The Rivan Codex
Illustrated by Geoff Taylor.
Ancient Texts of The Belgariad and The Malloreon
When David Eddings sketched a strange map one morning before work, he took the first step in an extraordinary imaginative journey that would last for years and result in a majestic saga of Gods, Kings, and Sorcerers - one loved by millions of readers the world over. Now David and Leigh Eddings take us on a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of the extensive background materials they compiled before beginning the masterpiece of epic fantasy unforgettably set down in The Belgariad and The Malloreon and their two companion volumes, Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress.
Our tour stretches from the wealthy Empire of Tolnedra to the remote Isle of the Winds, from the mysterious mountains of Ulgoland to the forbidding reaches of darkest Mallorea. We will visit the time before Time when two opposing Destinies began the cataclysmic struggle for supremacy that would involve Gods and men alike, crack a world asunder, and threaten to unravel the fabric of the universe itself. We will see the origin of the Orb of Aldur and glimpse the final act upon the Sardion Stone.
Along the way, we will stop to greet old friends: Belgarath, the Old Wolf, disciple of the god Aldur; Polgara, his enigmatic daughter; brave Belgarion, the Rivan King; and his beautiful Queen, Ce'Nedra. Old enemies will be waiting, too: the maimed god Torak, evil incarnate; Zandramas, fearsome Child of the Dark; and the tragically corrupted traitor, Belzedar.
Rare volumes will be opened to your eyes. Sacred holy books in which you may read the secrets of the Gods themselves and of their prophets. Scholarly histories of the rise and fall of empires from the Imperial Library at Tol Honeth. The profound mysteries of the Malloreon Gospels.
Brimming with the adventure, romance, and excitement readers have come to expect from David and Leigh Eddings - including invaluable advice for aspiring writers on how and how not to create their own fantasy worlds - The Rivan Codex will enrich your understanding of all that has gone before... and whet your appetite for all that is yet to come.
David Eddings
David Eddings’ writing, much like the epic worlds he created, was built on layers of adventure, camaraderie, and an understanding of the human heart. Born in 1931 in Washington, D.C., Eddings came to be known as one of fantasy's most beloved authors, carving a space for himself with his sharp storytelling and vivid character development. His rise to prominence came with the Belgariad and Malloreon series, two beloved fantasy sagas that continue to captivate readers with their rich world-building and timeless themes of power, destiny, and friendship.
Belgarian Universe
The Belgarian universe is the broad universe containing two major pentologies, as well as a pair of prequels and a related non-fiction work on the writing of the universe.
Belgarian Universe consists of 3 total books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Related series The Belgariad
Related series The Malloreon
Reviews and Comments
I think that The Rivan Codex is a bit unnecessary book. The best way to describe this book is to say that it's a history book for the world that Eddings has created (it's a companion book for The Belgariad, The Malloreon, Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress). This book may offer some interesting information for die-hard Eddings fans, but other people shouldn't read it.