Magician's Gambit
by David Eddings, Leigh Eddings (Uncredited Author)
The Belgariad (03), Belgariad Universe (05 (Belgariad 03))
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Garion, Belgarath, Polgara, and their companions face new challenges as they continue their quest to retrieve the stolen Orb before it can be delivered to the evil god Torak. When they reach the mile-high tower of Ctuchik, who has the Orb and whose followers practice Torak's cruel rites of human sacrifice, Belgarath must use all his strength, guile, and sorcery as he faces his most fearsome enemy. Garion's strange powers continue to grow, as he plays an increasingly crucial role in this show more world's future. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
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 show more 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. show less
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 show more 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. show less
{Third of 5 in the Belgariad; fantasy, quest, adventure, epic fantasy, high fantasy}(1984)
I'm really enjoying this re-read. This was one of the first fantasy series I read and I'm having a lot of fun revisiting it. Fair warning, this is the third book of an ongoing quest and there may be spoilers for the first two books ahead (although I'll try and avoid them).
Garion, an ordinary farm boy from Sendaria, is travelling on a quest with his aunt Pol, Mister Wolf - an old disreputable-looking peddler (also known as the sorcerer Belgarath), and their friends Durnik - a smith from the same farm, Silk - a Drasnian merchant, and Barak - a huge Cherek warrior. They are tracking an object that has been stolen by a disciple of Torak, the maimed god show more of the Murgos; an object which has until now assured the safety of the countries of the west and discouraged invasion by Torak's hordes. And, as they travel, they pick up more companions from different countries so that Belgarath can feel that he's covered the eventualities mentioned in an obscure version of the Prophecy which they happen to be fulfilling. However, their foes are following an opposing Prophecy, which they are equally determined to fulfil.
Belgarath's group continue to cross the continent in their race to prevent the object reaching the east and being used to wake the slumbering Torak in this third book of the quest. Their journey takes some unexpected twists as they travel into more regions and countries of the west and they gain (and lose) more companions on the way, all necessary to the prophecy they are following.
This one feels like things are getting a bit more serious as Garion comes into his powers and the stakes climb, though the banter still continues. The teenagers of the group start to grow up and act a bit more responsibly (well, a bit):
although Garion still struggles with what he can do with his unexpected (and unwanted) sorcery.
Despite the summery image on the original (Corgi UK) cover, it is winter and the group spends a lot of time being cold.
The characterisation is very clear; each person has their own quirks and you never confuse any of the ensemble cast. The addition of new members and the introduction in person of some of the gods of this universe show us that, though Belgarath and co. are intent on fulfilling their prophecy to make it come out in favour of Good, there are other important events happening in this world.
The chess and magic theme of the book titles carries on.
(Ctuchik being the magician in question attempting the gambit.) This book does end on a bit of a cliff-hanger (almost literally); the group have a major breakthrough but we leave them in the midst of danger.
I'm enjoying re-reading this series, which was one of the first books to introduce me to a life-long love of fantasy. I initially borrowed them from the library to re-read in the hopes that I would still be able to find and buy books with the original Corgi UK covers by Geoff Taylor, which I love, but they've been reissued with new covers.
(March 2022)
4.5 stars show less
I'm really enjoying this re-read. This was one of the first fantasy series I read and I'm having a lot of fun revisiting it. Fair warning, this is the third book of an ongoing quest and there may be spoilers for the first two books ahead (although I'll try and avoid them).
Garion, an ordinary farm boy from Sendaria, is travelling on a quest with his aunt Pol, Mister Wolf - an old disreputable-looking peddler (also known as the sorcerer Belgarath), and their friends Durnik - a smith from the same farm, Silk - a Drasnian merchant, and Barak - a huge Cherek warrior. They are tracking an object that has been stolen by a disciple of Torak, the maimed god show more of the Murgos; an object which has until now assured the safety of the countries of the west and discouraged invasion by Torak's hordes. And, as they travel, they pick up more companions from different countries so that Belgarath can feel that he's covered the eventualities mentioned in an obscure version of the Prophecy which they happen to be fulfilling. However, their foes are following an opposing Prophecy, which they are equally determined to fulfil.
Belgarath's group continue to cross the continent in their race to prevent the object reaching the east and being used to wake the slumbering Torak in this third book of the quest. Their journey takes some unexpected twists as they travel into more regions and countries of the west and they gain (and lose) more companions on the way, all necessary to the prophecy they are following.
This one feels like things are getting a bit more serious as Garion comes into his powers and the stakes climb, though the banter still continues. The teenagers of the group start to grow up and act a bit more responsibly (well, a bit):
Over the months since she had joined them, he had seen her attitude toward him change until they had shared a rather specialised kind of friendship. He liked her: she liked him. Everything had been fine up to that point. Why couldn't she just leave it alone? Garion surmised that it probably had something to do with the inner workings of the female mind. As soon as a friendship passed a certain point - some obscure and secret boundary - a woman quite automatically became overwhelmed by a raging compulsion to complicate things.
although Garion still struggles with what he can do with his unexpected (and unwanted) sorcery.
Despite the summery image on the original (Corgi UK) cover, it is winter and the group spends a lot of time being cold.
The wind tore at them as they rode, and the driving sleet half-blinded them. Garion moved confidently, however. For some reason every rock about them seemed absolutely familiar, though he could not have said why. He rode just fast enough to stay in front of the others. He knew they would ask questions, and he didn’t have any answers. They rounded a shoulder of the peak and rode out onto a broad rock ledge. The ledge curved along the mountainside, disappearing in the swirling sleet ahead.
‘Where art thou taking us, lad?’ Mandorallen shouted to him.
‘It’s not much farther,’ Garion yelled back over his shoulder.
The ledge narrowed as it curved around the looming granite face of the mountain. Where it bent around a jutting cornice, it was hardly more than a footpath. Garion dismounted and led his horse around the cornice. The wind blasted directly into his face as he stepped around the granite outcrop, and he had to put his hand in front of his face to keep the sleet from blinding him. Walking that way, he did not see the door until it was almost within reach of his hands.
The door in the face of the rock was made of iron, black and pitted with rust and age. It was broader than the gate at Faldor’s farm, and the upper edge of it was lost in the swirling sleet.
The characterisation is very clear; each person has their own quirks and you never confuse any of the ensemble cast. The addition of new members and the introduction in person of some of the gods of this universe show us that, though Belgarath and co. are intent on fulfilling their prophecy to make it come out in favour of Good, there are other important events happening in this world.
The chess and magic theme of the book titles carries on.
‘I thought Ctuchik was a sorcerer,' Garion said, puzzled. ‘Why do you keep calling him a magician?'
‘It‘s a term of contempt,' Belgarath replied. ‘It‘s considered a deadly insult in our particular society.'
(Ctuchik being the magician in question attempting the gambit.) This book does end on a bit of a cliff-hanger (almost literally); the group have a major breakthrough but we leave them in the midst of danger.
I'm enjoying re-reading this series, which was one of the first books to introduce me to a life-long love of fantasy. I initially borrowed them from the library to re-read in the hopes that I would still be able to find and buy books with the original Corgi UK covers by Geoff Taylor, which I love, but they've been reissued with new covers.
(March 2022)
4.5 stars show less
It’s always a little difficult to review a fantasy book that is smack dab in the middle of a series and Magician’s Gambit is no exception. Fortunately it is quite different from the two books that came before it. For one the standard plot arc of entering a new kingdom and having Garion be the only one observant enough to notice a coup or a nefarious character attempting to instigate war is not present. Instead the book opens with the story being told from the view-point of Ce’Nedra, the Tolnedran princess who ran away from her father only to find herself mixed up in Belgarath’s quest for the Orb. While both Garion and Ce’Nedra have come a long way since they met, they are still very much teenagers and spend most of this book show more squabbling in one way or another. It is on one hand cute but on the other quickly becomes mildly annoying.
The character that saves the day is Silk, the prince of Drasnia, he is witty and sly and is officially dubbed the Guide of the group by the prophecy that binds them all together. His one line zingers, clever machinations and jokes were very entertaining to read about and he was in danger of stealing the show as he quite nearly outshone our beloved main characters.
The quest in this book proves to take an interesting turn as they are all headed to the Vale of Aldur, Belgarath’s and Polgara’s home. Along the way new countries are discovered that are again unlike any we have seen before, Maragor is a country now devoid of people as they have all been wiped out by the Tolnedrans years and years before. Now the god of those people weeps and mourns their loss and drives anyone mad who dares enter. They also discover Ulgoland, a country that entirely lives underground and worships the god UL. A new character is introduced here, the religious zealot Relg.
Relg is another great character if for no other reason that the stuff he spouts out about his strict religion, his rigid beliefs, and his struggles with his attempts to be pious and prudish while at the same time being a bit of a disgusting man proves to be hilarious religious commentary.
This third book is truly a twist from what has come before and has the adventure kick up another notch in the quest for the Orb with some very entertaining characters brought in along the way. Several major stand offs finally came to a head and ended with a truly stunning surprise that leaves you wondering what must yet be in store for Garion and his friends. show less
The character that saves the day is Silk, the prince of Drasnia, he is witty and sly and is officially dubbed the Guide of the group by the prophecy that binds them all together. His one line zingers, clever machinations and jokes were very entertaining to read about and he was in danger of stealing the show as he quite nearly outshone our beloved main characters.
The quest in this book proves to take an interesting turn as they are all headed to the Vale of Aldur, Belgarath’s and Polgara’s home. Along the way new countries are discovered that are again unlike any we have seen before, Maragor is a country now devoid of people as they have all been wiped out by the Tolnedrans years and years before. Now the god of those people weeps and mourns their loss and drives anyone mad who dares enter. They also discover Ulgoland, a country that entirely lives underground and worships the god UL. A new character is introduced here, the religious zealot Relg.
Relg is another great character if for no other reason that the stuff he spouts out about his strict religion, his rigid beliefs, and his struggles with his attempts to be pious and prudish while at the same time being a bit of a disgusting man proves to be hilarious religious commentary.
This third book is truly a twist from what has come before and has the adventure kick up another notch in the quest for the Orb with some very entertaining characters brought in along the way. Several major stand offs finally came to a head and ended with a truly stunning surprise that leaves you wondering what must yet be in store for Garion and his friends. show less
April 2020 Reread: Even with Ce'Nedra's POV chapters this remains my favorite in the series so far. I find her highly irritating in this read through! Still, there's no better way to get through stressful times than a comfort re-re-re-read :) Review from 2012 below. Wrapping my synopsis in spoiler tags as it basically is the whole plot of the book.
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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 show more 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. show less
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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. show less
“"We all have our little shortcomings," Silk admitted blandly.”
This is yet more of the same I’ve read so far in the Belgariad. We’re still travelling, we’re still seeing some fights the result of which is crystal clear from the outset and it’s becoming stale and bland.
There’s some character development finally but mostly everyone still feels like an archetype and not like a real person.
As if that wasn’t enough, there are lots of “Deus ex machina” moments during which something that should be hard gets resolved effortlessly:
“He ran his fingers over the icy iron, not knowing just what he was looking for. He found a spot that felt a little different. "Here it is."”
And just like that, that’s it. Garion show more explores some more of his capabilities but is still kept small by Belgarath and Pol. The ending is rushed, anti-climactic and actually feels like Eddings just wanted to end the book which doesn't bode well for the rest of the series.
Sometimes I wish I could "unread" books because they were so fantastic. In this case, I would have had to forget an entire genre to find any original thought or idea.
This book was actually starting to get boring and tiresome; everything feels rather mediocre about it – I just hope the next one gets better again...
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This is yet more of the same I’ve read so far in the Belgariad. We’re still travelling, we’re still seeing some fights the result of which is crystal clear from the outset and it’s becoming stale and bland.
There’s some character development finally but mostly everyone still feels like an archetype and not like a real person.
As if that wasn’t enough, there are lots of “Deus ex machina” moments during which something that should be hard gets resolved effortlessly:
“He ran his fingers over the icy iron, not knowing just what he was looking for. He found a spot that felt a little different. "Here it is."”
And just like that, that’s it. Garion show more explores some more of his capabilities but is still kept small by Belgarath and Pol. The ending is rushed, anti-climactic and actually feels like Eddings just wanted to end the book which doesn't bode well for the rest of the series.
Sometimes I wish I could "unread" books because they were so fantastic. In this case, I would have had to forget an entire genre to find any original thought or idea.
This book was actually starting to get boring and tiresome; everything feels rather mediocre about it – I just hope the next one gets better again...
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram show less
This was the weakest of the Belgariad books so far. Most of the book seemed like a rambling Dungeons and Dragons game filled with random encounters and new, made-up monsters described on the spot and forgotten about just as quickly. There was a smattering of character development, the introduction of a few new party members, and a short but satisfying showdown.
I'm not really sure why the book was titled Magician's Gambit. There wasn't much of a gambit at all. Perhaps David Eddings should have named this book, "A Chorus Line of Gods and Random Monsters." At least then I'd know what I was going to run into.
The series still has life in it, though, and I'll press on. Here's to hoping book 4 is better than book 3.
I'm not really sure why the book was titled Magician's Gambit. There wasn't much of a gambit at all. Perhaps David Eddings should have named this book, "A Chorus Line of Gods and Random Monsters." At least then I'd know what I was going to run into.
The series still has life in it, though, and I'll press on. Here's to hoping book 4 is better than book 3.
I'm really enjoying the series. There's a set of characters that you really grow to like, and a whole chapter can go by where you only get one comment or mention from one of them and you still feel like its a well-oiled machine. Not a lot happens to advance the plot in this installment, but we get great character backgrounds, evolutions, and a unique addition in the form of Relg. Relg is definitely the best thing to happen to Magician's Gambit - he strains archetypes, and has a critical contribution to make. That his motivation arises from being chewed out by his God, is seriously classic and fun to explore as well.
As part of my daughter's bedtime ritual, she reads with my wife for a while - then I read whatever novel I'm into aloud in show more her room as she falls asleep. So, she gets only parts - maybe 50% - of the book, in 30 minute increments - - she was still able to follow this story, and get the gist of who everyone is, and what they're up to - even when missing chapters. I think that speaks well of the storytelling, and the classic "journey of a team of heroes" motif. show less
As part of my daughter's bedtime ritual, she reads with my wife for a while - then I read whatever novel I'm into aloud in show more her room as she falls asleep. So, she gets only parts - maybe 50% - of the book, in 30 minute increments - - she was still able to follow this story, and get the gist of who everyone is, and what they're up to - even when missing chapters. I think that speaks well of the storytelling, and the classic "journey of a team of heroes" motif. show less
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David Eddings was born on July 7, 1931 in Spokane, Washington. He received a B.A. in English from Reed College in Portland in 1954 and a M.A. in Middle English from the University of Washington in 1961. After serving in the U.S. Army for two years, he worked as a grocery clerk, as a sales clerk for the Boeing Company, and as an English teacher in show more a business college and a teachers' college. During his lifetime, he wrote more than 25 books, many of them with his wife Leigh Eddings. His first novel, High Hunt, was published in 1973. His other works include the Belgariad series, the Mallorean series, the Elenium series, and the Dreamers series. He died on June 2, 2009 at the age of 77. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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- Canonical title
- Magician's Gambit
- Original title
- Magician's Gambit
- Original publication date
- 1983-06
- People/Characters
- Aldur; Barak (the Dreadful Bear, Earl of Trellheim); Beldin; Belgarath (the Eternal Man, Mister Wolf, Old Wolf); Belkira; Beltira (show all 24); Ce'Nedra (Imperial Princess of Tolnedra, jewel of the House of Borune, the Queen of the World); Ctuchik; Durnik (the Man with Two Lives, the One with Two Lives); Eriond (Errand); Garion (Belgarion, the Child of Light); Gorim; Hettar (the Horse Lord); Mandorallen (Baron of Vo Mandor, the Knight Protector); Mara; the Orb of Aldur (Cthrag Yaska); Polgara (Aunt Pol, the Duchess of Erat); Relg (the Blind Man); Silk (Ambar of Kotu, the Guide, the Nimble Thief, Prince Kheldar, Radek of Boktor); Taiba (the Mother of the Race That Died); Taur Urgas (King of the Murgos); UL; Yarblek; Zedar (Belzedar)
- Important places
- Maragor; Ulgoland; Vale of Aldur; Algaria; Rak Cthol, Cthol Murgos; Arendia
- Dedication
- For Dorothy, who has the enduring grace to put up with Eddings men, and for Wayne, for reasons we both understand but could never be put into words.
- First words
- Being an Account of how Gorim sought a God for his People and of how he found UL upon the sacred Mountain of Prolgu.
- based upon The Book of Ulgo and other fragments
At the Beginning of Days, the worl... (show all)d was spun out of darkness by the seven Gods, and they also created beasts and fowls, serpents and fishes, and lastly Man.
Her Imperial Highness, Princess Ce'Nedra, jewel of the House of Borune and the loveliest flower of the Tolnedran Empire, sat cross-legged on a sea chest in the oak-beamed cabin beneath the stern of Captain Greldik's ship, nib... (show all)bling thoughtfully on the end of a tendril of her coppery hair as she watched the Lady Polgara attend to the broken arm of Belgarath the Sorcerer. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)He turned and led them back into the dark cave with the earthquake rumbling beneath their feet.
- Original language
- English
- Disambiguation notice
- ISBN 0345468643 is for Pawn of Prophecy, not Magician's Gambit.
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