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Castle of Wizardry (The Belgariad, Book 4) [Mass Market Paperback]

David Eddings
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)

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Book Description

December 12, 1985 Belgariad (Book 4)
END OF THE QUEST

It had all begun with the theft of the Orb that had so long protected the West from the evil God Torak. Before that, Garion had been a simple farm boy. Afterward, he discovered that his aunt was really the Sorceress Polgara and his grandfather was Belgarath, the Eternal Man. Then, on the long quest to recover the Orb, Garion found to his dismay that he, too, was a sorcerer.

Now, at last, the Orb was regained and the quest was nearing its end. Of course, the questors still had to escape from this crumbling enemy fortress and flee across a desert filled with Murgo soldiers searching for them, while Grolim Hierarchs strove to destroy them with dark magic. Then, somehow, they must manage to be in Riva with the Orb by Erastide. After that, however, Garion was sure that his part in these great events would be finished.

But the Prophecy still held future surprises for Garion--and for the little princess Ce'Nedra.

This continues the magnificent epic of The Belgariad,  begun in Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, and Magician's Gambit--a fantasy set against a background of the war of men, Kings, and Gods that had spanned seven thousand years--a novel of fate, strange lands, and a prophecy that must be fulfilled!  

Frequently Bought Together

Castle of Wizardry (The Belgariad, Book 4) + Enchanters' End Game (The Belgariad, Book 5) + Magician's Gambit (The Belgariad, Book 3)
Price for all three: $21.57

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Editorial Reviews

Review

In the Hall of the Rivan King . . . Garion and his companions now have the Orb of Aldur, carried by an innocent young boy, and must return it to its rightful home on the pommel of the sword in the Great Hall on the island of Riva. As they journey across the lands, Murgo soldiers and Grolim sorcerers try to stop them. But Garion's true adversary, the evil God Torak - is waking up in his dark tomb - ready for the final conflict. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

David Eddings [The Belgariad series] -- This is like Bonanza, or like I Love Lucy. There will be other fantasy series, but there can never be another that's so seminal, that so captures the essence of fantasy. Big Dave and Little Leigh grow their heroes from the ground up, and they grow the best.

--Veronica Chapman, Senior Editor


Product Details

  • Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Del Rey (December 12, 1985)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0345335708
  • ISBN-13: 978-0345335708
  • Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #193,413 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Eddings was born in Washington State in 1931 and grew up near Seattle. He graduated from the University of Washington and went on to serve in the US Army. Subsequently, he worked as a buyer for the Boeing Aircraft Company and taught college-level English. His career as a fantasy writer, with his wife Leigh, has been spectacular.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Smooth as Silk February 7, 2000
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I don't know what it is about David Eddings that keeps you glued to his books. Is it his plots? No, they tend to be overly complex, even if they are linear. Is it his narrative? While he is definitely entertaining, Mr. Eddings often drags the story out a bit too long (hence, two 5-part series). Maybe it's the dialogue? It is, after all, highly witty.

No, what keeps me turning page after page are Mr. Eddings' characters. I don't recall ever having a fondness even remotely close to what I have with Garion, Belgarath, Pol, and Silk.

That's why this book stands out as my favorite of any of his novels. This book best demonstrates the bravery, yet naivete of Garion while contrasting Ce'Nedra's strength against her fragility. It defines the true roles of their companions and sets up the confrontations and fates that await them. It goes beyond what most fantasy novelists write and gives us a truly fantastic epic.

Read this book. Every page is worth it.

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
The Belgariad as a whole is an entertaining piece of work. The stereotypical characters are fun to watch and listen to, and the plot doesn't tax your senses or raise the tension too high that you stop being entertained and actually start worrying about whether the heroes are going to make it or not. For those who haven't read the rest of the series yet, I'll recap quickly. It's the story of a young hero named Garion who has no idea he is the descendant of kings of old, whose destiny is to reclaim his ancient throne and kill the mad god Torak. He's aided in the quest principally by his Aunt Pol and his grandfather Belgarath. Other memorable companions include the wiley thief/merchant/spy Silk, the flightly princess Ce'Nedra, and the knight Mandorellen. Compared to the rest of the books in the series, Castle of Wizardry is a standout in this regard because this is where the lull in the story occurs. Readers that require it get some breathing room. This is the calm before the storm. As such, I don't find it to be as entertaining as the next book in the series. Nevertheless, you do get a lot of playful banter and relatively safe plot. The characters get to explore their own selves for a little bit, as opposed to being acted on by a whole lot of external forces in the previous books of the series. I like this book precisely because we learn more about the characters themselves. We find out the who and the why behind a prophecy that's thousands of years old. We get to follow the progress of a young kitchen scullion (Garion) who would be king of half the world, as he learns more about the extraordinary family of which he is the latest, and arguably the most important, member. We get to see old companions from previous books return. We get to see all the preparations being made for a titanic battle between the West and the East, and the struggle of a young hero to find a way out of all the bloodshed to come. Though it doesn't try to reach the level of literature with a capital L, it does obliquely ask some interesting questions. The question of how a mortal man can kill an immortal God is an intriguing one, and Castle of Wizardry ends on a rather high point by asking the question but not providing any hint of an answer. Overall I liked Castle of Wizardy. I think it's the best of the series behind the final book, Enchanter's End Game. Sure it's not high literature, but it's great "safe" reading for a rainy afternoon.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK April 12, 1999
By A Customer
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I've read all the books in the Belgaraid seris but this one's my favourite!! I was reading the other reviews and I just can't understand how people could not like the book!! But then I'm only a teenager whilst others are adults so my bottom line is: this book is great for younger people because from an adult's point of view the book might be too immature and boring.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Continues on flawlessly from the previous book, a great tale!
This is a classic story and a must for any fantasy fans. It has it all. Humor, suspense, wonderfully descriptive characters, action-the lot. Read more
Published 25 days ago by vicki mcqueen
5.0 out of 5 stars belgariad castle of wizardry
This is the best series i have ever read. Every page keep you going for another page. I love it very much. Its the best best best best best best!!!!!!!!
Published 1 month ago by Linda
4.0 out of 5 stars Just keeps getting better.
I found that reading book four of the Belgariad that the story really grew on me. What started off as a simple story of adventure turned into something far more, and was a very... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Steve Mollman
5.0 out of 5 stars Both Garion and Ce'Nedra grow up and get ready for larger than life...
In the fourth book of the Belgariad, The Castle of Wizardry, all the set up from the series so far finally come to fruition and the stage is set for the final book. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Elizabeth A. Hart
4.0 out of 5 stars Review of Castle of Wizardry
Just when I thought things were going to comet to some sort of conclusion.. David Eddings throws me for a spin with the ending of this book. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Lydia
5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly strong intermediate book
When I say intermediate, I mean it as an intermediate stage between two quests: one to reclaim the Orb, and the next quest for Garion to fulfill his destiny. Read more
Published on March 31, 2011 by Joseph Cheverie
5.0 out of 5 stars and on it goes
Many people think David Eddings is overly formulaic which he is a bit but since I enjoy the tale he tells I do not mind reading it over again. Read more
Published on April 8, 2010 by LibKat
3.0 out of 5 stars Great Beginning That Runs Out Of Gas.
The first half of the book promised to be the best in the series so far, but once they reached the mysterious orb, the book seemed to climax and then meander to the end. Read more
Published on December 9, 2009 by Brett Benner
4.0 out of 5 stars Tying up some of the loose ends.
This is the fourth book in the Belgariad (after Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery and Magician's Gambit, and before Enchanter's End Game). Read more
Published on November 15, 2008 by Stephanie Noverraz
4.0 out of 5 stars Not the best in the series, but still worth a read
Once again I wish for a "half-star" rating, as this deserves a 3 1/2. I love the series, but this was the weakest of the five books in my opinion. Read more
Published on September 17, 2008 by Todd Serpico
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