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| Castle Of Wizardry (Belgariad) | 
 enlarge | Author: David Eddings
Publisher: Corgi Childrens
Category: Book
List Price: £6.99
Buy Used: £1.99
You Save: £5.00 (72%)
New (19) from £2.92
Avg. Customer Rating:  14 reviews
Sales Rank: 12597
Media: Paperback
Edition: New edition
Pages: 448
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 4.8 x 1.3
ISBN: 0552554790
EAN: 9780552554794
ASIN: 0552554790
Publication Date: March 1, 2007
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
 Tying up some of the loose ends. November 15, 2008
This is the fourth book in the Belgariad (after Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery and Magician's Gambit, and before Enchanter's End Game).
After Ctuchik accidentally destroyed himself in Rak Cthol, the rock pinnacle upon which the city is built has started crumbling on itself and our heroes have to flee through the caves, taking the small boy Errand and the Marag slave woman Taiba with them.
Back on solid ground, they make for Algaria where Hettar is waiting with reinforcements. For that they have to cross the Eastern Escarpment, go down its deep ravines, and the entire Murgo nation is now pursuing them. After his ordeal in Rak Cthol, and protecting his crew from rocks thrown at them for several days, Belgarath collapses.
Yet there is no time to lose, as all protagonists must now converge to the island of Riva, to be there before Erastide in order to fulfill the Prophecy. There both Garion and Ce'Nedra will finally understand their role and embrace their heritage.
But when Garion touches the Orb, the slumbering evil god Torak awakes, and the Prophecy says that Garion is the only one who can confront him, alone. He has no choice but to secretly leave, with just Silk and a recovering Belgarath as company. Meanwhile, Ce' Nedra eavesdrops on the Alorn Kings' discussions and realizes she's the only one who can unite the armies of the West in the oncoming war with the invading Angaraks.
There isn't much to say about this volume which would differ from the previous ones, but it was nice to see some loose ends finally tied up. I enjoyed the flight through the caves of Rak Cthol and the meeting in boggy Sendaria with Vordai and her cute otter-like creatures, the Fenlings. I am now looking forward to reading what lies in store for Garion in the final volume, and also to seeing which hints will be dropped about the sequel, the Malloreon.
Eat your heart out Tolkein April 22, 2008
This book forms part of a terrific series beginning with `Belgareth the Sorcerer'. I don't read much of this genre (fantasy) but like The Hobbit/ Lord of the Rings this will appeal to a large audience.
Following Belgareth the Sorcerer there are two series of 5 books, `The Belgariad' and `The Mallorean' and it is advisable to read them in order, and if you can read `Belgareth' first (although you could save it and read it afterwards like a prequel).
I raced through the series. The Eddings' (the books were written by a couple) create a Tolkein-esque world with our hero Belgareth learning powers known as `the will and the word' through centuries of study under a benevolent God (the gods that created this world still live on it in physical form). This study elevates him to the status of a sorcerer and elongates his life span - he becomes a legend and a force for good in the world. However, another disciple of his benevolent master rebels and steals the holy `Orb' stone, following a more sinister God. In the later series the Gods have left the planet in fear that their battle will destroy the world but their peoples continue to war - following the Prophecies left to them by the Gods. The two series follow the course of events as Belgareth leads the hunt for the traitor and the stone. It's very cleverly written and characters and events reappear as we become familiar with the history of this fictional world through the course of the books.
Really good fun and a definite recommendation if you want a light hearted escape that will keep you reading late into the night.
This is the order of the books:
The Belgariad
1. Pawn of Prophecy
2. Queen of Sorcery
3. Magician's Gambit
4. Castle of Wizardry
5. Enchanters' End Game
The Malloreon
1. Guardians of the West
2. King of the Murgos
3. Demon Lord of Karanda
4. Sorceress of Darshiva
5. The Seeress of Kell
Amazing book from an amazing series. July 1, 2007
Just when you think Eddings has written the best book you've ever read, he gives yet another fantastic read. More plots as the characters rush towards their destinies. I place The Belgariad on my bookshelf with a mixture of pride and awe at Eddings' work.
The FSFH Book Review says: January 8, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Book four of The Belgariad. This is by far the most mature book in the series so far. It is a coming-of-age story, not only for Garion, but also Ce'Nedra. Both characters are forced to think hard on their changed situations and it's interesting to see how Garion, having been thrust into a position of command, finds himself lonely and confused, not being able to rely on others to make the decisions. Ce'Nedra also grows as a character as she slowly puts aside the spoiled brat that has plagued the other books in the series and takes the reigns of responsibility that go with power. Eddings continues to capture that sense of myth, using the fulfilment of prophecy to do so, but at the same time, using prophecy to build the tension ahead of the impending war. As always, Polgara annoys me as a character. She spent all her time talking down to people about their faults and insisting on the necessity of things and then, here she throws a magical hissy fit and trys to stand in the way of necessity. Eddings' real fault is to try and portray her as a wise character.
Castle of Wizardry March 30, 2005
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've enjoyed the Belgariad series. There can be too much of a good thing though. While the story is still entertaining, it is beginning to seem to go on and on. The Mrin prophecy is still being fulfilled. The orb has now been found again, along with one of Mara's children - Taiba. All the gang has to do now is leave Murgo country without being caught. For some reason the orb is taking a great interest in Garion during this trip. Noone but Errand is allowed to touch the orb (or rather noone dares). The orb tends to disagree with people. Belgarath overextended himself during his fight with Ctuchik, and Garion gets his first taste of leadership. The gang makes it back to Allorn country (barely of course) and Garion and Ce'Nedra discover their futures and how they intertwine. But Torak is still not defeated and Garion feels compelled by the voice in his head to leave the island of Riva. He takes along Belgarath and Silk, who are only too eager to leave. This leaves Ce'Nedra and Polgara having to find a diversion so none will seek the Overlord of the West where he really is. The book is good. It just seems that some of these series could have managed without quite as many books. This is one of them.
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