Locus Online reports that best selling fantasy author David Eddings, 77, died June 2, 2009 at home in Carson City, Nevada.
David Eddings’ first novel was High Hunt published in 193. Starting in the 1980’s with his wife as an initially unaccredited co-author he wrote several series of best selling fantasy series, mostly centering on gods, magic gems and somewhat dumb and whiny farm boys and princesses.
David Eddings’ wife and co-author, Leigh Eddings died in February 2007.
I read all of the Belgariad, Malloreon, The Elenium and The Tamuli series. The Belgariad and Malloreon combo was a good simplistic if a bit repetitive fantasy but the Elenium was the best overall as Eddings adding a number of more sophisticated political elements. The Tamuli suffered from being very similar to the Belgariad, and Malloreon, as different gods and their magic gems faced off. This continued theme lead me to stop reading Eddings’ books part way through his final series, The Dreamers.
Overall, if a young teen has finished Harry Potter and you think Tolkien is too complex, the Belgariad can be very good choice.
Update: Coverage at Random House's (parent of his publisher Del Rey Books)Suvudu.