Match these characters' personalities with the characters in Redemption. You'll be surprised:
Ce'Nedra -> Andine (down to the voice!)
Errand/Erriond -> cannot remember name, but there was this oh-so-surprising urchin
Silk + Belgarath -> Althalus
Polgara -> Dweia
Even some of the "races" in the earlier books are recycled here. Buh. I didn't know you could plagiarize yourself.
And the villains are simply pathetic. They have no brains to speak of, and less personality depth. Gah, we don't even ever see things from their point of view. It's just, "I'm evil because I'm evil, not because I have motivations, nor because I have any semblance of personality. Oh, and did I mention I'm evil? Hear me roar!"
Repeated dialogue:
"Be nice."
"Yes, [mother/daddy/terms of endearment]." - said in a resigned, teasing tone.
"I am [insert adjective], or haven't you noticed?"
"I know you'd see things my way."
"Isn't he cute/a darling?" (Probably to inspire, "awww!", but for me, it inspired, "Ow. Ow. My brain hurts.")
Ad nauseum. It's not witty. It's not even mildly amusing anymore. Do you also notice how Eddings' male characters are always bashful and hotheaded, and their women always have to "guide them gently"? I am female myself, and proud of it, but this is just ridiculous.
Damn. Eddings makes even the most hackneyed FR novel look good.
