Once more I haven't quite tided this lot up. Surprise! Really, I shall get it all tidy with little reviews and graphics eventually. Anyways, I think I've got this lot in order. The Belgariad and Malloreon lead on from each other, same universe different quest. Well, two parts of the same quest that look different anyways. Same thing with the Elenium and the Tamuli, different sets in the same universe. But they are a different universe to the first two. Then there are a couple of books that go with the Belgariad etc, not really prequels or sequels, more companion books that make little or no sense until you've read the rest. They explain all about characters that you ahve to learn to care about in the main series, and to me they look like a compilation of all the character notes that couldn't be worked into the main books, though that may be a little unfair. Belgarath and Polgara aren't as readable as books as they are great characters in the series. However I would still recommend them because the character gaps they fill in are just the ones you are left wondering about after you read the rest. Finally there are a couple of books that aren't even fantasy. Imagine that. :-)