I absolutely LOVE the Inheritance books. Before, I had never even heard of Christopher Paolini. One day, as I was walking through Barnes and Noble, I happened to notice this book on the end display. What immediately caught my eye was the magnificent dragon on the front cover. I have always had a deep love for dragons, and my "artistic eye" was completely captivated by the stunning artwork.

This is truly a great fiction/adventure/fantasy novel. Anyone who is a fan of The Lord of the Rings would truly have a profound appreciation for this book. From the very moment I picked up this book and began reading, I was completely hooked.

The story commences with a young farm boy named Eragon, who hails from a small village. While out hunting in the wilderness in search of food for his family, Eragon stumbles upon a rare stone. Little does he know that this stone is actually a dragon egg. He takes it home with him, and to his utter surprise, the egg hatches, and out comes Saphira. The two are instantly connected as a Dragon and Rider, becoming completely inseparable.

Once Saphira is big enough to fly, they set off on a journey to seek revenge for the death of Eragon's uncle, who was brutally murdered. This is just the beginning of their arduous journey throughout the land, as they battle mysterious and evil forces. It is a very good book to cuddle up with on a cool fall day or during the winter when you need a thrilling adventure to bring you out of the confines of being stuck in your house.

I don't care what anyone says.

I freaking loved this book. I understand that it's extremely cheesy, featuring a Gary Stu, a baby dragon, and a strange elf. Oh, I can't disclose more about the elf as it's a spoiler. Heh.

ANYWAYS, it's great.

Yeah, it literally ticks all the boxes of a crappy high fantasy YA wet dream, with an orphaned special character, dragons, elves, and deus ex machina galore. But I. DON'T. CARE.

I loved it the first time I read it, and I still love it now. The movie was an unmitigated disaster, which perhaps gives a more accurate indication of how good the book actually is (i.e., not very). As I mentioned, I understand the critics, and in theory, I should have hated this book, but I don't.

:D

Two or three years ago, wherever I went, there was always some display trying to sell me Eragon by Christopher Paolini. It was blatantly a bad book even without opening the cover. The back cover carried a quote from the book and an endorsement by Anne McCaffrey. I'm quite certain I could get that woman to provide a blurb for a double mint wrapper, something like "I couldn't put it down! An author... to watch for!" The quote was "Wind howled through the night, carrying a scent that would change the world." Note that the author has just claimed the world will be changed by a smell. That could actually make for an interesting book, but sadly, not this one. I know this because that quote is the first sentence of the book, and what the author really means is "Wind howled through the night, carrying a scent giving warning of the coming of persons who would set in motion events that would change the world." I know, it lacks a certain something.

It's better than eighty percent of the pit of voles, but still, it doesn't deserve to be published.

I don't blame Paolini for writing a bad book. People write, and sometimes, they write poorly. But I do blame the editor and his publishing house. This book is rubbish, and it should have been obvious to anyone who read it. The main character's most interesting aspect of characterization and only remnant of personality is that he collects rocks, and this is only mentioned in one paragraph. He's a transparent sue. Everyone acts as if they just got their motivations and history on a 3x5 card before walking on for their scene.

The plot is a clumsy dud that is foreshadowed on page 22. He has never known his father, and his mother refused to answer questions about him! Do you think this will come up again later? His name is Eragon. Like dragon, but with an E. An old man pops in to tell what in a better novel would be suspiciously appropriate myths and folktales every time Eragon needs to know what's going on.

Descriptive sections are often incomprehensible. For example, "His hand was numb, his fingers paralyzed. Alarmed, he watched as the middle of his palm shimmered and formed a diffuse white oval." The only reason I know what the author is trying to say there is because I've read enough fantasy to recognize the Mystical Mark.

Our hero makes decisions that don't make sense, simply because they are necessary to move the plot forward. Obstacles like hiding a dragon from those living in your house are brushed aside in two paragraphs. Things that shouldn't be obstacles, like buying groceries, are, just to build sympathy with the protagonist by inserting baseless discrimination.

Why publish this!? Were they unable to find something more worthy? Was this book even edited? Is he someone's nephew? Publishing this book is an insult to readers and a disservice to writers everywhere, including Mr. Paolini. It's like telling someone they look great when they have spinach in their teeth. Dammit!

It's been a few years since I last delved into the pages of Eragon. Someday, I truly intend to pick it up once more and embark on a rereading journey, so that I can then progress to Eldest. Regrettably, my memory of the book is rather hazy. When I obtained Eldest and perused the introduction where Paolini elucidates what transpired in Eragon, I found myself thinking, "Really? I don't recall any of that." It was that unmemorable. As a result, I am unable to provide copious amounts of information regarding the plot, characters, or anything overly detailed. What I do vividly remember are my responses while reading the book. My initial thoughts were, "Wow. I can pen better than this. Perhaps there is a glimmer of hope for me to be published one day." Subsequently, my thoughts evolved to something more along the lines of, "That was inconsistent and poorly executed." And when I ultimately completed the book and set it aside, my final thought was, "Well, that wasn't very good." Eragon simply isn't a well-written tome.

The positive aspect of Eragon is that it manages to entice kids to read. One can only hope that they will then progress to more renowned works such as the Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, or other classics within the fantasy genre. Nevertheless, I would not recommend it. There are far superior young adult fantasy novels available in the literary landscape.

2007 (5 stars)

Re-read: 2017 (3 stars)

When I first read Eragon in 2007, I was completely enamored with it. The story of a young boy and his dragon captured my imagination and took me on an exciting adventure. I couldn't put the book down and gave it a well-deserved 5 stars. However, when I re-read it in 2017, my opinion had changed. While I still enjoyed the story, it didn't have the same impact on me as it did 10 years ago. I found myself nitpicking at certain aspects and not being as invested in the characters. Maybe it was because I had grown and my reading tastes had changed, or maybe it was because the book just didn't hold up as well over time. Either way, I had to give it a 3-star rating this time around. It's interesting to see how our perspectives can change with the passage of time.

Flimsy knockoff

*cough* This so-called work might as well be blatant plagiarism *cough*

It seems that the author has not put in any real effort but rather just copied and pasted from other sources. The lack of originality is truly disappointing.

However, for a more in-depth and detailed review, it has been moved to https://covers2covers.wordpress.com/2.... There, you can find a more comprehensive analysis of this particular piece of work.

Hopefully, in the future, authors will strive for more authenticity and creativity in their writing, rather than taking shortcuts and producing such flimsy knockoffs.

I have always heard a great deal about the Inheritance series. It seems to be one of those series that is constantly recommended for Middle Grade readers. However, it was published long after my time, so I never had the opportunity to read it.

When the audiobook for Eragon became available through my library, I made the decision to give it a try. After all, it's better late than never.

I am pleased to report that I truly enjoyed it and am glad I took the time to listen.

The narrator was extremely entertaining! He crafted so many unique voices for the numerous different characters.

His voice for Sephira, the dragon, had me laughing out loud. It was so comical, yet in a really charming way.

This Middle Grade story weaves together many classic Fantasy elements, such as magic, dragon lore, a quest, and plenty of action.

Upon reading some of the reviews, it appears that some people thought it was a cliched version of Lord of the Rings. However, I didn't really get that impression from it.

I mean, of course, a lot of Fantasy is inspired by what came before, but I would hardly consider it a copycat version.

So, if you have heard such remarks, I wouldn't let them deter you from picking it up and giving it a try for yourself.

I'm not certain if I will end up continuing with the series or not, but a part of me desires to. I'm sure, like with many series, the story will continue to improve and become even more engaging.

4.75/5 stars


Books are my friends, my constant companions. They have the power to make me laugh out loud, bring tears to my eyes, and help me discover the true meaning of life.


Something to listen to while reading this ♥





TW: Torture, implied attempted rape, child (baby) death, grief, fire injury


Eragon is one of those classic fantasy stories that I simply had to read. And I must admit, I have no regrets whatsoever. This book is filled with countless elements that I typically adore in literature:


♦ The world-building in Eragon is truly impressive and massive. It is brimming with creative names, unique tongues, fascinating creatures, and enchanting spells. I have a particular fondness for detailed fantasy worlds as they offer the reader a wealth of insights.

♦ The road trip/adventure plot is another captivating aspect. Eragon embarks on a perilous journey through mountains, deserts, valleys, and forests, all in an impossible mission to avenge the death of his only remaining family. As the reader, we accompany him on this arduous path, allowing the world to wrap around us like a dragon's tail, pulling us deeper into the story.

♦ The characters in Eragon are another highlight. Eragon himself is an extremely interesting protagonist, well-developed and highly likable. Sapphira, on the other hand, is my absolute favorite. She is strong, clever, compassionate, and thinks and acts like a human. While I do agree with some observations that there aren't many female characters in this book, the ones that do appear, such as Nasuada and Arya, seem very strong and kick-ass, so I can't really complain.

♦ I also want to mention the fact that in this story, we witness men crying and admitting defeat. There are honest and realistic discussions about loss, revenge, weakness, trauma, and despair. This is a huge plus for me as it is not something we often see, especially in older fantasy works like this.

♦ Furthermore, the writing in Eragon is excellent when it comes to describing places. I appreciate the creativity in the history of everything and how the Dragon Rider tales are revived through Eragon's fate. While it may not be overly special in other aspects, for a fantasy story, I think it is smooth and descriptive, and when combined with a quick, fast-paced plot, it makes for a perfect match.

♦ Last but not least, the magic system in Eragon is really cool. I particularly like the role that language and the understanding of it play in shaping the world's magic. I find it to be very creative and unique, as well as the gedwey ignasia and the different relationships and alliances between humans, elves, and dwarves.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Eragon and it put me in a strong high fantasy mood. I am extremely excited to read the rest of the series and explore more of this wonderful world and story. ♥ Until the next review, keep being your unique and wonderful selves and stay strong and safe. ♥


~Mary ♥

Seriously, Ben.

Why on earth have you not read this sooner? This amazing book has been sitting on your To Be Read (TBR) pile for years.

What could possibly be wrong with you?

Was little Ben perhaps intimidated by the size of it?

Well, I FINALLY READ THIS BOOK

and

oh my goodness, I can hardly catch my breath.

I honestly think this is one of the absolute best fantasy Young Adult (YA) stories out there.

It's such a classic!

ERAGON, you are MIGHTY FINEEEEEEE!

Every page was filled with excitement, adventure, and wonderful characters.

The world-building was simply outstanding, and I was completely drawn into this magical realm.

I can't believe it took me so long to pick up this gem.

Now that I have, I'm eager to share it with everyone I know.

Ben, you really need to get on this and experience the awesomeness for yourself.

Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

A wonderful recommendation from my GR friend, Anish :) Thank you! :)

Also, it was an extremely great buddy read with Sweet Pinky, Lovely Saphy's Trainer and Gentleman Grumpy Cat :).

I had seen the movie and really liked it. However, when I recently heard about the book, I was both curious and had a slight sense of worry. This is because reading a book after watching its movie adaptation often doesn't work well for me. But I was pleasantly surprised. This book is truly wonderful!

Real life has been constantly disrupting me, so I apologize in advance for this short review. This amazing book truly deserves so many more praises.

Christopher Paolini's book charmed and captivated me with its wonderful world-building. The interesting adventures in the world of elves, dwarves, and other mythical creatures were truly engaging. The astonishing thing is that the author started writing this book when he was just a teenager, 15 years old. His skill is evident as he managed to draw me into the world of "Aragon", which is enchanting with its magic, action, creepy villains, wonderful heroes, monsters, dragons, and so much more.

The journey to the magical and mystical world of "Eragon" has begun. It's filled with adventures, hardships, and wonder. So, call your dragon and let's explore this world together :).

Probably the most expensive fanfiction I've ever read.

I'm not sure what possessed the publishing company to publish this book. Although I heard that Christopher Paolini was self-published at first.

I also wrote a book when I was 16, much like Paolini, and the quality was pretty much the same as Eragon. That is to say, awful.

Eragon (the character) is a total Mary Sue/Gary Stu. He learns to fight with a sword in just a few weeks, his past is angsty, and he's the first dragon rider for centuries.

This becomes even more clear in the next book, Eldest. Everyone loves Eragon, and those who don't are evil or will repent their ways.

In Eldest, he becomes this superhero, half-elf half-human, while the other characters mainly remain stock characters.

The dwarf with an axe, the beautiful but haughty elf lady. Brom is of course the wise old mentor, like Gandalf, or perhaps more like Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars, which the whole trilogy rips off anyway.

The only interesting character is Murtagh, but he turns out to be evil. I won't be surprised if he dies in the next book, or becomes Eragon's henchman after he realises how "awesome and cool" Eragon really is.

Overall, the Inheritance Cycle is a disappointment. It lacks originality and depth, and the characters are one-dimensional.

I would not recommend this series to anyone looking for a good read.

Honestly, I absolutely adored every single minute of this book. It is truly astonishing to think that Christopher Paolini penned this masterpiece when he was just FIFTEEN. The world-building in this book is simply remarkable. It creates a vivid and immersive universe that draws you in from the very first page. The adventure is thrilling and full of excitement, keeping you on the edge of your seat throughout. The characters are well-developed and engaging, each with their own unique personalities and motives.

This book is more like a 4-star read in some aspects. To be honest, it could benefit from a bit more emotion in the writing. I believe that adding a touch of light romance could have elevated it to an even higher level. However, I've noticed that this is often the case with male authors, and considering that Paolini was only 15 at the time, it's truly impressive. Despite these minor drawbacks, I devoured this book in no time. I simply couldn't put it down. The story was so captivating and well-written that I was thoroughly impressed with everything. In the end, I decided to give it a 5-star rating because it truly deserves it.