Queen of Sorcery

(Book Two of The Belgariad)
by
David Eddings

Del Rey, November 1982, 327 pp.
ISBN: 0-345-30079-3

Genre: Fantasy
Reviewed: 1/19/2001

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Excerpt

The Hand of Doom

With a bland smile, the Grolim priest slapped Aunt Pol sharply across the face. "You really must control your tongue, Polgara," Asharak said.

Garion's brain seemed to explode. He felt a terrible force building in him, and the image of Asharak wrapped in seething flame stood before him.

"Now!" commanded the dry voice with his mind. "Do it!"

Garion swung his right arm. As his palm struck the Grolim's scarred left cheek, he felt the force surge out from the silvery mark on his palm. "Burn!" he commanded.

For an instant, Asharak stared at Garion in horror, and then his face contorted in agony. His cheek began to smoke and seethe where Garion's hand had touched it. Wisps of smoke drifted from his black robe. Then he shrieked and clutched at his face. His fingers burst into flame.

"Master," he croaked. "Have mercy!"

Synopsis

Belgarath, Garion, Polgara, Durnik, Barak and Silk continue their pilgrimage following the trail of a priest of Torak who has stolen the Orb of Aldur. The priest has the intention of awakening the evil God Torak. Belgarath and Polgara are determined to take back the Orb before this god can be awakened.

The group is soon joined by Hettar, who brings the horses to aid them in quicker travel. He is a man that has the ability to talk to horses. He also hates all Murgos and has sworn to kill every one that he runs across. After traveling through Arendia, they enter Tolnedra and are joined by Mandorallen, a fierce knight who fears nothing.

Princess Ce'Nedra runs away from here ailing father with the intention of not going to present herself to the throne room at Riva, where she is bound to go on her sixteenth birthday. Garion is then stolen by the Queen of Nyissa to be used as her personal slave. And since he is continually served a drug that makes him lethargic, he has now way of informing Aunt Pol where he is . . . and has no inclination to escape.

Queen of Sorcery is the second book in the five book series The Belgarion. This is a fantasy tale about Belgarath, a 7,000 year old Sorcerer, his daughter Polgara, a Sorceress, and Garion, who will someday fulfill the role of an ancient prophecy. The tension builds more in this book as new characters are introduced. The spoiled Princess Ce'Nedra adds a new dimension as she soon starts to fall for Garion, who is totally clueless. And Garion learns that he can become the most powerful of sorcerers, if only he would accept it...which he can't, and refuses to be trained.

Review

I really enjoyed reading Queen of Sorcery. But you do have to read the first book, Pawn of Prophecy, to understand what is going on in this book. This series is actually one large book split up into manageable-sized books.

I really enjoyed the new characters that joined the group, for they added more dimension. The developing relationship between the clueless Garion and Ce'Nedra is fun to watch. But the thing that intrigues me the most is Garion, or should I say, Belgarion. What is his true purpose? How powerful is he? Will he ever grow up and accept the power inside him? Who is the voice inside his head? All of the questions are not answered in this book and I guess I will just have to read the next one to find out.

Queen of Sorcery is an excellent fantasy tale in a very interesting world. If you love a good quest with a little mystery mixed in, this is the book, and series, you should not miss.

I rated this book an 8½ out of 10.