David Eddings once again proves that he is one of the best authors of epic fantasy around. A thouroughly enjoyable book, though more than slighlty formulaic and as is common in David Eddings' work some really annoying parts. Not much substance but good all the same. Other books within the same category fantasy   Blood of the Ancients by Kevin Scott Munnings Shadow of a Dark Queen by Raymond Feist The Dragon Knight by Gordon R. Dickson The Sacrifice (The First Book of the Fey) by Kristine Kathryn Rusch Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay Tower of the King's Daughter by Chaz Brenchley Wysard by Carolyn Kephart