The Belgariad, Vol. 1: Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician's Gambit
8 journalers for this copy...
This book contains the three novels in the Belgariad series (Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, and Magician's Gambit) bound together as a paperback. This series is becoming considered a classic by some, and the format of this book allows you to read them altogether in order.
I read this series when I was much younger, but decided to reread since it had been a while.
Garion discovers that his Aunt Pol (who has raised him) and the old story teller that would periodically visit are more then they seem. Instead of the simple people he always thought they were, he discovers that they are really wizards/sorcerers who are trying to protect him and get back the Orb (a magical object needed to defeat a mad God). With his whole world turned upside down he begins to find out more about his family and gets a hint that there may be something special about him. The three books follow the story of the attempt to retrieve the Orb in preparation of the confrontation with Torak once the prophecy comes true and the final confrontation occurs.
I read this series when I was much younger, but decided to reread since it had been a while.
Garion discovers that his Aunt Pol (who has raised him) and the old story teller that would periodically visit are more then they seem. Instead of the simple people he always thought they were, he discovers that they are really wizards/sorcerers who are trying to protect him and get back the Orb (a magical object needed to defeat a mad God). With his whole world turned upside down he begins to find out more about his family and gets a hint that there may be something special about him. The three books follow the story of the attempt to retrieve the Orb in preparation of the confrontation with Torak once the prophecy comes true and the final confrontation occurs.
I am offering this book with the the second volume as an international bookring (between the two they cover the series). It is a trade paperback to minimize shipping expense.Current list of participants (subject to order change):
- tobysrus (USA, MA)*
- midwinter (USA, AZ)***
- AtwoJay (Canada)*
- billhookbabe (UK)*
- RonOren (Netherlands)**(Europe)
- asterw (Greece)*
- aset01 (France)* (skipped due to lack of response)
- GRAN-DUCATO (Chile)* <- currently here
- Rob-B (USA, OH)*
- omly (USA, MA)
* will ship internationally
** would prefer not to ship internationally
***can not ship internationally
Rules of this bookring:
- When you receive the book please ensure that you journal it.
- Read it as soon as you can.
- When you've finished reading it, make a journal entry and contact the next person on the list.
- If no response is received after two attempts, contact me and then next person on the list.
- When you send the book on make a journal entry.
Arrived in the mail today! I'm looking forward to reading the series!
Excellent book! Or more appropriately books(3)! The first one started a little slow. You need to concentrate in the beginning on who's who, the history and geography, but then it all seems to flow and the anticipation builds. Reminds me a bit of Lord of the Rings. There is an odd assortment of characters all with certain skills (and weaknesses) that gather together on a journey and mission bigger than anyone of them individually. Can't wait to get into the next volume. I plan to start it tonight!
Journal Entry 5 by tobysrus at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (5/31/2005 UTC) at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Mailed media mail today to midwinter. It should arrive after you take possession of your new apartment. Enjoy!
Mailed media mail today to midwinter. It should arrive after you take possession of your new apartment. Enjoy!
Sorry for the long delay on journalling this - both books 1 & 2 have arrived safely, and I'm working my way through #1 now. Will finish ASAP and get this ring moving again :)
I'm sorry for hanging on to this so long, but boy was there a lot of ground to cover! This is, without a doubt, one of the best fantasy books I've read in over a decade. I've become rather skeptical of the genre - it generally feels like one re-hash after another. This one, although 20 years old, managed to feel fresh and exciting. I was hooked from the first chapter, and am now eager to finish the remaining two books.
My boyfriend said I'd like this series, and he was right :)
Thanks for sharing, omly! I can't wait to finish the rest of the books.
*****
Going out to AtwoJay tomorrow...
My boyfriend said I'd like this series, and he was right :)
Thanks for sharing, omly! I can't wait to finish the rest of the books.
*****
Going out to AtwoJay tomorrow...
Just received in the mail. Will read soon.
I couldn't put this book down! While reading it, I stayed up late and got little sleep, missed a bus, and enjoyed myself thoroughly. Now I have to get ahold of The Mallorean and read that too.
Mailed to billhookbabe today.
Both books arrived in the post today. I have two books to read beforehand, and will start these straight after. This series will be my first reading of 2006, what a great start.
Started reading this at last last night and couldn't put it down. great stuff.
Well, this is why I read fantasy. A great set of characters, lots of secrets and unknowns, a story with a history. I couldn't put it down either and finished it pretty quickly. Glad that I am not having to stop and start waiting for the next instalment. I am halfway through the second book now so these should be on their way soon.Released for the 2006 Keep them Moving Challenge run by guinaveve
What a package! This and volume II just arrived, together with a lovely RABCK from billhookbabe. I'm looking forward to reading these!
I've actually finished both this and the second volume quite a while ago, but didn't get around to journal them. Sorry about that!
I have to admit that I had a momentary doubt when I started reading this: the prologue to the first book (or, in fact, to all of the books) is so horribly dry! It reads like a history book, rather than a novel. Had the whole story been written like this, I'm not sure I could've finished it. Imagine my relief when the style turned "normal" when the story-proper started ;-).
It's pretty much the standard fantasy story, isn't it? Country bumpkin turns out to be surprisingly important in The Big Scheme, meets up with all sorts of adventurous people, most of whom are not quite what they seem (and usually one who'd nowhere near what he pretends to be) which, of course, leads to a battle of Good against Evil. Please don't tell me I'm being to cynical here...
There's two things that I felt made this book definitely worth reading, though. First of all, I am very impressed with the reader getting Garion's point-of-view: we only read about stuff that Garion sees, hears or hears of; and in the latter case only what he understands (or, since he truly is a naive bumpkin, what he thinks he understands).
I liked being kept in the dark about certain parts of the story! On the other hand, I did feel that Garion was being very thick about it (but then, I did have the advantage of the prologues, so I'm probably not being fair here).
The second thing I liked is how all the countries (and peoples) have their own identity. Everyone always says that Tolkien or Robert Jordan are so very good at inventing realistic worlds; well, as far as I'm concerned, David Eddings can be added to that list!
Is it just me, or are most of those countries very obvious mirror-images of some of the countries in our world? Tolnedra is clearly the Roman Empire; Nyissa I kept seeing Egypt in. Am I being very mischievous when I say that Riva is England ;-)?
The story may be relatively simple, the way that Mr. Eddings tells it makes this book worth the read. I'm glad I read this; thanks for sharing it, omly!
I have to admit that I had a momentary doubt when I started reading this: the prologue to the first book (or, in fact, to all of the books) is so horribly dry! It reads like a history book, rather than a novel. Had the whole story been written like this, I'm not sure I could've finished it. Imagine my relief when the style turned "normal" when the story-proper started ;-).
It's pretty much the standard fantasy story, isn't it? Country bumpkin turns out to be surprisingly important in The Big Scheme, meets up with all sorts of adventurous people, most of whom are not quite what they seem (and usually one who'd nowhere near what he pretends to be) which, of course, leads to a battle of Good against Evil. Please don't tell me I'm being to cynical here...
There's two things that I felt made this book definitely worth reading, though. First of all, I am very impressed with the reader getting Garion's point-of-view: we only read about stuff that Garion sees, hears or hears of; and in the latter case only what he understands (or, since he truly is a naive bumpkin, what he thinks he understands).
I liked being kept in the dark about certain parts of the story! On the other hand, I did feel that Garion was being very thick about it (but then, I did have the advantage of the prologues, so I'm probably not being fair here).
The second thing I liked is how all the countries (and peoples) have their own identity. Everyone always says that Tolkien or Robert Jordan are so very good at inventing realistic worlds; well, as far as I'm concerned, David Eddings can be added to that list!
Is it just me, or are most of those countries very obvious mirror-images of some of the countries in our world? Tolnedra is clearly the Roman Empire; Nyissa I kept seeing Egypt in. Am I being very mischievous when I say that Riva is England ;-)?
The story may be relatively simple, the way that Mr. Eddings tells it makes this book worth the read. I'm glad I read this; thanks for sharing it, omly!
Just sent it off to asterw. Hope you'll enjoy it!
I got the books today. Actually, they had arrived since last friday, but as the package was quite big, it wouldn't fit into my mailbox and the porter kept it. Today I managed to "escape" from work a bit earlier, so I had the chance to meet the porter before he left and he gave it to me ;o)
It's a good thing that the books arrived just as I finished the book I was reading, especially since I've been wanting to read a fantasy book now! So I'll just start reading them right away!
Thanks RonOren for mailing them to me...
It's a good thing that the books arrived just as I finished the book I was reading, especially since I've been wanting to read a fantasy book now! So I'll just start reading them right away!
Thanks RonOren for mailing them to me...
At the beginning I was afraid that I wouldn't like the book -the story seemed too slow and I didn't enjoy very much his writing style either... But that didn't last long! Soon I was hooked and couldn't put the book down.
I liked the way the different countries, their people and their ways were described. The fact that there were so many people -and countries- involved at the beginning was a bit confusing, but once I got accustomed to it and didn't have to stop and think who the Asturians were and who had problems with whom and why, I really liked the diversity, it made the book very interesting.
And of course, I LOVED Belgarad and Lady Polgara, powerful but human, with good and bad aspects. I laughed too many times with their behaviour and their sayings!
Last but not least, I liked the way the author shows through the story the prejudices and how they can be overcome once we see the persons for what they are and understand them.
In a few words: I LOVED Belgariad!
Thank you omly for giving me the chance to read it. I'm PMin aset01 for her address.
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Update 25.04.2006: I'm soooo sorry that it took me so long to mail the books! It's because I didn't take into consideration that post office in Greece remains closed some days during Holy week. So I left the books back there and had my mother mail them today that the post office opened.
I liked the way the different countries, their people and their ways were described. The fact that there were so many people -and countries- involved at the beginning was a bit confusing, but once I got accustomed to it and didn't have to stop and think who the Asturians were and who had problems with whom and why, I really liked the diversity, it made the book very interesting.
And of course, I LOVED Belgarad and Lady Polgara, powerful but human, with good and bad aspects. I laughed too many times with their behaviour and their sayings!
Last but not least, I liked the way the author shows through the story the prejudices and how they can be overcome once we see the persons for what they are and understand them.
In a few words: I LOVED Belgariad!
Thank you omly for giving me the chance to read it. I'm PMin aset01 for her address.
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Update 25.04.2006: I'm soooo sorry that it took me so long to mail the books! It's because I didn't take into consideration that post office in Greece remains closed some days during Holy week. So I left the books back there and had my mother mail them today that the post office opened.
Wow! I finish reading it last week, and is the kind of book I enjoy reading, so THANKS FOR SENDING IT TO ME. I'm curently reading the second volume and as soon as i've had finish it I will pass it along.
