Belgarath the Sorcerer [Mass Market Paperback]

In this epic fantasy, depicting thousands of years of sorcerous, noble and godly machinations, the Eddingses return to the world of their multivolume sagas, The Belgariad and The Malloreon. This prequel to the earlier books, presented as Belgarath's memoirs, offers an absorbing story line and some memorable characters as, once again, the authors touch all the right fantasy bases, with warring gods, political intrigues, supernatural creatures and appealingly human magicians involved in a titanic war over the course of seven millennia. Because of the vast scope, the sense of ages passing and of destiny unfolding is well conveyed; but that same scale confines the authors to handling some events and characters only briefly, and it mutes the story's emotional power. Nonetheless, Eddings fans will no doubt snatch this novel off the shelves, while readers new to the authors' world won't find a more appropriate place to beginning exploring it. 400,000 first printing; major ad/promo.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

While relating his event-filled life, the immortal sorcerer Belgarath weaves a compelling tale of two opposing Necessities that spans 7000 years and bears witness to the rise and fall of human hopes and destinies. The latest effort by the authors of The Belgariad (Ballantine, 1986) provides a new spin on material familiar to series followers. It illuminates the mysterious past of a world cracked apart in its infancy by the jealousy of its gods. The sometimes humorous, sometimes sharply rueful voice of the narrator provides a welcome anchor in this lavishly portrayed journey through time. A welcome addition to most fantasy collections, this title can be enjoyed apart from its predecessors.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Having completed the popular multivolume fantasies, The Belgariad and The Malloreon, Eddings and his wife, now acknowledged as a longtime collaborator, focus on the eons-long struggle of gods and humans that led to the epic events in those two series. Here, they tell that story from the viewpoint of the sorcerer Belgarath, who became a disciple of the god Aldur when the gods still walked the world and who was a major participant throughout the 7,000-year war. After the dark god Torak cracks the world by trying to use the powerful Orb, which he has stolen from Aldur, Aldur takes on the responsibility of preparing for the day when good and evil will meet in the final battle that decides the fate of the world. Belgarath and his fellow disciples become involved in deciphering the oblique prophecies and making sure that events that are supposed to happen indeed do. The Eddingses temper larger-than-life violence and intrigue with a healthy dose of wit, particularly in the characterizations of the often testy Belgarath and his equally sharp-tongued daughter, Polgara. This rousing precursor to two five-book sagas is probably best read after them because of Belgarath's digressions into his own present, but make no mistake--the sagas' many fans will definitely relish it. Sally Estes --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

'Nobody writes modern fantasy like Eddings or as well ! Eddings is at the top with the very best' Vector' 'This sixth volume in the Belgariad tells the full story of the legendary sorcerer Belgarath with all the verve and pace we've come to expect from these authors' The Dark Side 'My ideal summer read! Having enjoyed the entire ten-book serial, I was delighted to be able to read this latest addition as it not only provides fantastic escapism in itself, but, being a prequel, will make my re-reading of the other books all the more fascinating.' The Irish Times 'Offers an absorbing storyline and some memorable characters as, once again, the authors touch all the right fantasy bases, with warring gods, political intrigues, supernatural creatures and appealingly human magicians involved in a titanic war over the course of seven millennia. Eddings fans will no doubt snatch this novel off the shelves while readers new to the authors' world won't find a more appropriate place to begin exploring it.' Publishers Weekly 'There's no denying the Eddingses' offerings do entertain. This novel is for fantasy fans fed up with more fusty fare, or for anyone who likes mischief and merriment.' West Australian 'There's no denying the Eddingses' offerings do entertain. This novel is for fantasy fans fed up with more fusty fare, or for anyone who likes mischief and merriment.' West Australian 'My ideal summer read! Having enjoyed the entire ten-book serial, I was delighted to be able to read this latest addition as it not only provides fantastic escapism in itself, but, being a prequel, will make my re-reading of the other books all the more fascinating.' The Irish Times --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Bestselling authors David and Leigh Eddings welcome readers back to the time before The Belgariad and The Malloreon series. Join them as they chronicle that fateful conflict between two mortally opposed Destinies, in a monumental war of men and kings and Gods.

When the world was young and Gods still walked among their mortal children, a headstrong orphan boy set out to explore the world. Thus began the extraordinary adventures that would mold that youthful vagabond into a man, and the man into the finely honed instrument of Prophecy known to all the world as Belgarath the Sorcerer.
Then came the dark day when the Dark God Torak split the world asunder, and the God Aldur and his disciples began their monumental labor to set Destiny aright. Foremost among their number was Belgarath. His ceaseless devotion was foredoomed to cost him that which he held most dear--even as his loyal service would extend through echoing centuries of loss, of struggle, and of ultimate triumph.

David Eddings was born in Washington State in 1931 and grew up near Seattle. He graduated from the University of Washington and went on to serve in the US Army. Subsequently, he worked as a buyer for the Boeing Aircraft Company and taught college-level English. His career as a fantasy writer, with his wife Leigh, has been spectacular. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.