Castle of Wizardry (The Belgariad, Book 4) Mass Market Paperback – December 12, 1985

Each book keeps getting better and better! The chara tors are all lovable and C'nedra role as reluctant heroin is masterfully played.

This was more Cenedra's book than Garion's. Garion is still learning about being a king to his people, but finally finds out what prophecy plans for him. As he leaves with a couple of companions it leaves Cenedra in charge. You see her going from a spoiled brat to a slightly less spoiled brat. She learns to care about someone besides herself and all of her arguing and tantrums mature into more of a leadership role. She uses her ability to argue and wheedle, as well as her insight from growing up in the imperial palace to start forming an army to help Garion and Co. to succeed.Again, I keep getting surprised by the depth of his characters. When they could easily be surface deep and just be a side character, the author takes the time to give them a sense of history, like you'll see with Silk and his mother. Those are details that could have been left out and the story would still have happened, but it makes me care about the "side" characters even more. Even Belgarath was somewhat humanized in this book, with a softer side showing through and an explanation about why he does some of the things he does.

In the same vein of adventure as The Lord of the Rings, the Belgariad in it’s totality doesn’t disappoint. This is about my 6th time reading it. Book 4 has so many twists and turns and sets you up for Book 5- Enchanter’s End Game.

There is a lot to like, but also a lot I do not enjoy. Lots of inane dialogue, temper tantrums (totally out of character for one character in particular), childish/immature outbursts, suffering of children, endless walking/riding, storms. Although I liked this book better than book 3, the series is too long. I'm tired of this quest and war to save the world and want it over so I can move on.

In every series there is one book where you need to take a deep breath and look around, and prepare for the last push to the finish. I’ve read some reviews that this is the least favorite book in the series, but it’s very necessary. Our characters grow more here than at almost any other single book, and the authors set the stage for the final installment perfectly. It may not move as briskly or be as thrilling, but it more than makes up for it with how well it allows us to get to know our main characters.

Book four of the fantasized Belgariad. In this awe-inspiring book, Belgarath has fought with Ctuchik and his companions are now in possession of the Orb of Aldur. Now they must journey to Riva to place the orb in the Hall Of the Rivan King and fulfill the prophecy. But just as Garion and his companions think they near their journey's end, their destiny is yet to begin. The evil Torak is yet to awaken and Garion is immersed into a destiny which places the world atop his actions. The book's authentic sense of adventure plunges readers into a world of mystery, secrecy and anticipation.I utterly enjoyed reading this book because of it's high level of suspense, wonder and imagination. Whilst reading this book, I felt akin a companion on the character's journey and it's high level of detail in imagination immediately immersed me into the book. In addition, this book is sterling because of it's many surprises and imaginative features along with clever details which create astonishing links between characters and concepts. I would highly recommend this book to people of all ages because it's features and concepts will amaze readers of all ages.

The Belgariad series is very entertaining. The plot has some interesting twists and challenges. The best part is the character development. These heroes have well developed personalities and aren't "saintly" heroes. The women are strong and contribute to the overall plot and are entertaining. And the magic is restrained but timely. There's a strong reliance on wit and cleverness and a generally egalitarian camaraderie.

I can't tell you how many times I read these books.As a matter of fact I think I've read everything that the eddings I have written more times than I can count.I would like to see them all on kindle it would make it so much easier for me to read Because of Vision problems.

In the fourth book of his Belgariad series of fantasy novels, David Eddings presents us with a masterly false ending as it appears that the quest is complete, but how can this be with one and a half books left? The answer is that the resolution is merely one aspect of The Prophecy (a predestination theme which underlies the series), a step towards a greater confrontation. In this book Garion (the main protagonist) begins to come to terms with his powers and ancestry, and learns the nature of his nemesis. With an impending war brewing between the forces of Light and Darkness, the gathering of an army of an alliance of kings and a secretive journey into the midst of enemy territory the similarity of the narrative with Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings is at its most transparent. This book is well written and sets up the climax of the series in the next book. However, as with the previous three books there are many touching and perceptive moments included amongst the inevitable preparations for war, such as the surprising attraction between the religious fanatic Relg and Taiba the slave woman.

One of the biggest reveals I've ever read. Garion was foreshadowed a lot to be this great figure through out the first few books but didn't realise that he was The Rivan King. Belgarath actaully mentioned this name in The Pawn of Prophecy but it flew over my head.

Rather than being the fourth novel, this reads like the fourth part in a HUGE novel split in to five: although, out of necessity, it has to stand on its own and has a preface with further expansion on the background to the plot, this volume continues our hero's adventures without a pause. As I said about the previous volume it is a very fast read: I am now on number five, and have ordered Volume 1 of the Mallorean, which is the next series set in the same World, hopefully with the same characters. Highly recommended.

Both Garion and Ce'Nedra are forced to face up to who they are and responsibilities far beyond their years. Yet again Eddings gives us great adventure (I flew through this just as fast as the previous books) coupled with wonderful insights into people, relationships and how we develop the balance between our inner world and our self-centred view of the world with the outer world and our interactions with others.

My husband bought the whole Belgariad (kindle edition) for me for Christmas, as I'm no longer able to read my paperback copies. I absolutely LOVE Eddings' worlds, and this one was the first we came into contact with, 20 years ago, and I STILL get the same amount of pleasure reading them! Try the Belgariad, you really WON'T be disappointed!