't thought up in the bathroom). Perhaps a new cookbook would be nice.

Rating:
Summary: Leitha and Andine saved it
Review: Well, this book is not too bad and I would give it 3 stars but Leitha and Andine deserve more. Two somewhat unlikely heroines (come on, they're usually the type of kitchen maid scrubbing dishes and deciding she wants to do more with her life so she joins a mysterious travelling band and saves the world and gets the guy) with their smart and sassy attitudes save an otherwise not so good book. Leitha, the 'witch' can read minds - something that puts people on edge and makes not just a few people squirm. Andine is a princess graced with an extraordinary voice; and we're not talking about a silvery tinkling voice. She can be very loud! Basically a motley rag-tag bunch of 'hereos' led by sort-of-good thief Althalus and his talking cat Emmy must save the world from Deiwos, a god who destroys things. Boring.

Rating:
Summary: If you read anything, you can read this
Review: I think I was sadly mistaken the first time I SKIMMED through this book at the bookstore. When I actually sat down and read it, I had to force myself to finish to write as accurate a review as possible.

There are so many discrepancies within the story it's unbelievable. Firstly, Althalus has lived for over 2 000 years but when he goes back to the normal world, there have been only a few minor changes. As if in 2 000 years the world's borders wouldn't have changed! The people are still all speaking the same language, which I think is a load of crock. When I say the same language, I mean it in two different ways. The first being that the main neighbouring countries all speak the same language. I think that's pretty doubtful but judge for yourself. Also, there have been no significant language changes, which means that people are essentially speaking the same language with the same words as they were over 2 000 years ago. Not likely!

Secondly, there haven't been enough changes scientifically. Okay, so they have steel but they are still using a plough to plant their crops and armies still march on foot to wherever the battle is.

The beginning of the book is mildly entertaining and one scene I did enjoy was when Althalus first meets Emmy the cat. When he came out of the House, things seemed to deteriorate. All the little quirks and witticisms of the main characters grates on your nerves after the first, what, two times?! Also, the 'good' characters seem to be a blend of honest, obedient, brave enthusiasm (I'm thinking of Eliar) and rag-tag people whose talents just HAPPEN to be useful when trying to beat off the baddies.

The baddies for the most part are a bunch of [stupid people] and they are disposed of one by one without much inconvenience. The 'heroes', and I use this term loosely, are barely challenged at all and I assume this stems from gaining the favour of Dweia. Being a goddess makes life so much simpler for everyone.

The dialogue was far too repetitive and annoying. At the end of each paragraph, some character or other was minorly annoyed at another or was telling them to "be nice" or "hush" or "shut up". Like I said, annoying.

Here's a brief character description of the main players:

Dweia: Goddess, takes the form of Emmy the Cat, is the one who is running the game, lives in the House, is supposedly kind and generous and loving (funny, they never really show this side of her). Sends other people to do her dirty work but lends a hand sometimes. Basically, a stuck-up, bossy, spoilt little brat.

Deiwos: God, Dweia's brother (the good one), his Book is the centre of the strife, creates things, takes a backseat in affairs and lets Dweia have a free rein. Maybe that's why she's a brat, hmm?

Daeva: God, the OTHER brother (bad one), evil, destroys, doesn't do much and like Dweia, sends other people to do his dirty work, not really described or mentioned much. Possibly even worse than his other two siblings.

Althalus: Dweia's main supporter, thief, storyteller, occasional murderer, not too bad just don't concentrate too much on what he says. Is reformed and this ruins his character.

Ghend: Althalus' archrival. Not much of a brain, supposedly evil and devious although pretty easily tricked. Nothing seems to be going right for him, a sad, sad character.

Eliar: The strong, brave one. Very young, innocent (sort of), polite, always hungry, the door opener (doors in the House lead to different places and times), supposedly a likeable character.

Pekhal: Ghend's henchman. Huge brute, not bright.

Andine: A very different heroine and reasonably likeable. Arya of Osthos, very young, very small, pretty. Got an interesting voice; I'm not talking about a silvery tinkling voice. She can be very loud. Hates Eliar because he killed her father in a battle (wonder what happens after?)

Gelta: Sort of like a female version of Pekhal. Warrior, ugly, primitive, more beast than man and more man than woman.

Leitha: the 'witch' can read minds - something that puts people on edge and makes not just a few people squirm. Pretty, speaks her mind, personality changes from time to time. Can be very strong and fragile (sometimes at the same time). Breaks down in tears occasionally.

Koman: can also read minds. Not much else to be said about him.

Bheid: the priest. kills someone, feels guilty, supposedly holy, likes Leitha.

Khnom: Ghend's door opener.

That's about it. Don't bother reading the book after reading this review. Please.

Rating:
Summary: This is NOT a good book
Review: I hate to say this because Eddings' early books were some of my favorite of all time. However, this book is:

* a bore;
* poorly written and/or edited; and
* totally lacking in character development.

Let me take a moment to explain each of these in greater detail. First of all, it is boring because the characters are totally uninteresting with little if any reason for the reader to root for the good guys or against the bad guys. When this is set in the context of a plot that TELLS YOU IN ADVANCE exactly how it will proceed, there is little to keep you changing the page other than a desire to finish the book.

Second, it is poorly written because the authors skip vast sections of interesting development. I will grant that parts of the book may have been edited out so that the book could be a self-contained novel, but when you read the first 100 pages, it essentially amounts to "Althalus is a thief. Althalus went to Town A. He was not very successful there. He went to another town. He was unsuccessful there. Althalus got drunk. Althalus decided to go on another quest..." Wonderful stuff.

It is also poorly written/edited because, although the authors write in third person, they use the narrative voice of a first person. In essence, it sounds like someone is telling you a story, which may sound good at first, but is actually distracting.

Finally, character development is completely lacking. What you see is what you get, unfortunately.

I will grant that the idea for the book is interesting and any fantasy book with "companions" is a little fun. Also, the fact that it is essentially self-contained is nice. However, those qualities simply keep it from getting one-star from me.

If you are looking for a good fantasy novel and haven't read them yet, then please read the following authors first: George Martin, Terry Brooks (Shannara), Tad Williams, Terry Goodking, David Farland, David Eddings' (Belgariad) and, of course, Tolkein.

Rating:
Summary: Old age seems to have softened David Eddings' brain.
Review: First of all I must say that I am an Eddings fan. I've read the Belgariad/Mallorean, and Elenium/Tamuli series several times. There has always been an aspect of predictability in all of these books. However, I was able to accept this as a peculiarity of his writing style. I must say that Althalus was so bad I wanted to cry through the latter half of the book. I was so frustrated with the whole plot and half-hearted character development, and was truly disappointed with the entire book. There was not a single glimmer of redeeming value to this book, and it is by far the most unoriginal work I have ever read. I've gotten the feeling that David Eddings has "co-written" his past books with his wife in an effort to placate her own ego. Think of the circumstances leading to Belgarath the Socerer through The Rivan Codex. Before These four "co-written" novels there were 17 previous novels by David Eddings. Then in the past few years The David and Leigh Eddings novels arrived, and she was also given credit for the previous novels. This seems a little strange to me, and it is my feeling that David Eddings had very little to do with this novel. I think if David Eddings wants to return to his former glory, he needs to stop the nonsense of the whole co-writing business and ditch his wife. I think she is dragging him down creatively, and things will not get better until she is out of the picture.

Rating:
Summary: Not a winner
Review: David Eddings is one of my favorite writers and I have never been disappointed until this book came along. The names are awkward, the story is so convoluted it is almost impossible to follow, and the dialog and smart-guy comments come right from the pages of the Sparhawk books. No one can crank out a winner EVERY time, but David Eddings comes close. So we can forgive him this dog and hope for better next time.