#elenium

More recently, abd Nsfw below

So for now I will just say that these series have so many good things for them, and have a key part in the evolution of fantasy literature... And yet have just as many things to be hated for, and so many reasons to be disliked.

I think the most important point is that the Eddings couple was good at two things. On one side, the subversion and twist of fantasy tropes - well, what WAS at the time fantasy stereotypes and cliches - and as one reviewer said, the Eddings would have probably produced better books if they were fantasy parodies or humoristic novels. On the other side, they are excellent at character concept, basic worldbuilding and iconic scenes... but fail when it comes to complexity or plot-building/narrative-flow. Which is why, as I said previously, the Eddings would have been excellent at writing campaign scripts. Just take the Malloreon: it feels SO MUCH like a campaign manual rather than an actual novel series...

Note: By the Eddings series, I refer specifically to The Belgariad, The Elenium and The Malloreon. I do plan on reading the Tamuli at one point, but I am NOT speaking about The Dreamers because I went through more than half of the first book and its shit. Pure shit.

Back to the topic... Yes, the Eddings series are so frustrating as a whole.

They are funny, but very dated. They have cool concepts and ideas, but they have typical 80s-American-prejudices and vaguely pedophile tones (not so much The Belgariad, but the Elenium and Malloreon have... worrying stuff). They subvert Tolkien's work and changed the game in fantasy literature - but then repeat themselves in a drab and dreary way, robbing their own inventivity. They are weirdly positive and weirdly negative at the same time.

And if the books themselves weren't complex in their over-simplicity and problematic in their strange worldview, there is also the big problem of the audience/fandoms literaly not understanding what the books are about. Like people missing out completely that the Elenium is supposed to be "dark fantasy", not "high/heroic fantasy" like the Belgariad ; and there's also something to be said about a very interesting double-standard people have when it comes to the use of "races" in these works - but that will be for another time.

For some, the Eddings series were a "gateway fantasy" to have a short and simple introduction to archetypes, plot beats and the general ambiance of "typical" fantasy. For others, they are a "comfort read" to enjoy something while shutting your brain off. And I agree that this is what these series ultimately are: they were never meant to be high or great literature, and they are very simple and dated, and I personally used them as "waiting reads". Because these are books I can easily get in or out of when waiting for my computer to start, for my train to arrive, for my class to begin. It's a "snack-read". I did feel involved in The Belgariad because everybody agrees that it is the best of all the four series - when the Eddings really struck something good. But by the Elenium and the Malloreon, I literaly was not as invested and I just read it because. To see the characters, and the ideas, and the concepts. Because no matter how poor these series can become, they are always a BIG source of inspiration for fantasy material.

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Sparhawk sat by the fire, slowly struggling into wakefulness. The bustle of the camp flowed around him as he considered the flames.

“Sparhawk!” His head snapped up to look at the two blonde’s standing in front of him. Kalten stood with his arm wrapped firmly around the shoulders of a fuming Parasim.

“Gentlemen.” He acknowledged.

Parasim was given a lighthearted, but very firm push onto a log to the far side of the fire and Kalten sat down next to him. Parasim’s eyes were red rimmed, and his skin was pale with rage. Kalten kept a restraining hand on the younger man’s shoulder.

“Is something wrong, little brother?” Sparhawk asked, keeping his tone mild. Parasim took a breath, finally looking Sparhawk in the eye.

“Sir Haldorain.” He nearly spat.

“Can’t say I’ve had the pleasure. What did he do?” Sparhawk leaned back a little.

“He-he. After last night.” Parasim sputtered, too angry to be coherent yet.

“He was talking about the superiority of Elenes, and Parasim was about to start a brawl before I redirected him.” Kalten supplied.

“I see, and after seeing that Styric settlement, you can’t imagine anything farther from the truth.” Sparhawk kept his tone mild, but he did feel a small, understanding smile tug at the corners of his mouth. Parasim nodded.

“I suspect our dear brother Haldorain is desperately trying to convince himself what he’s saying is correct. It’s easier than confronting the evil we Elenes can commit when we put our minds to it.” Sparhawk observed. Looking off in the direction Kalten and Parasim had come from, he could see Sir Olven and a few older knights corralling an unfamiliar young man.

“Is this really what we are?” Parasim’s despairing voice redirected Sparhawk’s attention back to the younger man. He was starting to regain some color, and the rage seemed to have stepped aside for confusion and hurt.

“As humans, as Elenes, or as Pandions?” Sparhawk asked.

“All, I suppose.” Parasim gave a vague wave of his hand for emphasis.

“Yes.” Sparhawk said simply. Parasim slumped, his shoulders dropping and his bright blue eyes cast downwards. “However, we can be so much better. Your reaction to all of this is proof.” Parasim looked up.

“Really?”

“Truely.” Sparhawk replied. Kalten put out a hand and ruffled the other blonde’s hair.

“I see why our little mother likes this one so much.” Kalten joked, earning a cautiously happy smile.

“Sir Parasim. Come here for a moment.” Sir Olven called, the younger knight standing next to him looking thoroughly shamefaced.

“Gentlemen.” He said politely, jumping up and making his way across the camp.

“Good lad.” Kalten observed.

“He is. I’m afraid he might not be with us very long.” Sparhawk admitted, watching the younger men talk. They appeared to come to some kind of accord and shook hands.

“Must you always be so dour?” Kalten asked, a mixture of annoyance and sadness in his tone.

“You know I’m right.”

Keith Parkinson, Return of the Banished, 1991. Cover illustration for The Ruby Knight, book 2 of the Elenium series, by David Eddings (Ballantine / Del Rey, 1991).

Re-Read Review: The Diamond Throne by David Eddings

” Slowly Sparhawk raised his eyes to his Queen.  She was beautiful.  There was almost luminous perfection about her countenance.  Her pale blonde hair was long and loosely framed her face.  She wore stately robes and the heavy gold crown of Elenia.  Her slender hands lay upon the arms of her throne, and her eyes were closed.  But now she was locked in the semblance of death, embedded in a…

I see his point, I respect it, and with Wheel of Time already happening we definitely don’t need another epic series made of a late 80s high fantasy saga that while beloved and formative for me personally I know has frankly questionable racial and gender and sexuality politics