Magician's Gambit (original 1983; edition 1984)

2010 reread part the third. ( )

I read this when I was quite young, so I don't remember much about it. I do remember that David Eddings books seemed pretty similar to me in plot -- all of them. The same great quest, multiple times. All the same, I liked this trilogy very much at the time, and I think it was my first Eddings. ( )

This series is a childhood favourite. ( )

Her Imperial Highness, Princess Ce'Nedra, jewel of the house Borune and flower of the Tolnedran Empire, was confused. Everyone knew the tale of the Orb of Aldur, a magical artifact that protected the West from the evil god Torak, was just a legend. After all, no one really believes in sorcery do they? And yet Garion's aunt and grandfather appear to be the sorcerers Polgara and Belgarath. Not only that, even Garion is beginning to do things that can only be called sorcery. But Garion is nothing more than a farm boy. Why does he fascinate her so?

Two prophecies, made thousands of years ago are approaching and the moment is nigh when only one will hold true. Garion is only now beginning to understand the part that he will play in the future of the world. Ctuchik, the Grolim High Priest, has taken the Orb from Zedar. Before the party can go after him, Belgarath is summed to the Vale of Aldur by his master to receive instructions for their quest. The journey takes them through the haunted land of Maragor, where ghosts of the slain roam, on to the Veil and through the mountains of Ulgo. It is here that Ce'Nedra must be left behind to protect her life while the others continue on to retrieve the Orb. Since she must stay behind Ce'Nedra can't be there to watch over Garion. He might be killed!

Magician's Gambit is the third book of The Belgariad. The first portion of the story is told from Ce'Nedra's point of view. It was interesting to see Garion and the party from another view point. The best part of this comes from a conversation between Ce'Nedra and Mandorallen when they discuss the various social ranks of everyone in the party.

We pick up one new party member, Relg, a religious fanatic. At first he adds a discordant note to the party, constantly pointing out the sins of others and berating himself for sins he has supposedly committed. As the story gets going, he proves how valuable his unique skills are and, if not actually becomes likable, he at least starts to fit in better.

This is my favorite book in the series. Two of my favorite parts in the series both happen in this book: the birth of colt in the cave and the end battle. It is also the only book in the series that ends in a semi-cliff hanger. Even though I've read it so many times I always find this book hard to put down. ( )

This is the first book of Edding's Belgariad series that has earned less than a 5 star rating from me. Don't get me wrong - I'm still enjoying the world, the setting, the progression .. but the addition of some characters (Relg is just weird, folks)and the darkness of the world as the progression is happening really made it easier for me to put the book down and do other things less important, like play Bejeweled.

That said, let me talk about what I did like in the book - I enjoyed finally seeing Garion start to come into his own. I enjoyed the humor - laughed out loud in several places, and I enjoyed seeing the budding relationship happening between Garion and Ce'Nedra (who is one of my favorites).

But now let me talk about some other favorites of mine:

1. Durnik. I love the common, peasant, strong but tenderhearted character. You know - the ones that don't need special powers or abilities to show they are special? That's what Durnik is. Add in the conflict with his emotions for a certain beautiful lady and you have a well-rounded, incredibly likeable man.

2. Mandorallen. I have a feeling this is not a popular character to like - but honestly, his coping method with fear won me over. I adore this character for all his high-brow speech and noble theatrics. As much as I love Durnik for his simplicity, Mandorallen provides me with the perfect compliment in character. Some of my favorite scenes involve this knight, and I cannot wait to see how he will change in the upcoming books.

I read the first three books of the Belgariad in a single volume and it took me less than 24 hours to do so. That's how engrossing this story is. If you are a fantasy lover and, like me, have not read these books in the past I urge you to give them a shot. There is something in there for everyone. ( )