Title: Belgarath
Author or Director: David Eddings
Popularity Rating: 3
Quality Rating: 5
Reviewer: Kristin
Item Type: Book

Review:

Published in 1995 as a New York Times Bestseller, Belgarath the Sorcerer is, in my opinion, great! This lengthy novel authored by David & Leigh Eddings offers the personal story of Belgarath – a vagabond, storyteller…. and head of a family of sorcerers whose lot in life is to protect the medieval world they live in.
This book is definitely for already existent fans of the story’s prequel series: The Belgariad and The Malloreon. Belgarath the Sorcerer, the title character being immortal and caretaker of many kingdoms, tells the history of Eddings’ fictional world through the eyes of Belgarath as he prepares the earth for the ultimate EVENT in which the fate of the universe will be decided. For those of you who heed my advice and are already fans of Eddings don’t worry; this isn’t a history textbook, and as respectable as The Silmarillion is, it can’t be compared with “Belgarath.” Eddings keeps his outstanding writing style alive in this novel and tells an entertaining story.
Many back stories alluded to by Aldur’s followers in “Belgariad” and “Malloreon” will now make sense, and the battles of Korim and Vo Mimbre are events you surly don’t want to miss out on. “Belgarath” is another chance to spend time with some of your favorite characters such as Beldin, Polgara, and the twins. And, while we might only see a couple pages of Eddings more humorous characters like Silk, the book still manages to be filled with laughable pieces of dialogue.
To make up for the lack of those other characters we love so much, “Belgarath” will introduce you to individuals beloved by many other persons in Eddings’ world, individuals who we’ve always heard about but never had the chance to meet. In “Belgarath” you’ll get to discover and witness the relationships between Poledra & Belgarath and Polgara & Beldaran, relationships that were sadly destroyed by fate before “Belgariad” even began.
There are times, I admit, when the story might get a little slow going, but it wont last long, and since there are at least 700 other pages full of good story I can’t see anything to complain about.
To conclude, Belgarath the Sorcerer is a great book and it will leave you waiting in anticipation to read its sequel: Polgara the Sorceress.