Book Reviews of Eragon (Inheritance, Bk 1)

I admit that “Eragon” strike a chord with me when I first came upon its summary on the newspaper during my last year of High School. I finally obtained a copy during my freshmen year of college (I actually printed it out of the College Computer Lab, all 200 pages of it). However, I put it aside after several chapters when I was sidetracked with something else. Recently I acquired a copy (the actual book) via Paperbackswap.com and it all came to me that the novel contains numerous of clinches that it should be sue for plagiarism.

Obviously Paolini was imitating Tolkien’s style when he attempted to create languages and elvish, however it obviously couldn’t compare to Tolkien’s Sindarin or Quenya. Upon reading other reviews from the web, I also noticed that Paolini copy large amount of “Starwars” too. The writing style is also dull and dry, with childish solutions to seems impossible tasks (such as rescuing Eragon from the prison of the Capital City).

Understandable, the author wrote most of the story while he was 15 and 16 (as the book proudly stated), however I failed to see how it gain so much fame and there is actually a large database for him. Aside from that, it seems that the fame had gone over the young author’s head, in a interview he said that he “strives to achieve Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf and Tolkien at his best” in his “Eragon” as quoted from Anthony Tardiff, owner of “Hard Sayings”, while he also statement “that one of the pleasures of reading Harry Potter is getting to see Rowling mature as a writer”. Such arrogance. Pity.

The book seem overly boring after I have read many other great novels, I actually skipped last 90 pages or so.

I heard this book was extremely popular so I bought it during one of my vacations. Needless to say, I was not very impressed. The characters failed to draw me in and the story is only so-so. I finished the book not even caring about what would happen in the sequel. Still, it's not absolutely terrible; it's just not all that great either.

This is a great book to read. If you liked Harry Potter then I believe that you will also like this.

When Earagon finds a plished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy. Little does he know it is a dragon egg and he will become the last of the dragon riders, destined to save the world. Filled with fantasy and imagination this is a very enjoyable book.

When I first read this book I thought it was pretty good. Then I stumbled upon a website (http://eragon-sporkings.wikispaces.com/) that made me realize how bad it really was.

Besides the rather (I admit) charmingly clichéd plot(a farm boy finds a dragon egg and realizes he's the last of the dragon riders), it "borrows" heavily from other books or series, and some parts just don't make any kind of sense. Eragon himself is also a very "mary sueish" character who seems to be able to do whatever whenever because it's what he NEEDS to do. The other characters--even Saphira!--seem to have minimal characterization at best and are basically just there to reflect Eragon's glory.

After I read someone else's criticisms of the book, I began to realize how often I'd gone "what?" or "but that doesn't make sense...well, okay, whatever" while I was reading it; in short, it's not worth the credit.

One of the reasons I think that 15 year olds shouldn't publish what they write. I ended up finishing the book only because I was having a perverse sort of fun naming where all his ideas came from. "Oh, hey, that's one from Earthsea!" "Oh man, look, Dragonriders of Pern." "...LoTR much?" Yeah. Not really very good at all, I wasn't in any way motivated to read the rest of the series. "Poor farmer boy discovers his magical destiny to save the world" is only good when everything else in the story didn't come from somewhere else, too.

This was a great story, and very formidable for such a young author. The book (ask usual) was soooo much better than the movie. A worthy, and entertaining read! (it'll make you want to follow the continuing story)

I actually saw the movie in the theater before I'd ever heard of the book. I thought that it translated so well to the screen that I was compelled to check out the book from my local library since books are usually so much better than their movie counterparts. I wasn't disappointed. I couldn't put it down. I was also very impressed by how young the author was when he wrote the book. I have since purchased a copy and added it to my permanent collection.

I will admit that my first attempt with Eldest did not capture my attention, but I recently checked it out from the library again and started over. For some reason, this time around I am totally hooked. I guess I just have to be in the mood for it.

I admit that it doesn't have fabulously intricate character and plot development like J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books where every tiny detail seems to have significance in later events. However, I still found it to be a very enjoyable read and I look forward to reading future creations by this talented author.

We loved this book. Cudos Christopher Paolini!

I loved this book. I could not put it down. Good story line

Too much text in a story that could have been a fun read. I ended up taking a pencil to this and the sequel & editing out huge chunks of unneeded overly descriptive text. Couldn't make it through book 2 or 3.

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.

I know people have mixed views on Christoper Paolini, but I liked this book, if you are looking for a great easy read that will keep you wanting more this is a book for you!

I have to say that I flat out hated this book. I admire Mr.Paolini for being able to write such a large book at a relatively young age, but I couldn't even make it twenty pages through the book. It's a good read if you like Harry Potter and need an okay intro to science fiction.

My biggest problem is that he should have been sued for plagarism. The concept of dragonriders, particularly the idea that the boy and dragon bond and are destined for each other is STRAIGHT out of Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series. The map, the names, the languages and too many other things to count are yanked right of Tolkien.

So...if you're even fairly well read in the genre, this book can irritate the heck out of you. If you've never read Tolkien or McCaffrey and need an okay intro into the genre (the writing is really only so-so), then Eragon is the book for you.

SO much better than the movie. IN fact, I recommend NOT seeing the movie because it is a supreme dissapointment when comnpared to the book.

http://www.eragonmovie.com/ Link for movie precedes. This book is ten times better than the movie was.

Way better than the movie.

Fifteen-year-old Eragon believes that he is merely a poor farm boy�until his destiny as a Dragon Rider is revealed. 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.

I thought this was a great book. Very detailed. There were time that I really felt I was there with Eragon riding his dragon.

A good book. I can't wait to see the movie.

I'm not big on the genre, but even I could play Fantasy Novel Derivative Bingo while reading this book: 'Hey-- that's from Lord of the Rings', 'and that's from Star Wars', and 'that's straight from Earthsea'. Unfortunately, a house elf never showed up so I couldn't yell "Bingo!".

Nevertheless, it's still an enjoyable fantasy read and I'll put myself in line for the next book in the series...

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 soon realizes he has stubmled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Emprie itself.

Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and pwer. 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 Empre ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds.

Good book, even for an adult reader!

This is not usually my genre, but I liked this book a lot.

Very good and quick reading. I read through this in no time at all.

I loved it, the book will pull you in. I couldn't put it down. If you enjoy fantasy,this would be the book for you.This Paolini book is a work of art.

Excellent read. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

The story is well-crafted, but Christopher Paolini's style is turgid, relying too much on adjectives and descriptions that bog down the writing. I hope that with time and more publishing experience he can develop a more natural style. This being said, I will read the rest of the books in the trilogy to see what happens to the characters and I think the movie will be great.

This book is a part of a series. At no point must you think that most of the mysteries will be revealed by the end; nor must you think that any conflicts will be resolved, either. Personally, I think it's cruel to leave a cliffhanger at the end of 508 pages. This is yet another way that the author has poorly ripped off Tolkein. His depiction of Elven and Dwarf societies are very Tolkein-esque, his map of Alaga�sia eerily similar to Middle Earth, and his dragonlore reminded me very much of Anne McCaffrey's Pern dragons. Sad thing is, I still want to read the next book, but only because the story isn't finished yet. If the Lord of the Rings movies hadn't done so well, I doubt this book would have made it onto the New York Times best seller list, much less reach number one.

As a avid fantasy reader I feel the the author just reused old fantasy ideas with creating anything new in it. I enjoy reading it but would not recommend to avid fantasy readers. This book to me was such a cliche that almost every fantasy stereotype was in this book. This book is meant for those reading fantasy for the first time.

I picked this up at my High School library when the librarians told me about it. They often suggested books to me. Eragon was the first fantasy book I've read, that didn't contain a bunch of romance in it. I thought it was great and then learned he was so young when he wrote it.

In the past few days I've been reading reviews on how Paolini plagiarized. I've never seen most of the things mentioned but I think this is close to Cassandra Clare's deal.

This book is disgustingly terrible. Paolini rips off his 2-dimensional characters and flimsy plot from his betters; writers such as J. R. R. Tolkian, Ursula K. LeGuin, and Anne McCaffrey to name but a few. Had he ripped off these authors and still managed to display a marked talent for creative composition, as many young writers that have not yet tapped into their talent are wont to do, one might be compelled to forgive him. Yet his writing is almost painful to read. The type of purple prose that makes most sensible people bash their heads against a wall in a vain attempt to get the words out of their memory.

It's garbage like this "novel" that causes the dumbing-down of society.

Very detailed in the beginning. This helps set the tone of the book and allows you to transport yourself into Eragons adventures.

Eragon is an interesting, albeit bland, blend of a lot of the things that are considered the origins of contemporary fantasy. Unfortunately Paolini has little comprehension of what it takes to make a compelling character, and Eragon himself is not only obnoxious at most times, but often too perfect for anyone to feel any kind of connection toward. The world and it's people are shallow at best, which only heightens the sense that the lead character is some kind of untouchable fanfiction character that the author has created to enact his personal fantasies of being in Lord of the Rings, Dragon Riders of Pern, or Star Wars.

While this is decidedly children's literature, I think it has underestimated even it's target audience's intelligence.

One would be better served - if one is an adult that sometimes enjoys young adult fiction (as I do), by simply tracking down copies of the original works that inspired this.

Fun story from a novice writer.

Great book. Read it even if you have seen the movie. It gives much more than the movie could possibly show. I really enjoyed the book.

Trite and simplistic in style and story. The author obviously read too much Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and bad D&D novelizations when he was younger. Obviously written by a teenager. Don't waste your time. Re-read the "Narnia" books instead. Even if you know how those end, you'll still have more fun reading those than this pap.

You will never see my copy of Eragon on pbs because it, Eldest and Brisingr are now among my best-loved books along with Drangon Riders of Pern and other fantasy books of that genera.

The connection between Eragon and Saphra, his dragon, makes this book worth reading. The random scenes of no particular importance make the book rather uninteresting and the shabby attempt to describe falling in love and being in love truly shows this author as a boy of fifteen. Christopher Paolini doesn't know the first thing about medieval mentality and fails completely as a Tolkien wanna-be. Still, this book has some merit. It's worth reading once, but does not compel me to read the other two in the series.

My best friend let me borrow it I loved it

If you are a fan of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings this is the book for you. This modern plot is much more approachable for today's young readers and is a truly magnificent story. This reader cannot wait until the final chapter of the trilogy is made available.

This is a really good book. I thought that it was a little intense for young readers, but I loved it.

The beginning of this book is very derivative, but persevere..it gets much better as it goes along. One of the many young adult books that adult readers will enjoy.

I enjoy Fantasy Fiction and it was a good read. The author has a very good imagination, captive, kept me interested. Him being a young author, was easily detected by the writing and his voice. I enjoyed it thouroughly, maybe I'll read the sequel. I felt it was more for young readers.

I really enjoyed this fantasy novel and was impressed by the young age of the author who developed such engaging characters.

The book about a young boy who finds a dragon egg and befriends the dragon on the first of many adventures is a great escape for a rainy afternoon.

An amazing read!!! I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

The first half was pretty good, but it went downhill from there. Anyone else see the similarities to Tolkien? It's as if he copied from him. Not cool! It was a quick and enjoyable read, though, if you've never read Tolkien.

Destined to become a classic in Fantasy/Fiction genre and written when Paolini was only 17, the book is a great read. In it Eragon and a fledgling dragon battle those proverbial forces of evil on their way to becoming Dragon Riders.

great read wheter you are young or old.

One boy....one dragon...a world of adventure.

I got this for Christmas, as I've been eyeing it for quite some time. The cover is too alluring to ignore, and I must say...I like dragons. So, once I finished The Jane Austen Book Club, I promptly dove into this one, and read and enjoyed all of it. Magic, intrigue, danger, dragons, elves, evil kings and monsters, what's not to like? Eragon is the main character whose life as a simple farmer boy is ripped in two as he finds a strange blue stone and unrest ripples through the Empire. Little did he know that his life could never again be the same. As he goes on his quest, he grows physically, mentally, and emotionally, and we're there to watch it all as he must fight his inner demons and the physical ones around him. This is certainly a good introduction to a trilogy, and I'm already reading book 2. However, I was sad to discover that I'm older than this author, and that he started writing this when he was 15. ::sigh:: Ah well, at least I can still enjoy the book, right?

My son LOVED this book!

Excellent Sci-Fi book written by a young man with great talent. Draws you into a new world and doesn't let you go. This is the first one in a series.

FANTASTIC BOOK!! I counldn't put it down the story was very fun and I can't wait to see how Eragon grows...

Interesting read but not as good as I was lead to believe. There are some better dragon & magic books.

If your kids liked (or you) harry potter - you will like this story of a boy on a quest and his dragon -- I want the next in the series

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