Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: I agree with Ivy Review: Okay. This kid can write. True. But...the incessant versions of things other than said (assured was one that irked me severely) was aggravating. And the story was SOO cliched, it was incredible. I really could barely stand it. It was just a jumble of every fantasy story you've ever read. And I don't think he "was inspired by" Tolkien. Get it right. He copied him.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: Not entirely original, but fun just the same Review: To everyone who keeps saying that the themes in this book have been done before, I do agree that there are many parallels between Eragon and The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, and other fantasy series. However, as a book for young people, I still think it is well-written and enjoyable and very well done for a teen-age author. I don't think many kids his age could do as well. Most kids are not going to sit there and analyze the story and criticize it because it's too much like another book. Kids just enjoy a good story that keeps them engrossed, and these days I'm in favor of anything that will keep kids reading.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: A Good Book... Review: Eragon is, without question, a good book-in fact, when I was reading it for the first time I could hardly put it down. However, when you read it for the second and third times, you start to see the similarities between it and so many other fantasy epics...most prominent, Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings. Star Wars, particularly-a boy's family is killed, he goes with an old man who has a mysterious past away from his homeland, rescues a beautiful woman who has, in her last seconds of freedom, transported something that is of vital importance to the survival of a rebellion-the examples go on and on. In contrast, though, I thought that Saphira, Angela, and Orik were all particularly good characters. They all had fully developed personalities, good senses of humor, and they seemed to be truly figments of the authors imagination-or based on people in real life instead of in other books. I also really liked the description of Tronjheim. The book is engrossing and good fantasy, although you can tell that it is a begining work. I think that the trilogy will get better with time, and I do recommend the book.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: A waste of time and paper... Review: This is a horrible. Do not waste your time. It is contrived to the point of being not interesting and adds nothing to the breadth of fantasy literature or even childrens literature.It is difficult to read as you feel the writer struggling with the thesearus button on his computer. Mr. Paolini may be a writer one day, but this one should not have been published and will plauge him throughout his professional career
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Another Triumphant Fantasy Series Begins Review: Aside form the generic criticism of hardcore fantasy fans, this book has recieved much praise across the literary world, and with good reason. It is straigthforward, easy to read, and entertaining. Who could ask for more? Essentially, Paolini takes other elements of fantasy (i.e. dragons, magic, princesses, evil kings, etc.) and piles it all into one sleek book. The pace is enough to keep you reading, but it never gets too fast, and Paolini does an excellent job of exploiting the core plot elements. The characters themselves are well developed, and highly intriguing. Saphira, the dragon, makes the story. With her keen wit and brash attitude, she becomes perhaps the most well rounded personality. Eragon is very brave, but often thinks before acting. All other characters are less significant, but they are well developed and worth the words taken to portray them. Overall, the book is a must read for almost anyone truly intrigued by fantasy or even just partially intrigued by it. Eragon is a perfect example of what literature is all about. Experiencing an adventure that you can't experience in the real world: a perfect application of the imagination.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: From Gil'ead to the Beor Mountains, an All Around Great Book Review: Wow!!! This was an excellent book, and all you people saying it has been influenced by Tolkein, yes, it has, but in a good way! From the first paragraph, "Wind howled through the stormy night, carry a scent that would change the world. A tall Shade lifted his head and sniffed the air. He looked human except for his crimson hair and maroon eyes", I was hooked, and I couldn't put it down until I had finished the book. I loved the description and the excitement. I mourned and rejoiced with the characters and was caught up completely in the story until the last sentence, which left me begging for more. Gosh! Can you believe that this guy is only eighteen? Can't wait until the next one! Good job to Christopher Paolini!
Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: Eragon Review: i thought this book was okay, because it sounded a lot like Lord of the Rings, with elves, dwarves, and names, such as Eragon to Aragorn. Brom seemed okay, but his having a white great horse was like Shadowfax, and there was a lord of horses in the book. I thought it wasn't bad, but it was just a little too similar to Lord of the Rings.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: The force be with Eragon...and pretty much everyone else too Review: Wow, this book has everything! A slight allusion to the big picture as a blue stone which contains an infant dragon is jettisoned from an elvish caravan pursued by the Empire. The caravan is destroyed, but the stone makes its way into an uninhabited region called the Spine. A farmboy named Eragon who lives on the outskirts of town stumbles on the stone, but he can't sell or trade it. He then finds out that the stone contains a dragon, and the Empire (Paolini uses the Empire!) is looking for it. Eragon hides his secret until the Empire destroys his farm and kills his family, then sets on a quest with a mysterious stranger, thought to be an old crazy stroyteller. The stranger (Brom) trains Eragon in sword play and gives him a sword once owned by the legendary Dragon Riders. As Eragon and Brom work their way around, we discover Brom has a secret "plan" for Eragon. What to expect from The Empire Strikes Eragon: 1. Eragon is living with his uncle, has no recollection of his parents...therefore, Daddy could be Darth Dragon Rider 2. Brom has a mysterious sword with no origin...could be Darth's sword before he turned to evil 3. Eragon, don't kiss the princess, she may be your sister!!! I wasn't impressed with the writing style of this book. Motives (like when the dragon told Eragon it was mad at him for always getting himself into trouble), and writer's conveniences (despite dying arts and languages surrounding the Art of Dragon Riding, everyone Eragon meets can talk telepathically, and speaks old elvish) made it terribly obvious that we are dealing with a fifteen year old writer. And don't overestimate the fact that he got published at such a young age as any sort of measure of the novel's greatness. Check out the back cover: his parents owned the publishing company. If you're looking for a good Fantasy novel, try Lord of the Rings. If you want a good Fantasy novel for a younger crowd, consider Harry Potter or the Chronicles of Narnia. If you liked this story, climb out from under your rock and rent Star Wars. And Paolini, next time try logging every event of your next D&D tournament and making that the story. It'd probably be more interesting and have more flow. And it'd be yours!
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Good, but far from unique Review: While I enjoyed the story, this book had an all too familiar ring to it. I'd say that the first four or five chapters definately bordered on plagerism, due to the uncanny parallels they shared with Robert Jordan's fantasy series. Even after those first handful of chapters, I kept having this feeling that I had read this story before. Why? Because it was obvious where the author got his ideas - and, unfortunantly, they were not from his own head. They were from the minds of many great authors, but certainly not Christopher Paolini's. The other problem that I had with this book was that the characters lacked unique voice. Each individual sounded like the next, and their personalities were difficult to find. In other words, the characters felt flat, uniform and indistinctive. Aside from the negatives, it is still a fun and quick read. Especially considering that this book is written for children. Perhaps the young and inexperienced author, Paolini, will greatly improve over the years. And hopefully, find a voice of his own.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: this book was amazing Review: I absolutly loved this book. even if you already read it buy it!!! everyone says it's exactly like lord of the rings but it's not! its an amazing book!!!!! buy it. and to all you haters: shut up because this book may have been "copying" lord of the rings but so what??? its a good book any ways. and shut up about it because just cause u didn't like it doesn't mean u have to ruin it for other people who haven't read it. ok i'll stop rambling now.
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