cart_the_fart's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.25
bookfan1414's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
agw622's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book is so amazing to read after you've read the whole Begariad and Malloreon. It shows how well the stage was set for the events, and the voice used to tell the story is charming and funny. You'll do the whole gauntlet of emotions in it, but mostly it's just fun to read.
sketchai's review against another edition
Love this book and the narrator is fine, but it was a bit too slow to keep J's interest and I'm happy to tear through this physical book when I want to reread it. I think the Polgara one first would be a better option, as her book is a little denser.
marimoose's review
3.0
This book was pretty good. If you chopped off the middle 200 pages or so. It was one thing reading about history repeating itself once The Mallorean came to pass, but to find out the history has been repeating itself in a glorious 5-millennia cycle might be slightly off-putting. The beginning stages of Belgarath's story, at least, was amusing and intriguing enough to read.
That said, I loved reading about how the Old Wolf's character was shaped. I loved how the narration was in his perspective, and was doubly amused as to how he was made to start the story. The presence of Polgara and Beldaran, and his brothers--Beldin, Belkira, Beltira, and even Belmakor, Belsambar, and Zedar--made Belgarath the Sorcerer come to life. And I loved that the Eddingses at least created the respective Alorian ancestors to be a little more different than their descendants (even though I would have forgiven Silk's ancestor had he been the epitome of the typical Drasnian).
Okay, scratch that. The last 100 or so pages weren't so bad, either. I liked reading about how the other "prophecy" characters grew up. Silk had some particular highlights, which were glorious (but I was always partial to the long-nosed, rat-faced Prince Kheldar to begin with). Polgara was the mystery woman of the book. It was fantastic seeing her in her father's eyes. But I did agree with Ce'Nedra at the end. What about her own story? I would certainly have liked to read about her stint as a slave in Gar og Nadrak? Honestly, could the Eddingses have gotten even more tantalizingly merciless with these teasers?
And Vo Wacune. There was definitely something more interesting in Vo Wacune while Belgarath was busy lurking and preparing for war. If the book had 200 pages on Vo Wacune (minus the incessantly annoying "thee's" and "thou's"), or if the extra 200 pages had a story on Kal Zakath (instead of the short anecdote given from an eyewitness), then I wouldn't have minded the extra stuff so much. At some point, a couple hundred of pages of war does get to be repetitious.
Overall, Belgarath was Belgarath. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
That said, I loved reading about how the Old Wolf's character was shaped. I loved how the narration was in his perspective, and was doubly amused as to how he was made to start the story. The presence of Polgara and Beldaran, and his brothers--Beldin, Belkira, Beltira, and even Belmakor, Belsambar, and Zedar--made Belgarath the Sorcerer come to life. And I loved that the Eddingses at least created the respective Alorian ancestors to be a little more different than their descendants (even though I would have forgiven Silk's ancestor had he been the epitome of the typical Drasnian).
Okay, scratch that. The last 100 or so pages weren't so bad, either. I liked reading about how the other "prophecy" characters grew up. Silk had some particular highlights, which were glorious (but I was always partial to the long-nosed, rat-faced Prince Kheldar to begin with). Polgara was the mystery woman of the book. It was fantastic seeing her in her father's eyes. But I did agree with Ce'Nedra at the end. What about her own story? I would certainly have liked to read about her stint as a slave in Gar og Nadrak? Honestly, could the Eddingses have gotten even more tantalizingly merciless with these teasers?
And Vo Wacune. There was definitely something more interesting in Vo Wacune while Belgarath was busy lurking and preparing for war. If the book had 200 pages on Vo Wacune (minus the incessantly annoying "thee's" and "thou's"), or if the extra 200 pages had a story on Kal Zakath (instead of the short anecdote given from an eyewitness), then I wouldn't have minded the extra stuff so much. At some point, a couple hundred of pages of war does get to be repetitious.
Overall, Belgarath was Belgarath. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
ramblingbard's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
27scomar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is a great novel, chronicling the 7,000 year life of the sorcerer Belgarath. This book is relatively slowpaced, but it is great for a dedicated fantasy nerd. This author has created an interesting magic system which is definitely worth reading about. Lastly, I would recommend reading the Belgariad series by David Eddings before you read this, it will help you understand some of the references made in this book.
stclairs2004's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book. It was a bit slow at times, but the storyline was intriguing enough to keep me going.
joylene45's review against another edition
3.0
I did love spending some more time with these characters, but it was too much time. This book went on for CENTURIES. Literally.
19minnie's review against another edition
4.0
Het verhaal was mij eigenlijk in grote lijnen al bekend door De Belgarion- en De Mallorea-serie te lezen. Maar toch vind ik het heel intressant!