The Seeress of Kell: Book 5 of the Malloreon (original 1991; edition 1991)

Sticks the landing in the most fan-service-y way possible but I'm not mad at it. ( )

"It has come at last," Garion's inner companion said unemotionally through the Child of Light's* lips. "It is the instant of the Choice. Choose, Cyradis, lest all be destroyed."

"It has come," another equally unemotional voice spoke through the lips of the Child of Dark*. "It is the instant of the Choice. Choose, Cyradis, lest all be destroyed."

The Seeress of Kell is the fifth and final book in The Malloreon by David Eddings. And quite an end it is! The quest draws to a close as the final riddles are solved so the meeting of Light and Dark can happen to decide the fate of the world. Zandramas strives until the bitter end to thwart her opponent. Garion must stay resolute to prevent the world from sliding into darkness even if it means he must kill his own son.

It is a great ending to the series. All story threads are wrapped up, including a couple items from book one that had been left dangling. I've been with these characters for so long now that they feel like old friends and it is the character dynamics that has been the most enjoyable part of my reread. Sometimes it's hard for an author to keep track of all the characters when a series focuses on a fairly large group and I'd say Eddings is successful at giving everyone their own voice. The ending does have its bittersweet moment though. I'm quite glad to have made the journey again and am a little sad for it to be over.

*Quote changed slightly to prevent spoilers. ( )

The quest is in its final stages, Garion and his companions have reached Kell and the full set of the Mallorean Gospels that would advise them as to where the final confrontation was to take place and other mysteries be unveiled.

This one of the better books in the series, and not just because it's the last one in the series :-). By this point, the Eddings have been at this world for nearly a decade and they have a great deal invested in the characters so really does feel as if we are saying goodbye to members of the family ( )

“mallorean” ends ( )

How sad. My series is over (again). This book wraps up all the unfinished business from the series. The quest is over and everyone goes home. Eddings, of course, has fun with the characters and makes their happily ever after a little uncomfortable for them, but that's part of the fun of this series. My favorite wrap-up happened to Beldin. I was rooting for him (even though it was a re-read and I knew what would happen). I shall miss all of my friends"." ( )