Hello Fellow Journeyers,
We take a look to the past for a classic story in book one of The Belgariad pentalogy by David Eddings. Pawn of Prophecy is next.
What's the story about: Pawn of Prophecy is classic fantasy in it's most well-worn path. A simple farm boy embarks on a journey with his Aunt to figure out his significance in the world. While this story reads a little as if intended for a younger audience, this was written during a time when stories most often could be read by child and adult alike. I, for one, appreciate this style, though I think it is worth stating.
Pawn of Prophecy is not anything new or original in it's plot, but that's not a bad thing. It reads as if expecting you to know what things are to come, but tells it's story in a refined and refreshing way. From the beginning, the characters are unique and multifaceted, even if a bit stiff, but develop in ways that make you enjoy their presences. The characters that accompany Garion on his journey are intelligent and experienced in their roles, making up for Garion's lack of experience and the book's lack of compelling narrative early on. The first half of the story tends to stagnate a little because the reader knows more than Garion does, and it takes far too long to get to information that we expect, which is that he comes from a vast lineage of significance.
But on the opposite side of the spectrum, something especially enjoyable about the story is that it's consistent. It knows what it is and fits that picture perfectly. It doesn't try to be overly ambitious, political, grandiose, or in depth, it just reads simply and easily and it works very well for the story and characters involved. I don't care for the way modern books tend to push the idea of surprise twists or untraditional or unusual events for the sake of "keeping the reader invested," so having a story that's a simple quest tale through and through is nice. Like I've read all over on Goodreads, this story is cozy for sure, and everyone could use a comfort read once in a while.
The main complaint I have with this first part of The Belgariad is that not much happens by the end. I was realizing past the 75% mark that not a whole lot of plot movement would take place because a majority of this first book is taken up with developing the main character by wondering where he comes from and world/plot-building. While this is fine, it made a 200+ page book seem a little longer than it should read and lost some of the progression and pacing. That being said, I was interested to read the world-building going on and see how the plot developed nonetheless.
★★★ 3 Stars - Pawn of Prophecy is an enjoyable starting novel to what I predict to be a splendidly told five part series. It has intrigue, fun settings, soft turn-of-events, unexpectedly unique characters, and a moral backbone that makes you feel like you've gone through something by reading it. While it's not amazing by any means, it's not bad either. A much-appreciated change of pace that's a splendidly middle of the road story when so much of fantasy currently seeks to be over the top and blatantly severe in many ways. A perfect quest tale that anyone's inner child could enjoy!
Let me hear from you! If you like what you read, want to hear more thoughts on this book, other reviews, or talk book recommendations and Essential Reading, leave a comment below.
Rating system:
★★★★★ 5 Stars: It was amazing; I loved it. Read this book; it is definitely Essential Reading!
★★★★★* 4.5 Stars: It was nearly perfect. I really loved almost every aspect of it, but a few things kept it from being amazing.
★★★★ 4 Stars: It was very worth reading and satisfying; highly recommend.
★★★★* 3.5 Stars: I thoroughly enjoyed this story, but it was lacking in certain crucial areas.
★★★ 3 Stars: It was good, but could've been better or improved upon significantly.
★★★* 2.5 Stars: I wanted to enjoy it. Certain aspects were good, it was worth finishing, but many issues.
★★ 2 Stars: It was okay, I didn't feel strongly about it.
★ 1 Star: I did not like it. It was not worth finishing or I did not finish it.
*I round up based on the system on Goodreads. Also, there is no 1.5 Stars because it does not seem to have enough differentiation.