Share for friends:

Read King Of The Murgos (1989)

King of the Murgos (1989)

Online Book

Author
Genre
Series
Rating
4.08 of 5 Votes: 3
Your rating
ISBN
0552148032 (ISBN13: 9780552148030)
Language
English
Publisher
corgi

King Of The Murgos (1989) - Plot & Excerpts

This book is the second of 'The Mallorean' series, a sequel to Eddings' 'Belgariad' series, and as such includes all the major characters of that previous series albeit several years later, plus several new ones.The plotline is surpringsly similar to the first series: something important has been stolen and Garion and his friends must traverse the world to recover it lest the world be destroyed.In this case the important thing is Garion's new-born son, who has been abducted by a Grolim preistess (Zandramas) who wishes to make him the new Angarak God. However, as is the case in fantasy adventures, it's never quite that simple.In the end I gave this book (and it's brothers) 4 stars because as a book (and series) the story is fresh enough to stand on it's own, regardless of any propping up it may be receiving from its 'older brother'.I decided to go back and re-read (and review) this book (and series) as it was a much read and loved favourite from my teen years. I probably read and re-read this series more than a dozen times between it's release and my 21st birthday, and it is probably one of the primary reasons for my love of the epic/high fantasy genre.Over 20 years later, and with a much broader experience of various writing styles and genres, I can identify numerous things that differentiate Eddings' style from the more 'Epic' styles of Tolkein or Robert Jordan, or even George R.R. Martin.One of these faults is that, although set richly detailed world, the characters sometimes seem bland and one-dimensional. Another is what many consider to be the now cliched use of prophecy as a vehicle for the plot.These 'faults' may prevent others from categorising the story as Epic Fantasy. However, this is a book (and series) which I still truly believe sits square in the 'Epic' or 'High' fantasy genre.

I am writing the same review for the entire Malloreon as it is nearly impossible to pick out each book from the series as if it were a stand alone novel; they all tie together and build on one another.For me, this series was not as good as the Belgariad. In part, I think, the opinion is a function of the fact that I was several years older reading the Malloreon than reading the Belgariad. However, even as I re-read occasionally as an adult I think the first series was better than the second.Generally, the books have the same quality of writing and the same types of plot highlights and twists to keep the story moving and interesting. However, I think the real downfall in the Malloreon is the way in which Eddings portrays the female characters. Where the Belgariad had a somewhat pioneering approach (especially for the times) of developing many complex, multi-faceted, 'strong' female characters, the Malloreon turned them more into caricatures of themselves. For example, Polgara, one of the most powerful people in the world in the Belgariad, was reduced to a humming, porridge cooking drone. Similarly, Ce'Nedra, who had matured along with Garion in the first series, reverted back to a tantrum throwing brat. It was as if Eddings, or more likely his editor and/or publisher, regretted the place given to women in the Belgariad and so took it back to stereotyped female roles in the second series. From my perspective, that was a disappointing, badly thought out decision.Overall, decent reads but not as good as the first series.

What do You think about King Of The Murgos (1989)?

I'm beginning to recognize the issues these books have, and it's making me very sad. I'd gotten used to the gender essentialism. It's not great, but I was overlooking it because I liked the Belgariad so much. But in this book:1) Racism (the angular eyes of the Angaraks make them look alien, but make Prala look "exotic"? c'mon).2) Race essentialism (yes the Chereks are vikings how amusing oh wait Urgit HAS to be an Alorn because his dad was one and we CAN'T have a GOOD Murgo my GODS).3) Ce'Nedra
—Erin

As Garion said himself in the book, Mr. Eddings is just re-hashing the Belgariad. Something precious and important has been stolen from Riva and a motley party of extraordinary nobles are running all over creation chasing after it. They meet all the same people (or doppelgangers of them) and do pretty much all the same stuff. What annoys me most is that Mr. Eddings has fundamentally altered some of his characters' personae. I understand that some have grown up and gone through life-changing events, but others haven't. For example, Belgarath knew who all the necessary party members were to be in the Belgariad and had been following their families for centuries. But this time, Belgarath is vehemently fighting against having the necessary party members join them when he was already explicitly told who was supposed to be in their party. Another thing that bothers me is that Mr. Eddings completely ignores many of the tools the party members have at their disposal and makes them do things the hard way or end up at the mercy of people vastly inferior to them. Despite all the problems and inconsistencies, I still enjoy the story.
—Dan

Guided by the Orb of the God Aldur, Garion and Ce'Nedrea begin a great quest to rescue their kidnapped child. Making their way through the foul swamps of Nyisssa, then into the lands of the Murgos, they must ultimately face a horrible danger--to themselves and all mankind.... ### From Publishers Weekly King Belgarion and Queen Ce'Nedra are still searching for their kidnapped son Geran in this second volume of The Mallorean, Eddings's sequel to his bestselling fantasy series The Belgariad. After pursuing the Bear Cult in the last book, they now have information that the culprit is actually the evil Zandramas. Despite the seeming urgency of their quest, the journey becomes almost leisurely as the company, including the ancient sorcerer Belgarath, his daughter Polgara and the spy called Silk, stop repeatedly along the way. They visit the cave-dwelling mystics, the Ulgos, the imperial Tolnedrans, the forest Dryads, the Serpent Queen and the city of Rak Urga, where they make an unlikely ally of timid, wily Urgit, King of the Murgos. If this is seldom really gripping, the flavorful interplay among Eddings's stubborn, resourceful characters keeps the narrative continually entertaining. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. ### From Library Journal As the words of the Prophecy lead the Rivan King Garion and his companions across the lands of the Snake-Queen and the once hostile Murgos, the malignant Zandramaskidnapper of Garion's sonpursues another Prophecy which, if fulfilled, will lead to the triumph of Darkness. Eddings continues to provide solid fantasy entertainment featuring engaging characters and warm, wry humor in this sequel to Guardians of the West. Recommended for fantasy collections. JC Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
—Andrew Wilson

Write Review

(Review will shown on site after approval)

Read books by author David Eddings

Read books in series the malloreon

Read books in category Nonfiction