Most of David Eddings' fantasy work, especially his earlier material, is very formulaic. To be fair, this is by design. As Lurker said, the Belgariad was supposed to hit all the classic tropes.
I wouldn't call it amateurish, though. It's not the story, you see. I mean - boy from humble peasant beginnings discovers he has a destiny and ancient heritage, meets princess, saves the world... and there's a sword involved too, y'know. There's gotta be a sword.
You know the story. What matters is the execution. I came to Eddings relatively late; I only started reading him, at the insistance of a friend, when I was in the Army. But his work is excellent.
It's the dialogue, you see. His dialogue is wonderfully witty - he has a real flair for banter...and snark, as others have said. His lines are absolutely wonderful, and his characters are terribly amusing.
That alone is worth the price of admission, and why I'm sad to see the man go.
-- Acyl
I wouldn't call it amateurish, though. It's not the story, you see. I mean - boy from humble peasant beginnings discovers he has a destiny and ancient heritage, meets princess, saves the world... and there's a sword involved too, y'know. There's gotta be a sword.
You know the story. What matters is the execution. I came to Eddings relatively late; I only started reading him, at the insistance of a friend, when I was in the Army. But his work is excellent.
It's the dialogue, you see. His dialogue is wonderfully witty - he has a real flair for banter...and snark, as others have said. His lines are absolutely wonderful, and his characters are terribly amusing.
That alone is worth the price of admission, and why I'm sad to see the man go.
-- Acyl