Rating: 
Summary: In defense of Eragon
Review: This is my third favorite book*, which I read after coming across a review in the Christian-Science Monitor, and I soon after ordered this book from the library, for I myself, like the author of this books, am an aspiring young (fantasy) author.
I wrote this review namely because I was saddened by the fact that the average review had so quickly dropped from 5 and a half stars to four.
Here's the story's plot summary:
A young boy with a strange mark upon him goes off to search for his heritage and/or avenge the death of his Uncle, and later finds himself with odd magical powers.
You've heard it before, you say?
You've seen it in a dozen films, and read it in four times as many books?
Well, of course, but I reccomend one should read it.
The story does borrow from a lot of things, but who's saying a derivative story can't be enjoyable?
This story is actually an improvement on LeGuin, Brooks and Jordan , namely because, unlike those others, who Mr. Paolini is accused of copying, Paolini can tell a good tale.
This story (unlike Brooks' shallow travelogues, LeGuin's philosophical drivel or Robert Jordan's lame writing style) focuses for the most part on characters and character development rather than droning on about what the ale tastes like or the shrubbery that can be found on this hill or that.
And Paolini never read Jordan or Brooks, though the influences of Tolkien, McCaffrey, LeGuin, Herbert, Peake, Lucas, Roddenberry, and possibly Pullman, are evident.
The only thing I had against this book was Paolini's prejudice against the mentally ill (one character, we learn early on, lost everything he had, went mad, usurped the throne, and was since then considered a villain. I must say I felt empathy, rather than contempt, for the villain, and hope the title character finds a way to understand the poor man.)
Overall, great book, with one minor flaw.________________________
*First favorite is Pullman's Dark Materials, second is Williams's Dragonbone Chair.
Rating: 
Summary: disappointing
Review: I bought this for my teenage son so he would have something to read over Thanksgiving. He enjoys fantasy so I thought he would love this book. No such luck. He started reading it. "The Lonely Mountain?" he said, kind of snickering. It didn't get any better than that. "Dad, I can't finish this book," he said. "Just give it to the library." I did, and consider it a donation. According to my son, he kept seeing things in Eragon that came from other fantasy books he has read. He didn't think much of that.
Rating:
Summary: too predictable
Review: this book couldn't hold my attention. i didn't really finish it, because i just didn't care enough. everything was too predictable, one thing after another. it's all been done. if you want to read fantasy that will hold your attention, read garth nix or philip pullman
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent-LOVED IT!!!
Review: I loved this book, could not put it down. The book just draws you in and connect with the characters (makes me want a dragon of my own...lol). But seriously, it was a pleasure to read, I can not wait until the Eldest comes out. I loved it more than Harry Potter ( it was more "real" for me then Harry Potter). Great job Christopher...keep up the good work.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the worst books I've ever read
Review: I think the author should have invested more time in creative writing and life experience before writing this book (jacket indicates he was 15 when he started the novel). For me, it came down to this, there was no passion, no emotion, no complexity and character development. It read like a "What I did on my summer vacation" essay. I read it for book club, and only finished it for the ammunition to debate with the other members. Pass on this for more celebrated novels.
Rating:
Summary: The Great Book
Review: This book is extremely enjoyable for people that like any type of book because it has a little of everything that a book lover would like. Read it and you will thoroughly enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: Eragon is cubic zirconia
Review: After hearing this book built up as the next coming of Tolkien, I was disappointed and disturbed to actually read it. It was like being invited to a party and told that there would be an amazing diamond on display, only to find cubic zirconia. There's a little bit of sparkle here and there, but the sparkle is all easily recognizable as having been taken from elsewhere--WHEEL OF TIME, DRAGONRIDERS, and, of course, LOTR. Etc. It's kind of disturbing that so many people seem to be fine with that. I presume that many don't know because they haven't read Robert Jordan etc? What's good about this book is imitation, and what's so-so and even boring about it is the way it's written. Anyway, this is cubic zirconia being passed off as diamonds, and it isn't worth the hype it's been getting.
Rating:
Summary: It just sucks you right in...
Review: Paolini creates a utterly facinating book that sucks your mind right into the center of it all. Some people might argue that it is just like LOTR or other fantasy books. Well, there is one major difference: this book is made for children readers. The words and dialog aren't so complex, and yet, you still learn knew meanings. Reading this book only gets you more in the mood for other fantasy selections, including LOTR. Thanks to Paolini, we can open the minds of children readers just like Tolkein did to the adualts. This book is an amazing peice of writing, and I urge you(young and old) to pick it up and read!
Rating:
Summary: excruciatingly unoriginal
Review: I'd heard about this book--with all those marketing dollars, who hasn't? Started reading it, and the more I read the more I began to feel a sense of unreality that this particular book is getting so much marketing attention. It's nothing but a passably written string of cliches wandering through a maze of better writer's ideas. After reading 200 pages I gave up in disgust. The publishing industry created celebrity status in the young author because of his youth and got away with it. But I do know young people who are very original and profound, even wise in their thinking. This book is excruciatingly UNoriginal, lacking in depth, and the style of writing is immature at best. Bottom line, if you buy it you're only proving the marketers right--that the public can be led by marketing dollars, even turning a silly imitative book like Eragon into a bestseller.
Rating:
Summary: Needs works
Review: I picked up this book based on some of the hype generated around Paolini. While I have to agree with some of the other reviews regarding the writing style and the portions of the story which are influenced from some very geat Authors. Even though Paolini has taken plot lines from other Authors I will wait to see where these stories end up. I don't want to trash his first effort completely and look forward to seeing what the next volume has in store. Hopefully, the editing issues can be resolved by then.
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