(12/31/2005)
Eragon and Eldest are two good books, even though everyone may say they are copied, stolen, etc. I do like this series very much but did find it similar to other books. As for people saying it's good for being written by a fifteen year old; in an honest review the age of the author should not affect your rating. You are rating the book, not that author.
I did find the lack of character descriptions annoying but my first time through I did not notice it missing at first. I did however find I was being led on to read the book and was a fun past time for me and in my opinion worth a read.
Also please do not say the name Eragon came from the LotR name Aragorn, Eragon is dragon with an e in the place of a d. He also found this name on kabalarians.com I know as a fact so no it was not stolen.
The book can be good if you allow yourself to like it. If you get caught up in criticims and comparing to other books, you subconiously start looking for them throughout the book.
As for using elves, dwarves, humans, and dragons he could have made up his own race to make it have a little more original feel. The Ra'zac are a unique race in the book but since there are only two of them they are overlooked.
Yes shade the name may have been taking from warcraft but the physical appearance is nothing alike.
Overall the book does have some lack of originality but once you have become involved and are really into the story it makes for an exiting read.
-Thanks