Christopher Paolini's books have been worshipped by lovers of fantasy all over the world. His Inheritance Cycle (formerly trilogy before he decided to extend the series) has made him famous and has resulted in a major motion picture. But what of the man (or boy, at some stages) behind these ... Read review
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poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny magic and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands - 'A winner - tip of the hat to young master Paolini' Anne McCaffrey author of The Dragonriders of Pern series'A compelling and action-filled adventure . . . a galloping good example of its genre' Daily Telegraph'This book is an achievement. Readers . . . will be transported' Sunday Times' A portrayal of true affection between boy and dragon - Paolini writes like someone gripped by his own story' Guardian'A stirring fantasy of epic proportions' The Bookseller
that will ensure fans of Paolini'sEragonwill find its much-anticipated sequel every bit as readable and captivating. This young author, who wrote that debut (very long) novel aged fifteen, has shed some his earlier less convincing turns of phrase and tendancies to homage other inspirational works, to come up with a deeper second novel that is more assured, better balanced and distinctly original.Picking up from the exact point where its predecessor gave way, Eldest begins with dragon rider and now shade slayer, Eragon, on the battlefield of his greatest triumph. He is saddened by the death and carnage before him, and fearful for the future. King Galbatorix is, despite this battle won, still the cruel ruler of the Empire and must be defeated. Together with the beautiful and elegant dragon, Saphira, with whom he can communicate without speech, they must travel to Ellesmera - fabled land of the Elves to undergo further training in magic, swordsmanship and other worldly necessities.Meanwhile, in his homeland, in the village of Carvahall, Eragon's cousin Roran faces challenges of his own. The king's men, and the dark creature that instructs them, lay siege to the tiny mountain community in the hope of finding Roran, and thus lead them to Eragon. After fierce resistance, Roran leads the villagers on a long, arduous journey to salvation (hopefully) with the community known as the Varden.Told in alternate chapters, the stories of both young men on separate missions give this `difficult second novel' a refreshing feel. Eragon is still the star, but has a substantial second cast to make this novel a worthy sequel to the first book and a tantalising bridge to the final chapter in volume three.(Age 12 and over) --John McLay
originality and a cracking plot.Eragonhas. This is the first book in Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Trilogy, which he began writing when aged only 15, is an amazing debut that demonstrates a written maturity beyond its creator's years. Any rough edges borne through inexperience are quickly forgiven as his story takes the reader on an imaginative journey by way of a host of likable and interesting characters and several breathtaking and dramatic sequences of high fantasy.Eragon's adventure begins when he is out hunting one day in the mountainous region of his world known as the Spine. While eyeing-up a tasty deer with his bow, his aim is disturbed by a polished blue stone that explodes from the sky and narrowly misses him. The oval shaped object, cool and frictionless to his touch, weighs several pounds and it turns out to be his only reward from his day's hunting session. Returning to his home town Carvahall, Eragon's unsuccessful attempts to exchange the stone for meat for his family begins a run of bad luck that will eventually force him to flee his place of birth. This heralds the beginning of a new destiny for him.The stone is in fact a dragon's egg and it hatches in Eragon's company--making him the first new Dragon Rider for many years. Suddenly, the fate of the Empire rests in his hands and he must navigate a dark and dangerous terrain, and some formidable enemies, to challenge the might of a king whose evil is limitless.Despite its classic quest format there are enough new ideas and twists and turns to make it stand out among its legion of competitors in the genre.Eragonbegins a bigger story that continues with the follow-upEldest. Suitable for readers aged 12 and over. --John McLay
originality and a cracking plot.Eragonhas. This is the first book in Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Trilogy, which he began writing when aged only 15, is an amazing debut that demonstrates a written maturity beyond its creator's years. Any rough edges borne through inexperience are quickly forgiven as his story takes the reader on an imaginative journey by way of a host of likable and interesting characters and several breathtaking and dramatic sequences of high fantasy.Eragon's adventure begins when he is out hunting one day in the mountainous region of his world known as the Spine. While eyeing-up a tasty deer with his bow, his aim is disturbed by a polished blue stone that explodes from the sky and narrowly misses him. The oval shaped object, cool and frictionless to his touch, weighs several pounds and it turns out to be his only reward from his day's hunting session. Returning to his home town Carvahall, Eragon's unsuccessful attempts to exchange the stone for meat for his family begins a run of bad luck that will eventually force him to flee his place of birth. This heralds the beginning of a new destiny for him.The stone is in fact a dragon's egg and it hatches in Eragon's company--making him the first new Dragon Rider for many years. Suddenly, the fate of the Empire rests in his hands and he must navigate a dark and dangerous terrain, and some formidable enemies, to challenge the might of a king whose evil is limitless.Despite its classic quest format there are enough new ideas and twists and turns to make it stand out among its legion of competitors in the genre.Eragonbegins a bigger story that continues with the follow-upEldest. Suitable for readers aged 12 and over. --John McLay
that will ensure fans of Paolini'sEragonwill find its much-anticipated sequel every bit as readable and captivating. This young author, who wrote that debut (very long) novel aged fifteen, has shed some his earlier less convincing turns of phrase and tendancies to homage other inspirational works, to come up with a deeper second novel that is more assured, better balanced and distinctly original.Picking up from the exact point where its predecessor gave way, Eldest begins with dragon rider and now shade slayer, Eragon, on the battlefield of his greatest triumph. He is saddened by the death and carnage before him, and fearful for the future. King Galbatorix is, despite this battle won, still the cruel ruler of the Empire and must be defeated. Together with the beautiful and elegant dragon, Saphira, with whom he can communicate without speech, they must travel to Ellesmera - fabled land of the Elves to undergo further training in magic, swordsmanship and other worldly necessities.Meanwhile, in his homeland, in the village of Carvahall, Eragon's cousin Roran faces challenges of his own. The king's men, and the dark creature that instructs them, lay siege to the tiny mountain community in the hope of finding Roran, and thus lead them to Eragon. After fierce resistance, Roran leads the villagers on a long, arduous journey to salvation (hopefully) with the community known as the Varden.Told in alternate chapters, the stories of both young men on separate missions give this `difficult second novel' a refreshing feel. Eragon is still the star, but has a substantial second cast to make this novel a worthy sequel to the first book and a tantalising bridge to the final chapter in volume three.(Age 12 and over) --John McLay
Advantages: Great writing, characters, plot and presentation. Disadvantages: NONE
Christopher Paolini's books have been worshipped by lovers of fantasy all over the world. His Inheritance Cycle (formerly trilogy before he decided to extend the series) has made him famous and has resulted in a major motion picture. But what of the man (or boy, at some stages) behind these works of genius?
Well, Christopher Paolini was born on the 17th November 1983 in Southern California. He was raised by his parents, Kenneth Paolini and Talita ... ...on demand printing company and Christopher toured school and libraries to promote it, dressed in a medieval get up. Finslly Paolini got his big break when Knopf (part of Random House) came to hear of the book and had it published.
Eragon debuted at #3 on the New York Times bestseller list, and quickly moved to #1 on the children's bestseller lists nationally, with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix at #2.
Between them, Eragon and it's sequel ...
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Advantages: well written and enjoyable Disadvantages: too short
...of the varden rebels
i would reccomend this as a read to anyone and everyone, even if you havnt got the patience to read it then buy the audio books and listen to it in the car on the way to work, or while relaxing in the bath after a long day.
Well done ChristopherPaolini!...
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Advantages: excellent story - captures imagination and is truly a fantasy Disadvantages: story is not original - but what is anymore? slightly predictable.
Advantages: Will wanto to read it over and over again Disadvantages: The price is quite expensive
...This book is awe inspiring writen by ChristopherPaolini at the age of 15 whilst he was still in high school.
Set in medieval times, Eragon is a poor teenage boy who finds what he thinks is a blue stone, but is really a dragon egg. After the egg hatches, Eragon finds he can communicate telepathically with the dragon. The evil Galbatorix, in search of the dragon egg, burns down his uncle's farm, killing his uncle. Eragon and Saphira (the dragon), accompanied by the storyteller and wizard, Brom, set out in search of Galbatorix to avenge the death. As Brom trains him in the way of swordplay and magic, their journey leads to more entanglements, friends, and foes.
I love this book and I think that ChristopherPaolini has done well to tackle the evident hardness of writing fantasy books although in some places of the book I believe he...
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01.09.2007
05.08.2006
