Helpful Score: 5
I enjoyed this book thoroughly and found it very easy reading. David Eddings gives just the right amount of attention to description and action to keep things moving along at a good pace. It is a fantasy-adventure with all of the right elements - strange lands and people, magic and mischief. It's a good, relaxing read.
Helpful Score: 5
A very fun, witty, and adventurous read. I first read it in sixth grade and felt very grown up, reading an "adult" author rather than stuff from the school library. Now, fifteen years later, the book seems a little juvenile or simple in places, but I still like it and plan to re-read the rest of the series.
Helpful Score: 3
The Belgariad remains one of my favorite fantasy works. It is classic fantasy at its very best. If you enjoy exciting adventure, interesting and diverse characters, and an imaginative story, I can't think of a better series to start with. Certainly deserving of the title, Magnum Opus.
Helpful Score: 3
I love David Eddings! I tryly enjoyed reading this series. If you love action and adventure in a fantasy setting with magic and unusual people and beings you'll love this book and all the others.
Helpful Score: 2
This is one of the best books for adolescent boys! It has everything you'd hope for: adventure, mystery, magic, love and memorable characters.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the beginning of the Belgariad series. It introduces the main characters including a young boy who will be central to the story. Have patience as you learn about the people and the story. Everything is wrapped in secrecy but the characters become familiar friends. Once you are wrapped up in the story of the Gods and learn about the storyteller, Polgara and the magic surrounding them...you will be hooked. One of my FAVORITE series!
Helpful Score: 1
The first novel of what in my opinion is one of the best 5 fantasy series ever written.
Helpful Score: 1
One of the greatest fantasy books from one of the greatest fantasy series ever written. I love this series, and many other things Eddings has written.
Excellent book. I had read it before and got this copy to read to my children. They loved it.
An excellent series...it prompted me to read all of his books.
A fine beginning to a fantasy series that, I hope, will grow better with each successive book. I look forward to reading about Garion's growth into a hero.
The first novel in a new series. A magnificent epic for those who like to read fantasy.
This is the first book of the Belgariad. This is one of my favorite series. Magic, danger, warriors and much more. After numerous readings I still laugh out loud at the antics of Garion and his companions.
This series is a must read for any lover of fantasy
This series is a must read for any lover of fantasy
This is one of my all time favorite books. Fantasy is my favorite genre, and the style of this book is great! It's an awesome storyline and very original, I believe. It's a 5 part series with an extended series (another 5 books) ... I would reccommend this to anyone that wants a little fantasy and adventure, romance, and thrill in their life! :)
This is one of my very favorite fantasy series! It's a five book set -- and they all make up ONE story, kinda like The Lord of the Rings -- so make sure you have all five books before you start the first one...
Also, there's a five book sequel, The Mallorean, and it's also great! There are also two single volume prequels if you're interested.
Also, there's a five book sequel, The Mallorean, and it's also great! There are also two single volume prequels if you're interested.
One of the favorite series of everyone I know! Must read!
I FOUND THAT THIS WAS GOOD FOR A FIRST BOOK IN A SERIES, BUT THE CHARACTERS WERE A LITTLE FLAT.
good start
The first book of The Belgariad series. It is a good book.
Long ago, so the storyteller claimed, The evil God Torak sought dominion and drove men and Gods to war. But Belgarath the Sorcerer led men to reclaim the Orb that protected men of the West. So long as it lay at Riva, the prophecy went, men would be safe.
But that was only a story, and Garion did not belive in magic dooms, even though the dark man without a shadow had haunted him for years. Brought up on a quiet farm by his Aunt Pol, how could he know that the Apostate planned to wake dread Torak, or that he would be led on a quest of unparalleled magic and danger by those he loved-but did not know?
For a while, his dreams of innocents were safe, untroubled by knowledge of his strange heritage. For a little while...
But that was only a story, and Garion did not belive in magic dooms, even though the dark man without a shadow had haunted him for years. Brought up on a quiet farm by his Aunt Pol, how could he know that the Apostate planned to wake dread Torak, or that he would be led on a quest of unparalleled magic and danger by those he loved-but did not know?
For a while, his dreams of innocents were safe, untroubled by knowledge of his strange heritage. For a little while...
Excellent series.
Long ago, the evil God Torak sought domanion and drove men and Gods to war. But Belgarath the Sorcerer led men to reclaim the Orb that protected men of the West. So long as it lay at Riva, the prophecy went, men would be safe. But that was only a story, and Garion did not believe in magic dooms, even though the dark man without a shadow had haunted him for years.
Seven thousand years of the struggles of Gods and Kings and men--of strange lands and events--of fate and a prophecy that must be fulfilled