David Eddings, an amazing author
I know lots of people I follow Nd follow me on here love urban fantasy, but what about classic fantasy adventures?
David Eddings published High Hunt in 1973 and the novel only did okay. I personally never read it because most fans of Eddings have said its not that great and its also his only non fantasy novel. One day he was walking by a book store and in the front window they had Lord of the Rings and thought to himself something along the lines of 'how is this guy still around' and decided to try fantasy.
In 1982 he published Pawn of Prophecy book one of a five part series. His book was a huge success and one of his secrets was that he co wrote with his wife. Because of the era he kept it a secret till the 90's. Because of the team work Leah made the females come to life, she had full say about them so aunt Pol today is still a woman that I respect.
His novels always had a way of capturing me and he puts so many minor things into his books that it took me a few re reads that are amazing. For example in the Belgariad the series is about an accident in the universe that caused its purpose to split into two different purpose, two different awareness and two different prophecy. Whenever the two would meet the light prophecy would have blue involved and the dark would have black or shadows. Even the most smallest of clashes they would.
Even the titles of the novels are connected to this struggle. PAWN of Prophecy, QUEEN of Sorcery, Magician's GAMBIT, CASTLE of Wizardry, Enchanters' END GAME. I full capitalized the part of the title that shows the struggle and its a huge chess game they play.
His novels are what got me into the world of magic, and it's a shame he and his wife have passed on so we can not enjoy more amazing works.
He wrote 5 different Fantasy worlds. His first world is about Garion, a young man who is a pawn of the light prophecy (see what I did there, I'm that dorky) and comprised two 5 part series The Belgariad and The Malloreon as well as Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress as back stories of the two most recognized sorcerers in the series. They involve the struggle of light and dark and fixing the universe. He also wrote a codex for this series called the Rivan Codex to learn about the world.
His second world is around a Pandion knight named Sparhawk. The Pandion order is one of 4 holy knight orders of their one true God who practice magic of the Styric Gods (I know it's confusing but they are special) the church is simular to the Catholic Church in structure and early Christian mentality. The 4 orders are like Paladin knights (hence the name Pandion) and Sparhawk is extra special because he is also the champion of the throne of Elenia. It starts with his queen poisoned and trapped in a diamond throne encased to save her life as they find a cure while Otha an immortal emperor tries to invade. This is my favorite world he made and comes in two trilogies the Elenium and the Tamuli.
The Dreamers is his last series and generally not a fan favourite. Before his books has structure and are amazing. Here not so much and I think it had to do with fan pressure and Leah's health. They retired after the Redemption of Althalus and Rigina's Song and fans pushed for more. Under that pressure they started this series. From 2003-2006 and Leah died in 2007. So though the series is not nearly up to par can you blame them? I can't.
Redemption of Althalus is his first stand alone book. Althalus is a thief, spy and your usual criminal guy. But when hired to steal a book from an abandoned house he becomes the champion of the world. I love this novel for when you just need a book to read. Many say it's a rushed novel but it was published just before retirement and I think he wanted to share one more world for us. I also love this book because it's one of his few books that don't leave me in tears at the end of the series.
Final his last novel Regina's Song, this book is so different from the rest of his work that he gets some backlash for it, why? Because people can't accept that this book has no magic, its set in Seattle and changes writing style from 3rd to 1st, when I point that out most people don't believe me but it is 1st person. Regina is the remaining identical twin sister from a brutal rape murder of her twin. The story is told through the eyes of Mark, he is kinda a big brother cousin to the twins because his dad and their dad are best friends and they grew up together (Mark is a few years older too). Mark is working on his doctorite when Regina comes out of her insanity and he helps her adjust. All the while Seattle has another serial killer. It's far better to read then I can do it justice for.
Please everyone consider this couple for the amazing books they offer and try them. If you do not want to invest to much start with Althalus or Regina's Song. If you want a good mid read go with the Elenium, love that try the Tamuli. If those are amazing start with his first world. These authors is who I use as the benchmark for when looking for a new book. They taught me that a good author needs to 1 know how to write a story and 2 they need to know before a book is started how it will get from A to Z. so many authors like Martin, Jordan and Goodkind know how to do 1 and others like Suzanne Collins can in my mind do only 2 but authors like Eddings, Rowlings, Riordan can do both and they are what makes a series amazing. So I beg you to read Eddings.
Side note: I have never heard the Dreamers on audio book and the Redemption of Althalus is done horribly but the rest are great.
