Ik vloog door deze boeken heen, heerlijk leesvoer. ( )

This will be the same review for all the books in ‘The Belgariad’ and ‘The Mallorean’.

These books changed me.
I started reading them as an 11 year old who was kind of floating around in this thing called life. I had friends at school, but no meaningful connections. This I didn’t understand until I was older. By reading these books I was drawn into an incredible world filled with characters that I knew and loved, and in some cases wanted to be (come on people, I can’t be the only kid that put a streak of white paint in their hair). The story is Garion’s ‘hero’s journey’ but I felt that the adventure belonged to me too. It was my ‘Neverending story’ if you will and it gave me the confidence to be more present in my own life. I own all the copies of both series set in this marvellous world and most of the extras too. They are a pretty tired looking collection of books because I bought them as a university student from second book shops all over Christchurch and Auckland. I love that they have been released again relatively recently with a fresh new look so that they can appeal to the younger generation. I thoroughly recommend these books for lovers of high fantasy, action, and relatable characters. It is the quintessential hero’s journey. ( )

{Third of 5 in Malloreon or eighth of 10 in Belgariad series; fantasy, high fantasy, quest fantasy, young adult}

Our heroes continue their journey across the eastern continent, which Belgarath and Silk at least have some familiarity with. They spend some time with Zakath, Emperor of boundless Mallorea, before continuing on their way in search of 'the place which is no more' which the seeress Cyradis tells them they must reach by a given time for the final meeting between the Child of Light and the Child of the Dark. On this quest, unlike the previous one in The Belgariad, Belgareth doesn’t have the benefit of the prophecy he followed for thousands of years to help him and must continually stop at known centres of learning to look for evidence of this more obscure prophecy which was hidden behind the first one. The group is handicapped in their movements first when Polgara advises Zakath to seal Mal Zeth against spreading plague through Mallorea (very topical in 2022), with them unfortunately still inside, and then - once they manage to continue on - by having to dodge demons which some Grolims are raising in an attempt to replace Torak and create a new religion.

This time the prologue is presented as an academic article on the kingdoms of the East rather than the usual extract from a book of legends. Cthol Murgos is on the east side of the western continent - but now we explore another continent across the Sea of the East which was barely touched on in the first series.

You're being evasive, Belgarion.' Zakath gave him a steady look, then passed his hand wearily across his eyes.
'I think you need some sleep,' Garion told him.
'Time for that soon enough - when my work is done.'
'That's up to you, I guess.'
'How much do you know about Mallorea, Belgarion?'
'I get reports - a little disjointed sometimes, but fairly current.'
'No. I mean our past.'
'Not too much, I'm afraid. Western historians tried very hard to ignore the fact that Mallorea was even there.'
Zakath smiled wryly. 'The University of Melcene has the same shortsightedness regarding the West,' he noted.

This time, much as in The Belgariad where they continually met the royal families and rulers of the kingdoms of the West through which they travelled, they meet the kings of the eastern kingdoms that they pass through - though they'd rather avoid them - due to their positions and powers (and mainly by virtue of being arrested, but still) whereas in The Belgariad it was because they needed to prepare the western rulers for the coming war.

A new companion joins them to aid them on their quest though, like Belgarath, I’m not enamoured of his brogue. The awareness in Garion’s head doesn’t make much of an appearance but Cyradis, whose destiny it is to make a choice between the Light and the Dark, is able to give them some limited information although she is also bound to give the same information to the Dark side. And, of course, Garion and Ce'Nedra are still desperate to get their baby back.

Garion sees the political benefit in spending time with someone who has been considered the leader of the opposition, or even an enemy, and how they can come to a mutually beneficial understanding; but he also appreciates Zakath as a person. Garion, whom we first met as a child in the Belgariad, has grown into his role as Overlord of the West although he is still the same character at heart.

This series is criticised for being a copy of The Belgariad. I can't deny that the basic formula is the same but I find The Malloreon intriguing because they're journeying through lands that are unknown to most of them - and not so familiar to even Silk and Belgarath - and learning about alien cultures. Although the cultures are very different they find that people are innately the same all over the world regardless of where they are from.

It's nice traveling with the same beloved characters. I'm still enjoying re-reading this series; it's very easy to gobble down.

(November 2022)
4.5 stars ( )

Many people think David Eddings is overly formulaic which he is a bit but since I enjoy the tale he tells I do not mind reading it over again. His characters always have great humor at their core and you can't beat a good epic tale for entertainment value. This particular book is one of my favorites by him.
( )

Zakath works so well as a character as does the expansion of Beldin/Feldegast you can almost forgive how sidelined the women are in this installment. Even Polgara is MIA. Vella gets some good bits as does Poledra, it's just a pity that all the other women don't get nearly enough screentime comparatively. ( )