I learned that this book is truly amazing. I mean, come on people! You see this explosion in a forest and have the courage to go and see what it was. And it turns out to be a huge piece of sapphire (or is it?). Well, then Eragon goes around trying to sell it because his family is poor, but no one wants it because it came out of the Spine! (For those who don't know what the Spine is, it's a collection of mountains where only the brave go in and only the lucky come out.)

I saw the movie and I was so disappointed that I literally wanted to send a scathing email to the director. I swear he didn't get a single thing right. First of all, it's not a burn with a spiraling dragon; it's a scale on his palm. Secondly, the dragon took months to grow, so instead of making this newborn fly into the sky and then amazingly come down all grown up, what a load of rubbish the movie was! But the third thing is about how Brom says that the Ra'zac is tough in both the movie and the book, and it takes forever for them to kill the Ra'zac in the book, but Brom and Eragon go and take them out within 10 minutes after saying that. Totally contradicting themselves. And the director cut so many places out of it that he didn't even introduce the witch, who was a big character in the second book. I mean, did the director even read the book? I want a freaking remake of the movie. It's nothing like the book. I hated the movie and loved the book. God, will there ever be a smart director or do you just bring idiots to Hollywood? Grrrr.

~Bye!~

Check out this book in my very first video review!

Anyway, onwards to the review!

I could read this one a hundred times and love it just the same.


This was my middle school book series. I read it over and over and over (and, as you may have guessed, over and over...).

It had dragons! And elves and magic and swordplay and not a love triangle in sight.

Even rereading it as an adult, I just...cannot separate all those happy memories. So keep in mind, my review might be is more than a bit biased.

Eragon, a farm boy, stumbles upon a suspicious blue stone while hunting in the Spine (an area that few would go to even in the best of times). He loses sight of his prey but brings home the stone anyway, figuring that he might sell it.

However, once folks find out it's from the Spine - they refuse to touch it. Begrudgingly, Eragon takes it home only to discover, a few short days later, that the stone is not a stone...it is an egg.

A dragon egg.

And while Saphira (his young dragon) is cute for the first few weeks...Soon, Eragon realizes that keeping a dragon, even a young one, is no easy task.

When a tragedy befalls Eragon's family, he sets off with Brom, a local storyteller, and Saphira on a quest for revenge.

Along the way, he meets both friend and foe. He travels far farther than he ever dreamed possible and experiences losses that will irrevocably change him.

Nothing is more dangerous than an enemy with nothing to lose, he thought. Which is what I have become.

Rereading this as an adult, there are a few things I picked up this time around - like how Eragon is always just strong enough to vanquish his enemies, how he is always in the right place at the right time, how he's able to pick up swordplay and magic at an unbelievable speed...

And yet...

There is one thing that 11-year-old me and 25-year-old-me would absolutely agree.

One thing that remains steadfast and true.

I will defend this book to my dying day. This book is simply the best. The best of the best.

Audiobook Comments

While the book may be the best of the best...this audiobook (narrated by Gerard Doyle) was not. In particular, Saphira's voice was absolutely, hands-down, the worst voice ever bestowed upon a dragon.

I could understand going for a deeper voice for a dragon, but she's a young, female dragon, not a crotchety 1000-year-old creature with a chip on his shoulder. It was painful to listen to. Over 10 hours of a deep, guttural flem-in-the-back-of-your-throat sort of voice - think yoda on steroids.

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Good.

It's not one of my absolute favorites, but it's still good.

The story has its own charm and keeps me engaged to a certain extent.

Although it didn't immediately blow me away, I can see the potential in it.

I have decided that I will eventually read the rest of the series.

I'm curious to see how the plot develops and how the characters grow.

Maybe the subsequent books will offer more depth and excitement.

I'm willing to give it a chance and explore the world that the author has created.

Who knows, it might just become one of my new favorites.

For now, I'll take my time and enjoy this first installment, looking forward to what's to come in the future.

I have an abundance of nostalgia for this series. When I reread it now compared to around 20 years ago, I did notice some areas that I could potentially critique. However, I truly don't have the inclination to do so.

Re-reading this has been an absolute delight. I am in love with the characters. Their development and personalities are engaging and relatable. The pacing of the story is rock-solid, keeping me hooked from beginning to end.

Although the premise is a familiar one in the fantasy genre, there is enough freshness added to make it stand out on its own. It feels unique and exciting. There are numerous aspects of this story that 16-year-old Christopher got spot-on, aspects that more experienced adult authors often struggle with.

To me, this will always be a reliable and enjoyable fantasy read. I simply love it with all my heart. It has a special place in my literary heart and will continue to be a favorite for years to come.

DRAGONES!❗

Just seeing this word makes me want to take off and go on an adventure

Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1), Christopher Paolini

Eragon is the captivating first installment in the Inheritance Cycle penned by Christopher Paolini. Born in 1983, Paolini astonishingly wrote this novel during his teenage years. After spending a year drafting the initial version, he dedicated a second year to meticulously rewriting and enriching the story and its characters.

His parents, upon seeing the final manuscript, decided to self-publish Eragon in 2001. Paolini then embarked on a year-long journey across the United States to promote the novel. By a stroke of luck, the book was discovered by Carl Hiaasen, who arranged for its re-publication by Alfred A. Knopf. The re-published edition was released on August 26, 2003.

The narrative revolves around a farm boy named Eragon. One day, in the forest, he stumbles upon a mysterious polished blue stone. Thinking it might be a lucky find for a poor farm boy, he attempts to use it as payment to a butcher. Little does he know that the stone is actually an egg, from which a dragon, later named Saphira, hatches.

When the evil King Galbatorix learns of the general location of the egg, he dispatches the Ra'zac to obtain it. By this time, Saphira has been growing for a while. After the Ra'zac appear in their village, Carvahall, Saphira takes Eragon to the Spine. Eragon and Saphira, accompanied by a storyteller named Brom, are then forced to flee their hometown. They decide to search for the Varden, a group of rebels determined to bring down Galbatorix.

The story is filled with thrilling adventures, complex characters, and a richly imagined world. It has captivated readers around the world and set the stage for the rest of the Inheritance Cycle.

The situation is truly appalling.

appalling.

There is an image, as if it is a reflection of something rather strange. The picture shows a scene that is quite unexpected.

It's as if the whole thing was written by an enthusiastic but tragically over-encouraged teenager. This teenager seems to have parents who are insufferably supportive and somehow happen to be well-connected in the publishing industry. But then, there is a moment of hesitation.

...oh.

And then, we just carry on, as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened. However, the underlying strangeness lingers, making us wonder what exactly is going on behind the scenes.

It's a rather curious and somewhat disconcerting situation that leaves us with a sense of unease and a desire to know more.

Eragon has truly got to be one of the most tiresome books I have ever had the misfortune of reading. I usually have a great love for fantasy, as evidenced by my passion for Harry Potter. However, with Eragon, I simply could not make it through. The story, which was supposed to be a simple journey, was excruciatingly long. The protagonist chances upon all these magical things and makes such a huge fuss about them. Everything is meant to be mysterious, but in reality, it is more irritating than mysterious. I have a penchant for adventure, but his journey was so slow-paced that it felt like it took forever to get through.

The writing in Eragon was truly abysmal. There were an overwhelming number of details, but not nearly enough substance. More often than not, I found myself cringing at some of the sentences, completely baffled as to what on earth they meant. Most of the descriptive language and details seemed completely random. Why should I care about the pots and other utensils lying in the house? How does that contribute to the story being told? Why should I be concerned about that speck of dust (and so much more random stuff) in the stupid dungeon?

Now, I admit that I am green with envy that Paolini wrote this at such a young age and had it published relatively early. But jealousy and admiration are two very different things. And I definitely do not admire his work. Especially since it seems he basically copied his ideas from previous fantasy books. Couldn't he bring anything new to the table? And yet he received critical acclaim for this? Maybe I'll just go ahead and copy Harry Potter and Twilight, and turn it into a story about a bunch of teens going to Hogforks (a combination of Hogwarts and Forks) to train to become the best vampires so that they can kill this evil vampire beast called Goldemort. And maybe I'll also receive critical acclaim and win all these awards too! But I highly doubt it.

Critics say that Eragon is a cheap copy of The Lord of the Rings with a bit of Star Wars, just that here dragons appear. Well, I can't deny that. There are indeed very many parallels to other (earlier) fantasy works, but for me, that doesn't make this book bad.

Is a thriller any worse just because (surprise, surprise) a murderer is up to no good and a person wants to stop this? Read a thousand times and yet people always reach for it. So why not for a story in which a boy leads a hard life, discovers something (here a dragon egg) and unexpected powers emerge in him. There are elves and dwarves, villains and friends and a big battle at the end with still many open questions for the sequels.

This young adult fantasy novel, at any rate, I liked very much. The world of Alagaësia is pleasantly built up piece by piece, because we experience together with Eragon what it's like to be a dragon rider. And his gradually approaching companions. I especially liked following the growing relationship between Eragon and his dragon lady Saphira.

For all those who like classic young adult fantasy, a clear recommendation, even though I can imagine that most people already know it.

Respect to Christopher Paolini, who wrote Eragon when he was only as old as his protagonist: 15.

Finally, it should be said that Andreas Fröhlich has masterfully scored this audiobook! I will definitely continue listening to the series.

The story presented here is a classic example of the Hero's Journey, which has been studied and analyzed by many, including Joseph Campbell. This makes the plot somewhat predictable. Indeed, many people compare it to Star Wars and claim that Paolini copied ideas from it and LOTR. However, it should be noted that Star Wars also closely follows the Hero's Journey, as does Eragon. Come on, people! George Lucas and JRR Tolkien were also familiar with this concept. We should stop making unfounded accusations about one author stealing from another. The Hero's Journey has been around since ancient times, as seen in the Iliad and Odyssey. If one knows the formula, they can create any plot line.

What intrigued me the most was the "about the author" section at the end, which revealed that it was the parent's publishing company that initially published the book. I can understand the motivation behind this. No parent wants to undermine the achievements of their own child and admit that something may not be that great.

Eragon is not a bad story per se, but it offers little that is different from other adventure/fantasy books. In the end, they all follow the Hero's Journey. It is, after all, nothing particularly special.

The writing lacks freshness, and the characters, while attempting to be vivid, fall somewhat short. There is action and the presence of teenage hormones. Eragon represents the nerdy wish of every 15-year-old boy to be a sword-wielding superstar with a sexy elf by his side.

I don't usually have much to say about the books I read. Mostly, I just assign them a star rating and move on. This book has a lot of potential, but it lacks the depth that comes with life experience. And I believe this is because the author himself also lacks such experience.

A few years ago, I had watched the movie and I had pleasant memories of it, since I really liked it quite a lot. The novel, however, has not had as much depth and weight as I expected. I feel that there is a bit more of a lack in the development of the characters. They didn't leave as much of an impression on me as I would have liked.

Nevertheless, my intention is to read the entire saga. I understand that in the following volumes, the plot gets better.

I am still looking forward to seeing how the story progresses and how the characters evolve. Maybe in the subsequent books, the author will be able to flesh out the characters more fully and make the story more engaging. I hope so, because I really want to have a more satisfying reading experience with this series.

“Books are my friends, my companions. They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life.”

This is one of the rare books where the hype is truly deserved. Paolini has crafted a story with an entertaining and engaging plot that definitely exceeded my expectations. While it may not bring anything entirely new to the genre, except perhaps the touching and intimate relationship between the Rider and the dragon, it is still a great book.

Eragon lives a simple life in the mountains with his uncle and cousin until he discovers a mysterious stone. When the stone hatches into a dragon, Saphira, his life is forever changed. Galbatorix’s agents are searching for Saphira, so Eragon is forced to flee his isolated village after an attack by evil beings. Brom accompanies him and teaches him about the legacy of the Riders. They embark on a journey filled with battles against Urgals and Eragon searches for his purpose.

Despite its lack of originality, the plot is still interesting. There are quite a few obvious tropes, but the writing style is fluent and the world-building is neat. It's a classic coming of age story with all the elements one would expect: journeys across a magical land, fights with deadly enemies, and the narrator learning more about himself and his heritage. I am truly impressed with the quality of the book considering the author wrote it at the age of 15. Paolini does an excellent job of detailing battles without them sounding dull.

“Keep in mind that many people have died for their beliefs; it's actually quite common. The real courage is in living and suffering for what you believe.”

Paolini pays great attention to the small details, putting into perspective how this society handles intense situations and if they would really be up for a revolution they so desperately need. He tests different beliefs through Murtagh's opinions and his debates with Eragon. Their friendship is one of the highlights of the novel.

The bonds between characters seem real, except perhaps the forced bond between Eragon and Arya. The development of relationships is natural and genuine. In a way, the bond between Brom and Eragon is the most significant, although it is frustrating how much important information Brom withholds from Eragon.

Eragon is a curious, independent 15-year-old boy, brave and determined to learn everything he can about the world he lives in. It's a joy to watch him grow into a true Rider, although he perfects his skills a bit too quickly for my liking. He's courageous, smart, and essentially a good lad, despite being a bit of a Gary Stu.

Brom has some hilarious moments, but I didn't always like him. He's sassy and intelligent, but also harsh. He and Eragon make a great team, and he plays a crucial role in Eragon becoming a hero. I think Brom fulfills the role of a father figure for Eragon better than his uncle.

Saphira is a convincing and clever dragon. As a baby, she's as cute as a kitten, and as a grown-up, she's even more spectacular. I simply adore her. Before reading this book, I wasn't particularly interested in stories with dragons, but she changed my mind with her unique personality and extravagance.

Eragon and Saphira are instantly connected as a Dragon and the Rider and are inseparable. Their relationship is constantly teetering between being unhealthy or unconditional. They grow up together in every way, and it's almost as if they don't have separate personalities anymore.

\\"If anything happens, I’m going to pin you to my back and never let you off.\\" \\"I love you too.\\" \\"Then I will bind you all the tighter.”

They're just so cute!