David Eddings Books in Order: Complete Series and Reading Guide
David Eddings was one of the well-known authors of classic epic fantasy, creating fictional worlds filled with prophecies, ancient gods, sorcerers, kingdoms, and unlikely heroes. His stories often begin with an ordinary person whose life becomes connected to a much larger conflict, gradually revealing the history and magical rules of the world around them.
If you’re new to his books, the Belgariad and Malloreon are the most natural place to start. These ten novels tell one extended story, while The Elenium and The Tamuli follow a different hero in another fantasy world. This guide covers his major series, companion books, and standalone novels, with descriptions to help you choose what to read next.
The Belgariad Books in Order
The Belgariad is a five-book epic fantasy series that follows Garion, a boy raised on a quiet farm who gradually discovers that his life is connected to an ancient struggle between rival powers. Accompanied by a mysterious aunt, an elderly storyteller, and a growing group of companions, Garion leaves the familiar world behind and becomes involved in a quest that could determine the fate of entire kingdoms.
The series combines a coming-of-age story with magic, political rivalries, prophecies, and a cast of memorable characters. Read the five books in order because each installment advances the same overarching quest.
1. Pawn of Prophecy (1982)
Garion grows up on Faldor’s farm in Sendaria, believing he is an ordinary boy under the care of his Aunt Pol and the storyteller known as Mister Wolf. His comfortable life changes when he joins them on a journey and discovers that the theft of a sacred object has consequences far beyond anything he imagined. The first novel introduces the world, its central conflict, and Garion’s uncertain place in a much older story.
2. Queen of Sorcery (1982)
Garion and his companions continue their pursuit of the stolen Orb of Aldur, traveling through unfamiliar lands filled with political intrigue and dangerous enemies. As the group encounters new cultures and rulers, Garion begins learning more about the forces surrounding him and the mysterious abilities he may possess. The journey becomes increasingly dangerous as the search for the Orb draws them deeper into the conflict.
3. Magician’s Gambit (1983)
The quest for the Orb leads Garion and his companions into more dangerous territory, where magic and ancient rivalries become increasingly important. Garion must confront questions about his identity and his connection to the powers shaping the world. This installment deepens the mythology behind the series while moving the central quest closer to a decisive confrontation.
4. Castle of Wizardry (1984)
The companions reach Riva, where Garion’s ancestry and destiny become much clearer. The discovery of his royal connection changes his understanding of himself, but the responsibilities attached to that identity bring new challenges. The novel marks a major turning point in Garion’s development and prepares the story for its final confrontation.
5. Enchanters’ End Game (1984)
Garion and his companions move toward the final confrontation in the ancient struggle that has shaped their journey. The choices made throughout the earlier books come together as the heroes face the forces threatening their world. This conclusion completes Garion’s central quest and brings the Belgariad’s main conflict to its resolution.
The Malloreon Books in Order
The Malloreon is the direct five-book sequel to The Belgariad. It reunites readers with Garion and many of the characters from the original series, but the apparent resolution of the earlier conflict does not mean their adventures are finished.
A new prophecy and another dangerous journey pull the characters into unfamiliar lands. Because the story assumes readers already understand Garion’s history, the original Belgariad should be read first.
1. Guardians of the West (1987)
Several years after the events of The Belgariad, Garion and Ce’Nedra are attempting to build a life together while facing the responsibilities that come with their positions. When a new prophecy and troubling events disturb their peace, Garion discovers that another journey may be necessary. The opening book establishes the mystery and renewed threat that drive the sequel series.
2. King of the Murgos (1988)
Garion and his companions travel into lands associated with the Murgos, confronting political tensions and dangers that connect to the wider prophecy. Their journey introduces new people and places while testing the relationships established in the earlier books. The investigation becomes increasingly urgent as the characters try to understand what the new threat means.
3. Demon Lord of Karanda (1988)
The quest draws Garion and his companions into the territory of Karanda, where powerful rulers and supernatural forces complicate their search for answers. The group must distinguish between genuine allies and those whose interests conflict with their own. This installment expands the scope of the conflict and brings the characters closer to understanding the threat they face.
4. Sorceress of Darshiva (1989)
The journey continues into Darshiva, where the heroes encounter further dangers connected to the unfolding prophecy. Garion and his companions must use their knowledge, magical abilities, and relationships to survive a series of difficult challenges. The novel builds toward the concluding confrontation while revealing more about the forces behind the conflict.
5. The Seeress of Kell (1991)
The final Malloreon novel brings Garion’s second major quest to its conclusion. The characters must confront the implications of the prophecy and make decisions that affect the future of their world. Readers who have completed both five-book series will find the main arc of Garion’s story resolved here.
Belgariad and Malloreon Companion Books
After completing the ten main novels, readers can explore three companion books that provide additional history, background, and perspective on the world. These books were published with Leigh Eddings credited as co-author and are best approached after the central story.
1. Belgarath the Sorcerer (1995)
This novel explores the life and history of Belgarath, the ancient sorcerer whose experiences influence events throughout the Belgariad and Malloreon. By following his long journey through the history of the world, readers gain a deeper understanding of the prophecies, rivalries, and magical events behind the main saga.
2. Polgara the Sorceress (1997)
Polgara’s story explores her long life, her experiences with Belgarath, and the events that shaped her into the formidable sorceress readers meet in the main series. It adds personal and historical context to her role in Garion’s life, showing that her decisions are shaped by centuries of experience.
3. The Rivan Codex (1998)
The Rivan Codex is a companion volume rather than another conventional installment in Garion’s adventure. It contains background material, notes, and world-building information related to the Belgariad and Malloreon, making it especially interesting for readers who want to explore how the fictional world was developed.
Recommended approach: Read the ten main novels first, followed by Belgarath the Sorcerer, Polgara the Sorceress, and The Rivan Codex.
The Elenium Books in Order
The Elenium is a separate fantasy trilogy featuring Sparhawk, a veteran knight of the Pandion Order. Unlike Garion’s journey from an uncertain childhood, Sparhawk begins as an experienced warrior returning to a world of political intrigue, religious power, and dangerous magic.
The trilogy follows a quest involving a poisoned queen and a mysterious magical object. Read the books in sequence because the central mission continues from one novel to the next.
1. The Diamond Throne (1989)
Sparhawk returns from exile to find that Queen Ehlana of Elenia has been struck by a mysterious illness and kept alive through a magical enchantment. He must discover how to save her before time runs out, bringing him into conflict with religious authorities, political rivals, and supernatural threats. The novel introduces Sparhawk’s companions and the quest that drives the trilogy.
2. The Ruby Knight (1990)
Sparhawk and his companions continue searching for a way to save Ehlana, following clues that lead them into increasingly dangerous territory. Their mission involves magical secrets, rival factions, and the need to obtain a powerful object that may offer the solution they seek. The second book raises the stakes while developing the relationships among the knights and their allies.
3. The Sapphire Rose (1991)
The final Elenium novel brings Sparhawk’s quest to its conclusion as he and his companions confront the forces threatening Ehlana and the kingdom. The earlier discoveries and alliances become essential as the story moves toward its decisive battle. This book completes the trilogy’s central mission and resolves the conflict introduced in The Diamond Throne.
The Tamuli Books in Order
The Tamuli is the sequel trilogy to The Elenium. It returns readers to Sparhawk, Ehlana, and their companions, this time facing dangers beyond the political conflicts of Elenia.
The books explore a new region, unfamiliar customs, and a growing threat that requires the characters to reconsider what they know about power and magic. Finish The Elenium before beginning The Tamuli to avoid spoilers and better understand the returning characters.
1. Domes of Fire (1992)
Sparhawk and his companions travel to the Tamul Empire, where a mysterious threat is undermining the stability of the region. The political situation is complicated by unfamiliar customs and powerful people with competing interests. What begins as a diplomatic mission soon becomes a dangerous investigation with implications far beyond the immediate crisis.
2. The Shining Ones (1993)
The threat to the Tamul Empire grows more serious as Sparhawk and his companions investigate the forces working behind the scenes. The characters must navigate political alliances, supernatural dangers, and mysteries that cannot be solved through military strength alone. The novel develops the wider conflict and prepares the story for its final installment.
3. The Hidden City (1994)
The concluding Tamuli novel brings Sparhawk’s mission toward its final confrontation. The secrets behind the threat to the empire become increasingly important as the characters face their most dangerous challenges yet. The book resolves the central conflict introduced in Domes of Fire and completes Sparhawk’s main fantasy saga.
The Dreamers Books in Order
The Dreamers is a four-book fantasy series co-written by David Eddings and Leigh Eddings. It takes place in a different fictional world from the Belgariad and Elenium books, with its own gods, mythology, and magical conflict.
The story centers on the Elder Gods and their allies as they confront the Vlagh, a dangerous force associated with a collective intelligence and rapidly multiplying creatures. The series combines divine rivalries, mortal heroes, and a struggle that threatens the balance of the world.
1. The Elder Gods (2003)
The opening novel introduces a world protected by powerful gods and inhabited by people who depend on their guardians for survival. A growing threat begins to challenge the established order, forcing the gods and their mortal allies to recognize that the danger is unlike anything they have faced before. The book establishes the mythology and characters at the heart of the series.
2. The Treasured One (2004)
The conflict with the Vlagh continues as the gods and their allies seek ways to protect the world from a rapidly expanding danger. The characters must work through new challenges while learning more about the nature of their enemy. This installment develops the central struggle and broadens the roles played by the mortal characters.
3. Crystal Gorge (2005)
The battle against the Vlagh grows more complicated, placing greater pressure on the gods and the people fighting alongside them. The characters face new obstacles as they attempt to understand the enemy’s plans and prevent the conflict from spreading further. The novel advances the series toward its final confrontation.
4. The Younger Gods (2006)
The final Dreamers novel brings the series’ central conflict to a conclusion. The gods and their allies must confront the full scale of the danger and make decisions that will determine the world’s future. Readers who have followed the series from the beginning will see the major storylines come together in this closing installment.
Standalone David Eddings Books
David Eddings also wrote novels outside his major fantasy series. Some are realistic fiction, while others explore fantasy in a self-contained story. These books can be read independently and do not require knowledge of the Belgariad, Malloreon, Elenium, or Tamuli.
High Hunt (1973)
David Eddings’s debut novel is a departure from his later fantasy work. The story follows a hunting expedition in the Pacific Northwest, where old tensions, strained relationships, and escalating conflict turn an outdoor trip into a dangerous experience. It offers readers a look at his earlier fiction before he became widely associated with epic fantasy.
The Losers (1992)
This contemporary novel follows a man struggling with the consequences of a life-changing accident and the difficult process of rebuilding his life. Rather than magical quests or supernatural battles, the story focuses on personal failure, responsibility, and the possibility of change. It provides a very different reading experience from Eddings’s fantasy sagas.
Regina’s Song (2000)
Written with Leigh Eddings, this suspense novel follows the aftermath of a young woman’s death and the questions surrounding her twin sister. As the story develops, the characters must confront unsettling discoveries about identity, memory, and the people closest to them. It is a psychological mystery rather than an epic fantasy adventure.
The Redemption of Althalus (2000)
Co-written with Leigh Eddings, this standalone fantasy follows Althalus, a thief who is offered an extraordinary opportunity by a mysterious goddess. His mission gradually becomes much larger than a simple criminal undertaking, drawing him into a struggle involving magic, powerful enemies, and the fate of the world. Readers who enjoy Eddings’s conversational style and character-driven quests may find this a good alternative to his longer series.
What Is the Best Order to Read David Eddings?
If you’re new to David Eddings, there is no need to read every book in publication order across his entire career. His major fantasy series occupy separate worlds, so you can choose the one that sounds most interesting and follow it from beginning to end.
- For classic epic fantasy: Start with Pawn of Prophecy and read The Belgariad, followed by The Malloreon.
- For a seasoned knight and political intrigue: Begin with The Diamond Throne and continue through The Elenium and The Tamuli.
- For a separate world of gods and supernatural conflict: Start with The Elder Gods and follow The Dreamers in order.
- For more background on Garion’s world: Read Belgarath the Sorcerer, Polgara the Sorceress, and The Rivan Codex after the main ten-book saga.
- For a standalone fantasy adventure: Try The Redemption of Althalus.
- For fiction outside fantasy: Consider High Hunt, The Losers, or Regina’s Song.
About David Eddings
David Eddings was an American novelist best known for his epic fantasy series, including The Belgariad, The Malloreon, The Elenium, The Tamuli, and The Dreamers. His books are known for their prophecies, magical systems, fictional kingdoms, witty dialogue, and groups of companions who work together to face threats larger than themselves.
Eddings studied at Reed College and the University of Washington and served in the United States Army before establishing himself as a novelist. He published High Hunt in 1973 before moving into the fantasy genre with Pawn of Prophecy in 1982.
His wife, Leigh Eddings, contributed to his writing throughout their career. She received explicit co-author credit on several later books, including Belgarath the Sorcerer, Polgara the Sorceress, and The Dreamers series. Their work helped create a connected body of fantasy that continues to attract readers who enjoy long quests, complex fictional histories, and character-driven adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first David Eddings book to read?
For his best-known fantasy work, start with Pawn of Prophecy, the first Belgariad novel. If you want to read his earliest published fiction, begin with High Hunt, which was released in 1973 and is not a fantasy novel.
How many books are in The Belgariad?
The Belgariad contains five novels: Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician’s Gambit, Castle of Wizardry, and Enchanters’ End Game. It is followed by the five-book Malloreon series.
Should I read The Belgariad before The Malloreon?
Yes. The Malloreon is a direct sequel and assumes you already know Garion, his companions, and the outcome of the original quest. Reading The Belgariad first also prevents major spoilers.
Where do Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress fit?
These companion novels provide more history about two important characters from the Belgariad and Malloreon. The easiest approach is to read the main ten novels first, then enjoy the companion books for additional context.
Are The Elenium and The Tamuli connected?
Yes. The Tamuli is the sequel to The Elenium, and both trilogies follow Sparhawk and his companions. Read The Diamond Throne, The Ruby Knight, and The Sapphire Rose before beginning Domes of Fire.
Is The Dreamers connected to the Belgariad?
No. The Dreamers takes place in a separate fantasy world with its own mythology and characters. You can read it independently without first completing the Belgariad or Elenium series.
Did Leigh Eddings co-write David Eddings’s books?
Leigh Eddings contributed to his writing, and David acknowledged her involvement in their work. She was explicitly credited as co-author on several later titles, including Belgarath the Sorcerer, Polgara the Sorceress, The Rivan Codex, and The Dreamers series.
What is David Eddings’s best-known series?
The Belgariad and its sequel, The Malloreon, are among his best-known works. Together, they form a ten-book fantasy saga following Garion and his companions through a conflict involving prophecies, magic, and rival powers.
Are David Eddings’s standalone novels fantasy?
Not all of them. The Redemption of Althalus is a standalone fantasy novel, while High Hunt is contemporary fiction and Regina’s Song is a suspense novel. The Losers also differs from his epic fantasy work.
What should I read after finishing The Belgariad and The Malloreon?
If you want to stay in Garion’s world, continue with Belgarath the Sorcerer, Polgara the Sorceress, and The Rivan Codex. If you want a new fantasy setting, start The Elenium with The Diamond Throne or explore The Dreamers beginning with The Elder Gods.
Final Note
David Eddings’s bibliography offers several different ways into epic fantasy, but The Belgariad remains the strongest starting point for most new readers. Beginning with Pawn of Prophecy and continuing through The Malloreon gives you the central ten-book adventure before you explore the companion novels or his other fantasy worlds.
If you prefer a more experienced hero and a darker political conflict, try The Elenium and The Tamuli. For a separate mythology centered on gods and mortal allies, The Dreamers is another complete series worth exploring.
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