Start the Belgariad with Belgarath?
Should you start the Belgariad with Belgarath the Sorcerer? No. Start with Pawn of Prophecy. Belgarath and Polgara spoil both quintets.
Short answer · Start here
No. Pawn of Prophecy.
Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress are companion novels narrated from after the Belgariad and Malloreon. For a first visit, start with Pawn of Prophecy (1982).
Why chronology lies here
Belgarath and Polgara cover thousands of years before Garion leaves the farm. Chronology charts therefore put them first. Both books are written from after The Seeress of Kell. They treat the endings of ten novels as settled history.
Pawn of Prophecy is Belgariad book one in print. The Malloreon five come after Enchanters’ End Game. The companions come after that, Belgarath then Polgara, if you want them at all.
The working order
Belgariad five → Malloreon five → companions optional. The Elenium / Tamuli is a different Eddings world. Full tables on the Belgariad / Malloreon reading-order guide.
FAQ
Can I skip the Malloreon?
Yes. The Belgariad closes.
Is Polgara first?
No. After Belgarath, and only after both quintets.
Elenium first instead?
Allowed as a completely separate Eddings door. Not Belgariad book one.
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