The Pawn of Prophecy, by David Eddings - Anara
This another Bookseller's Favourite review! This one's Anara's.
I think I must have first read this book when I was about fifteen. Then I devoured the rest of the series, then the next * and all the off shoots I could find **. This story begins, as other fantasy books have, in a homely peaceful setting. We meet our protagonist, Garion, on Faldor’s Farm where "Aunt Pol" rules with a quiet but commandingly domestic manner. Eddings is quick to get young Garion on the road with the "Old wolf", a vagrant friend of his "Aunt's". Before long, in true fantasy style, Garion is surrounded by a ragtag band of lovable, humorous fellows, off on adventure. The world is well fleshed out, showing each country's deep history, religions, style, and cultural quirks.
This series follows a whole load of the usual fantasy tropes; the chosen one, the old tutor, a search for a McGuffin, etc but it doesn't take away from the fun of the story and spending time with these characters. A lot of the time it's very clear who the real bad guys are, but there are characters who side with neither or have their own agenda, adding to the substance of the narrative. It is an adventure on the first read and a comforting reread. Sometimes I will pick up a volume and start reading it from one of my favourite moments just to be around old friends. This is what really makes these books special. The characters each have their own quirks and back story that makes them feel so real. But it is the relationships and banter between characters that makes this book feel like home to me, and I think is what really drew me in.
I notice elements similar to those of Tolkien and Pratchett in Eddings's writing and he is as deserving of a place on any fantasy lover's bookshelf as they are. This is the first of 5 books in the first series, with another 5-book series set after, and 3 related books, so if you like to swim deep in your fantasy worlds this is one you shouldn’t miss.
*The Malloreon
**Belgarath The Sorcerer, Polgara The Sorceress and The Riven Codex
Anara
