Reviews

I couldn't finish this book. I was making an effort because this seems to be a famous book and I'm always up for reading other people's childhood classics, but after a while I noticed I was persistently not-reading it. I'd avoid charging my kobo altogether just so I wouldn't be reminded that this book was waiting for me at 50%.
The reason was a mix of lack of interest (the plot and setting feel a bit generic if you've read a few fantasy novels before), extreme ickyness regarding the roles of women in the setting and that extra dollop of rancid racism which permeates the whole book. I also happen to have little patience for people that write horses like game horses, those perpetual-moving machines that require no sustenance.
What I'm saying is, I'm sorry if this is you cherished childhood book. I'm pretty sure my own cherished childhood reads are probably bad reads that would result in similar bouncing if I was to read them now. It just happens that I'm too old to read bad books and no one is actually paying me to do this, so: DNF.

tnanz's review against another edition

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3.0

This book is fine. If you have nothing else going on, you could read it and enjoy it. I'm feeling like it's a little heavy handed on some superficial aspects of the characters. Also not loving the role of women (baby making and caring and prettiness?). But I'm planning on continuing to read the series, so there is that!

anais201717's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny slow-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? Yes

5.0

its_tara's review against another edition

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5.0

Originally posted here: http://heyxtara.blogspot.com/

This is one of those books which I’m fairly sure I should have read long before now, but somehow hadn’t, and upon spotting it in a charity shop, I couldn’t resist. I’m sure that a younger version of me definitely missed out, and may have even enjoyed this more than the current, older me did. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it – the plot ticks along nicely, and the characters are interesting and likeable, if somewhat predictable at times – just that maybe I wouldn’t have seen some of the twists coming that I inevitably predicted.

The story follows Garion, a young boy who has grown up on a farm, looked after by those surrounding him, and his ‘Aunt’ Pol. He’s very curious, very innocent, and about to be drawn up into what promises to be an epic adventure. Of course, the people that Garion has known more or less all his life – such as his Aunt Pol, and the old storyteller who visits the farm Garion lives on throughout his childhood, aren’t quite who he thought they are.

Eddings creates a beautifully rich and complex world, which immediately draws the reader in and gets them to start understanding the different races, and their differing gods. Likewise, the characters are well written, and it is easy for the reader to get caught up in their actions. Garion, in particular, is easy for most readers to empathize with – he is around the same age as the target audience for this book, and ends up only knowing as much by the end of the book as the readers themselves do.

However, for me, my personal favorite character was Aunt Pol. She’s definitely feisty, and we all know that I’m a sucker for a well-written heroine. I have to admit, I chuckled out loud at the way she deals with people at certain points – and that got me some pretty weird looks given I spent a lot of my time reading this book in work!

Overall, this book was quick to get going, and kept the pace all the way through. The world was expansive and enjoyable, as were the characters in it. It’s easy to see why this book is a favourite amongst fantasy readers, and why David Eddings is considered to be one of the biggest names out there.

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