What readers think of Eragon, plus links to write your own review.

I enjoyed both Eregon and Eldest tremendously. I've been an avid reader for over 20 years, so it didn't surprise me that some of the themes were familiar to me (i.e., a seemingly weak and ordinary adolescent finds himself in a position where he must attempt to save the world). Also, I noticed some striking similarities with Pern (Anne McCaffery). However, I don't believe that this detracts from the book.

I would argue that Paolini's characters are his books' strongest points. They engaged me and felt much more real and somehow "modern" than is common in fantasy novels. I relished both books but felt quite sad that I could not share them with most of my students (I'm a tutor) because the language is too complex for struggling readers.

It wasn't until I finished Eragon that I found out the author's age. I was flabbergasted, and I am not making allowances for his youth!

By the way, spelling has always been difficult for me, and I try not to judge people by their spelling, but if you are criticising a piece of writing and your spelling and grammar are atrocious, it's just funny. Come on, spell check is easy.

first of all, i have to say that 'guess who' (the 13 year old kid) is a lot more mature than many of those that rate 1 just because they accuse the book of plagerism (sp?) (maturity is not feeling like a grown-up or acting like one, but also, accepting things like one, in this case society and its new writers' over-used subjects) secondly, i have to admit that the main things of the book have already been used. and finally, i have to state that you can't say eragon is a direct copy from lotr, aragorn has nothing to do with eragon (actually my whole family and i related it with the word 'dragon') and the rest of the similarities between names might happen anytime... because of this, the book's fantastic descriptions, places and feeling it produces i rate 4...

I found the book to be a very fun read. Did a good job of describing situations and have you itching for the next page. For a select few who decided to destroy the book and comment that it was to "LOTR" there have been many fantasy books before with elf, humans, and dwarfs. I do feel the book needed some tweaking and maybe a bit more work, but I feel for the age group he was aiming for he did an exceptional job. I feel for thoughts of you that didn't like the book you were more looking in the area of Adult novels.

Every new artist: painter, composer, author ect. takes themes and ideas from other works that they like and are familiar with until they can find their own style and voice. Paolini is no exception. Even Patricia McKillip who some say is one of the best fantasy writers of our time borrowed ideas from LOTR in her Riddle Master trilogy. I think for writing Eragon at 15, Paolini did an excellent job and I'm sure that this is just his first step in becomming a great author.

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

WHAT IS ALL YOU PEOPLES PROBLEMS???? Oh my gosh! Paolini didn't copy from stupid Star Warz or LOTR. How could you say that? None of the plot lines are the same....AT ALL! Plus this is supposed to be a review meaning metioning SOMETHING about the book. I mean you couldn't have just disliked it because you thought it was a little like LOTR. So you can't say anything about it. Could you write that good when you were 15? I think NOT! So what if you think the plot is similar to Star Wars(I mean hey I am as big a star wars fan as the next scifi crazed kid)you have to look at how the book was written. Even if you are not older than 15 I bet when you do get older you couldn't even write a draft to one of his books! So get over yourselves! Anyway......I thought this was an exellently written book. I don't think it will become more popular than Harry Potter but I do think it will definetly go up in the lists. It was very vivid in descriptions. At some points you were about to well up in a rage of tears at others you were jumping up and down very excited, at others you were ahhhing at the amazing love scenes, sometimes you got mad at Paolini for killing certain people.............but all in all it was amazing. Read it in 3 hours( I am a book fanatic)read Eldest in 4(busy with soccer that day). All I can say is very impressed. Paolini NEEDS to finish the series.(If you are wondering why I gave him a 4 yet I am ranting on and on about what a good job he did it is because people are too curtious with their high scores and I do agree with the ones that said it wasn't entirly perfect) :3

I gave them a 4 because most of the plot was taken from other books but still i love them even though the plot was stolen. I reconmend it to every one

I thought this book was interesting at most. It was good enough to sway my attention from the screaming airline engines when I flew over the Atlantic. However, regaurdless of my reasons for reading the book I enjoyed it. It was a quick read, easily read also and one of the main things that anyone that writes a review to this should understand is that it is not for everyone. Every author is not going to play to all readers. Paolini wrote, stole, borrowed, copied, whatever you want to call it and for the readers of his age group it was a huge success. There is no question about finding many similarities from other authors or stories in Paolini's writings, yet when music stars remake old songs no one fusses? I fail to see the difference in this same circumstance. What Paolini has done is taken from the authors, probably his mentors that he used to stay up all night and read their books just as you and I have done and attempted to create something in their honor in the way that he saw it. I'm not defending his work or the people that criticize his work because everyone is entitled their own opinions, however I will ask you to take a few minutes to think about when you were younger and your minds were racing like his.