The Malloreon, Vol. 1 (Books 1-3): Guardians of the West, King of the Murgos, Demon Lord of Karanda by David Eddings Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Malloreon, Vol. 1 (Books 1-3): Guardians of the West, King of the Murgos, Demon Lord of Karanda
Book Review: Great Reading
Summary: 5 Stars
I was introduced to this series a couple of years ago and I've been in love with it ever since. I can't believe I never came across it sooner. Of course now that I've read it I come across it in book stores all the time now. This series is a beautiful series for all readers. I wouldn't limit it to fantasy lovers because it is simply a terrific series. It has everything you can ever want to read in a book - humour, fear, action and satisfaction that good does indeed have a say in what goes on in the world. The characters come alive in your head without even trying, the storyline is addictive so it's best to either buy all the books in the series from the start or make plans to get it as soon as you can.
It was great to get these books in 4 books instead of 10. I still re-read this series and I've recently bought them as christmas presents. It's an excellant buy for any avid reader or even for those you might want to encourage to read. For all those who do buy this series, check out Belgarath and Polgara - the companion editions.
Book Review: Three books in one volume!
Summary: 4 Stars
I read the three books that are contained in this single volume when they originally appeared. It was difficult waiting the 12-18 months between volumes. Each book is well-written, fast-paced, resolves things for the reader -- and then creates another dilemma which leaves the reader hanging -- until the next book was available.
The Malloreon Epic Series is the sequel to the equally gripping trilogy, The Belgariad. Eddings creates a mythical world -- the kingdoms of the West and the Angaraks and populates it with noble people you will come to love -- and villains you will justly despise.
Garion is a warrior who becomes King of Riva after slaying the evil God Torak. You will admire his sense of justice and right and wrong as the series evolves. Garion and his wife, Queen CeNedra, have an infant son who is kidnapped by Zandramas, the Child of Dark. If he cannot be rescued the boy will be used in a ritual that will make Dark Destiny supreme forever.
Joining Garion and CeNedra on the quest are Belgarath, the immortal sorcerer, and Polgara, Belgarath's slightly younger and equally immortal daughter, along with her mortal husband Goodman Durnik. In the Belgariad series we found Garion being raised by Aunt Pol (Polgara) on a farm until his destiny became clear.
In these first three books of the series, we are taken on a roller coaster as good battles evil while a child and a world's destiny are at stake. The group faces capture, battles demons, and confronts a fatal plague as they cross the foul swamps of Nyissa and journey through the inhospitable land of the Murgos.
Eddings creates characters that are at once noble and human. They rise to each challenge, yet on an everyday basis become short-tempered when faced with cold, hunger, dampness, etc. They will become the reader's friends -- and their enemies will become your enemies.
Armchair Interviews says: This is an exciting journey with three books in one volume so you're not required to wait.
Book Review: These are the kind of books you happily buy twice :)
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Malloreon" is the sequel in five tomes to David Eddings' "The Belgariad". This special edition compiles the first three books of "The Malloreon": "Guardians of the West", "King of the Murgos" and "Demon Lord of Karanda".
In those books, we get to meet the characters we learn to love in "The Belgariad", and some new ones (for example, Silk will meet a young woman that is more than his match). There is plenty of adventure, magic and a lot of that quirky sense of humour so characteristic of Eddings at his best. There is also a new quest: Belgarion's son has been kidnapped by an evil sorcerer named Zandramas in order to fulfill an ancient prophecy. If Belgarion and his friends want to save him, they will need to fulfill a parallel prophecy, and vanquish Zandramas. The fate of the world as they know it is in their hands...
Of course, and almost needless to say, I strongly advise you to read these books in order. By that, I mean reading first the five tomes of "The Belgariad" and only afterwards start the five tomes of "The Malloreon". That is the way in which these books were meant to be read, and they are strong reasons for that. Make yourself a favour, and read them books in the correct order, as you will enjoy the series even more.
All in all, I highly recommend "The Malloreon Volume One". I read these books ages ago, but I still enjoy them a lot. Truth to be told, I didn't really need this special edition of the first 3 books in "The Malloreon", as I already am the proud owner of these books in their Spanish edition. All the same, I decided to buy them again in order to be able to read the series in its original language, English. Other advantages of this edition are that it isn't expensive at all, and that it doesn't take up to much space in your library. On the whole, buying "The Malloreon Volume One" is a win-win situation. Enjoy it :)
Belen Alcat