Customer Reviews

Rivan Codex

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

This is a great book, so long as you have already read the earlier books in the series.

I repeat, THIS BOOK IS LIKELY ONLY WORTHWHILE IF YOU HAVE ALREADY READ AT LEAST THE BELGARIAD (and preferably other books in the series as well).

There, now that that's out of the way, this is actually a really interesting book! If you're looking for a plotline, or new stories of Garion and Polgara, sorry. Not here. What this book does contain, however, is the fascinating history of the work BEHIND the 12 books written thus far set in the lands of the Belgariad. It opens with a short introduction by Eddings, giving some of the history behind the series and some of his reccomendations for the budding fantasy writing. The remainder of the book was actually written before any of the other books of the series. It consists of the histories and texts Eddings designed to give himself an idea of what his world would be like. As I said, no plotline whatsoever. What it does give, however, is a rewarding look in the mind of Eddings. What's more, it made the next time I read the series itself even more rewarding than the last (or the first, for that matter). If you haven't already read the series, it won't make much sense. If you have, however, this is a must-read if simply for the appreciation of the work Eddings put into everything.

The Rivan Codex is not actually part of the series of either the mallorean or the belgariad. Its also quite different from the Belgarathe and Polgara books. If you were expecting a continuation of the Garion storie, your going to be disappointed. But, if you want to know stuff like how the other books were written, or if you want to know more about the individual civilizations of the series then this is the book for you. It starts with a foreword by David Eddings, describing his own adventures while writing the book. After this mini-autobiography, is a series of chapters including all the books, eg. the Book of Torak, the book of Ulgo, etc. Most of this is given at the beggining of the belgariad and mallorean books, but its here altogether. Then comes the part I liked best, which is an analysis of the different cultures, i.e, stuff like what currency each race uses, what they dress like and other interesting stuff. Then to top off the book there's King Anhegs diary, which is the closest youll come to another Garion story. It gives a very small account of what happens after the mallorean. I bought it in the hope of another Garion story, and was a little disappointed at first, but in the end I enjoyed quite a bit.

I did Love the first 12 books, so you other avid Eddings' fans can relate to my delight when I seen this tome on the shelf. However, for those of you who haven't yet bought it ... wait for the paperback. This novel does provide some interesting information about Belgarion's world, and a great bonus is when we are treated to something that readers rarely get in hearing about the inside thought processes of the authors. However, there is simply too much in here that any observant reader should have picked up in the wonderful first 12 novels (which would all get 5 stars from me), and even worse is the almost bitter, resentful feeling that Eddings relays in his sporadic diatribes to the reader. It's almost as if he felt forced, not by the readers, but by his publisher to produce this book. I, though, remain glad that he did write this novel and look forward to some NEW adventures.

This is a guide. It is an "American fantasy fiction manual handbook". The stuff inside is the various background information the author was probably asked by many fans to publish. In that case, it IS for die-hard fans only, so stop bashing Dave Eddings about it! This is the stuff the man spent years working on, honing and refining to create Garion, to write the epic! Don't get me wrong, I'm not putting down your opinions. I just think you're being too hard on the guy. Some of your reviews are pretty harsh. The insight into writing fantasy is great! Dave is really funny and easy about it, I thought he put it frankly, bluntly, and managed to sound laid-back about it. So lay off him, people! Eddings is most likely on your bookshelf and in your heart if you're a fantasy freak; myself, he was my first fantasy writer and the one who got me hooked, so I won't stand for this slander and blasphemy! No hard feelings! :)

This isn't a novel. If you were expecting that, or if you're disappointed that it didn't have new characters, new worlds, etc., then wait for them to make something new. This is a collection of the background material used to create the 12-book series. And his little introductions, etc. could come across as arrogant; I think he was trying to approach the subject of his own writing with a sense of humor. There's no way not to sound self-centered while doing that, unless you go for the martyr approach, so I'll let him have fun with it. For the type of collection the Rivan Codex was, I think it was well put together and illustrates just what it took for this series to be created. However, I will not deny that even for a big fantasy reader and an occasional David/Leigh Eddings fan, it got pretty damn dull. And I must admit that it doesn't do a whole lot in the way of providing insight for writing novels, which is unfortunately the approach they took. Hence my 3 stars.

Do not expect a book as thrilling as the Belgariad or the Malloreon because this time, there's absolutely NO action. But if you really are a FAN of David and Leigh Eddings's series The Belgariad and The Malloreon (as I am), you'll love this book. It contains the theological, social and cultural backgrounds of each country, including money value, traditionnal costumes and other stuff. It also contains comments by David Eddings, advising you not to try to write Fantasy unless you really have the vocation, or simply telling you what to do and what not to do if you still want to write... In a few words, this book is funny to read because you learn many thing about how characters came to life, but do not expect to find even a single once of suspense in it...

I read through most of the reviews for this book, and I think that there is a very common theme among the negative reviews: they didn't know what they were buying. This book wasn't written to tell a story. It wasn't written as a prequel or followup on the books of the Belgariad or the Malloreon. This book was largely written before any of those books were written, because this book is the background of the stories in the Belgariad and Malloreon. I think that a lot of people bought this book with the impression that it was all-new material from the worlds that we already knew.

This is a wonderful behind-the-scenes look at a fantasy world that many of us have enjoyed over the years. As such, a lot of the information presented in this book is already present in the Malloreon and Belgariad. But the point of this book is that there is a great deal of development that goes on before you begin writing an epic fantasy like this. You literally have to create the world before you can create the book. Eddings spent a couple of years developing the characters and the backstory of his books, and this is that backstory. If you buy this book for what it is, you will probably enjoy it immensely. If you buy this book looking for a new story you *will* be disappointed.

When I first got this book, I think my expectations were a little different to what the book actually presented, hence, I put it down and didn't pick it up again for a year! When I did however, I had just finished re-reading all of the other books in the series and knew what to expect. What I found was an intriguing look into the creation and manifestation of an imaginary world which had been contrived with more complexity than I had believed. The Belgariad is no "inspired" creation, but is rather a crafted literary work, designed in the manner of the great romantic writings of times past. I now find I look at the series of books as almost a controlled experiment in writing. This book is useful to those who both study the art of Literature as well as those who are interested in "crafting" their first novel. I cannot say I am enthused with the clinicality with which the writers approached the series, but I can certainly understand the formula applied and appreciate the end result. Not what I would call light reading if all you want is something to pass the time - its more like an education!

I am amazed at the criticism this book has received. It appears to me that most readers really have no concept of the effort required to produce the multi-volume epics Eddings has written. The introduction may border on arrogance, but the fact that he's right ought to come into consideration. This type of book is rarely published. Its a compilation of notes and studies that form the underlying structure of The Belgariad -- it is not a story in and of itself. True fans of Eddings will love it. Others will not.

Hey, if you don't like David Eddings attitude, then you don't have to read the book, and you certainly don't need to trash him like that. I loved this book and all the detailed background information it provides. It all makes Garion's world seem more real, and it's fascinating.