I am dying right now, from utter boredom WHILE reading something I remember loving. I feel like I'm merely watching people have a [dull] conversation about one topic. Characters are so accommodating to each other, even the villains and antagonists, that I want to rip out my hair. Everyone is some type of caricature of their sex. Basically, the men are helpless idiots and the women are nags.

And don't get me started on the Prophecy driven plot. I can literally picture these characters walking around with a script on what to do or say. It's a freaking DERPfest.

All the flaws in the Belgariad are magnified times ten in the Mallorean. If I have to read another "Yes, dear." from one of the characters, I will drown myself.