steffie330330's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
veeragson's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sophiewilliams's review against another edition
3.0
The interval in Nyissa is disturbing to say the least!
pestyninja's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
vishnu_r1's review against another edition
4.0
A more enjoyable read than the first one. The protagonists are more fun to read about this time. Still can't shake the feeling that comes with watching a soap opera. You feel guilty but can't stop watching it (reading it in this case). The story was a lot more engrossing this time. Some parts are still predictable and a few others leave you scratching your head as to the intentions of the characters. The book still does not come out of the YA mode though. There are still some feeble attempts at humor. So why 4 stars then? Despite all this, it's very likable and is a fun read.
exlibrisbitsy's review against another edition
5.0
Queen of Sorcery picks up where Pawn of Prophecy left off with the ever-growing group headed by Belgarath, along with his daughter Polgara and her charge Garion, chasing the stolen Orb of Aldur. The adventure continues, and small skirmishes and battles ensue as the group travels on theie quest. Intrigue is uncovered in far off cities. Whole new cultures are shown, very different from the ones we knew before. Plus new characters are introduced that promise to delight and vex us all.
The second book in the Belgariad promises to be very different from the one before because Garion is no longer just a young child as he was in the first book. Time has passed and little Garion is growing up. There are a lot more teen angst style growing pains in this book than the last as a result. Especially as he struggles with his Aunt’s true identity, and his own.
Several new cultures are introduced as well and all of them provide their own complex controversies. The Dryads who look like children but are extremely sexually active. The starving and suffering of the serfs in Mimbre is juxtaposed with the “honorable” knights that rule them. And finally Nyissa – a country that highly values snakes and the concept of immortality, when they aren’t taking drugs or poisoning one another – features another highly sexualized being in the form of their “queen” who has ruled Nyissa for generations, or has she?
In amongst all of this though there are some gems for feminists to appreciate, just a few though. The largest being Polgara herself. She sews for the enjoyment of it, loves to wear pretty dresses, and be told she is beautiful, but she is also a very powerful and very wise sorceress and when she says jump the kings of the world do so immediately. I like that this shows that you can embrace femininity and still be considered worthy of power and respect. Something not often shown in any fiction let alone an 80′s high fantasy novel.
While the beginning of this novel seems to show a repeat of some of the same events of the last one (a plot is uncovered, Garion is in the middle of things again, new characters join the quest) there are a lot of new twists and turns as well. This is an enjoyable read that builds on the world of Pawn of Prophecy and promises more to come in the next book as the quest continues to reclaim the Orb of Aldur.
The second book in the Belgariad promises to be very different from the one before because Garion is no longer just a young child as he was in the first book. Time has passed and little Garion is growing up. There are a lot more teen angst style growing pains in this book than the last as a result. Especially as he struggles with his Aunt’s true identity, and his own.
Several new cultures are introduced as well and all of them provide their own complex controversies. The Dryads who look like children but are extremely sexually active. The starving and suffering of the serfs in Mimbre is juxtaposed with the “honorable” knights that rule them. And finally Nyissa – a country that highly values snakes and the concept of immortality, when they aren’t taking drugs or poisoning one another – features another highly sexualized being in the form of their “queen” who has ruled Nyissa for generations, or has she?
In amongst all of this though there are some gems for feminists to appreciate, just a few though. The largest being Polgara herself. She sews for the enjoyment of it, loves to wear pretty dresses, and be told she is beautiful, but she is also a very powerful and very wise sorceress and when she says jump the kings of the world do so immediately. I like that this shows that you can embrace femininity and still be considered worthy of power and respect. Something not often shown in any fiction let alone an 80′s high fantasy novel.
While the beginning of this novel seems to show a repeat of some of the same events of the last one (a plot is uncovered, Garion is in the middle of things again, new characters join the quest) there are a lot of new twists and turns as well. This is an enjoyable read that builds on the world of Pawn of Prophecy and promises more to come in the next book as the quest continues to reclaim the Orb of Aldur.
mo_likesto_read's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
toystory242's review against another edition
3.0
This was my mom’s favorite series as a kid and I really want to read these for that reason! They’re not my ~favorite~ thing so far and they are VERY classic 70s/80s fantasy lol but I’m having such a lovely time picturing my mom reading these. There are also parts that are genuinely interesting! It’s fun to read fantasy that I wouldn’t normally pick up. I’m going to slowly continue with the series every few months I think :)
meganjjang's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25