Belgariad reading order (Pawn of Prophecy, 1982)
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Pawn of Prophecy
1982
Belgariad reading order: start with Pawn of Prophecy (1982), then the Malloreon. Belgarath and Polgara are after-the-fact companions — not book one.
Short answer · Start here
Pawn of Prophecy
It is book one of The Belgariad (1982). Then the four sequels, then the five Malloreon novels. Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress look like origins. They are written from after both quintets. Do not start there.
Two finished five-book runs, then two companion novels that spoil both endings. Chronology charts put Belgarath and Polgara first because they cover thousands of years before Pawn. That path is a reread map. Publication order is the first visit.
The Elenium / Tamuli is a different Eddings world. It is not Belgariad 13.
The Belgariad
| # | Title | Year | Notes | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Pawn of ProphecyStart here | 1982 | Start here. | |
| 2 |  Queen of Sorcery | 1982 | ||
| 3 |  Magician's Gambit | 1983 | ||
| 4 |  Castle of Wizardry | 1984 | ||
| 5 |  Enchanters' End Game | 1984 | Closes the first five. |
Read them in this order. There is no contested start inside these five.
The Malloreon — after, same cast
| # | Title | Year | Notes | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Guardians of the West | 1987 | Same world, a few years later. After Enchanters' End Game. | |
| 2 |  King of the Murgos | 1988 | ||
| 3 |  Demon Lord of Karanda | 1988 | ||
| 4 |  Sorceress of Darshiva | 1989 | ||
| 5 |  The Seeress of Kell | 1991 | Closes the Malloreon. |
The Malloreon opens after the Belgariad’s ending is settled history. Do not start on Guardians of the West for a first Garion visit.
Companion novels — after both quintets
| Title | Year | Notes | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
 Belgarath the SorcererDo not start here | 1995 | Narrated from after the Malloreon. Chronology first; publication eleventh. Do not start here. | |
 Polgara the Sorceress | 1997 | After Belgarath. Same rule. |
Contested chrono, labeled: both companions cover the deep past. Both assume you already know how the ten novels resolve. Belgarath first, then Polgara, if you want them at all.
House rule: Belgariad → Malloreon → companions optional. Stop after Enchanters’ End Game if five books is enough.
Common mistakes
- Starting with Belgarath the Sorcerer because it is “earlier.”
- Starting with Guardians of the West because a shop lists Malloreon as a separate series.
- Mixing in The Diamond Throne (Elenium) as Belgariad 6.
- Treating the two companion novels as required prequels.
What to read next
- The Elenium is a different Eddings shelf. Start The Diamond Throne only if you want Sparhawk, not Garion.
- Shannara (Terry Brooks) — If you want another long Four Lands shelf where book one and the recommended door are not the same argument.
- Osten Ard (Tad Williams) — If you want another classic epic whose “prequel” label does not mean book one. Start at The Dragonbone Chair.
- Valdemar (Mercedes Lackey) — If you want another 1980s epic whose omnibus chronology is not book one. Start at Arrows of the Queen (1987).
- Stop after Enchanters’ End Game. The Belgariad five are a complete visit.
FAQ
Can I start with Belgarath?
Not for a first read. It spoils both quintets early.
Do I need the Malloreon?
No. The Belgariad closes. The Malloreon is more of the same cast.
Is the Elenium connected?
No. Different world. Either sequence first.
Publication or chronological?
Publication for a first visit. Chronology only after you already know the endings.
Sources
- Penguin Random House, The Belgariad — publisher series list for the first five. Opened 2026-09-22.
- Penguin Random House, The Malloreon — publisher series list for the sequel five. Opened 2026-09-22.
Common questions
Asked about this shelf
- Start the Belgariad with Belgarath?
No. Pawn of Prophecy.
Same shelf
