Jay-Morgan

By far one of my favourite books in the world. Usually I would hum and haw if someone asked my what my favourite anything is, like a song or movie, but if asked after my favourite book I will undoubtedly give them the name of this series. Having read it once a year since I was possibly 12 or 13, I do have quite the personal connection to it, but I genuinely believe that it doesn't influence my current opinion on it.

To begin with, the world building is absolutely astounding for the genre. Sure, it's simple, but isn't simplicity just the ultimate form of sophistication? It's clear-cut, it's defined, it's interesting and it's engaging. The different kingdoms and races are so different from each other, and so many things to love about the people, I feel like they're as real and recognisable as if they were in our own world. And on that note, the characters are incredibly vivid and loveable. Their relationships are evident through genuine writing, time and effort is put into illustrating their stories and characteristics. I feel like I'm in the same room as them, able to see them for all they are like I could any of my material friends.

Despite the series being a prophecy, chosen-one type trope, a trope that I would typically avoid, the plot is still grappling enough to keep you on board, and possibly engaging enough to illicit public emotion. I have often cried and laughed at chapters that I knew were coming, but couldn't help myself from feeling a genuine emotion towards these people of ink on paper. The prophecy trope might ruin a plot by making it far to easy to guess at, it might steal away the intrigue that a series of five would need, but Eddings managed to balance such a beautifully complex plot with this trope and make it work, keeping you lead on.

I could genuinely ramble and yap for hours about the series but have never found someone who has read it, even after my insistence. Sure, Eddings wasn't the best fellow around, but he won't be listening to my adoration.