Castle of Wizardry
Ratings102
Average rating3.9
15
Ratings102
Average rating3.9
The fourth book of the Belgariad.A magnificent epic set against a history of seven thousand years of the struggles of Gods and Kings and men - of strange lands and events - of fate and a prophecy that must be fulfilled!THE BELGARIADIt had all begun with the theft of the Orb that had so long protected the West from the evil God Torak. Before that, Garion had been a simple farm boy. Afterward, he discovered that his aunt was really the Sorceress Polgara and his grandfather was Belgarath, the Eternal Man. Then, on the long quest to recover the Orb, Garion found to his dismay that he, too, was a sorcerer.Now, at last, the Orb was regained and the quest was nearing its end. Of course, the questors still had to escape from this crumbling enemy fortress and flee across a desert filled with Murgo soldiers searching for them, while Grolim Hierarchs strove to destroy them with dark magic. Then, somehow, they must manage to be in Riva with the Orb by Erastide.After that, however, Garion was sure that his part in these great events would be finished.But the Prophecy still held future surprises for Garion - and for the little Princess Ce'Nedra!THUS CONTINUES BOOK FOUR OF THE BELGARIAD
Reviews with the most likes.
I don't think this is the strongest book in the series, but I am still enjoying the overall flow. I go back and forth on Eddings' treatment of female characters. Sometimes they are well-rounded and complex, and sometimes male characters threaten to spank their figureheads if they get out of line. It was probably meant as a joke, but I'm a bi sensitive to such “jokes' in the current climate.
It is nice to get to know Ce'Nedra better and watch her step out of her initial caricature, though I do wish she was a bit less “anything for Garson” inclined. Likewise, the witch of the fens is so consumed by maternal instinct that she's willing to sacrifice the natural order of the world. And Barak's wife (who has every justifiable reason to hate him) is suddenly softening now that she has had a son. There are just a few parts that leave a bad taste in my mouth.
I'll definitely finish the series, and hopefully resolve some of my conflicts with the characters.
I am somewhat bored with the story at this point, which is one of the dangers of reading an epic fantasy. I knew that the little boy would become the hero and defeat the bad guy, so... sometimes it gets tedious waiting for it to happen.
And I really wish that Polgara was more to this world than just a powerful sorceress. It seems to me that her mere presence over the past 6000 (or so) years should have resulted in a lot more gender equality. Instead, Polgara, who is wise and powerful and compassionate, is temperamental, bitchy, and is not seen as evidence that women can think. Fine, it's a story, but it doesn't add up to me and has been bothering me since book one. Thank goodness the other main female character isn't also temperamental to the max. Oh, wait. Nevermind.
But I liked the story anyhow, at least enough to look forward to finishing this arc with the next book. Just don't ask me what it was that I liked.
Finally, we're (mostly) back on track: Garion gets to know his place in the big picture, Ce'Nedra finally becomes a character and not some one-dimensional caricature and Belgarath shows some human feelings. Whenever we're not witnessing our heroes travelling but get to know them in their “natural habitat”, things get really interesting. I'm certainly never going to recommend “The Belgariad” to anyone but a teenager but at least this book made me actually want to finish the series instead of DNF'ing. I hope the fifth book doesn't make me regret my decision... Blog Facebook Twitter Instagram
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Series
5 primary booksThe Belgariad is a 5-book series with 5 primary works first released in 1980 with contributions by David Eddings, Piotr W. Cholewa, and Paulina Braiter-Ziemkiewicz.
Series
13 primary booksBelgariad Universe is a 13-book series with 13 primary works first released in 1980 with contributions by David Eddings, Leigh Eddings, and 3 others.
Series
1 primary bookBelgarion sagaen is a 1-book series first released in 1984 with contributions by David Eddings.
