This book was a fun read, though a lot of the story elements are familiar from other, older and very popular works of this genre. Possibly more suitable for adolescent readers who are more likely to find these ideas fresh.

Many classic fantasy elements pulled together to make an interesting light read. I bought this before watching the movie because I prefer reading the book first. As always, the book is better.

Well done fantasy - good start to a trilogy - some familiar themes but, overall, a worthwhile effort.

If Eragon is the first fantasy book you have ever read in your entire life, then you will probably enjoy it. Otherwise, you will find it to be a poorly rendered patchwork of various fantasy elements from other more well-known works, stitched together in a way that is neither cohesive or convincing. I think you'll probably be as disappointed in it as I was.

Eragon is the typical farmboy-turned-struggling-epic-hero who happens to come across the typical wise-old-hermit-turned-mentor who is able to mold Eragon into the shape of a slightly-less-struggling-epic-hero-who-rides-a-blue-dragon.

While I give Paolini credit for creating something like this at age 15, that doesn't make this book any better for what it really is: simple, cliche, predictable, and flat. I found Eragon's progress as a warrior to be too quick and easy to be really believable. Supporting characters are semi-likeable only because they are semi-developed. I found that I really wasn't pulling for anyone in particular. If I wasn't so stubborn about finishing books that I start, I probably would have given up on this one.

If you are in any way well-read in the fantasy genre, you will probably find this book to be little worth your time. But if you are looking to start reading fantasy for the first time (especially if you're 12) and want something of a kiddie pool warm-up in the genre, then this book might be an option. But if you decide to read it, just lower your expectations and expect very little. That way you won't be very disappointed.

This is a very good book. My son read this book 2 times. I would recommend this book to young readers who like the fantasy/dragon type books.

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kids loved it, I haven't read it myself - this is the soft cover copy with the movie cover

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