The Younger Gods (The Dreamers, Book 4) [Mass Market Paperback]

David Eddings (Author), Leigh Eddings (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Dreamers, Book 4 | Publication Date: March 1, 2007

In the thrilling conclusion to The Dreamers, the Vlagh prepares for one merciless attack that will pit her forces against the might of both the Elder Gods and the Younger Gods. All may be for naught, however, if the allies fail to respond to the fact that one within their ranks is losing her mind.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for David Eddings:‘My ideal summer read… Having enjoyed the entire ten-book serial, I was delighted to be able to read this latest addition as it not only provides fantastic escapism in itself, but, being a prequel, will make my re-reading of the other books all the more fascinating.’ THE IRISH TIMES‘All the verve and pace we’ve come to expect.’THE DARK SIDE‘Offers an absorbing storyline and some memorable characters as, once again, the author touches all the right fantasy bases, with warring gods, political intrigues, supernatural creatures and appealingly human magicians involved in a titanic war over the course of seven millennia. Eddings fans will no doubt snatch this novel off the shelves while readers new to the authors’world won’t find a more appropriate place to begin exploring it.’PUBLISHERS WEEKLY‘There’s no denying Eddings’offerings do entertain. This novel is for fantasy fans fed up with more fusty fare, or for anyone who likes mischief and merriment.’WEST AUSTRALIAN --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author

David Eddings published his first novel, High Hunt, in 1973, before turning to the field of fantasy with the pioneering series The Belgariad. Born in Spokane, WA, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, in 1954 and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Washington in 1961. He has served in the United States Army, has worked as a buyer for the Boeing Company, has been a grocery clerk, and college English teacher. Leigh Eddings has collaborated with her husband since the beginning. They live in Nevada.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Warner Books (March 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446613320
• ISBN-13: 978-0446613323
• Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #336,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars "What a Shame", April 25, 2007

By 

M. Buck (Brooklyn, N.Y. United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Younger Gods (The Dreamers, Book 4) (Hardcover)

***Added on July 2009***

I have just learned that David Eddings has passed away in June 2009. I am deeply heart-broken to have learned this as this man is probably the sole purpose why I read so much today. I truly enjoyed his books (with the exception of the last three Dreamers novels) and I was looking forward to his new book which was left unfinished. Thank you David Eddings for your visions and entertainment. You will be dearly missed.

*****

David and Leigh Eddings final installment of the Dreamers series, The Younger Gods, is a welcome end to what turned out to be a disastrous story. Don't get me wrong here; I mean that in a very bad way.

I have to say this because I cannot say anything negative about anything from David Eddings without feeling terrible in doing so: I've been a David Eddings fan since the Elenium series. I've read the Belgariad and Malloreon (all 13 books), The Elenium and The Tamuli, as well as The Redemption of Althalus. I have to say, that the Dreamers was so poorly written, it's hard to say that David had anything to do with this series. A turn-for-the-worst type of pattern has developed ever since Leigh was labeled as co-author. Is she to blame? I can't truly say, but when the author was "just David", the stories flowed wonderfully, were humorous, had great characters, and were serious all at the same time. It's terribly noticeable when Leigh's been involved that: the female characters are horribly annoying, not one character is funny, there's too much "let's get married" and "what's for dinner" nonsense, and contains too much kiss-kiss-lovey-dovey stuff that belongs in children's novels. Sure there was Ce'Nedra and Flute, but they were tolerable; not like the annoying female characters in the Althalus book and this entire series.

The Dreamers series started out good, not great, but good nonetheless. The second, third, and now fourth books ruined anything good that was going to come about from the first installment. The plot just became a mess and the story kept on repeating itself over and over again. The whole series became so confusing that it seems as if the author(s) became lost in writing the story themselves. Characters and situations would get involved at points, then everything would hit a snag or a brick wall, and the only way the author would go about getting through the mess would be "hey, by the way, he/she's a God and can do anything". David Eddings ONLY novels never did that.

The Younger Gods follows suit to the second and third books of the Dreamers series. The book makes no sense at all, the actual younger gods are practically non-existent, and the protagonists are never in any danger even with going up against overwhelming odds. There's way too much kiss-kiss hug-hug nonsense that adds to the horrible dialog.

"You said what?"

Yes--Horrible. The characters say the same lame punch-lines and they all talk the same. Ridiculous surprises (hey, this character is a God. Oh, and by-the-way, this other character is also a God because she used to play with dolphins) plague this novel. Too much jumping around, not enough action sequences (there is, though, a graphic death involving a gutting and beheading), too many nicknames and name-calling, and an overall story that is just far too poorly written to be any good. Far too many times you will want the author to get on with the story, but there is no story--everything in the end turns out to be totally meaningless. One example is the antagonist--the Vlagh and her servants are totally useless and rarely mentioned until the end of the book where we discover that the strongest and most violent creatures are just sitting in a cave doing nothing.

The ending is really disappointing--just like the entire series. Thankfully, it's over. I hope this is the last book from David and Leigh Eddings, but not the last book from David Eddings. This series is summed up with these overly used three words from all four books:

"What a shame".

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't waste your money, September 27, 2006

By 

L. Starkand "Dilletante" (NYC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Younger Gods (The Dreamers, Book 4) (Hardcover)

I have been a HUGE Eddings fan since the very first series. While the overall quality of the various series have varied, for the most part I felt I got my money's worth. Having said that, I have NEVER felt so cheated by a series ending book in my life. The book sections were repetitive empty retellings of the same scenes from different viewpoints with almost nothing in the way of new insights, followed by a conclusion that just invalidated the entire series of books and left me feeling like I was watching a Dallas rerun (That's a HINT).

The dreamers is a rip-off

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Worst Eddings Ever., October 6, 2006

By 

Cecil (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Younger Gods (The Dreamers, Book 4) (Hardcover)

The Dreamers series has been disapointing as a whole and the final book is certainly no better. Its just plain poorly written and repetetive. I've been a fan of all of Eddings' previous work with the exceptions of High Hunt and Regina's Song, and The Dreamers may have been worse than them both; the characters lack much individuality and are hardly original (is anyone else tired of the girl who "kisses everyone into submission?" It was done with Sparhawk and Althalus, its getting more than a little stale)

The pointless repetetions from the viewpoints of different characters continues in The Younger Gods and many of the section breaks still take up three pages, effectively reducing the page count to around 365. The ending is as lackluster as the rest of the plot. Stay away from this whole series if posible; re-read one of your George R. R. Martin books instead.