The Redemption Of Althalus

[HappyHippo]

it's one of those okay-to-read-while-commuting books (unless you're driving, then don't!), but I can't read it for 'fun' anymore. It's too cardboard for me to sink my teeth into.

[tangaloomababe]

I liked the ideas behind this book, I like how the group came together but it all seemed just a little to tidy towards the end, problems were easily solved and it just had a feel good feeling at the end, like everything had to end happily.
Everyone ended up with their chosen partner and evil was overcome.

The beginning though showed a great deal of promise, its just a shame that it fell down at the end.

[Harleyquin]

the biggest problem I had was the villan... had a book for much longer than athalus, was supposed to be supreamly powerful knowing his book inside out - yet he was SO easily twarted it was silly by a person who only had a relitively limited knowlede of the book.

I just dont think Eddings can write about time / time travel / timemanipulation without digging very very very big plot holes and leaping through them with abandon.

Good concept - poorley executed.

[white_wanderer]

I enjoyed the book. It was a departure from the other ones, and I didn't find that the character duplication detracted from the story. Being brutally honest, the duplication was minor - taking one or two minor traits of previous eddings characters and incorporating them into a new person. As far as I can tell, characters such as Bheid, Eliar, Althalus and Leitha are new characters.
The idea that Althalus can beat Ghend is not as far fetched as it may seem. Althalus and his guys work as a team, supplying ideas and each kepeing to their role. Ghend's allies are back-stabbing, in-fighting individualists who are eyeing his position, so they do what they must. The battle is not Ghend Vs Althalus, but Ghend vs ALthalus and friends.

The message of this book, and others, is that teamwork can overcome all obstacles, and those in the team that go off and do their own thing, contribute to the downfall. It's the old divide and conquer scenario.

My only criticism about this book (and the other eddings books) is that he is a squeamish author who does not want to get his characters killed off. When he does kill someone, it is either as a plot device to focus the hero, or as revenge for something else. There are only 2 on "screen" deaths in this book - Salkan and Yakhag?? - one as a plot device, and one for revenge that also leads to a plot device.

[Quokka]

This was when I realised I had read enough of Eddings. I didn't mind the duplication at all during the Belgariad and Ellenium/Tamuli, the two series are a great fit together but when this first came out I was hoping for something new and I didn't get it (imo).

I've enjoyed rereading the Belgarion/ Sparhawk stories since but after finishing Althalus and the first elder gods book I wouldn't read anything new by Eddings without hearing some very good reviews/ word of mouth about it. On the other hand Althalus was the first Eddings book my younger sister read and she loved it, she started the Belgariad (I dont know if she finished it) but this is still her favourite Eddings book.

[Woodfoot]

I enjoyed it and still enjoy reading it!
I think part of it was the fact i enjoyed the Belgariad and the Mallorean so much that i craved more.
Problem was that the Elenium and Tamuli really disappointed me a hell of a lot so it was a breath of fresh air for me.
I have books that are deep and have more twists than a twister but i do like my predictable feel good books!! For that i am willing to overlook some minor oversights.
Plus i love the dry wit in the books.

[daisybee]

Thought it showed great promise, but I got bored really easily. The characters were forgettable, the doors got on my nerves and the similarities between the characters and his other works really annoyed me. Oh the religious dude ends up tempted by the sinner? Sounds familiar. Hmm. I sound really grumpy don't I? It's just for such a large book, it doesn't ever really feel that anything happens, well I never felt like, oh no the worlds gonna end. Yes the dialogue although familiar still raises smile, and the humour works, but I didn't feel like I'd met anyone new and interesting. I must need food, I feel very harsh now LOL.

[Woodfoot]

I think its one of those if its not broken don't fix it scenarios.

It worked so well for Garion and crew that it probably rubbed off onto Althy

[Jenfm]

I love it! I dont know why but I adore the happy endings (probably on account of how I want one) But I also love romantic comedy's so what can you do.

As for the duplication of plots and characters, so what??

There is always the main couple, the extra's, a little boy, and an item as such that needs protecting. I love it. It's easy, I dont lose any of the characters that I have become attached to and it all ends happily. Whats not to love?

[elvet]

I'm struggling with the Redemption of Athalus by Eddings. The first bit was ok, but the use of the 'door' device is just plain silly. I can't take the story seriously anymore.

[Nesacat]

Was very excited and waited and waited to get my hand on the book. There's a cat after all. It started of well and I was quite happy. The the 'doors' happened. I don't know why he did that. It was silly and threw everything asunder.

And yes, there's the fact that he cannot bear to actually kill off anyone and the I wanted to whack the guy upside the head a lot of the time.

It's a good premise that got off the track pretty badly.

I liked the Belgariad and Mallorean and they are pretty good books to get people started on fantasy. It's never failed me at any rate.

Could not get through all the Elder Gods books. I managed the first one and then decided to just call it quits.