One time reader

[disco]

I read the Belgariad and the Molloreon about 10 years ago and really enjoyed them. Since then I,ve tried to read the Redemption of Althalus and found it very boring. I was wondering if anyone else found this and what series they would recomend from Eddings.
In the last couple of years I,ve been reading George RR Martin, Raymond E Feist and Robin Hobb and I find these more interesting writers, especially Martin and Hobb.

[chrispenycate]

Originally Posted by disco

I read the Belgariad and the Molloreon about 10 years ago and really enjoyed them. Since then I,ve tried to read the Redemption of Althalus and found it very boring. I was wondering if anyone else found this and what series they would recomend from Eddings.
In the last couple of years I,ve been reading George RR Martin, Raymond E Feist and Robin Hobb and I find these more interesting writers, especially Martin and Hobb.

If you hadn't read the Belgarion books, you'd probably have been much more impressed by Althalus. He seems to have developed a stock set of characters (somewhat mix and match, but essentially the same) that he reuses for each series. (and you didn't even do the Sparhawk series, to get the child goddess who reappears in "Redemption of" and again in the latest series. Plus, a number of situations reapeat (I know he explained this in the Malloreon by history not being finished- but continuing in numerous other universes?)
There are probably people who enjoy this predictability- after all, the Conan books went on selling, with people holding their breath waiting for a new one to come out (hides behind geography expecting divine vengance ) - but I am not of their number. I much prefer some surprise, which Eddings now declines to offer us (you notice, however, that despite this and despite the fact that I would choose sci-fi over fantasy, I've still read them all) And, regarding Feist, while I adored the early riftwar books, I consider he's now got advanced sequelitis and should write about something completely different, the ?games based? later books are too formulaic for my taste.

[Adasunshine]

Although predictable, I still loved the Eddings books and if you liked The Belgariad and The Malloreon, I would suggest reading The Elenium and The Tamuli. I enjoyed all of those books and would recommend them to anyone, especially if they're just starting to read fantasy novels. I think they're a great introduction to the genre.

Failing that, if you haven't done so already I would definitely recommend his two stand-alone prequels to The Belgariad, Belgarath the Socerer and Polgara the Sorceress.

As for Althalus, I really enjoyed this book, easy reading I'll admit but I still enjoyed it nonetheless.

Eddings is the reason I started and continued to read fantasy books.

xx

[Rosemary]

I too have enjoyed reading all of his books, including the stand-alone ones which I am in the process of re-reading. His characters have marvelous characteristics and I love the little bits of humour that come across now and again.

I found The Redemption book just as engrossing as his previous publications.

[nixie]

The Elenium and Tamuli are a nice light read,the humour is their but your not really going to get anything different.Unless your a massive fan steer clear of his latest series The Dreamers.The repetitiveness really gets on your nerves...theres only so many times you can read "be nice".."he's such a nice boy etc"...OK I know I'm still reading it but I don't like leaving series unfinished

[Priv8eye]

I agree with muchthat has been said here. You really only need to read one set of Edding's books to know what all the others are about. personally I have read Belgariad, and gave up on Mallorean because it was a repeat of what went before.

I also the first Sparhawk books but gave up on the second for the same reason. I read Althalus and found it was the same all over again but in one book this time. I still have and the only reason i don't get rid of it is it was a present.

I abondoned his works a good while ago and moved onto other things. I really got put off more when I read an interview with him (them)and found that he(they) took up writing fantasy to prove how easy it was. HE/they have a stock list of what is required in fantasy book and then put these elements in.

[disco]

Thanks for the info it was especially good to hear that he or they took up writing fantasy to show how easy it was. I suppose it is easy to write the same stuff over and over again.

[Kynsilaukka]

Originally Posted by Priv8eye

I abondoned his works a good while ago and moved onto other things. I really got put off more when I read an interview with him (them)and found that he(they) took up writing fantasy to prove how easy it was. HE/they have a stock list of what is required in fantasy book and then put these elements in.

An interview? Sound more of the prologue of Rivan Codex.

Anyways, I´d recommend you to read everything from him/them. At least you can diss them, then. I personally love Garions AND Althalus, but then dislike Sparhawks.

[Allanon]

i got crystal gorge for christmas but haven't read it yet is it any good.

[Delvor]

Is crystal gorge book 1 of sparhawks trilogy? Elenia?
They're ok, but as people mentioned above lacks greatness of Martin.
My favs were the garion and the redemptions of Althlus, one of first fantasy books i read actually

[chrispenycate]

Originally Posted by Delvor

Is crystal gorge book 1 of sparhawks trilogy? Elenia?
They're ok, but as people mentioned above lacks greatness of Martin.
My favs were the garion and the redemptions of Althlus, one of first fantasy books i read actually

No, that's the "Diamond Throne". Crystal Gorge is the third (and most recent)book of the "Dreamers" quartet.

[Allanon]

so i need to go back and get the others first then

[Rosemary]

Originally Posted by Allanon

so i need to go back and get the others first then

Well, I feel that you should. It will give you a better insight and feeling about the book you have just got

[Foxtale]

Actually, I began with the Sparhawk series' and then moved onto Althalus. I found Althalus to be a fresh breeze after Sparhawk. But then I moved onto the Elder Gods series and I almost died. I blame my English teacher for opening my eyes to character archetypes and thus ruining the Belgariad for me.

[Jason_Taverner]

I've only read Althalus and I loved it as a total change of pace its nice to read without the gore sometimes and I found it a welcome respite as I was getting bogged down with blood drenced battles, I am still reading blood drenced but it was a surprising change. I always feel I have to defend that book.