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Friday, April 14, 2017

The Diamond Throne by David Eddings

The Diamond Throne (The Elenium, #1)The Diamond Throne by David Eddings
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book years ago, but it made it back on my to-be-read list. I have really enjoyed the classic knight-on-a-quest format that you don't see any more. True, the early fantasy community kind of wore out the archetypal journey plot, but for me it is like coming home. Having a magic system that is both an overarching basis for the plot, and at the same time fairly limited is a nice twist.

I like the characters and the plot line. The downside is the pace. It takes so long for the characters to get from one place to another, that is gets old. My final evaluation would be on the writing. I enjoyed the Belgariad from Eddings, but haven't read his other stuff. This book feels like an early outing for him. Characters who are traveling slowly all day for some reason start a strategic conversation the reader can eavesdrop on at night when they stop. It feels unnatural. Can't the plot evolve as the move around? Do they ride around in silence? It is a small things, but bugs me regularly.

I am enjoying this series, and look forward to finishing it out. I had forgotten the fairly adult themes at times (incest, prostitution, human sacrifice), but the language is fairly reserved compared to more recent books with similar features, so I actually find it a lot easier to move past those items and focus on the story. It isn't a kids books, but I wouldn't worry too much about today's teens picking it up.


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