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Eragon

Book 1 in the series:The Inheritance Cycle

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"Eragon" by Christopher Paolini follows the story of a young farm boy named Eragon who discovers a dragon egg that changes his life forever. As he becomes a Dragon Rider, Eragon embarks on a journey filled with magic, adventure, and danger in the land of Alagaesia. Alongside his dragon Saphira, Eragon faces challenges that will determine the fate of his world, his family, and the entire nation. The plot is described as epic, addicting, and full of excitement, tension, adoration, fear, and tragedy, with a structured use of language that connects readers to the emotions of the characters.

The writing style of "Eragon" is noted as well-written, easy to read, and engaging, with memorable characters, many twists and turns in the plot, and a well-crafted fantasy world created by the author. While some opinions mention similarities to other fantasy works like "Lord of the Rings" and "Star Wars," the book is still praised as an enjoyable and gripping read, providing readers with a nice escape into the world of fantasy.

Characters:

The characters are a mix of archetypes found in classic fantasy literature, including a naive yet brave protagonist, a loyal dragon, a wise mentor, and allies with complex backgrounds. Each plays a significant role in driving the story forward.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is descriptive and imaginative, characterized by some verbosity and occasional clunky prose. Paolini incorporates invented languages and employs a young adult level of writing, which sometimes leans on clichés.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows a farm boy named Eragon who discovers a dragon egg, which hatches and bonds with him. Eragon embarks on a quest for revenge against an evil king, learning magic and combat from his mentor Brom, eventually joining a rebel group called the Varden.

Setting:

The setting is a richly imagined fantasy world called Alagaesia, which features diverse races such as elves and dwarves, exploring themes of guardianship and tyranny within a medieval-like society.

Pacing:

The pacing of the book starts off slow due to detailed exposition, but improves as the story progresses into fast-paced action. However, some readers find it lags during travel sequences.
He blinked in surprise. The message had been correct: they were here. Or was it a trap? He weighed the odds, then said icily, “Spread out; hide behind trees and bushes. Stop whoever is coming . . . or...

Notes:

Eragon is part of a series called The Inheritance Cycle, which initially began as a trilogy but expanded to four books.
Christopher Paolini was only 15 when he started writing Eragon and 17 when it was published.
The author self-published the book through his family's company, Paolini International LLC.
The series features standard fantasy elements like dragons, elves, and wizards and has drawn comparisons to popular franchises like Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings.
Saphira is the dragon that hatches from the egg and becomes Eragon's companion, showcasing a deep bond between them.
The book introduces a unique magic system based on the use of language, particularly the Ancient Language which requires true names for effective spellcasting.
The narrative reveals that Galbatorix, the evil king, was once a member of the Dragon Riders but turned against them, leading to their destruction.
The story is set in a fictional land called Alagaesia, rich in history and diverse cultures, complete with its own map and lore.
Eragon's character development mirrors a traditional hero's journey, involving personal loss, growth, and engagement in a larger conflict.
Despite receiving mixed reviews over its originality, many readers found it engaging and it remains a beloved series for many young adults.

From The Publisher:

A new adventure hatches in the first book of the Inheritance Cycle, perfect for fans of Lord of the Rings! This New York Times bestselling series has sold over 35 million copies and is an international fantasy sensation.

When fifteen-year-old Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.

Overnight his simple life is shattered, and, gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his choices could save-or destroy-the Empire.

Features interlocking art that reveals an image across the spines of all four books! And don't miss the most recent book set in Eragon's world, The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm: Tales from Alagaësia!

"Christopher Paolini is a true rarity." -The Washington Post

Ratings (610)

Incredible (71)
Loved It (204)
Liked It (182)
It Was OK (98)
Did Not Like (44)
Hated It (11)

Reader Stats (1000):

Read It (630)
Currently Reading (4)
Want To Read (160)
Did Not Finish (18)
Not Interested (188)

8 comment(s)

It Was OK
4 weeks

Awesome for a fifteen year old, but... you can tell it was written by a fifteen year old. Worth reading, though, and it gets better.

 
Loved It
1 month

This is the third time I've read this book. The second time, I DNFed because I felt that it was derivative and not as good as LotR. That remains true.

The first time I read it, I found it more accessible than LotR and more enjoyable. I'm not sure that the second remains true, but the first still holds.

Eragon is a mixture of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and, yes, Wheel of Time. Unlike the lattermost, it doesn't suffer from glacial plotting, which is all to the good. Perhaps because I just came back from a WoT book, this book feels much more action packed.

Eragon's action doesn't stop, or, if it does, it doesn't for very long. It barely gives the characters time to breathe, let alone the readers.

I don't know if I enjoyed it as much as I did the first time, when I read it in high school (I was *obsessed*, OMG), but I did really enjoy it.

 
It Was OK
1 month

It would have been better if the humanoid female characters were treated as more than love interests. The only female character that felt like a real person to me was Saphira, and I didn't like the way the narrative treated Arya.

 
It Was OK
2 months

3.5

 
Hated It
2 months

Eragon is a testament to modern publishing standards.

 
Loved It
3 months

very good...

 
Liked It
3 months

I really liked the story. Loved the characters. Felt like Eragon was whiny and his brother was annoying. I did not like that nothing was going to go well for him.

 
Did Not Like
5 months

I finally got around to starting this series, but it wasn't exactly what I'd hoped.

I didn't feel very close to Eragon, even at the end of the book. He was interesting enough to keep me reading, but definitely not a character I would get emotionally attached to.

The plot wasn't very strong, but again, it did keep me interested enough to finish the book. There is no big mission, and no dramatic conclusion at the end (or at least not in my opinion).

Not yet sure if I'll continue the series, but we'll see.

 

About the Author:

Christopher James Paolini is an American author and screenwriter. He is best known for The Inheritance Cycle, which consists of the books Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, Inheritance, and the follow up short story collection The Fork, the Witch and the Worm. His first science fiction novel, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, was published on September 15, 2020. He lives in Paradise Valley, Montana, where he wrote his first book.

 
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