I had read the first three books of the series from 2007 - 2010, and when the 4th came out and I got it in my hands as a gift in 2014, I knew that I had to reread the previous 3 books to get to the 4th which was not just a book but a milestone. So I neglected it, neglected it until during the Christmas holidays when we decide on resolutions, I decided to finally complete the series, reading one book a month. And so in January I read "Eragon". In a few decades, I'll start the 20th book.

Based on what the bibliographic details of this book say, the copy I read is from the 10th reprint, January 2007. The same date of reprint as the 2nd book, Ο πρωτότοκος, which I remember reading in the army, a little before I was discharged in July 2007.

So, I read this and the first book in the spring of 2007.

11 years ago. Back then when I was reading almost entirely YA, fantasy, and children's books.

Back then when I hadn't studied English philology, back then when I didn't have a critical opinion about the book I was reading.

Now 11 years later, I was afraid that I would be disappointed, that I would find it full of clichés and the familiar ingredients of a fantasy (dwarves, dragons, elves, and monsters (orc, goblins))

The truth is that almost throughout my reading there were phases that were characterized by the English word "cringe", due to the author's mania for putting adjectives and metaphors that didn't fit, or mistakes in the plot like a village on the previous page is referred to as a village, on the next page it's referred to as a city and on the following page again as a village.

But I got through well in the 2nd half and as a story it's interesting, with clichés but I didn't read it to give a didactic lecture on the portrayal of women in YA fantasy.

All these I didn't rate as I would rate a book written by an adult at least over 25 but by a 16 - 17-year-old teenager (in the final draft)

So for me this is an achievement for a teenager to write a best-selling fantasy. (helped of course by coincidences [lucks] but still remaining a best-selling teenager's work)

So 1 star for that, and 2.5 for the plot and story = 3.5

Of course with each book the leniency will decrease. In the 2nd I'll have half a star, in the 3rd and 4th nothing.

It should have improved by then. That's it! Happy readings!

I first read this book shortly after the second book came out, when I was around 10 years old. I was about to embark on a rather long train ride and needed something to keep me occupied. So, I decided to pick up a book. Up until then, I had only read for school projects and such, never for pleasure. Mostly because I thought reading was for nerds (yes, I would definitely punch my 10-year-old self too). I settled on this book because, in the eyes of my tiny 10-year-old brain, it seemed really long and the cover looked cool.

On the train journey, I began to read. At first, it was quite boring, but with nothing else to do for approximately 8 hours, I decided to persevere. And boy, did it blow my mind. At that point, I had never read LOTR or seen the original Star Wars trilogy, so the plot, the world, and the characters all seemed fresh and new. This background is crucial as I believe it goes a long way in explaining my high rating compared to many others in my circle. Despite what I now recognize as clichés and stereotypes, I still remember this book as a 10-year-old experiencing fantasy for the first time.

Eragon is a great story. Although the setting is a blatant rip-off of LOTR, it's still not bad for high fantasy targeted at young readers. The plot is a... tribute, let's say, to Star Wars and classic fantasy from the 80's. An orphan of mysterious heritage is compelled to leave his isolated village after an attack by evil beings. Despite its lack of originality, Eragon's plot is still engaging. It's a classic coming-of-age story with journeys across a magical land, battles with deadly enemies, and a young character learning more about himself.

Unfortunately, the characters in this story let it down. Eragon, for the most part, was an almost painfully dull, earnest, and sincere guy who lacked the personality to drive the book forward. Throughout the series, Paolini failed to create complex or engaging characters. While the personalities of immortal elves may seem inscrutable to us mere mortals (which is unfortunate since most of this book's readership will likely be mere mortals), none of the other characters were interesting either, with the possible exception of Murtaugh and the definite exception of Brom. Brom was awesome. Spoilers* His death was a devastating scene for my fragile 10-year-old psyche, and even now, I recall it as being incredibly intense and emotionally charged. I was never able to relate to Eragon or find him an engaging protagonist. Fortunately, the breathless pace of events in this book managed to prevent his dullness from really standing out.

Eragon was a well-written, tightly paced introduction to fantasy for children. However, after the first book, the next three trailed off badly. Paolini abandoned the safety of his 'influences' and tried to make things up as he went along. As a result, the story became unfocused, bloated, and meandering. Paolini attempted to establish a distinct magic system based on a unique language system, but it didn't pan out. The magic system became overly complex and full of holes, often seeming to completely ignore the parameters set up in the first book. More characters were also introduced and explored, but they were all as uninteresting as the original characters, and now the plot wasn't compelling enough to draw the focus away from them.

Throughout the series, the possible emotional and mental struggles of a boy who is elevated from a subsistence farmer in the middle of nowhere to a mage with god-like powers, a famous hero, and a possible leader of the people over the course of a few years are largely glossed over, in sharp contrast to Rand in The Wheel of Time. Eragon is never even seriously tempted to abuse his powers in any meaningful way because he's such a good guy. Also, due to the fact that he never steps up as a leader, he avoids having to make any difficult decisions, instead spending his time flying around on his dragon, single-handedly defeating armies of mooks unfortunate enough to be fighting for the Evil King. We're also treated to occasional philosophy lessons about how much of a burden immortality and limitless power are to an 18-year-old. Wuss.

Older readers may struggle with the clichés and recycled ideas in this book. However, for younger readers who haven't read much fantasy, Eragon is a beautifully crafted story of action, adventure, friendship, and heroism.

I first picked up Eragon when I was 19, which was two years after the book was published in 2003. At that time, I was eagerly anticipating the second novel, and it was one of my first ARCs as a bookseller. I had been reading adult fantasy for a few years, but I was not very knowledgeable about the genre. Eragon met all of my basic expectations for a book of its kind, and I was fascinated by the fact that it was written by a teenager. I remember being inspired by it - if he could do it, then so could I. However, I had some difficulties with the pacing in the middle of the book, but after getting past that, I thoroughly enjoyed it until the end. My old, handwritten review at the time said, "Anyone who likes fantasy should read this. It would make a very entertaining movie one day (I should have specified: if done well, lol)."

Fast forward almost 10 years to 2014, and I got an audio copy to reread with the intention of finishing the series (which I still haven't done). After 10 years of avid fantasy reading and a lot of writing experience, I have to admit that many of the things that attracted me to Eragon when I was young no longer held up under my more mature scrutiny. The writing was clumsy, and although it was very impressive considering the author's age, it was clear that there were many areas that needed improvement, especially in the opening chapters. I also noticed that the story itself was not very original, and I could name half a dozen dragon books that I thought did a better job with the concept. However, I could still understand the appeal it had for me as a teenager. It is an engaging story for a younger audience and is great for introducing them to the genre. The excitement for books like this is what drove my own reading ambitions, so I rarely dismiss them.

Series status: I still haven't finished the series, despite having several copies in different formats and plenty of opportunities. I finally had to admit that the story just doesn't speak to me like it did when I was younger. I really wish the wait between books hadn't been so long because I think I would have continued reading it seriously if they had been published earlier.

Recommendations: Eragon is a fun way to get younger readers interested in the fantasy genre, but it may not stand up to the scrutiny of more experienced fantasy readers or writers. Nevertheless, it is now what I would consider a classic in the genre because of how many kids it entertained (myself included), so I would still recommend it as a good read.

Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com

Other (dragon) books you might like:

  


  


  


  


  

The statement “The greatest enemy is one that has nothing to lose” holds a certain truth. It's been a long time since I first encountered this when I was a young teenager or perhaps an old child. The unfortunate thing is that I never got to read the fourth and final part of this series. By the time it was released, I had completely forgotten what had occurred in books 1 - 3. Since then, I haven't been able to find the time and motivation to reread them. Finally, I made the decision to start listening to the audiobooks to jog my memories.

I firmly believe that the age at which you read a book has a significant impact on your perception of it. Experience also plays a crucial role. The older you get, the more your perspective will change. The more books you read, the better you can distinguish a good book from a bad one - although, of course, it all depends on one's perspective. Anyway, I highly doubt that I would like City of Bones if I were to reread it now, nearly 10 years after my initial reading. Fortunately, this is not the case with Eragon, even though I downgraded my rating from four stars to three.

It's important to note that I “reread” this in the form of an audiobook. I'm not the biggest fan of the narrator. He makes the characters seem overly emotional and slightly immature, and I'm not fond of how he voices some of them. However, I do think that some of this immaturity can be attributed to the way Paolini wrote them. The language, in general, is a bit too pompous and pretentious for my liking. Thirteen-year-old me wouldn't have minded, but many years later, it's something that bothers me. These characters often behave in a proud and almost regal manner, like the typical knight in shining armour. The fantasy world Paolini created seems to call for this kind of language and behaviour. Dwarves, elves, and dragons are creatures filled with pride and valour. It was an exaggeration that bordered on being ridiculous. A minor criticism is regarding the chapter titles. I found them to be far too revealing.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting this world. Paolini managed to create something so vast and wonderful at such a young age, and I'm a little envious that I haven't achieved the same yet. I'm glad I finally found the time for this book and will probably commence reading book 2 immediately.

“The greatest enemy is one that has nothing to lose.”


Find more of my books on Instagram

Almost everyone is familiar with how this story unfolds. Eragon discovers a massive egg in the forest, initially mistaking it for a precious stone. That perception changes entirely when the egg hatches, revealing a dragon. Dragons and their riders have long been eradicated from the empire by the malevolent king Galbatorix. Eragon believes he can keep his dragon, Saphira, a secret. However, when the King dispatches the lethal Raz'ac to locate and capture both him and Saphira, he realizes that he has imperiled his entire town. Now, Eragon is faced with the choice of living on the run from the empire or joining the resistance.

What truly astonished me was the level of angst that Eragon exhibits in this book. I don't recall him being this way in the other books, or perhaps I simply failed to notice it. Nevertheless, I didn't have an issue with it. To be honest, the protagonists of contemporary YA books are often written to be overly mature and level-headed. Frequently, it reaches a point where it seems almost unbelievable. I didn't mind that Eragon didn't always think before acting or that he felt the world and fate were arrayed against him. These are, after all, the actions of a 15-year-old boy.

Eragon can at times be impetuous, but Saphira is wise, despite having hatched just six months prior. Saphira is one of my favorite characters. I adore her protectiveness towards Eragon; their bond is truly beautiful.

I had a great time reading this book. Many of the revelations in the subsequent two books have clues planted within this one. It was really exciting to pick up on hints that I probably wouldn't have noticed had I not known what occurs next. I'm eagerly looking forward to rereading Eldest and, hopefully, making my way through this outstanding series.

______

My reviews of:

2: Eldest

3: Brisingr

When I was in middle school, Eragon had gone viral.

Everyone in my tiny private school had read it, and I was no exception. In fact, at any given day at lunch time, someone was reading one of the books. A friend of mine loaned it to me with one rule: I could only read it at school.

That was torture. Eragon was the biggest book I'd ever read at the age of 11, and I devoured it sitting in class, hiding it behind my history book. I sat through lunch, caring more about the book than food. Then, through recess, I ignored my friends asking me to come play.

Eragon had a hold over me. It watered new seeds of imagination, opening up my mind to a world beyond my wildest imagining. Dragons! It was the same feeling I'd had when I first read Narnia. It nourished the dreamer part of me that I'd thought had withered and died. Being a preteen is hard enough on its own without feeling like you have to leave childlike things behind.

When I wasn't reading, I was daydreaming about what it would be like to ride a dragon. What bliss the feeling of complete and utter freedom, the wind in my hair. I could imagine the exhilaration of reaching out to touch the clouds!

Eragon inspired me so much that I wrote my first piece of fanfiction, which was also the second story that I ever wrote. I was so anxious for the sequel to Brisinger that I started to write my own. Granted, it was nothing like the actual book, but there was also a sort of magic in it that I will never forget. It was then that I found my love for writing. In my version, Roran discovers that he also has magical abilities. Eragon left a deep impression on me and set me on the path to the wide world of fantasy. Even more importantly, I discovered that my imagination wasn't childish, that it could lead me to greater things, like a passion for writing. So thank you, Christopher Paolini, for nurturing the imagination of a child, just like Eragon was on the path to adulthood and trying to make their way into a strange new world.

Content: PG - 13

For violence

Scant language

The people of Alagesia believe in many gods, one even demands its followers to cut off limbs to become more 'enlightened' along with sacrifices. This is briefly mentioned and is spoken of in disgust.

A shade, which is a magic user possessed by evil spirits, is a villain in the story.

I received an AD PR copy of this book as part of #thesummeroferagon tour hosted by Tandem Collective in exchange for an honest review.

Eragon has been on my TBR list for what seems like forever, and I never had the opportunity to read it. So, when I got the chance, I literally jumped at it. The fact that the author was only 15 years old when he wrote this book truly amazes me!

If you're a fan of LOTR, this is a book you'll love reading. I always thought Eragon was the dragon, so I was really surprised to find out it was the boy. The dragon's name is Saphira, and I absolutely adored their relationship and bond from the moment they met. Saphira is so sassy, fun, and protective, and the banter between them is just wonderful. She's exactly what Eragon needs to keep him in line.

I also loved the plot and the characters, especially Brom. I breezed through this book and can't wait to pick up book two and continue this adventure. I have a hunch that a major twist is即将到来. The book ended at a perfect point to keep you hooked and eager to know what happened next.

Reread in the form of an audiobook. :) It is my sweetheart and Stránský has an amazing voice.

This statement expresses a personal preference for rereading in the format of an audiobook. The use of the term "sweetheart" implies a deep affection or love for this particular way of experiencing a book. Additionally, the mention of Stránský's amazing voice further emphasizes the enjoyment that comes from listening to an audiobook.

Perhaps the person finds that listening to an audiobook allows them to relax and immerse themselves in the story more fully. They may also appreciate the added dimension that a talented narrator like Stránský can bring to the text. Overall, this short passage conveys a sense of enthusiasm and pleasure for the audiobook experience.

You know that saying “I’ll wait till the movie comes out?” Don’t.

So I am an aspiring author. Let me shed some light for those who don’t understand this series is a unique series.

“Imitation: a method of writing instruction that bas dropped off the map, fallen through the floor, and disappeared from the face of the earth as far as modern education is concerned. And yet imitation is arguably (according to Aristotle, Cicero, and numerous other authorities) the most effective rhetorical device for learning your licks as a writer.” - William Cane in Fiction Writing: Master Class

I first want to say that everyone is entitled to what they believe and think about a certain piece of art (yes, books are considered art in my eyes). You can like a certain piece just because of the story line or you can not like a piece because they have a funny name for the main character. You are entitled.

What you are not entitled to is saying that a certain author is a piece or crap and a knock off of a literary masterpiece.

Every story, no matter where it came from or how old, is an imitation of other stories. Christopher Paolini talks about how he looks up to famous author J. R. R. Tolkien and his trilogy “Lord of the Rings.” So obviously the book is going to have some sort of Middle Earth feel to it because that is what he likes. He has similar species (elves and dwarves) but a lot of stories have those. So are we going to say that every story that has a vampire or werewolf is a knock off of Dracula? Because the species is similar to the original? No.

The two series do have similar aspects to them, but they aren’t identical. Have you ever read a book that didn’t sound like another? How about every dystopian/fantasy series out there today for young adults? A young, normal and boring girl is thrown into saving mankind against the somehow twisted and corrupted government. Now tell me you can’t name at least five series that sounds like? The Hunger Games? Divergent? City of Bones? Uglies? Matched? The Summoning? Marked? How about if you changed the young, normal and boring girl into the young, normal and boring boy? The Maze Runner? Harry Potter? Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit? Eragon? Every book is imitating another if you actually sit down and think about it.

The real question is: why on earth would you want to do that? Why would you want to get your panties all tied in a knot? Why not just enjoy the book for what it is? Why not live and breathe the world someone created in their mind after reading hundreds of other worlds? Isn’t it amazing in itself that someone could come up with something so magical? This is art! I would like to see one of you come up with a story that has nothing similar to any other story out there (and it actually be a good story). If you do, I will personally send you an apology and say that I was wrong publically.

There is so much uniqueness and magic in the Inheritance Cycle. I am currently reading it for the third time because I get so inspired by Paolini’s writing. The map inside the cover is enough for me to get lost in the world that he created at such a young age! That should be enough for anyone to be in awe of this work and this man’s mind!

Carvahall is where our hero Eragon starts off in the book. He finds a beautiful blue stone that magically appeared during his hunting trip that turned out to be one of the last dragon eggs out there. He becomes a dragon rider. He has to decide if avenging a family member’s death is more important than saving the corrupt kingdom from a dark rider named Galbatorix.

His dragon Saphira is strong headed but usually his voice of reason. She keeps him thinking straight and his head level. I’m not sure why some people say she doesn’t have feelings because it is clear to me that she does. She is a dragon, so her feelings are not as clear to us as they are to other dragons. Half the things she does she does out of emotion anyway, so I’m pretty sure you are just mistaken.

Brom is a storyteller from Carvahall with a mysterious past that he won’t completely reveal. He has a lot of stories about dragons and knows a lot about the empire. You get pieces of his back story throughout the series and that alone is an interesting one to know.

The cities that are in this story are pretty extraordinary. You have Carvahall, which is a small and dull town where nothing really exciting happens besides when the traders come to town. Then you have Utgard which has a rich history of the riders and past battles. Teirm, one of my personal favorites, which has a history of being attacked by pirates, Urgals and other enemies. They set the whole city up to be ready for war in an amazing way, land or sea. Then there is Dras-Leona, which is a horrible place where people think that the more bone and sinew you give up, the less you’re attached to the mortal world (what in the world?). Not to mention they are heavy in poverty and slavery.

Not to mention the cities where dwarves and elves live. And that deadly desert...

Then you have the different species. Humans are a big part of the story (especially when Roran becomes a big character later in the series). Dragons, obviously, are a big part of the story. Though we only know of two that live in the first book: Saphira and Galbatorix’s second and forced dragon Shruikan. Then we meet a Shade which is kind of just like a magical being but this one is not someone you want to mess with. A Witch who knows and shows up randomly (very curious character). A Were-Cat which are as clever and sneaky as an actual cat but have some magic in their veins. Then we have Elves and Dwarves who are just as you would expect them to be. Then we have Urgals, which in my opinion are like stupid ogres mix with a lot of hate and ugliness. Not to forget the Ra’zac, which in my opinion are like bugs in cloaks and currently give me nightmares.

The witch previously mentioned name is Angela. She read Eragon’s fortune (side note: this made me happy because it proves that Paolini knew exactly where he was going with this story when he started the book) and said it was nigh impossible to see.

1. Infinity or long life

2. Many choices in his future including great battles, power struggles and countless futures

3. A death that will cause him much grief

4. He will leave Alagaësia forever, no matter what he chooses

5. Epic Romance

6. Betrayal from within the family

This is a great set up for the rest of the book. You get to watch all these things come undone and how he reacts to them. Knowing your future can be an awful thing, and this book clearly states that.

There are battles, miracles, high emotions, secrets, and magic in this book (in this series!). I recommend you read this book. First, knock out all that negativity you harness and go into thinking someone made up this world. Someone imitated parts and made up others and fit a magical story into pages for the rest of the world to read. He was fifteen when he started this book. That is amazing to me because I believe this book is thoroughly laid out. I think it is a great story. You don’t? You are entitled to that opinion. Not everyone is going to like a single piece of art. Don’t go and criticize the author though, because it takes guts and imagination and a determined mind to put together what he did and show the world.

Someone really ought to grab this cub and give him a good shaking, telling him THAT HE IS NOT TOLKIEN! His prose lacks the deliciousness and artistry that one would expect. Instead, it's irritating to the core. You find yourself sitting on the toilet, reading and shouting out the worse lines from the book. And then, as you realize that this cub is making millions while you've been struggling since 1999 and beyond to perfect the same stories, you just want to bang your head against the wall. It truly makes me feel rather bitter.

The worse thing is that this book is such a blatant rip-off of Dragonriders, Lord of the Rings, and of course, Star Wars. I, too, wrote all kinds of things when I was 15, and many of them were inspired by other books. For instance, a werewolf story I'm working on was inspired by Neil Gaiman. But what I will do is work extremely hard for ages, making sure that it no longer seems plagiarized. I will strive until the book is original, or as original as I can possibly make it. At least J K Rowling managed to take the same ingredients of wizards, witches, dragons, and such and add her own special spices to the stew. Paolini, on the other hand, does not do this. He proudly uses every cliché he can lay his hands on and drools over his ridiculous prose. If he were my son, instead of publishing his book, I would have made him rewrite it until he gets it right, and I would have told him NOT TO USE SUCH RIDICULOUS METAPHORS AND SIMILES!

To know who you are without any delusions or sympathy is a moment of revelation that no one experiences unscathed.

AUTHOR'S WRITING STYLE: 4 stars!

Yay: Re-reading Eragon feels truly wonderful! The writing style of Chris Paolini has the remarkable ability to transport me to enchanting fantasy worlds filled with magic and the unknown. The presence of descriptive-heavy descriptions makes the reading experience a fantastically crystal-clear adventure rather than a chore. Eragon serves as a delightful introduction to the world of fantasy for both the young and those young at heart. It stands as a landmark in how a fantasy story featuring a dragon is crafted. The dialogues are engaging and fun. The magic spells, though difficult to memorize, are interestingly unique. The world-building becomes even more expansive and captivating on a re-read. Each location that the characters travel to seems special. From rural to city life, to the desert (which has become my new favorite scene!), to the world of elves - all are well worth my time spent reading.

Nay: There are longer dialogues in the last two to three chapters that are written in long paragraphs. These contain an overwhelming amount of information.

CHARACTERS' DEVELOPMENT: 4 stars!

Yay: Re-reading Eragon makes me realize that there is a rare pattern in which the characters are developed. It appears that the development is divided into three essential parts. First is Eragon and Saphira. The adventure commences with the strong link between Eragon and Saphira. These two are fully developed into a mother and son relationship, considering that Eragon grew up without parents and siblings. To a certain extent, Eragon experiences the love of a real mother through the presence of Saphira. Saphira, a dragon, behaves more than just a beloved pet to Eragon. Sometimes, it amuses me when Eragon makes Saphira his babysitter. I can't blame him as he is a 15-year-old boy who needs to learn how to read and write. The level of his stress is high upon learning that he is a Dragon Rider. I observe that he is initially unprepared for this responsibility, but I admire how he perseveres to learn and adjust to everything. Thanks to Brom, Eragon turns not only into a skilled fighter but also a compassionate healer. Among the iconic lead characters of fantasy, I have a soft spot for Jacob Portman. He is my all-time favorite. Next is Eragon - at least for this book alone. I still need and want to read the sequels to determine if Eragon maintains this high standard. The second part is the arrival of Murtagh. Eragon grows up with only an uncle and a cousin by his side. He considers them his family, but deep down, an uncle and cousin are extended bloodline members and not "originally" family. With the introduction of Murtagh, Eragon gets to meet a blood brother. They share fairly similar interests, have misunderstandings, and have helped each other on multiple occasions. The bond between Eragon and Murtagh is not the same as that between Eragon and Saphira. Still, they have formed a bond that is typically found within the home of a family.

Nay: The third part is saving Arya. Arya is a beautiful elf and Eragon is attracted to her. The timing of her addition to the story starts strong. I love her name and who she is, but there is something lacking in the development of Arya. Perhaps, there is more to be explored about her in Books 2, 3, 4, and 5. Hopefully.

PLOT: 4 stars!

Yay: Re-reading Eragon is an adventure of a lifetime! This is a fantasy story that is unjustly hated a lot, and I don't understand why. The flow of the story is smooth and graceful, as if it is dancing in front of me. There are similarities with other fantasy books, but why compare? Eragon is a story that stands on its own. You simply need to appreciate it and set aside thoughts of other books for a while. This is not Lord of The Rings nor Harry Potter. This is Eragon. This is his story. Respect it.

Nay: All plots are, to some extent, derivative, and all possible reveals have been made, and Eragon is no exception. Stories have both similarities and differences. It is inevitable, and to be fair, Eragon is a joy to read regardless.

* *

Done reading ERAGON - Book 1 in The Inheritance Cycle.

AUTHOR'S WRITING STYLE: 5 STARS. I decided to start this series with no great expectations, but holy cow, it has entertained me immensely. Narrated in the third person POV in past tenses, this book contains all the fundamental elements of a fantasy story - magic, battles, and a dragon.

FYI: Paolini completed the first draft of the story when he was only 14.

CHARACTER/S DEVELOPMENT: 3 STARS. All characters are rather one-dimensional. It seems predictable who is good and who is evil. Eragon is a 15-year-old illiterate farm boy. When he discovers an egg in the mountain, he eventually decides to take good care of it until it hatches. It is no ordinary animal. It is neither a bird nor a chick. It is a blue female dragon. Eragon names her Saphira. She and Eragon develop a unique bond. They learn how to communicate through their minds. And there's Brom, who trains Eragon how to read, how to fight well with a sword, and how to perform spells. "Brisingr!"

PLOT: 5 STARS. This is plotted intelligently. It seems as if Chris Paolini spent years sitting and carefully mapping out the direction of the story. Each chapter contributes to the shaping of the characters, the world-building, and the magic system. The pacing is fast. There are long dialogues near the end that explain a great deal, which I dislike, but it is easily forgiven as these are necessary to maintain the depth and substance of the story.

The rating of zero stars is on purpose.

This is truly one of the worst books I have read in a very long time. If you search extremely hard, perhaps between the covers of this book you might manage to find an original idea. However, it seems as if the author has ripped off ideas from well-known authors such as Anne McCaffery, Jane Yolen, and Tolkien, etc. It's just a happy coincidence for him that by the time he wrote his book, McCaffery and Yolen had somewhat faded into obscurity.

I have never witnessed a book being published with such an astonishing number of editorial errors. The sentence structure is extremely poor. He uses so many words in the wrong context that it is blatantly obvious he wrote it with a thesaurus right beside him, simply inserting synonyms without having a full understanding of their connotations.

His characters change inconsistently to fit the situation, especially the main character. He lacks the ability to depict the feelings and motives of his characters effectively, so he has to go to great lengths to explicitly inform the readers as to what they are thinking.

The only thing that holds his book together is its plot, and even that plot only manages to survive if there is a fight in every single chapter.

Well, I could continue to write like this forever, but I should also say a few positive words. He started writing this book when he was still in high school. From that perspective, I have to admit it is a certain achievement. I, for one, certainly never wrote a bestseller when I was in high school.

However, I think his publishers must be regretting their decision. The second book was very different. It had a more adult style, and he had a better idea of how his characters would react to various situations, and it was much less action-oriented. Unfortunately, it was also rather boring. How often have you actually heard someone getting excited about "Eldest"?

I believe the mistake here does not lie with Paolini. I think it was his publishers. They should have waited until he was completely finished with all three books and then edited them to ensure a consistent writing style. Or even better, they should have limited him to writing a single book initially and then allowed him to write his trilogy after he had matured as a writer.

There is a much bigger problem highlighted here: bestsellers are not necessarily made by having a good book. Instead, bestsellers are often the result of a highly effective publicity campaign. If "Eragon" had been placed on the shelf in the same way as every other kid's fantasy book, I'm not at all sure it would have received any more notice than the others. It probably would have been better for the publishers, the movie-makers, and - most importantly - for a young man who shouldn't have to endure the pressure of having to write the third book in a bestselling trilogy that is likely to have at least one less purchaser. I, for one, am going to save my money and simply check it out from the library.