cross-posted from: https://kbin.social/m/13thFloor/t/473436
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…
- Pawn of Prophecy
- Queen of Sorcery
- Magician’s Gambit
- Castle of Wizardry
- Enchanter’s End Game
- Alternative formats
This series remains some of the best fantasy I’ve ever read, and it’s often very hard to find, as it’s been out of print for a while now in most places.
Content Warning: David Eddings has a checkered past regarding the abuse of his adopted son, which he served a year in jail for in 1970. There are likewise dark themes in these novels that some readers may find disturbing. That being said, I believe the work stands on its own as a masterpiece of world-crafting. Please note I present it on those grounds, not as any endorsement of Eddings himself.
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@arotrios this is the original fantasy series that got me hooked on reading. The search for all the books in upstate New York at a young age with no money was formative to say the least. I worry reading them now it may be problematic with a bit of clash of civilizations theme between the white good guys and brown bad guys. I’m open to being told I’m wrong as it’s been a while since my last re-read in the 2000s.
@jerzydyd@mastodon.social - I felt the same - I couldn’t put them down as a kid. It’s definitely got some 70s era prejudice in how it was written, and in the strict cultural divisions based on race and religion that it portrays, but I never felt that it was overtly or deliberately racist - rather the author portraying a barbaric world ruled by gods who were very close at hand and fiercely protective of their people. I still get chills remembering the god Mara wailing in the ruins for the slaughtered Maragor.
I loved these books well before I understood the checkered past. I understand now that they’re formulaic but at the time, Ioved them.
I loved the Belgariad as a kid. It’s unfortunate that all Eddings’ other series were essentially the same story with the names changed.
