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The Redemption of Althalus Hardcover – 3 July 2000

by David and Leigh Eddings (Author), Leigh Eddings (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,593 ratings
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A fabulous brand new Eddings standalone fantasy, set in an entirely new magical world.

A bronze-age burglar, armed robber and sometime murderer, our hero Althalus is commissioned to steal a book by a mysterious cloaked stranger named Ghend. Althalus sets off to the House at the End of the World to steal it – after stealing Ghend’s cloak, as well, since winter is coming on. (Althalus is a rogue who can get away with almost anything… maybe with everything!)
At the House at the End of the World, he finds a talking cat… in the same room as the book Ghend described. What he can’t find once he’s in the house is the door by which he entered. Only 2467 years and an ice age later does Althalus re-emerge with the cat, Emmy, in the hood of his (Ghend’s) cloak. By now he can read. He’s read the book and discovered a tool mightier than the blunt instrument he once used to disable his victims. The book was written by the god Deiwos, whose evil brother Daeva is trying to unmake the world. Emmy is in fact their sister and she’s setting out to save the world with Althalus to help her.
No easy task. First there is a quest to unearth the magical knife that will enable Emmy to assemble and command her band of essential helpers: Eliar (young soldier), Andine (leader of a small country), Bheid (black-robed priest), Gher (ten-year old orphan), Leitha (telepath/witch). Their respective commands: lead, obey, illuminate, deceive, listen. Althalus is commanded by the Knife to seek.
Battles follow against Gelta the Queen of Night and the armies of Daeva involving many devious manoeuvres in and out of the House where Doors can be opened (solely by Eliar) to any place at any time. Daeva has his Doors, too. When Daeva can’t win through battle, he tries revolution. When Dweia (Emmy) can’t win any other way, Althalus will persuade her to lie, cheat and steal – reciprocating the lessons in truth, justice and morality Emmy has been giving him for some while.
The existence of the world hangs in the balance and love cannot be guaranteed to triumph in this glorious epic fantasy.

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  1. Print length
    704 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Voyager
  4. Publication date
    3 July 2000
  5. ISBN-10
    0002247542
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0002247542
  7. See all details
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Product description

Amazon Review

Althalus was just a thief, and only a good thief by the standards of the backwoods and hick towns where he spent most of his career; a trip to the big cities of the lowlands almost proved disastrous for him, because he could recognise neither real threats nor even more sophisticated forms of wealth. Hired to steal a magic book, he finds himself imprisoned by a talking cat and subjected to the extensive education that will make him leader of humanity's fight back against a death god and his cadre of thugs. Much of what is best in The Redemption of Althalus has to do with the process whereby he recruits his team--a spoiled princess, a witch rescued from the stake, a barbarian warrior and a street urchin with the brain of a great strategist; once the team is in place and their fight back against conquest and sinister magic begins, victory is more or less assured and a matter of watching a thoroughly entertaining process. It is interesting to see Eddings working on a smaller canvas than usual--there is a fundamental niceness to his books that entirely gets its head here, along with an attractive sense of humour.--Roz Kaveney

Review

‘A graceful, fluid style of storytelling rare in fantasy writing’
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

‘Nobody writes modern fantasy like Eddings’
VECTOR

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Voyager; First UK EDITION (3 July 2000)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 704 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0002247542
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0002247542
  • Customer reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,593 ratings

About the authors

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  1. David Eddings

    David Eddings

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    David Eddings (1931-2009) published his first novel, High Hunt, in 1973, before turning to the field of fantasy with the Belgariad, soon followed by the Malloreon. Born in Spokane, Washington, and raised in the Puget Sound area north of Seattle, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, in 1954, and a master of arts degree from the University of Washington in 1961. He served in the US Army, worked as a buyer for the Boeing Company, and was both a grocery clerk and a college English teacher. He lived in Nevada until his death, at the age of 77.

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  2. Leigh Eddings

    Leigh Eddings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
1,593 global ratings

Top reviews from United Kingdom

Stephen cameron
5.0 out of 5 stars One to read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 May 2024
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This is a book that got me back into read in a big way
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Sarrie
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 February 2014
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I've always loved this book ever since I've first read it in hardback form years ago. The characters are way too relate to. They have flaws, all of them, even the goddess Dweia. The story flows nicely from one character's task to the next. My favourite part was the war and I wish that did last a little longer.

I have a dry, sarcastic sense of humour, so I appreciated the random comments that were obviously examples of the Eddings' humour as they are in other novels as well.

I'd recommend this book as it is easy to read, the depth is there, but it is still easy enough to read and its enjoyable. It's not complex or confusing and there is a character for every one to relate to.
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Chris Wraight
4.0 out of 5 stars Almost there
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2013
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I have been reading Eddings for over two decades now, since my wife bought me Pawn of prophecy for my 23rd Birthday I proceeded to read the entire belgariad series in a little over a week. The malorean took a little longer, Ihad to wait for the books to be published, then it was the elder gods series finally Althalus which I read first on Holiday on France with my Family, a holiday ntable for three things, the wonderful wine, the amazing food and my reluctance for the first week to do anything but read Athalus. I have to admit it took a bit of getting used to his charachters seem to me to be fairly similar in all of his books/series kind of like a good friend you have not seen for several years come back to visit the same but not. Having said that another marvelous tale fromtone of the masters of the Genre, thoroughly enjoyed it this time as well.
2 people found this helpful
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Ell-Jay
5.0 out of 5 stars Eddings excellence
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 September 2023
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If you have never read a David Eddings book then you are missing out. Takes you to a world you can get lost in and where characters come to life.
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hungry like the wolf
5.0 out of 5 stars The story you read again and again
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 June 2023
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I've read this story countless times and still read it as a new book each time. As the story line unfolds, you immerse yourself in to the story along side the players. I've enjoyed reading this novel about An and Althadlus.
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Mrs. S. M. Skinner
5.0 out of 5 stars good things very often get lost
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 June 2015
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I first read this book quite a few years ago, and as so often happens when you move house or even country, as in my case, good things very often get lost. I was therefore delighted to renew my acquaintance with cheeky chappie Althalus. I shall make sure this remains safely on my Kindle. Eddings is a brilliant writer and I am now waiting to renew my acquaintance with Polgara and Belgarath. Just one complaint which is not only related to this book but to many others on Kindle is the large quantity of spelling errors - how someone proof reading can mistake 'trunk' for 'think' is beyond me. Such a shame and it does rather spoil the pleasure of a good read.
5 people found this helpful
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A D W-W
5.0 out of 5 stars Masterful storytelling from a partnership long in the making
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 May 2020
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Another wonderful story from David Eddings (who now admits his wife's part in the creative process). A standalone story from the author of the Belgariad, Malloreon and Dreamers series'. An unsurprisingly well written tale taking in an entire continent and several thousand years, with well rounded characters and little 'in jokes' to keep the prose flowing. Highly recommended as a true escape novel in the best of fantasy styles
2 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Saccharine sweet!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 August 2021
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As an Eddings fan I looked forward to reading this book but was sadly disappointed. The characters felt well known and were a blend of Belgarath, Polgara, Silk, Ce Nedra etc from the Belgarion and Mallorean books! The story line wasn’t brilliant and felt confused and inconsistent, all in all I would pass on this one!
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Linda Szura
5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing read
Reviewed in the United States on 25 May 2024
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I initially read his series, The Elium. His style and storyline kept me intrigued throughout those books. I did have some issue with the seeming repetiveness, but the story itself kept me reading onward. I enjoyed their storyline in this one as well.
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Corey Barduagni
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read
Reviewed in Canada on 20 January 2021
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Once again David and Leigh Eddings have written an enjoyable masterpiece. Hard to put down once started. Looking for more
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Per
5.0 out of 5 stars Christmas gift for my American girlfriend
Reviewed in Sweden on 2 December 2022
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I read this book during a period when I was not feeling well. I liked that it was so easy to read and at the same time made you not want to put it down. (The Swedish version was divided into two books.) Thought that my American girlfriend would have the opportunity to also read and experience the book. Because then it became easier for her to get it in English.
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LollyLee
5.0 out of 5 stars The best I’ve read in a long while
Reviewed in the United States on 24 April 2024
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I thoroughly enjoyed this story from beginning to end. I’m glad it was such a long book, I didn’t want it to end. It was funny too! I found myself laughing out loud quite a few times. Definitely a great read!
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Martin B
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!!!
Reviewed in Canada on 12 February 2017
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Eddings wriites impeccably
I don't think I have to say anything more about it than that. Enjoy the book I have many times
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