Scan barcode
blaauwklavertje's review against another edition
4.0
Ik moet even kwijt dat ik bij het einde echt even een traantje moest plengen. Of twee, maar dat is bijzaak. Ik heb ook dit boek vier sterren gegeven zoals ik alle boeken in deze series vier sterren geef. Maar dit laatste deel zat wel redelijk dicht tegen de vijf sterren aan.
streiby's review against another edition
3.0
Glad to be done with the series. Not a huge fan of the "repetition" theme. The Mallorean was much harder to get through than the Belgariad. Enjoyable, but not amazing.
somebodysnick's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
greg_allan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
benben65's review against another edition
4.0
A fitting end to the Mallorean series. I thought Eddings does what does well again, which is him imagery and character development. I thought nearly every character’s storyline was wrapped up nicely. Looking at the series as a whole, I do wish the stakes and action sequences had felt a little higher and more dramatic at times. It never truly felt that the characters were in serious serious danger. However, in this fifth book when the stakes are raised a little higher and certain events happen it made the scene that much more exciting, heartbreaking, etc. All I’m all a very solid series and one that I could see myself revisiting in the future.
nickclewley's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Using this last (non-prequel) book to sum up my thoughts on the entire 10-book saga. I first read The Belgariad and The Malloreon when I was 12 (like many it seems) and then re-read them pretty much every year throughout my teens. Easy to read, familiar banter, good vs evil with the outcome never in doubt. They were a comfort to keep coming back to. More than a comfort, they were an escape when life felt like too much.
I think if I hadn’t read them as a kid, reading them for the first time as an adult would be torturous. It really is the nostalgia factor that brought me back and kept me going this time around.
Beyond nostalgia, there are things that work. The story is entertaining. Something happens every few pages, things are always moving. The characters are, more often than not, distinct and likeable. Eddings makes you want to root for them all.
So there’s still comfort in these pages. There’s still escape, but it’s impossible to ignore the books’ profound problems.
Eddings infantilizes female characters, and the rare one or two that are given any agency are seen as somehow unnatural because they’re smart or powerful. (One is only considered smart because her husband trained her in statecraft). And he’s deeply reductive on race and nationality. Entire populations share traits because of the borders in which they live. All Arends are dumb, meanwhile cross the border into Tolnedra and they’re all greedy. The darker the skin or more “angular” the eyes, the more wicked the race.
I’m not sure if out of some deep-seated need to recapture youth I’ll reread them again someday. They do hold a special place for me, but I'll never recommend them to anyone.
I think if I hadn’t read them as a kid, reading them for the first time as an adult would be torturous. It really is the nostalgia factor that brought me back and kept me going this time around.
Beyond nostalgia, there are things that work. The story is entertaining. Something happens every few pages, things are always moving. The characters are, more often than not, distinct and likeable. Eddings makes you want to root for them all.
So there’s still comfort in these pages. There’s still escape, but it’s impossible to ignore the books’ profound problems.
Eddings infantilizes female characters, and the rare one or two that are given any agency are seen as somehow unnatural because they’re smart or powerful. (One is only considered smart because her husband trained her in statecraft). And he’s deeply reductive on race and nationality. Entire populations share traits because of the borders in which they live. All Arends are dumb, meanwhile cross the border into Tolnedra and they’re all greedy. The darker the skin or more “angular” the eyes, the more wicked the race.
I’m not sure if out of some deep-seated need to recapture youth I’ll reread them again someday. They do hold a special place for me, but I'll never recommend them to anyone.
nickn77's review against another edition
3.0
The Seeress of Kell concludes Eddings' epic fantasy, The Malloreon. In the fifth book, the heroes are drawn to 'The Place that is no More' and Cyradis finally makes her choice that will determine the fate of the world. [return][return]The events that take place in the fifth book are quite predictable, but there was a sense of satisfaction in knowing that everything is as it should be. In this readers opinion, the Malloreon was probably about two books two long. The story wandered, there was a whole lot of walking and eventually I found myself screaming "Jesus Eddings will you let them get there already, haven't they suffered enough!!!" [return][return]I think this series would have been far more enjoyable had I taken a break after reading the Belgariad. The first series was too fresh in my mind and that only served to highlight the plot similarities between the two stories. My recommendation is to read this series, but take your time and let the story stray from your mind a bit before jumping directly to the next.
christinemw's review against another edition
5.0
One of those book that has you clenching your jaw to the very end. The humor is fantastic, and the certain group of people breaking the rules and yet not breaking the rules is just funny, as well as very sweet. All in all, a good ending to a fantastic series (If you don't count the two spin-off books that I will read asap).
scarfy's review against another edition
2.0
Rating: 1.5 stars.
This series took me a while to get through. I’m glad it’s finally over. It’s repetitive and not as good as the previous series, so I won’t bother ever rereading it. It was nice to see some of the original characters get older, but I would have liked if Barak and Geran’s friends from Faldor’s farm were more involved.
This series took me a while to get through. I’m glad it’s finally over. It’s repetitive and not as good as the previous series, so I won’t bother ever rereading it. It was nice to see some of the original characters get older, but I would have liked if Barak and Geran’s friends from Faldor’s farm were more involved.