Okay. So. I like these books alot. I've been reading the reviews of other people considering this book. I myself have just finished reading it again, and am in the process of reading Gaurdians of the West. I like the characters in the Belgariad. Love them. Silk's awesome. He's probably my favorite character. Ce'Nedra needs to get a frickin life, cuz she's annoying. I've read that people didn't like the story writing for these books. I like them. Yeah, so the story is a bit predictable at times, but all in all, I like it. I love the way that Eddings goes into so much detail. I think he may have been rushed for his deadline for Enchanters' End Game, hence the reason why the ending wasn't as great as it could have been. I'm not sure about the whole Prophecy thing though. I'm not too keen on accepting the fact that the whole series was wrapped around the Prophecy, which, by the way, has a mind of its own? Its own voice? Okkaayy. I never liked when stories got too centered. Eddings would have done better had he made it so that the series (and the next) weren't all about fulfilling this ONE prophecy. Okay, so the Child of Light and the Child of Dark have to meet...and they did. but now im reading the first book in the Mallorean, and now they have to meet again? what the heck! they already met, and now Torak's dead, how are they supposed to meet when only one of them is alive? the Dark prophecy had been destroyed, and now he's saying its back again? that it had never been destroyed in the first place? OH!!! and why does Ce'Nedra not have at least one kid yet? she and Garion have been married for at least 5 years now, and she needs and heir to the throne as a just-in-case...ugh. whatever. i may be ranting and raving, but i still like the books. maybe i'll change my views when i finish the rest of the Mallorean series...who knows? (Ashley Dunn)