Eragon (Inheritance, Book 1) (The Inheritance Cycle) by Christopher Paolini
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Book Reviews of Eragon (Inheritance, Book 1) (The Inheritance Cycle)
Book Review: Eragon by CHristopher Paolini
Summary: 5 Stars
"Brisingr" Eragon yelled as he shot his arrow at an Urgal. As he did though, blue flame came out of his hand and shot with it. Eragon was just this 15 year old farmer boy living with his uncle. Up until now nothing in his home town, Carvahall, has been abnormal. That changed ever since he went to the Spine and found a blue, web like rock. This was no ordinary rock however. It was a dragon egg! Once it hatched, Eragon decided that is name was Saphira. Whenever Saphira walks her scales ripple like a giant blue ocean. Together Eragon, Brom the merchant, and Saphira head to the Varden to get training done because Eragon is a Rider. Brom is very mysterious and sagacious. He is wise by giving Eragon help with which decisions he should make during their adventures. Brom also keeps much of his life a secret from Eragon; Eragon can never figure out why.
Now that Eragon has been traveling he really has no home to go back to. Before Eragon left, his uncle died in a fire at his house. This was caused by the Ra'zac. These creatures are not human, dwarf, or elf. These creatures have beaks, huge eyes, and only feed on human flesh. When Eragon gets to the Varden he is sent into battle against a bunch of Urgals that were sent by Galbatorix. When he goes somewhere else to help, he gets wounded on his back by a Shade, Durza. Because of Durza's attack, his wound has affected his great swordsmanship, and magic. Whenever he makes a wrong movement he ends up hurting himself and passes out. Saphira tries to help by blocking the pain with magic but it is too much. Saphira and Eragon have a good relationship as it should be with Dragon and Rider.
This book really expresses the themes Exploration, and Community. Eragon discovers many different feelings about himself that he has never felt before, and has found new strength also. Brom contributes to Eragon on their journey by helping him control his magic. Eragon contributes to the Varden by giving his abilities to them. The Varden contributes to Eragon by providing provisions and hospitality. In Eragon some interesting words in the ancient language are brisingr, which means fire, Shur'tugal, which means Dragon Rider, garjzla, which means light, and gedwey ignasia, which means shining palm.
Will Eragon make it to Ellesmera to complete his training? How does he cope with his scar from Durza? Will he survive in the battle of Farthen Dur? Is he the last of all the Riders? Find out in the book Eragon by Christopher Paolini.
Book Review: First of, I'd like to say this to ya'll weaklings
Summary: 5 Stars
"This is like lord of the rings!" "This is like Harry Potter!" "This is like Star wars!" "This is too cliche!" "This is this!" "That is that!"
These were what I mostly saw when I read the reviews of some concerning this book, and I've got to say that they got me thinking, "I'm never gonna read this book,"
But then again, I went to web sites and listened and watched interviews of Christopher Paolini. Here is what he said: according to him, where he lives, you can't just walk out and get a book to read from a store, because the area was rather lonely and too far from ... well civilisation. So, every book his mother got him, he read them all. What next? He decided to sit down (when he was 15, mind you) and write a book that had every one of his favourite stories merged in it. And I tell you, if this is a replica of the lord of the rings, IT IS TIMES 100 FAR BETTER THAN THE LORD OF THE RINGS. Face it, Tolkien was from another planet. He wrote a book that described the movement of flowers when the breeze blew (WHAT DA **** DO I NEED TO KNOW THAT FOR?!!!).
And for those of you who keeping running your mouths about the book sounding like Harry Potter, well, guess what: CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI NEVER READ HARRY POTTER WHEN WRITING THIS BOOK. HE READ IT 'AFTER' HE WROTE THE DAMN THING, KNUCKLE HEADS!
No book is perfect, and certainly not a 100% original. Wanna bet? You think J.K Rowling was the first to start wizard and witches in school? I don't think so. You think she was the first to start "boy finds out that he most kill bad guy, because it's his destiny"? I do not think so!
I write books. I know how it feels like. Majority of you DON'T. So, shut up! This is what writing bad reviews can do to someone: make that person miss out in a great story. If you don't like it, burn it, shove it in your attic, do something, but please, please, please, don't come here with ignorant words and make a fool of yourselves!
This guy writes a book (it sounds like the LOTR, HP, STAR WARS ... SO? WHO CARES? THOSE BOOKS SOUND LIKE SOMETHING IVE READ BEFORE TOO), draws a map (DRAWS A BLOODY MAP! JK ROWLING, WITH ALL HER GRACE, CAN NEVER ... WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO TO THAT!), INVENTS A LANGUAGE!!!!!!(OOOH NOOOO!) HE INVENTS A LANGUAGE! AND IM NOT TALKING THAT NONSENSE JK DID! HE INVENTS IT, AND PUTS A STUDY GUIDE ON HOW TO SPEAK IT!
Please... I'm tired of you 10 yr-old critics. Go home and read Harry Potter. Leave Eragon to matured young adults.
Book Review: Ready your swords ...
Summary: 5 Stars
To borrow and alter Shakespeare a bit, "some [books] are born great, others achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them ..."
Although one could argue either of the last two of those in regards to "Eragon," there is no denying that Christopher Paolini has had his firstborn crowned with "greatness." It is, contradicting most of the naysayers, quite an impressive debut and is worthy of attention, if not all that it has either "achieved" or has had "thrust" upon it.
It was an intimidating block of a book to take on, especially for my (then) ten-year old son. In fact, at first try, reading it to him, he could not get past the first chapter. Indeed, I later recommended skipping the first chapter to friends, and/or their sons, who also found it hard to get into. I however embraced the challenge and utterly enjoyed the journey. I am happy to say that at eleven, my son also embraced it, first chapter and all, reading it together (although he often continued his reading on his own as he headed into his bed).
Paolini has created a rich and varied landscape, full of his own devices (of course drawing somewhat on his own discoveries in other books), that merits a good look. Second (and third) readings have given me satisfying proof of my initial very favorable impression.
Eragon is certainly a protagonist with many obstacles before him and his road is never easy. His outbursts and joys are tangible and realistic. His failings and successes are balanced and, even if one 'knows' that he will succeed in the end, his journey to the end is still full of surprises. Rather than condemn the book as derivative and a dumbing down of other, "greater" books, I am inclined to celebrate it for what it is. I think that my son will look forward to jumping into "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" _because_ of his pleasure with 'Eragon' (and now 'Eldest').
There are beautifully drawn characters, each one with its own hidden sides to be guessed at. The character of Murtagh presents a terrific puzzle for the reader (as well as for Eragon!).
Thoroughly recommended, even without the fanfare of the upcoming movie.
As a sidenote, Christopher Paolini's newletters to his fans are a worthwhile read (available through any of the numerous websites). They appear to be written by him and are full of his wonder and honest surprises at his own journey with his creations.
Book Review: Leaves Readers Wishing for Next Installment
Summary: 5 Stars
BlueJeanOnline.comby Matt Starr, age 15
I have been hooked on medieval science fiction and fantasy ever since reading the Lord of the Rings, but not since that trilogy have I seen such a unique and imaginative fantasy novel as I have in Eragon. Author Christopher Paolini captures the wonderful essence of fantasy, putting on paper what others only dream of. Paolini creates a world full of such wonders that the end will leave readers wishing for the next installment.
I have to admit that when I first picked up Eragon and read the prologue, I thought it would be a waste of time. The first few pages were filled with elves, magic, and death, and I felt that I was about to read a book by a Tolkien copycat. And I was right, in a sense. Throughout the book I saw various connections between Christopher Paolini's world and J.R.R. Tolkien's world: Urgals to Orcs, Isenstar to Isengard, Orthiad to Orthanc, and the list goes on.
But then I realized Paolini didn't copy Tolkien's work; he simply branched off it. I also came to realize that many other authors have branched off Tolkien's work. Any Harry Potter fan will notice that those books contain many parallels to J.R.R Tolkien's books. And so I must apologize to Paolini for judging his book by its cover (or rather, its first few pages). After I realized this, I immediately started over. It wouldn't be fair to the author to say that this novel is just a ripoff of the Lord of the Rings.
Eragon is the first book in the Inheritance trilogy. When a boy named Eragon comes to possess a polished blue stone in the forest known as the Spine, he thinks he has found something of great value. He hopes it might buy his family meat for the coming winter. Imagine his great surprise when a dragon hatches from it. Soon, Eragon realizes that he is now mixed up in a great battle that has lasted for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. With the help of his good friend Brom and the dragon Saphira, Eragon sets out on a journey to become a member of the greatest and noblest force that has ever existed - the Dragon Riders.
When I finished the book, I knew right away that it would be a best seller. Young Christopher has a wonderful gift for spreading his love of fantasy to all. With battles between good and evil and friendships tested and challenged, Eragon should be recognized as one of the greatest pieces of fantasy literature
Copyright 2003 BlueJeanOnline.com
Book Review: A 7th Grader's Review on "Eragon"
Summary: 5 Stars
Eragon is a poor farm boy, one year away from his manhood celebration. One day, while hunting in the forest, there is an enormous explosion! In the very center of the blast radius, Eragon finds a polished blue stone. His first thought is that maybe he could sell it to buy food for his family. The butcher, Sloan, refuses to buy the stone when he learns of how Eragon found it. With the stone apparently useless, the blacksmith, Horst, buys food and gives it to Eragon. In exchange, Eragon must work as his assistant through the summer. Buoyed by his good luck, Eragon heads home with mixed emotions. One night, weeks after he found it, Eragon awakes to find the stone shaking and squeaking. Eventually, cracks began to appear down its sides. Then it split open entirely and out of the mess skittered a dragon! It was the end of Eragon's simple life as a poor farm boy.
With only an ancient sword and an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and his dragon fledgling must take up the role of the legendary Dragon Riders. He sets out to avenge his uncle's death and fight the evil king Galbatorix. But, whom should he hide with when his task is done? He cannot fight Galbatorix alone, and siding with him would be insane. Should he join the mysterious Varden and fight the rest of his life? Or perhaps the peaceful country of Surda? Both paths do not look promising, but where else can Eragon go?
I would recommend "Eragon" to people 10 and older. It has a few language issues and can be gory at times. However, the style of writing is very easy to understand and the book is full of excitement to keep even young readers on their toes. The characters and geography are incredibly realistic and well developed. I also enjoy the fact the Eragon isn't more powerful than everything he meets like some of the characters in "Lord of the Rings." He isn't the perfect hero either which makes the book more realistic. Although the book is full of magic and adventure, you can almost believe that what's going on is really happening. AS the story goes along, Eragon gets stronger, makes mistakes and learns the truth about the legendary Dragon Riders. The story is full of incredible twists and turns, some of which you could expect, and others that would blow your mind. Eragon is faced with many hard choices, only one of which is safe.
I give "Eragon" by: Christopher Paolini 5 Stars