Rating: 
Summary: Eragon: Winner or Loser?
Review: I didn't really like this book in the beginning. It all seemed to be taken from the Lord Of The Rings. The only difference is in the names. There's a big evil guy who "controls" these ugly (Orkish) things called Urgals. And there's an evil wizard. I mean, come on, would it kill Christopher Paolini to use some of his own material? He relies almost completely on the L.O.T.R. series. So the beginning really kind of ... But as I got farther into the book, I became quite interested. As the story progresses, Paolini starts to use more of his own ideas. Yay! I finished the book quickly, cause i couldn't put it down. Not that it was an excellent, but it kept me entertained. So, I guess i wouldn't sneer at reading this book, cause the bad beginning and the good ending sort of even things out. Give it a try!
Rating: 
Summary: attractive cover belies contents
Review: I saw this in the bookstore and was drawn to the cover. I got it out of the library and was very glad I didn't buy it. I find it strange how the reviews either love or hate it. Given that the author was in his teens when he wrote it, one has to give him credit. Beyond that, though, it was nothing special. The editorial reviews are correct when they find elements similar to McCaffrey and Terry Brooks; I was also reminded of the Dragon Riders in Raymond Feist's Magician, but in no way does the caliber of writing approach any of these authors. It is certainly not "comparable to Tolkien" except for similar kinds of characters which appear (elves, dwarves, "urgals"). My sister thought the plot was very similar to Star Wars, and upon examination, she is absolutely correct ... The writing is sometimes disjointed, with extraneous information the reader files away thinking it may be useful - but it isn't (perhaps in the next novel?). There is some quite graphic violence in a book that seems to be marketed to younger people. The "ancient language" for the magic is rather tedious to read and not very convincing. The descriptive similies fall somewhat flat at times; one example is "White mist wafted up from the surface of the river, like blood steaming in winter." ? I would get this one out of the library if it interests you but don't waste your money on the hardcover with the pretty dragon on it. I will probably read the next one; perhaps as the author matures he will be able to hone his writing and really make something that holds together.
Rating:
Summary: Not terrible, but "don't judge a book by its cover"
Review: I am an adult fantasy reader. I was very excited to see Eragon in a local Barnes and Noble a few months ago. In its hardback version, the cover is very attractive, featuring a blue dragon against a rich blue background. The title is embossed in gold. I inferred from its nice design that it would be to my liking. It was obviously being taken very seriously by Knopf, a distinguished publisher. I ordered a copy immediately. Eragon was written by young Christopher Paolini. Paolini began the project when he was but fifteen, just after graduating high school. This information is prominent in a short bio of Paolini inside the back cover. I am quite impressed at his tenacity, and do feel his age is noteworthy. However, I can't help but conclude that the success of this novel has more to do with the rarity of its author than the quality of the work itself. Eragon is not written horribly, it is just poorly conceived. Despite very descriptive language at times, Paolini fails to set his novel apart from numerous other fantasies. In fact, he relies entirely too heavily on clear influence from Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. Eragon is at once Frodo Baggins and Luke Skywalker. Unfortunately, numerous plot elements and characters are borrowed from these two stories, creating a distracting mess that is anything but unique. Additionally, setting aside the regrettable dependence on the two fantasy classics, Eragon is not a solid story. Eragon himself does not adequately grow in an interesting way as a result of his new responsibility. Many other characters are hollow copies, unmotivated and blurry. The plot is clear, but not good. I wondered numerous times why the characters were taking the action they were. I read, hopeless with boredom at times, as they visited one locale after another with similar encounters. The plot seemed false and contrived at many points. In the end, I realized I wasn't really rooting for the good guys. I didn't know enough about them or who they were to care. A very common (and good) piece of advice to fiction writers is "show, don't tell". Paolini failed to show the behaviors, emotions, or motivations of his characters. He failed to show the conflict Eragon faced and why his readers should care. He failed to show much of anything. He simply told. In the book's favor, I found the concept of such intimacy and communication between a dragon and her rider interesting. Unfortunately, it wasn't explored in a way that satisfied my curiosity. Readers really don't get to know the dragon very well. After a short while, Eragon seems to take his position and abilities for granted. He becomes cruel at times, arrogant, and his motivation is unclear. We never get to see that relationship blossom into the terrific partnership that is implied with dragons and riders. I hope this will evolve more fully in the sequel. With these story weaknesses revealed, I would think Paolini's editors could have tasked him with a rewrite fixing these issues and the result might have been a very good novel. Unfortunately, that was not the case. This novel might be terrific for the younger audience, but it is will not give satisfaction for a more sophisticated critical reader.
Rating:
Summary: Fun but lacks originality - plot is from 1st Star Wars movie
Review: This is a decent book for the target audience of older children and preteens, who have finished the Harry Potter books and The Hobbit but might find Lord of the Rings too difficult. Its strong points are a good pacing and excitment level. But the big downside of it is the lack of originality. Alagaesia is very much a simpler version of Tolkien's Middle Earth, especially the Elves, Dwarves, and Orcs/Urgals. The noble Dragonriders who are telepathically bonded to their dragons are straight out of Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern; she must have been flattered by this imitation to have given the testimony on the back cover. But most important and most annoying is that the plot and characters are lifted straight from the first STAR WARS movie. Luke Skywalker was a young man of uncertain parentage whose uncle was killed by soldiers of the Empire, who turned to a wise Jedi Master and began his training in the ways of the Force and joined the Rebellion, until the old Jedi Master was killed and passed his powers on to Luke. Along the way Luke teamed up with a scoundrel who helped him rescue a beautiful princess from the clutches of the Empire. The movie ends with the Rebellion acheiving a great although not final victory over the evil empire, and Luke leaves to go to Dagobah to complete his Jedi training with Master Yoda. In this book, the sf world is changed to a Tolkien-fantasy world, Luke is renamed Eragon, Obi-Wan is renamed Brom, and Han Solo is Murtagh. If the second and third books of this trilogy continue to follow the Star Wars trilogy, the second book will start with Galbatorix's forces attacking a secret base of the Varden again, but Eragon will travel to the Mourning Sage in Ellesmera to complete his training; however he will get a warning that Murtagh and Arya are in danger and leave his training before he has full control of his powers. Book two should end with Eragon confronting Galbatorix and learning to his horror that he is Galbatorix's son, while Murtagh is captured by the Empire. But Eragon will rescue him early in Book three, then go back to the Mourning Sage who will die, and Book Three should end with Eragon defeating Galbatorix and the Varden defeating the Empire, and Eragon founding a new order of Dragonriders to bring peace and justice to the Galaxy (err, Alagaesia). Anyway, you get the point. But it's still a fun book, and younger readers won't mind the lack of originality as much as adults will.
Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't Put It Down
Review: ...I wanted to read Eragon so much I didn't want to put it down to do my homework. [That is NOT like me!] I think the author did a great job! My grandma gave it to me a week ago and I didn't put it down until five days later, when I finished it. All of my friends think I am nuts for reading costently and not playing, but they haven't read it. I could only say that a few books are equally good. When you read Eragon, in the middle you find yourself in suspenion and can't get out of it until the very end. I hope Eldest comes out soon! [Meanig in the next few days!] I was shocked at times, wishing the next event would have been more surprising at others. I thought it was cool that there was a glossery in the back! I've been trying to covince my friends to read it, but they are to stubborn. I know I must have said this a thousand times, but I LOVE this book!!!
Rating:
Summary: Exciting, Enjoyable, Leaves you wanting more...
Review: I am a very busy mom who rarely finds time to just sit and read...I picked up this book for my teenage son who is an avid fantasy reader thinking it would be great to support a young author...Well he loved it! He read parts of the book to me here and there which I really enjoyed. When he finished the book, I picked it up and could not put it down! It is wonderful, it leaves you wanting to know more about how the young Eragon will continue in his path. The book is well written and easy to follow...the glossary in the back is wonderful, helping you with pronounciation and meanings to ancient names and words. I found it spellbounding and am anxious for the next book to be released! Great Job Done Young Paolini!
Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but not great.
Review: Overall I thought this bought was OK. Thats about it. I agree with some of the other reviews that the action was off paced. Alot of unnecessary descripstions during inoppertune times. I will probably finish the series just to see if this young writer will develop more and how much he can improve through this series.
Rating:
Summary: Great writing, but Paolini brings nothing new to the genre.
Review: The current spotlight reviewer of this book (Ivy, I think) took the words right from my mouth, as said in the title. Chris is an excellent author, he has a good narrative and a knack for description, but needs to tone down the drama in the book. The prologue was excellent: I found nothing wrong with it. But after that, the book begins to get tedious and boring, for it is very predictable and all-too-familiar. Although I haven't read Tolkien's work (and I don't plan to) from the many reviews and my own brother, it is obvious that this resembles LOTR a lot. The usual quest situation, evil man in power, devious lieutenants called Shades, and thousands of brutal, expendable soldiers (Urgals.) The characters were also not very interesting. The book's storyline is painfully set to follow the natural fairy tale procedure, so there really is no suspense since you know that any supporting characters won't die and such. Sometimes you can see how they will escape the current situation. The only scene and characters I found interesting were the fortune-telling witch and her Werecat (which I forget the name of.) However, the book picks up in the end, and mainly the last few chapters are the reason I gave it three stars instead of one, arguably the best part of the book. Also, Paolini's hooked me in with the mysterious character introduced in the last few pages, although I have a feeling he'll be a letdown. Anyway, it's definitely not the best fantasy book there is, and Paolini adds too much grandeur and mystery in the book that we're drowning in it, but I guess I'll buy his next one.
Rating:
Summary: Best book in the universe and no dought about that
Review: This book was written in a great way. The author keeps you imprisined and you can't get away. I fell in love with the caractors right away.I don't know what it is, but Christopher Paolini had me reading this book all night from 7p.m. to 6a.m. just to find out how it ends. Because of that I was late for school and got a F- on my test because I all i did was write my name and then I fell asleep and I slept, from 9a.m.-12p.m., utill lunch. But I didn't care because I finished the best book ever.
You may think this book was predictable, but it wasn't compared to other books. For example in The Lord of the Rings Frodo was obviously going to deystroy the ring, Aragon was going to become king, and eveyone would live happily ever after. And also, people say this book is just like the Lord of the Rings well most action fantasys are, but who cares as long as it's a good book. Superb work Christopher Paolini! I give you an A+! Keep it up!
Rating:
Summary: Eragon a great book for all ages
Review: I read this book a few weeks ago and I was surprised by how good it was. I was so into it that I read it in 5 hours. I can tell that is was influenced by tolkien and many other great fantasy writers. People may say that it has all been done before but most fantasy books have similar plots and details while this book took a normal topic (dragons) and turned it into a great story that was very in depth and fun to read. The characters all had their special traits and they all fit in well with the storyline. The bottom line is that this book will keep you guessing until the very end
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