THE SEERESS OF KELL

Fifth and final chunk of Eddings's enormous Good vs. Evil fantasy (most recently Sorceress of Darshiva, 1989). Finally, then, we have reached the showdown in the Place Which is No More. Cyradis, the blind title character, must choose between the Light (Garion's candidate, Eriond the godlike) and the Dark (the evil sorceress Zandramas has selected Geran, Garion's young son, as her representative). Naturally, the fate of the entire universe is at stake. The role of the good guys is to counter and neutralize the plots and deceptions of Zandramas, so that Cyriadis can make an honest choice. No prizes for guessing which she chooses. Various Gods, Orbs, dragons, and whatnots embroider the proceedings; Eddings's usual jolly banter enlivens the dialogue; yet the showdown—promised through five long, long novels—amounts to nothing much. Fans and nonfans alike will rejoice that the series is concluded at last.