Eragon

Rating:
Summary: A great begining that will leave you eagerly awaiting more!
Review: "Eragon" is the first book in the Inheritence trilogy (the other two books haven't been written yet). It is the story about a fifteen-year-old farm boy named Eragon who discovers a mysterious blue stone in the forest near his home. At first, Eragon intends to sell it for much-needed money, but when a very rare and powerful dragon hatches from the "stone", Eragon is immediately thrown into an adventure that he isn't prepared for! He's forced to flee his village with his dragon, Saphira, and an old storyteller, Brom, after his grandfather is brutally murdered. Before long, Eragon finds himself unwillingly at the center of an ongoing war between elves, dwarves, men, primitive Urgals, fiendish Shades, and the evil King Galbatorix.

With elves, dwarves, magic, and all of the other fantasy elements in the story, it's impossible to ignore the similarities between this book and the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. But, even so, "Eragon" is still a very entertaining book with plenty of originality. Christopher Paolini uses the perfect amount of detail to make the story incredibly believable, but not so much that the story drags on longer than it needs to. Though there were a few slow parts, especially in the beginning, there was enough suspense built up to keep you reading and wondering about what would happen next. All of the main characters in "Eragon" have their own unique personalities, and the way they interact with each other makes them seem very real. Actually, though "Eragon" is obviously a fantasy book, many aspects of it were quite realistic, such as Eragon's numerous self-doubts and weaknesses: two things that main characters often lack. Even the made-up geography and languages of Paolini's world are very intricate and well thought-out.

The only thing that might annoy some people about "Eragon" is that it's very complicated and often confusing at times. There over fifty different names of people, places, and animals that are used throughout the story, so if it weren't for the glossary and maps in the back of the book, I would have been hopelessly lost! But if you really enjoy reading fantasy/adventure stories like "Lord of the Rings", then you shouldn't let that stop you from reading "Eragon"! The continuous excitement and suspense will surely keep you hooked throughout the whole first part of Eragon's long journey!

Rating:
Summary: familiar but fun
Review: I must admit, I went into this book expecting to dislike it. I even delayed reading it for a while, only now getting around to it. I thought the media hype and advertising, and the novelty of a 15 year old writer, were the only reason it was getting anywhere. However, I got around to reading it, and found myself enjoying it. Yes, of course it has all the elements of a cliched fantasy, but sometimes I don't have a problem with reading a good old-fashioned fantasy. It's familiar and comfortable, but still a good story, and in this case written out in a nice way. Recognizable from other books we've read, yes. That does not mean it has to be a bad book. Reading the reviews on this site, one thing that has especially irked me is how people stress the unoriginality and resemblance to Tolkien. Tolkien, while revolutionary, was not totally original himself, using many old archetypes, legendary creatures, and fairy tale background. Some people have blamed Paolini for copying Tolkien, citing things like his use of one main guy on a quest with a old wise advisor (Gandalf/Brom). This especially is not just copying Tolkien, it is use of the universal archetype of the quest journey, and exactly this situation is found in old folk tales from throughout the world. Why? Well, it makes sense to have an old wise advisor-can't you see that in real life? In conclusion: familiar but fun. Many of the same cliches have been used in adult epic fantasy with much worse writing, taste, and interest. (...)

Rating:
Summary: Somewhat Lacking
Review: The fact that this author is young does IS amazing, however the literary work is not so impressive. Yes, it is in-depth and has the normal twists and turns of fantasy books, but it lacks the craftsmanship of better writers. I believe this author has not yet acheived the ability to create 'atmosphere' liek many others have been able to. If you are interested in a hard-core fantasy series, Robert Jordan's 'Wheel of Time' is a great one to start in. With over 9 books, its completely comprehensive; the first books being easy enought o read for all people, and the latter ones being rediculously awesome and complex. A must read.

Rating:
Summary: Two and a half stars: The confusing truth.
Review: I'm 11 yrs old, and the first time I read this book, I was mildly impressed. It sounds like the author had talent, and people really did think the story was awesome, but if he just edited and critisized himself, Eragon could be a lot better. However, its true, there were too many copies from McCaffery and Tolkein and so many others it could hardly be called original.

Really, though, Eragon was pretty good. It flowed unevenly, but not to the point where you couldn't understand it. Characterization, however, was awful. Eragon behaved nothing like the 15 yr old person I expected him to be. Some chapters he was arrogant, others humble, and sometimes painfully cheesy(like where he complements Murtagh on his skill with a sword. CHEESY!). And Eragon was just plain unlikeable. Brom was plain stupid. I hated him. He seemed to feel every sort of emotion in one chapter, then became the Gandalf-like teacher who was boringly patient. Arya was pitiful. She's unconsious the time where we could have gotten to know her, then she's nearly arrogant when she beats Eragon. That was the only time I actually was on the side of Eragon. Saphira was funny, witty, and sassy. I liked the dragon; somehow, this is the only character I find cool. Murtagh is boring, not being given enough speaking parts. Angela and her werecat were interesting, but not cool. There was also a girl near the end who was a good lead character, I forgot her name. She and Arya should have switched and the girl get more pages.

There were a lot of ripped-off names, which you can find in various reviews. Isenmere, Isengard? That's a bit too much imitation. And is it Eragon-Aragorn, or Eragon-Dragon? Plus, the orc/urgal relationship might have been a fluke, but it went against the author. Arya is a bit like Arwen, but I think that was just a similar name.

Now the important stuff: the writing style. There were bumps that I think an editor couldn't have smoothed out, and I think Paolini should have re-written those parts. It didn't flow. As it says in the Elements of Style (by William Strunk and E.B. White), write in nouns and verbs, not adjectives and adverbs. The author could've benefitted greatly if he'd only work on his voice and style. There are some great tips for any writer( including me) in there. Eragon went to sleep and got knocked out WAY too many times for it to be satisfying. And traveling by foot when a dragon could've been faster over a dangerous desert to get rid of Galbatorix sooner? Silly mistake. Shouldn't the editor have said something? Or was there an editor? At some places, it didn't sound like it. And the many adjectives and adverbs could have been okay if they were slipped in more subtly.

All in all, if you like a story with a basic plotline, read Eragon. If you want characterization, don't read it. As for me, I'm in debate. The author has some talent, but it doesn't show much. I'll wait to find out what happens to Saphira, Angela, and that girl until I know if the author got better.

Rating:
Summary: Very Adictive
Review: I read this book in a day and a halph. It is a very adictive book so I couldn't put it down. The story in this book was magnificent and kept you thirsting for more. I just wish Eldest the next book in this series would come out sooner than August 2005 because he did leave you hanging a lot.

P.S. WAS THIS REALLY WRITTEN BY A 15 YEAR OLD! Doesn't that just really make you sick.

Rating:
Summary: Star Wars meets lord of the Rings??
Review: Borrowing themes from fantasy classics like Tolkien and Science Fiction classics like Star Wars - Eragon was a very enjoyable read. Not impressively original or unique, but very well put together. This is not to say that Paolini fails to impress: he has taken some of the best elements of myths we all love and weaved them into a work that is his own. I very much enjoyed the book, and will definatly follow up with the second volume of the yet-to-be-materialized trilogy. Give us more Christopher - the world needs more fantasy!

Rating:
Summary: To all you kids and other 5 star reviewers
Review: This is to all of you kids out there and other 5 star reviewers for this book. I realize at this early stage in your life this book may amaze you. Nothing wrong with that. I aks only that you come back to this book in a few years after you have (hopefully) explored some of the real works of fantasy literature. I won't even compare this book to LOTR--that's like comparing apples to oranges (one written by a brilliant linguist for adults--no--I'm not talking about the Hobbit--the other written by an ambitious kid with more family connections than talent). Hold this up to Lloyd alexander's Prydian books, or Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising series for example--after all this is at heart a kids book. I think in a few years you 5 star reviewers may feel a bit embaressed by all of your gushing praise for what is really just a sub-par rip off of a wide variety of books. Sure--everyone is influenced by boosk the've reasd in the past. There is a big difference however between being influenced and blatanlty ripping off whole story lines and plot devices verbatim (and no Christopher--it doesn't make it "OK" that you simply cahnged the names a bit). This book truly reminds me of stories I wrote in 5th grade. If that's what you are looking for, dive right in.

Oh--and all you poor souls saying this is the best book ever? Well, first I understand your juvenile glee in finding a book you really enjoy. At the same time, I can only roll my eyes. I hope you'll grow up to realize the lunacy of that statement.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing!!!!
Review: I would highly recommend this book, Eragon, by Christopher Paolini. It has detail, good action and has an amazing story. Eragon is a poor farm boy. He stumbles upon a blue rock in the Spine (a mountain range that has a lot of superstitions surrounding it). He thinks it may buy him meat for the year but it buys him way more. He goes to the meat store and offers the rock to Sloan, the butcher. Sloan refuses because he doesn't want anything from the Spine. Luckily, Horst buys him the meat.
Later the rock starts to crack and he discovers it is not a rock at all but an ancient dragon egg. He knows he has stumbled upon something great but it is also a problem because the dragon eats a lot of meat. He asks the storyteller, Brom, to tell him about the dragon stories while he is raising it. Brom tells the stories, but he already knows that Eragon has a dragon. Brom turns out to be able to weave magic and he teaches Eragon magic. They have many adventures and eventually they are headed towards the Varden. The Varden is a resistance against the evil king, Galbatorix. I liked it most when Eragon said,"Brisingr!" while he shot an arrow and he killed three urgals. He didn't even know what he did. What will happen to Eragon? Find out; read this book. This book is right for anyone.

Rating:
Summary: interesting enough, but not unique.
Review: For those who haven't read tolkien, this would be a thrilling adventure. But for those who have read the Lord of the Rings, you would find a lot of similarities in the two books, such as havingthe elves, dwarves and human races and the nature of each. Brom played almost the same role as Gandalf in the book, both having guided and taught the heros of the stories.
While the theme of the book is not very original, Paolini managed to write it from the interesting view of a 15 years old. There was a lot of fun in the book and definitely had more humour than Lord of the Rings.

Rating:
Summary: Better than Harry Potter?
Review: I have read and reread all of the Harry Potter books and then I found this book and the cover looked interesting. So I decided to read it and see if there was anything special to Eragon. I was mad when the book was finished and I can't wait for the 2nd book in the series. And was it better than Harry Potter? I think it was and not only that I think this book can compare to the Lord of the Rings series as well. This is without a doubt the best book I have ever read in my life. I can only hope that a movie will be made about it. And I will also hope it is not a movie with alot of parts missing in it...... anyways this book is flawless except that it ends way to soon.