I've got Althalus too. It started promising, I got about a third, maybe half the way through before something else distracted me. It did seem like a fresh direction for him. Good twist in the plot.
My main issue with Eddings was the character development. The interrelation was very limited. (Garion and Ce'Nedras communication was terrible) And I started getting the feeling than any one character could have his lines substituted for anothers without to much problem.
All Eddings women teased the men whether it was Polgara vs Belgarath, Ce'Nedra vs Belgarion or a harlot vs Radek of Boktor! And now Emmy vs Althalus!!! AAAARRRRGGGG!!
Compare this to Nakor the Isalani (Feist) for difference in communication style or Mara of the Acomas (Feist/Wurts) varied ways of relating depending on the circumstances.
I am an Eddings fan though, just a disappointed one.
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