What do You think about Demon Lord Of Karanda (1989)?
As Garion, Belgarath and assorted companions race across Mallorea looking for Garion's son, they get caught up in the general push for power that is splitting the continent. However, they find friends - and relations - in unlikely places and even being caught in a plague ridden city doesn't stop them for long. But as they get closer, Zandramas starts to fight back, setting traps and trying to delay them. The pull of the Sardion also starts to play a part, as the will of the Orb wavers between its two goals. Meanwhile, Karanda is over-run by demons, who have their own agenda and who also want to be a part of the final showdown between light and dark.Another enjoyable read, but I'm not sure how the plague really fitted in to the story. There seemed a lot of delays and side stories - some of which seemed relevant at the time, others a bit like padding that I hope have further consequences to the story. It's also starting to get a bit boring having everything explained as 'just how the prophecies work'! But saying that I am still really enjoying this series and can't wait to see how it all ends over the next two books.
—Dark-Draco
Up until now I've thought this series was pretty solid - not brilliant by any means, but solid. In this one, however, it really feels like Mr. Eddings is stretching the story to fill 5 books. In fact, I can't quite believe there are 2 more. The first 200 pages seemed really pointless - the important stuff could have been conveyed in 50 pages or less and not felt the least bit rushed. Also, there's a character in this book who speaks in a very annoying dialect - he sounds like a cartoon leprechaun, don't ye know. For those who've read it, Yes - I do realize there are qualifiers to this character and his manner of speech, but I still found him very annoying, to the point where i skimmed or skipped many of his passages. And I really wish everyone would stop calling everyone else "Dear." Overall I'm just about ready for this journey to end.
—Jeff
Here we are in the middle of the second five-book epic by Eddings about Belgarion, the Rat, the Bear, and all the rest.It's a great series, from start to finish, I freely and happily admit. This one gets a bit bogged down though.Its almost as if the writer and publisher discussed the Mallorean... "well, the first series was five books. So this one is too, a no brainer." "yeah, but I am not sure this story is five books long." "hmm, well, lets pad out the middle with some side quests and some interesting/memorable/humorous characters; you know, this is your hallmark after all, David."And so we meet this book. The plague and the demon army... it all feels like a time sink to me. There is some foul ritual taking place and they heroes MUST ACT QUICKLY. And yet, this book really doesn't deliver us much at all closer to the end. I don't know. I think it was a trilogy that grew legs.
—Sven Mysterioso
