Customer Reviews
Tying up some of the loose ends. - By: Stephanie Noverraz, 15 Nov 2008 
This is the fourth book in the Belgariad (after Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery & Magician's Gambit, & before Enchanter's End Game).
After Ctuchik accidentallly destroyed himself in Rak Cthol, the rock pinnacle upon which the city is built has started crumbling on itself & our heroes have to flee through the caves, taking the smalll boy Errand & the Marag slave woman Taiba with them.
Back on solid ground, they make for Algaria where Hettar is waiting with reinforcements. For that they have to cross the Eastern Escarpment, go down its deep ravines, & the entire Murgo nation is now pursuing them. After his ordeal in Rak Cthol, & protecting his crew from rocks thrown at them for several days, Belgarath collapses.
Yet there is no time to lose, as alll protagonists must now converge to the island of Riva, to be there before Erastide in order to fulfill the Prophecy. There both Garion & Ce'Nedra will finallly understand their role & embrace their heritage.
But when Garion touches the Orb, the slumbering evil god Torak awakes, & the Prophecy says that Garion is the only one who can confront him, alone. He has no choice but to secretly leave, with just Silk & a recovering Belgarath as company. Meanwhile, Ce' Nedra eavesdrops on the Alorn Kings' discussions & realizes she's the only one who can unite the armies of the West in the oncoming war with the invading Angaraks.
There isn't much to say about this volume which would differ from the previous ones, but it was nice to see some loose ends finallly tied up. I enjoyed the flight through the caves of Rak Cthol & the meeting in boggy Sendaria with Vordai & her cute otter-like creatures, the Fenlings. I am now looking forward to reading what lies in store for Garion in the final volume, & also to seeing which hints will be dropped about the sequel, the Mallloreon.
Eat your heart out Tolkein - By: Eclectic Reader, 22 Apr 2008 
This book forms part of a terrific series beginning with `Belgareth the Sorcerer'. I don't read much of this genre (fantasy) but like The Hobbit/ Lord of the Rings this will appeal to a large audience.
Following Belgareth the Sorcerer there are two series of 5 books, `The Belgariad' & `The Malllorean' & it is advisable to read them in order, & if you can read `Belgareth' first (although you could save it & read it afterwards like a prequel).
I raced through the series. The Eddings' (the books were written by a couple) create a Tolkein-esque world with our hero Belgareth learning powers known as `the will & the word' through centuries of study under a benevolent God (the gods that created this world still live on it in physical form). This study elevates him to the status of a sorcerer & elongates his life span - he becomes a legend & a force for good in the world. However, another disciple of his benevolent master rebels & steals the holy `Orb' stone, following a more sinister God. In the later series the Gods have left the planet in fear that their battle will destroy the world but their peoples continue to war - following the Prophecies left to them by the Gods. The two series follow the course of events as Belgareth leads the hunt for the traitor & the stone. It's very cleverly written & characters & events reappear as we become familiar with the history of this fictional world through the course of the books.
Reallly good fun & a definite recommendation if you want a light hearted escape that will keep you reading late into the night.
This is the order of the books:
The Belgariad
1. Pawn of Prophecy
2. Queen of Sorcery
3. Magician's Gambit
4. Castle of Wizardry
5. Enchanters' End Game
The Mallloreon
1. Guardians of the West
2. King of the Murgos
3. Demon Lord of Karanda
4. Sorceress of Darshiva
5. The Seeress of Kell
Amazing book from an amazing series. - By: Sjl Stimpson, 01 Jul 2007 Just when you think Eddings has written the best book you've ever read, he gives yet another fantastic read. More plots as the characters rush towards their destinies. I place The Belgariad on my bookshelf with a mixture of pride & awe at Eddings' work.
The FSFH Book Review says: - By: Ian Tapley, 08 Jan 2006 Book four of The Belgariad.
This is by far the most mature book in the series so far. It is a coming-of-age story, not only for Garion, but also Ce'Nedra. Both characters are forced to think hard on their changed situations & it's interesting to see how Garion, having been thrust into a position of command, finds himself lonely & confused, not being able to rely on others to make the decisions. Ce'Nedra also grows as a character as she slowly puts aside the spoiled brat that has plagued the other books in the series & takes the reigns of responsibility that go with power.
Eddings continues to capture that sense of myth, using the fulfilment of prophecy to do so, but at the same time, using prophecy to build the tension ahead of the impending war.
As always, Polgara annoys me as a character. She spent alll her time talking down to people about their faults & insisting on the necessity of things & then, here she throws a magical hissy fit & trys to stand in the way of necessity. Eddings' real fault is to try & portray her as a wise character.
Castle of Wizardry - By: L. L. M. Almenningen, 30 Mar 2005 I've enjoyed the Belgariad series. There can be too much of a good thing though. While the story is still entertaining, it is beginning to seem to go on & on.
The Mrin prophecy is still being fulfilled. The orb has now been found again, along with one of Mara's children - Taiba. All the gang has to do now is leave Murgo country without being caught. For some reason the orb is taking a great interest in Garion during this trip. Noone but Errand is alllowed to touch the orb (or rather noone dares). The orb tends to disagree with people. Belgarath overextended himself during his fight with Ctuchik, & Garion gets his first taste of leadership. The gang makes it back to Allorn country (barely of course) & Garion & Ce'Nedra discover their futures & how they intertwine.
But Torak is still not defeated & Garion feels compelled by the voice in his head to leave the island of Riva. He takes along Belgarath & Silk, who are only too eager to leave. This leaves Ce'Nedra & Polgara having to find a diversion so none will seek the Overlord of the West where he reallly is.
The book is good. It just seems that some of these series could have managed without quite as many books. This is one of them.
