Sid Halley, champion jockey, had to give up racing when his hand was smashed. His next job brings him a bullet to the gut &, as he would soon discoverSid Halley, champion jockey, had to give up racing when his hand was smashed. His next job brings him a bullet to the gut &, as he would soon discover, the knowledge that life as a private investigator could get a lot worse... Especially when a ruthless property dealer has plans for Seabury race track. Plans that have nothing to do with racing & everything to do with conspiracy & violence. The kind of plans that set high adds against a novice detective staying alive.
Sid starts out as depressed, apathetic & anti-social since the loss of his hand & career, just drifting along with little hope for the future. A surprise bullet changes his trajectory &, ironically, gives him back a purpose, a will to survive & prosper. He is a hard & intelligent man, but maybe not as hard as his antagonists - they are willing to take violence to an extreme level, as Sid discovers to his detriment.
Brilliant action & adventure, intelligently written & tightly plotted.
I enjoyed Belgarath's story, but, oh! those awful "witty" asides I will not miss. Belgarath is the most interesting & complex of the characters & was I enjoyed Belgarath's story, but, oh! those awful "witty" asides I will not miss. Belgarath is the most interesting & complex of the characters & was definitely worthy of his prequel. The expansion of much that was alluded to in the Belgariad is definitely worth the effort.
I have now completed my re-read of the Belgariad, Mallorean, Belgarath, Polgara, Elenium & Tamuli. I must never attempt this again. I loved them all when I was young, but I found too much to irritate me this time. I won't even attempt The Younger Gods series as they were too sickeningly twee the first time around. ...more
An enjoyable adventure. David Cleveland, Jockey Club investigator, is in Norway after the disappearance of British jockey David Sherman. The action isAn enjoyable adventure. David Cleveland, Jockey Club investigator, is in Norway after the disappearance of British jockey David Sherman. The action is immediate as David almost drowns in Norway's fjords in the first chapter. I love these early, tightly-plotted stories where all the action happens in 200 pages, instead of a 200-page setup merely hinting at something eventful to come....more
The writing style is very simplistic, but I suppose Dexter is just a simple soul, too. He's an oddly likeable, creepy character. I found parts of it aThe writing style is very simplistic, but I suppose Dexter is just a simple soul, too. He's an oddly likeable, creepy character. I found parts of it amusing but the ending wasn't quite satisfactory, too abrupt. Overall, a neat idea and an easy ,enjoyable read....more
The conclusion to the Elenium & Tamuli series is a disappointment. People are just charging all over the place taking part in various squabbles & thenThe conclusion to the Elenium & Tamuli series is a disappointment. People are just charging all over the place taking part in various squabbles & then charging off to the next spot. I think I could easily have skipped to first half of this book without missing anything important.
The child-goddess is no longer a child, is transporting everyone at lightning-speed all over the continent, & is now cosying up to any other godlings she can get her lips on. No one is safe from this creepy little being & her awful hypocrite of a sister. It continues to be acceptable to denigrate others as long as you're female or it's just a little joke. Even Sparhawk is irritatingly wet at the end - such a let-down.
I did like Sarabian's wives' little piece of the action, it's a pity we couldn't have had a bit more of this & less traipsing around to no account....more
The epic fantasy continues with lots of fun & frolics. Sephrenia & Aphrael now seem to think its OK to be vengeful & kill people when they have cause The epic fantasy continues with lots of fun & frolics. Sephrenia & Aphrael now seem to think its OK to be vengeful & kill people when they have cause - at least it means they've stopped moaning about other people doing it. Ignoring the hypocrisy, I'm just trying to enjoy the adventure....more
An enjoyable ending to this trilogy. There are many irritants, particularly the patronising, hypocritical attitudes of the characters who hold themselAn enjoyable ending to this trilogy. There are many irritants, particularly the patronising, hypocritical attitudes of the characters who hold themselves above others, but I tried to let it wash over me & enjoy the adventure....more
An entertaining continuation of the story. There are some very irritating characters, not least of which is the annoying child-goddess, but some amusiAn entertaining continuation of the story. There are some very irritating characters, not least of which is the annoying child-goddess, but some amusing ones too....more
A long-winded introduction to the Eddings' new world. 500 pages of intro & Bhelliom is only mentioned in the prologue & the last few pages. We do get A long-winded introduction to the Eddings' new world. 500 pages of intro & Bhelliom is only mentioned in the prologue & the last few pages. We do get know know all the other characters, of which Faran may be the best. This world is well-built but I fail to see why it depends on one almost-dead, teenage almost-queen. Still, it's easy-reading & there are enough alrums & excursions to keep it rolling pleasantly along....more
Overall I enjoyed the series as a whole. Re-reading it after so many years was perhaps a mistake as it really is more for younger adults & children. IOverall I enjoyed the series as a whole. Re-reading it after so many years was perhaps a mistake as it really is more for younger adults & children. I loved it when I read it in my late-teens-early-20s but I found it very irritating this time around.
This final book moves along at a pretty good clip compared to the others & does have a very satisfying ending if you like everyone to be happy & set to partners. A bit twee, but the good guys saved the day....more
This episode of the Mallorean is quite good, less full of archness & witticisms, a bit more story, & it feels like we're finally getting somewhere. ThThis episode of the Mallorean is quite good, less full of archness & witticisms, a bit more story, & it feels like we're finally getting somewhere. There are still those scenes like 'oh, we haven't heard from Eriond for a while, better put him in', or, 'we haven't heard how ugly Beldin is & that he eats his food raw for a while, better mention it', but I did enjoy this more than the last couple. Possibly the interplay between Garion & Zakath livened it up a bit, or it's just because we're almost there. I'd be embarrassed if any daughter of mine carried on like the women in this book....more
The story continues as everyone plods across boundless Mallorea to the final meeting between Dark & Light. A few things happen & the "witticisms" contThe story continues as everyone plods across boundless Mallorea to the final meeting between Dark & Light. A few things happen & the "witticisms" continue. There's not much character development, although we do get to know Sadi & Sith a bit better.
It's interesting that Zakath was rampaging around killing tens of thousands Murgos because he didn't like their king & he was a good bloke, whereas poor Zedar was following his predestined route & was worthy of everlasting torture. Zakath does like cats, though, so he has some redeeming features....more
Seems to be more misandry than misogyny, given the constant denigration of men by the oh-so-superior women, but it's ok, they're only doing it out of Seems to be more misandry than misogyny, given the constant denigration of men by the oh-so-superior women, but it's ok, they're only doing it out of fun because they love them. If there was the same constant belittling of women by the male companions I don't think it would be met with complacency. At any rate, it sets my teeth on edge.
The Urgit twist was a bit of fun but did we just establish that Silk is 48 yo? Liselle is what, 18-20? I'm not liking that pairing much. She does seem to have magic powers though, travelling the length of Aloria in an instant & alone, & to be incredibly strong if she can garotte a man twice her size with a bit of silk.
I'm a bit sorry I embarked on this re-read. I should have just remembered them fondly, but now I'm so irritated that I'm picking them apart. If every move in the quest is pre-ordained it all seems such a pointless waste of time, they could waited for the right moment & gone straight there. I really hate the addition of Seers in this....more
Really just a rehash of The Belgariad, very enjoyable as a younger reader, all a bit tedious now. Polgara is as condescending as ever, dear, & Ce'NedrReally just a rehash of The Belgariad, very enjoyable as a younger reader, all a bit tedious now. Polgara is as condescending as ever, dear, & Ce'Nedra is still a liability - all the women can belittle the men, but never the other way around, oh no! I never understood why they were running all over the place, reading prophecies & stuff, when they just had to follow directions anyway. Those seers are a useless mob.
Still, it's an easy read with a classic tale, & while very irritating at times, it's nice to re-visit....more
Perhaps it should be called "Set to Partners" instead of "The Belgariad" - the Eddings certainly like to pair everyone up. So much so that you have toPerhaps it should be called "Set to Partners" instead of "The Belgariad" - the Eddings certainly like to pair everyone up. So much so that you have to mourn a partner's death for several thousand years. Oh, boy!
I do not like all these women with their knowing, superior looks, getting around their sub-intelligent men with trickery & coyness. I just don't find it funny. It's seems more about control & oneupmanship than relationship. I definitely enjoyed it more when I first read it in my early 20s. Possibly I thought men being led around by the nose only fitting, or I just didn't notice so much. I like strong female characters, but not when they succeed with passive-aggression & conniving.
I do think Zedar's fate a bit much. Why such torture? Just because he killed a friend of yours? All these people dying, but only one matters? I'm not keen on that message.
Still, the overall story is simple & enjoyable....more
3.5* A good continuation of the story. Garion comes into his birth-right & Ce'Nedra shows signs of growing up a little. Polgara has a major hissy fit w3.5* A good continuation of the story. Garion comes into his birth-right & Ce'Nedra shows signs of growing up a little. Polgara has a major hissy fit when thwarted, setting such a good example for the spoiled brat, which may show that she's human but would certainly lower her in my eyes if she were a real person....more
An enjoyable continuation of the story as our band of heroes moves into enemy territory. It has a very abrupt ending, this episode, & just when thingsAn enjoyable continuation of the story as our band of heroes moves into enemy territory. It has a very abrupt ending, this episode, & just when things are really heating up. The last third of the book is particularly good because that irritating little mosquito Ce'Nedra is absent - I can't imagine what the Eddings were thinking to make her such an unlikeable character, there is nothing loveable about her. Poor Garion!...more
The first book in "The Belgariad", where we meet Garion, Polgara, Belgarath, Durnik, Silk, Barak & Hattar for the first time. It's a great start to thThe first book in "The Belgariad", where we meet Garion, Polgara, Belgarath, Durnik, Silk, Barak & Hattar for the first time. It's a great start to the traditional classic fantasy quest....more