Eragon (Inheritance Trilogy #1) FROM OUR EDITORS
The Barnes & Noble Review
Teen author Christopher Paolini breathes fire into the realm of fantasy -- whisking readers to a world of dragons, magic, and legends -- in his first impressive entry in the Inheritance trilogy. Following in the footsteps of J.R.R. Tolkien and Terry Goodkind, Paolini recounts the harrowing adventure of Eragon, a peasant boy who one day discovers a strange rock that happens to be a lost, coveted dragon's egg. Eragon finds himself raising the highly intelligent creature (which he names Saphira) and bonds with her both mentally and soulfully, but after a team of marauders sent by the land's conniving ruler destroys his family home and kills his uncle, the boy sets out to hone his skills as a Rider and claim his vengeance. Paolini pays meticulous attention to detail and to the characters' actions in the book, letting readers travel eagerly with the young hero along every step of his journey. Sure to sit memorably with lovers of the genre and worthy of every bit of praise it gets, Paolini's foray into fantasy writing will transfix and entertain. Shana Taylor
ANNOTATION
In Aagaesia, a fifteen-year-old boy of unknown lineage called Eragon finds a mysterious stone that weaves his life into an intricate tapestry of destiny, magic, and power, peopled with dragons, elves, and monsters.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the
lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for
the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon realizes he
has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his
simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of
destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an
old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate
the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose
evil knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon
Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands....
FROM THE CRITICS
The New York Times
Eragon is filled with nightmare moments, dreams, visions. It never falters in its velocity. Its plot is episodic rather than climactic; it is clearly part of a larger work. The 500-plus pages race past. I found myself dreaming about it at night, and reaching for it as soon as I woke. Like countless other readers, I am waiting to see what happens next, with wonder, with admiration and with hope. As Eragon's dragon tells him, ''All will be well, little one.''
— Liz Rosenberg
Midwest Book Review
Eragon by science fiction and fantasy enthusiast Christopher Paolini
is a vigorously written high fantasy epic of Eragon, a young man
armed with a mythic red sword, accompanied by a beautiful dragon
companion named Saphira, and the recipient of Brom's old storyteller
wisdom. Our hero is drawn into a complex, interwoven saga of a
fantastic land with a cruel and ruthless king. Legacies etched in
stars and dreams guide his steps in this enchanting adventure.
Eragon is highly recommended for dedicated fantasy enthusiasts.
Publishers Weekly
While exploring the forest, 15-year-old Eragon discovers an odd blue gemstone-a dragon egg, fated to hatch in his care. According to PW, "The author takes the near-archetypes of fantasy fiction and makes them fresh and enjoyable, chiefly through a crisp narrative and a likable hero." Ages 12-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Children's Literature - Christopher Moning
I don't know what you were up to at age 15, but it is a good bet that you weren't penning 500-page fantasy novels. But that is the age that Christopher Paolini began writing the first volume in his fantasy series, the "Inheritance" trilogy. When young Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he doesn't realize that he has just taken the first step in becoming a Dragon Rider. After the egg hatches, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, begin an adventure that includes all the classic elements of myth-the death of a loved one; a harrowing journey; an elderly mentor; a seemingly indestructible enemy. Sprinkle in a little romance and you have the makings of a classic story. It is remarkable that young Paolini has been able to mold the pieces together in a mature and cohesive narrative. His eye and ear for detail, especially in describing the natural world, are topnotch. Paolini's world of Alagaesia is complex and beautiful, no doubt owing to Tolkien and a host of other fantasy authors that Paolini draws upon. Eragon and Saphira relate to one another not as master and pet, but as equals, with both human and dragon possessing strengths and weaknesses. The bottom line is that the "Inheritance" series has all the markings of a best selling juggernaut-a likeable hero, an entertaining storyline, and above all, a unique authorship legend that will captivate his audience. 2003 (orig. 2002), Knopf, Ages 12 to 16.
VOYA - Heather Hepler
A promising new author finds his literary legs in this engaging story about a man and his destiny. Focused on finding enough food to get through the colder months, Eragon almost passes up the mysterious blue stone, but he reasons that perhaps it might at least be worth something in trade. Slipping the stone into his pack, he has no idea that the iridescent blue object is actually a rare and coveted dragon egg. Eragon's adventures begin as the egg hatches, disclosing a brilliant blue dragon and revealing his fate as a Rider. It quickly becomes obvious that Eragon's life is not to remain exclusively his own, as many forces attempt to manipulate his power and influence. Forced to leave his home by the destruction of his house and the death of his uncle, Eragon travels at first for revenge, but his quest turns, leaving him looking for answers instead of blood. On his journey, Eragon is instructed in the harsh reality of violence, the subtleties of magic, the beauty of the written word, and perhaps true love. The book jacket reveals that the eighteen-year-old author pens this book as the first installment in the Inheritance Trilogy. Overwritten action sequences and occasionally forced dialogue do not detract too much from the interesting and entertaining tale. Now and then losing its direction and sometimes a bit immature in style, Paolini's debut novel will make readers long for the second volume in hopes of finding both Eragon and the writing a bit more polished. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2003, Knopf, 407p, Read all 8 "From The Critics" >
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