The Belgariad by David Eddings
"The Belgariad" is an epic high fantasy series centered around a young farm boy named Garion, whose life takes a dramatic turn when he learns about his connection to powerful legends and an ancient prophecy. The story begins with Garion living with his Aunt Pol, who is later revealed to be a formidable sorceress named Polgara. The adventure is set into motion when a magical artifact, the Orb of Aldur, is stolen, prompting Garion and a diverse group of companions—including the legendary sorcerer Belgarath, a skilled spy named Silk, and a noble bear-shifting warrior named Barak—to embark on a quest to retrieve it.
As they journey through various kingdoms, Garion discovers his own latent magical abilities and his destiny as the heir to the Rivan throne. The narrative builds toward a climactic confrontation between Garion and the dark god Torak, who threatens the realm. The series explores themes of destiny, friendship, and the battle between good and evil, culminating in a final showdown that determines the fate of the world. With rich character development and a richly constructed world, "The Belgariad" offers readers a compelling blend of adventure and fantasy.
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Subject Terms
The Belgariad
First published:Pawn of Prophecy (1982), Queen of Sorcery (1982), Magician’s Gambit (1983), Castle of Wizardry (1984), and Enchanters’ End Game (1984)
Type of work: Novels
Type of plot: Fantasy—high fantasy
Time of work: Undefined
Locale: The Kingdoms of the West and the Angaraks, on another world
The Plot
None of the individual novels of the Belgariad is capable of standing alone. The Belgariad is an epic high fantasy, and such epics require considerable space to develop the world, characters, and drama of the plot. The Belgariad begins with Garion, a boy who lives on a farm. His only living relative, as far as he knows, is his Aunt Pol, the cook. Various supernatural events occur during his childhood, along with the typical pangs of puberty, but not until he is fourteen years old does the adventure really begin. At this time, Belgarath, under the name of Mister Wolf, a vagabond bard, comes to visit and informs Aunt Pol of the theft of a magical artifact known as the Orb of Aldur.
The three set out to retrieve the Orb, which has been stolen from the hall of the dead Rivan King by the minions of the sleeping god Torak. A prophecy has indicated that the Orb will assist in the waking of Torak, whose unnatural sleep was caused several thousand years before by this same Orb. Belgarath, who is revealed to be a distant ancestor of Garion, as well as a legendary sorcerer, organizes a mission to retrieve the Orb with the aid of Silk, Prince Kheldar of Drasnia and an accomplished spy; Barak, Earl of Trelheim, who turns into a bear on occasion; Ce’Nedra, a spoiled imperial princess of Tolnedra; Mandorallen, Baron of Vo Mandor; Hettar, Horselord of Algaria, who can speak to horses; Lelldorin, a nobleman of Arendia; Durnik, a blacksmith; and Garion’s Aunt Pol, who is actually Lady Polgara, Belgarath’s daughter and also a sorcerer.
They set out on the trail of the Orb, traveling through various countries and encountering a variety of dangers, both magical and conventional. It becomes clear that Garion is a powerful mage in his own right. Throughout the Belgariad, he must strive to come to terms with the astonishing fact that he is related to legends and is involved in a mythical quest that will decide the fate of the world—a quest in which he plays the crucial role. Not only is he a sorcerer, but he also is the heir to the Rivan throne and the only person who can safely take up the Orb of Aldur against the evil Torak.
Eventually the Orb is recovered from Ctuchik, priest of Torak. The questers race to return it to Riva in time for Garion to claim his bride, Ce’Nedra, who has been prophesied to be his wife. Neither knows that they are last in the line of the Rivan kings, long thought to be extinct. Before the ceremony can take place, however, it becomes clear that the Angaraks, Torak’s chosen people, are preparing to make war on the Kingdoms of the West. In order to prevent the deaths of millions, Garion sets out with Silk and Belgarath to challenge Torak in his home. In the meantime, Polgara and Ce’Nedra organize the Western forces for war as a diversion for the Angaraks, in order to allow the trio to make their way through hostile territory and to be present when Torak wakes.
In the end, most of the original members of the quest are reunited in C’thol Mishrak for the final battle between the Child of Light (Garion, who, with elevation to the status of sorcerer, is now named Belgarion) and the Child of Dark (Torak). One of two competing prophecies will be proved false and thus be eliminated as a force in the world. Belgarion triumphs, in spite of Torak’s powers as a god. Torak is killed in an arcane sword duel with Belgarion, and the universe is saved from a dark and bloody fate. Afterward, all return to Riva for Belgarion’s wedding to Ce’Nedra. With Torak’s death, there is no longer a threat of war.