The Seeress of Kell (The Malloreon, Book 5) (Mass Market Paperback)

by David Eddings (Author) "The air was thin and cool and richly scented with the odor of trees that shed no leaves but stood dark green and resinous from..." (more)
Key Phrases: blindfolded girl, red leather case, thy quest, Aunt Pol, Child of Dark, Sir Knight (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
This final volume of the quintet begun with Guardians of the West finds Belgarion, the Child of Light, racing to his cataclysmic and long-prophesied meeting with Zandramas, Child of the Dark, which will determine the future of the world. His small band--consisting of, among others, his wife, Ce'Nedra; members of his shape-changing family; and his former enemy, Zakath, Emperor of Mallorea--is joined by Cyradis, the blind seeress of Kell, who is foreordained to decide which will win, the forces of Light or those of Dark. From the mysterious city of Kell they are directed to Perivor, bastion of chivalry, where they will learn the location of the meeting place, Korim, the Place Which Is No More. After various adventures and encounters with Zandramas's agents, the final battle of wills is joined, with Belgarion becoming privy to astonishing revelations about some of his companions. This volume is not for a newcomer to Eddings's series; while it ties up loose ends and brings the hero and his friends to a happy conclusion, the meeting that the previous four books have been foreshadowing is anticlimatic.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews
Fifth and final chunk of Eddings's enormous Good vs. Evil fantasy (most recently Sorceress of Darshiva, 1989). Finally, then, we have reached the showdown in the Place Which is No More. Cyradis, the blind title character, must choose between the Light (Garion's candidate, Eriond the godlike) and the Dark (the evil sorceress Zandramas has selected Geran, Garion's young son, as her representative). Naturally, the fate of the entire universe is at stake. The role of the good guys is to counter and neutralize the plots and deceptions of Zandramas, so that Cyriadis can make an honest choice. No prizes for guessing which she chooses. Various Gods, Orbs, dragons, and whatnots embroider the proceedings; Eddings's usual jolly banter enlivens the dialogue; yet the showdown--promised through five long, long novels--amounts to nothing much. Fans and nonfans alike will rejoice that the series is concluded at last. -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey (March 22, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345377591
• ISBN-13: 978-0345377593
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #36,367 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 5 in The Mallorean Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a fitting conclusion, April 23, 2004

By	Joe Sherry (Minnesota) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Book 5 of the Mallorean

Finally we come to the conclusion of the adventures of Garion, Belgarath, Polgara, and everyone they traveled with. While this is specifically the conclusion to the 5 book series "The Mallorean", this is really the conclusion to the story that began 10 books ago with "Pawn of Prophecy". In this book, Garion will reach the end of the road in the quest to rescue his kidnapped son and also fulful for the final time the prophecies that have been shaping his world for more than 7000 years. Garion is nearing the end of the quest and if you have read the previous nine volumes, you have an idea of what to expect. This is still lighthearted, simplistic fantasy and is fairly enjoyable to read.

The Mallorean (and Belgariad) is an epic series of Good vs Evil, Light vs Darkness, and of Gods, Kings, and Men (not to mention women, but I meant humans). There is magic a plenty, an abundance of sword play, a long epic quest, humor, action, and drama. One can accuse this series (and Eddings) of telling the same story twice, as the plotlines do follow those of The Belgariad, just in a different location, but Eddings actually built that into the story so well that events are supposed to be repeating themselves. Rather than blatantly rip himself off, Eddings set up his world and the events in it such that some repetition is necessary. To be honest, if you are a fan of the Belgariad, you are likely going to have enjoyed reading through the Mallorean. The ending, though anti-climactic, is nice, pleasant, and a good way to say goodbye to the friends you have made over the course of reading 10 books set in one world dealing with the same set of characters. They may be cliché and repeat themselves and tell the same jokes, but these are characters you can come to care for and they are familiar like family.

After reading nine novels set in this world, nothing anybody can say will convince you to either like or dislike this book any more than you already will. The opinion the reader will have of this novel depends entirely on his or her enjoyment of the first 9 books (if one makes it that far). This is fast reading fantasy, but is enjoyable all the same. At one time these were my favorite characters and my favorite world, and while this is no longer true, I have a certain amount of fondness for Silk, and Polgara, and Zakath and everyone else in this world. To me, this was a fitting way to conclude the series.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Game, Set, and Match, July 16, 2005

By	Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

It's with a sense of relief that I can finally turn to the last volume in this series. While the Malloreon is better written than the Belgariad, Eddings overplayed his hand in telling a story which is a derivative echo of its predecessor, and then using a repetitive architecture to expand the tale to five volumes. Had this series been whittled down to four, or even three volumes it would have been easier than on the reader.

Belgarion, C'Nedra, and the rest of those one the quest for their kidnapped child must now follow the last steps in fulfilling the prophecy that will enable Cyradis, Seeress of Kell, to make the final choice between alternate futures. Two candidates exist for the God who will replace Torak - who was slain by Belgarion in the first set of books. Errand, who has been in the care of Polgara and Durnik, will stand for Belgarion, the child of light, and Geran, Belgarion's own son is Zandramas's offer. If Geran is chosen darkness will fall and Belgarion will face having to kill his own child.

They voyage first to Kell, then to Perivor, and finally to Korim where the last clashes will be fought. There is a complex set of requirements to be fulfilled before Cyradis can make her choice, and Zandramas is intent on making sure that there really is no choice. Tense times come as Belgarath solves the last puzzles just in time and the find the altar in the place that is no more.

Seeress of Kell is noticeably better paced than Sorceress of Darshiva. It doesn't really bog down at all until after the choice is made, when Eddings proceeds to take 80 pages to wind down the tale in epilogue. Again, it's not Eddings writing ability that is at fault, but his inability to know when to stop. If you go on to the Elenium you will immediately discover that when Eddings keeps to three volumes and is carefully edited he is still capable of a story compels and entertains. Again, the best thing one can say about the Malloreon is that even with flaws it is much better than many attempts at epic fantasy, which is a far more difficult genre than you might believe.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!!! I want another one!!, September 8, 1999

By A Customer

The Belgariad and the Mallorean were some of the best series I have ever read by far... they were interesting, and I absolutely loved the characters! This book definitley needs another one to tie up some more loose ends. I really want to find out what happened to Vella and Beldin, the names of Pol's twins. DAVID EDDINGS WRITE ANOTHER BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!