Rating: 
Summary: Sceptic convinced
Review: One of the presents I received for Christmas this year was Eragon -- complete with personalized autographed signature from the author! My sister was very proud of her gift for me and assured me it was wonderful and would be a collector's item one day. I wasn't so sure - the book is self-published, and the author so young. I'm a voracious reader, but I'd like to think that my taste is discerning, whether I'm reading fantasy or other genres. Tolkien introduced me to the wonders of reading 20+ years ago, when I was in the second grade and I credit him with the fact that I actually have been consistently disappointed with many fantasy novels, because so many simply don't have believable characters, cultures, and/or environments. Other than a few select authors, I actually have come to avoid the genre (for the curious -- Tolkien is a god; I enjoy C.S. Lewis; Anne McCaffrey and her collaborations; Robert Jordan; Elizabeth Kerner; Patricia McKillip ... Ursula K. LeGuin, The Wrinkle in Time books, etc., and do enjoy J.K. Rowling). So I began Eragon fully expecting to be disappointed, and to have to pretend to have liked the book when my sister asked me about it. I would put Paolini's work up with Elizabeth Kerner's, or with J.K. Rowling -- his dragon is well-written, his characters believable (and make mistakes) -- there is a richness in the world he writes which makes me want to know more. I too am anxiously awaiting Eldest. This is just his first foray -- who knows where the world he's created will grow? I think many of us forget that the depth we so love among some of the 'established' authors, was merely hinted at in their first works. I don't know Christopher Paolini from Adam -- I doubt I'll ever meet him. There's no reason for me to want to review this book, other than the fact that I was impressed by his work. One thing of which I am certain -- I am definitely the proud owner of a book which will one day be a collector's item.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiration of a Lifetime
Review: Eragon is a powerful book, with fascinating characters, fantastic creatures galore, and a plot you'll instantly love. It's unforgettable, spellbinding, and absolutely addictive. To think that it was written by a teenager not much older than me is difficult to swallow, but it is also a great inspiration.
Christopher Paolini's success inspires other teenagers to devote themselves to what they love, with passion and determination to reach their own elusive goals. Eragon's success has given me the courage to continue pursuing my own talents and it has helped show me that teenagers are not as obsolete as I once believed.
Eragon's joys, his triumphs, his pain, his losses, and his determination to stay true to himself are felt by all who have shared his story. We will all remember Eragon and Saphira, and the long journey they have undertaken.
Thank you, Christopher Paolini, for giving us such a beautiful treasure.
Rating:
Summary: good book
Review: I have been into fantasy and sci fi for a long time now, and I must say, your book is great. If read the entire lord of the rings trilogy, every single hitchhikers guide to the galaxy book, and every single magic the gathering book. And lord of the rings aside, your book was five times better than any fantasy book iv read.
Jeremy Furtado
Rating:
Summary: A librarian's choice
Review: I am a middle school librarian and learned of Eragon in September 2002 from an online e-mail Texas Teachers Listserve. The author had visited a group of Texas high schools in the Houston area. Tina Sanders, Librarian, Clear Brook H.S., Clear Creek ISD, Houston area, sent this to the list:
"Christopher Paolini visited our school on September 13, 2002. His presentation of 45 minutes held the attention of a multi-level group of students in the library for the entire time. Appearing in 14th century Italian costume, he begins by discussing how he changed from a boy who hated to read, to a young man who graduated at age 15, and began his first novel, which including the editing, took him three years to complete." "By reading excerpts from his book, while illustrating his dragon Saphira, Christopher held the attention of our students, who went from only feigned interest to surrounding the young author for autographs. I highly recommend Christopher Paolini as a visiting author. He will inform, inspire, as well as entertain his audiences for years to come." I purchased my own copy of Eragon and was very impressed. I love this book. The world that the author has created is special and magical. Christopher Paolini is gifted storyteller. He's made a fan out of me, a 47-year-old lady. I was one of the librarians who nominated Eragon for the American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults 2003 Award. I hope Eragon wins a spot in the top ten, if not the number one position. We received news from our latest copy of Publishers Weekly (12/16/02 issue--Hot Deals) that Christopher Paolini signed with the Knopf publishing company, who will release Eragon in hardcover in September 2003. Knopf is prestigious imprint of Random House. Good for you! Mary
Rating:
Summary: Awsome!
Review: If you enjoy reading or watching Lord of the rings, you
will definetly enjoy this book! I finished this book
within 3 days. I'm on my 3rd time reading it. This is a
major page turner! Lots of action and secrets!
Rating:
Summary: Eragon rules!
Review: Eragon rules!!... I read it and didn't want to put it down. What can I say that hasn't been said. JUST WOW!!... I can't wait for the next book and the Movie. Trust me I'll be one of the first people to get the book or buy the movie tickets. Thank you Christopher!!... I am so glad I was able to see you in the Spokane Hastings. Cindy Lenz
Rating:
Summary: Great work! When is the next book due?
Review: My librarian said to read Eragon. I am excited to be reading Eragon. I am so very excited that someone has finnally come up with a fantasy with dragons that actually sounds cool which I haven't said that about to many books at all.
Brandon Bennett
Rating:
Summary: A diamond
Review: The students in my class brought Eragon to my attention. I teach upper-level undergraduate literature classes. It is rare that I hear about books other than the ones in the syllabus. The students are busy with their class assignments and required reading. It is gratifying that they desire to read outside of class. One young woman in my class, Anne, acquired Eragon from her sister in Seattle. Anne read Eragon non-stop two months ago and was effusive in her praise for the plot, characters, and the dragon eye on the book's cover. Anne recommended Eragon to three students in my class who belong to the Society for Creative Anachronism. They are unusual characters. I need say no more. When these three completed Eragon, they talked it up to the rest of my class, which is comprised of 68 students. The syllabus for my classes are set at the beginning of the semester. I cannot change what the requirements for the class are. I saw something in my students that I have not seen in years, namely, strong emotion related to books, so I decided to offer, for those who were interested, a study group on Eragon led by me, not my teaching assistant, outside of class hours. I needed to read Eragon first. I do not read much popular fiction. I was pleasantly surprised, entertained, and enjoyed Eragon. It is a diamond amongst the formulaic novels that bookstores love to sell. The study group was offered on a voluntary basis; no extra credit was to be earned by attending. I was astonished to find 31 of my 68 students at the study group. We have met three times to discuss Eragon's plot structure, characters, character development, themes, archetypes, and continuity. We also compare and contrast Eragon with other similar books. I can heap nothing but praise for the young author of Eragon, Christopher Paolini. He has made my job easier by stimulating the minds and emotions of my students. I hope that they continue through the rest of their lives to find books like Eragon, books that fire the imagination. You have my thanks. Never in my twenty- two years in the university milieu, have I ever had students want to do anything outside of class, least of all, a non-credit study group for a non-required book, one that does not count toward their class grade. I will work Eragon into my required reading list next fall and make it part of my curriculum. Thank you, Christopher Paolini. You have made my job as a professor fun again. Karen Anderson
Rating:
Summary: Multi-level Fantasy Adventure
Review: Eragon's cover is "eye"-catching. From the first Map to the final message, one becomes engrossed in the complexity of the tale and it's presentation. BEWARE! Allot time for this book as one will be willing to forfeit food, sleep and work for what is developing next. When one reaches the last of this book, it will be a long, lonesome time until Book II, Eldest, is at hand. Eragon is for the young to the young-at-heart. I am so enthused that my husband used his short time from work to enjoy this tale and is eagerly awaiting Book II, Eldest.
Rating: 
Summary: Cliche epic fantasy
Review: I'm not surprised a teenager wrote this book. The book was very cliche and the plot and characters have been seen in countless fantasy novels published before. The romance was weak the the danger so brooding as to be dull. Avoid this work.
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