Tomes of Spellcasting--Guardians of the West

Tomes of Spellcasting

Welcome to the land of mystery, where the impossible is possible, and the improbable the reality. Join me as I investigate worlds filled with magic and meet the souls that wield this wondrous powers.

W A R N I N G !

This review does not represent the opinions of the general public. It reflects my personal thoughts and opinions on the book.

That said, on to the review!

Title: Guardians of the West
Author: David Eddings
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Format: Paperback
Copyright Date: 1987

Torak's death brought about an age of relative peace...if you accept the fact that warfare in Arendia, poisonings and murders in the quest for a dying emperor's crown in Tolnedra, assassinations in the narcotic-laden Nyissa, and the war between the Malloreans and the Murgos in Cthol Murgos all constitute peace. But for Garion of Riva and his friends, it is indeed a time of peace. After all, they are the ones who worked for years--in some cases, millenia--to bring about that peace. Of course, that means that all the other, less world-shaking problems need to be solved now. Like the ridiculous extents to which Arendish nobles are willing to go in the name of love. Or the need to protect a boy-King's realm from the deviousness of a friendly enemy's calculating wit. Or the need to solve a new mystery that the "voice" and the Orb of Aldur have brought to light. But first, Garion needs to solve a very pressing problem on the throne front: how to get along with his wife!

Guardians of the West starts the Belgariad sequel series, The Mallorean. It basically serves to bring us up to date on what's been happening since the end of Enchanters' End Game as well as laying the groundwork for this new series. That means reintroducing the original cast, resolving the situations of said old characters, presenting new characters with roles to play in the coming conflicts, and just getting the ball rolling into this new saga.

Perhaps the one thing I like best about this first book is that it unleashes new examples of just how powerful Garion and his family are (magic-wise) and how unsettling it is for the non-magically inclined to actually experience that power, like shape-changing from hawks to humans, or unleashing the fury of a storm to stop two warring factions from charging into each other. And, when you experience these events through the fantastic medium of David Eddings' masterful writing...hey, it defies description!

Guardians of the West makes the perfect beginning to a new series of books. It serves as both a conclusion and an introduction, providing the smoothest of transitions from one saga to the next. If you liked the Belgariad series, then you're definitely going to love this one! It starts here, so get reading!

Rating: Thumbs up! You though killing the evil god was the ending, right? Wrong!

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