The Redemption of Althalus

Rating:
Summary: should be 2.5 stars...
Review: I'm gonna be honest with you . . . this could have been a lot better. This book has been ripped to shreds by some and touted by others, so I know this review won't mean much, but I like to write reviews, so here we go.

If you have never read Eddings, you are still in a position to read this novel. In fact, if you don't have the patience to read a full set, you are better off here. The characters are basically clones of the Belgariad stars, i.e. Dweia is Polgara, Althalus is Belgarath only younger, or silk only older (not a TON of difference there), and we see Ce'Nedra too, and so on and so forth. So, if you want to get a feel for Eddings's CHARACTERS, this book is fine.

There are a few major problems, though, that not JUST the old Eddings fans (like me) will notice. For those of us that HAVE read the Belgariad, though, suffice it to say that this book is exactly the same, only much worse.

Alright now, about those problems.

1. As nearly EVERYBODY has said, where is the conflict? It's, um.... oh! look, there it goes! *dashes out the back door while we aren't looking*

2. Are we supposed to see Althalus as a character who starts out evil, and is then redeemed? The title and jacket sure indicate that, but, not only is there no real "Redemption", Althalus really doesn't come across as an evil villain even at the beginning of the novel.

3. Ok, maybe this is just me, but MY biggest problem was with the kid. I can't remember his name, but if you've read it, you know who I'm talking about. Anybody notice that, not only is he the ONLY character in the whole novel who EVER gets to have a good idea, but also, every time he has an idea, ANY idea, no matter how good or bad it is, everybody has to go on a ten minute tangent about how "brilliant" he is. Was it just me, or was that annoying to anybody else?

4. Other problems, but I'm in a hurry . . .

Ok, so, why don't I just give this book a 1 star and be done with it? And WHY would I recommend it to new Eddings readers? Well, for one thing, Eddings is still, as always, fun to read. Not as fun as he was, but still not "bad". Another reason is that, given how slow the first novel is, the Belgariad turns some readers off. If you have no patience, try this one. It gets moving a LITTLE quicker, and it won't tie you down to a set (although Belgariad/Mallorean is a WONDERFUL set). Finally, this is a book that didn't sound as bad at the time I read it as it does in retrospect. Many of the problems, though not all of them, seemed less obvious at the time. Now that I think about it, I see them, but since they were hidden at the time, it is clear that Eddings at least did a reasonable job of putting this one together.

Rating:
Summary: This book rocks!!!
Review: I have never read any of Eddings previous books. I was given the book by a friend who I am very grateful to now. Redemption of Althalus has become one of my favorite books. Once I began, I couldn't put it down. I read while I was at work and befoe I went to bed. I will eventualy read it again =)This book is awesome and you won't be disappointed by it. Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: you miss the big picture
Review: i have read over 600 different reviews and i would likr to say to the people that enjoyed his work regardless of whether it was his best or worse good on you, but the professional critics would not know what they are on about they are paid to do just that critise now these are peoiple who cant write their own work without trying to be to descriptive they are wannabe writers who need to take a look at themselves and grow up. redmemption of althalus my friends and i have read numerous times over the book has been worn out and had to be restitched evreyone keeps talking about his stereo types get over it the big picture is what the deal is it took him 2500 years to get out of the house but she was doing what we all need to get rid of the rubbish that we are told everyday ,his views on magic are a litle more beliveable than most other fantasy stories, basically this was also designed to be a book for younger first time readers as well to pull him into his work notice andine and eliar they are ordinary teenagers just like his target audience us older generation read them cause we know what to expecr and thrive on it twenty to one odds that if it weren't predictable then we would have our backs up over that "" he has changed his genre and in so failing to meet with the demands of his fans "" as one idiotic critic wrote about someone he endorsed a previous book for so in closing do not break down everything do not look for suspense it is merely just an enjoyable read for relaxing so good on ya eddings you have my full support


Rating:
Summary: Horrible novel
Review: I picked this book off the shelf knowing that this was a novel by David Eddings, writer of the Belgariad. I was expecting a consice victory of literature that I experienced in Eddings' other novels. I was wrong.

The first part of the book is interesting enough, but this quickly fades with the plot, and the overuse of cheap sarcasm.

The most aggravating part of this novel was the plotline (or lack thereof). According to any story format, the novel is supposed to build up to a climax. Not so in this novel. The reader is introduced toa very vague idea of an enemy, and until nearly the end of the novel, the characters spend their time laughing and telling cheap jokes. This book could have been written in four hundred pages less, leaving out all the fluff which does nothing for the story.

Overall a disapointment as a novel. No intruiging thoughts, no great character development, and a plotline that wilts to nothing by the end of the story. Not worth your money.

Rating:
Summary: My first and last taste of Eddings
Review: I regret having to set this one down after 100 pages. The protagonist, a thief, was an interesting enough character. The world in which he capers was also interesting and the story was ticking over nicely until Mrs. Eddings took over and ruined it. It was when the thief met a goddess embodied as a talking cat that things went pear shaped. The whole story just degraded beyond saving; the cat was far too cutesy-pooh and the whole book took on a distinct flavour of frivolous, girly silliness. The thief was instantly turned into a pussified mummy's boy by this cat. It felt like I was reading an instruction manual on how to crush a man's spirit, or reading the wish list of a love starved airhead, freshly escaped from the pages of mills and boon, or reading a barbie doll catalogue.
Sickening. A sorry premature end to what seemed like a promising fantasy epic. Hope Mr. Eddings keeps the pen to himself from here on. Tell the wife to go bake cookies.

Rating:
Summary: Tedious and unimaginative
Review: I think the other bad reviews kinda sum up my feelings of this book. But here's some things that really bother me:

1) There is no real conflict in this story. There is one incident that comes across as problematic with potential hazard to one character, but of course that character comes back in perfect condition. But THAT'S IT!

2) It has that happily ever after ultra-sweet ending. (Pardon me as I choke back the cheese factor that I had to swallow from this story.) I don't usually have a problem with these sorts of endings, but when everyone gets what they want in the end without too much effort, what's the point?

3) A really stupid, almost mentally challenged representation of evil. A band of evil that really has no clue what the good guys are doing. A band of evil that has the same abilities as the good guys, but doesn't really put them to use. Not to mention this very fact: since when did evil play by the rules??



Rating:
Summary: Disappointment?
Review: I've been sitting reading all of these past reviews stating that Althalus isn't nearly as good as The Belgariad or The Mallorean series. For those that have read the Preface in the Rivan Codex, Eddings states how he has made the basic "bare bones" for every one of his books. And if anyone has paid any attention whatsoever to the other "epic" fantasies of our time, the story lines are THE SAME. This in no way hints at plagarism.
Anyway, I'm disappointed that so many people think this book was not good. I've read it over and over. The world is different and there is a diverse character base that adds whole new dimensions to the story. For all of the die hard Eddings fans out there, this is a must read, along with Regina's Song which was also excellent.

Rating:
Summary: An Eye-Opening Story
Review: I've read this book countless times. I've also read the other Eddings' books. Personally, I think this is their best. The Eddings' have a knack for outdoing themselves, but this one was outstanding!

I've read several of the reviews that this book has gotten here and I can't believe some of the stuff they say against it! The only two main points that are continuously repeated lead me to believe that they simply didn't understand the complexity of what the Eddings' were doing and that they were simply looking for one long bloody battle.

1) It is much easier to write a bunch of descriptive lines about someone's battle prowess then it is to find a way to sneak around a fight.
Point: The main (hero) characters in this book wouldn't stand a one-on-one fight.

2) The depths of reality and thought that the Eddings' explore create a fanciful world that seems probable.
Point: Really *think* about some of the stuff that the kid comes up with, don't just read through it to get on with the story.

3) Redemption is "the act of delivering from sin or saving from evil". So the title is correct. This can be interpreted two ways:
A) Althalus, while not being `evil' in the normal sense, only does for himself. This is still considered `evil'.
B) Althalus is the reason and cause for the `redemption' of the world.

4) People seem to not like the way the magic is used. I don't understand this because the same people *praised* how they used magic in the other Eddings books.
Point: The only difference is that they use the Book as the source of it all.

5) Althalus spends 2,500 years with the Book. This isn't anything new to the Eddings', they did it for both Polgara and Belgareth.
Point: The more things change, the more they stay the same. Who cares if some of the cities didn't change their name? Someone pointed out that there was no change in the religious system, that is wrong. They must have been skimming though the book to have not noticed the countless differences the author's pointed out from when Althalus entered the House to when he left.

6) This book is *filled* with action of all kinds, including war. Althalus is a thief, not a fighter. He's not going to have detailed scenes where he twirls, strikes, and parries.
Point: This doesn't mean there isn't any action, it just means that he's a different type of `hero' then the standard `beat to a bloody pulp-ask questions later' kind.

7) The characters start out as 2D and grow as they learn more about themselves. They break their own molds. Yes, most of them fall in love. It's a part of life and it enhances the story rather then taking away from it.
Point: People need to stop comparing The Redemption of Althalus to the series that lasted through 12 books! This is a stand-alone, it's not going to get anywhere near as in-depth with characterization as those did! Give it a rest and realize just how well done it is to other stand-alone fantasy novels.

This is a great book, but that's my opinion. Why don't you go to your local library and check it out for yourself? If you think it's "tripe" then fine, but make the decision for yourself. I have recommended this book to quite a few people and have been thanked repeatedly for it.

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: ...really good...
Review: Last December, after a long period of anticipation, I received Redemption in the mail from amazon com. My friend and I literally fought over who would get to read the first few pages--both of us being avid Eddings fans. My expectations were high and I wasnt disappointed; though, the book was not exactly what I had envisioned from the offset.

Redemption contains all of the usual Eddings' mastery: richly detailed world, humor, entrapping story, and the kind of characters you become attached too. However, throughout the entire book--especially the last two thirds--there permeates a certain sense of in-completion. Like, while writing the book, the Eddings--being long connoisseurs of multi-volume epics--did not know just what to do with a stand alone novel. It seems that their instincts told them to more fully cover the story, but, wanting to keep the length at one book, they had cut out a lot of material that would have further developed the story to a better ending and done away with the "rush to hurry up and get things done". As a result the book seems somewhat . . . choppy.

However, I loved this book. In the Belgariad, does Garion ever grate on your nerves? I dont know about you, but he sure does mine. I have always preferred grown-up type characters in books simply because, quite often, teenage characters are portrayed horribly. Hey, Im a teenager myself, but a lot different than some authors seem to think that all teens are like. In Redemption the main character--Althalus by name, but you couldn't guess that could you?--is somewhat of a combination between three of Eddings' previous characters: Sparhawk, Belgarath, and Silk. Those just happen to be some of my favorite characters from Eddings' previous books; so it is no surprise that I really liked Althalus. That, however, is not the only reason I love this book. Simply, the book is a great combination of most of Eddings' old 'magic' and some new as well. If you like other Eddings' books, your sure to at least think this is good, and you'll probably think that its great.