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

Overall it was a great book which I could not put down. It was full of captivating characters and multiple stories to hold the readers intrest the only thing i found i disliked slightly was the tedious training that could have easly been explained in a lot less writing then it was other then that is was a fantastic piece of literature.

This is the second book in the inhearetance series. This book will leave you wanting more. (I can't wait till the next book comes out!!!) A long epic of Eragon and Saphira fighting the good fight against the evil king Galbitorix. Eragon has gone to train with the elves and discovers many secrets and mysteries. Than in the middle of training he is called off to war. Although this book is a bit choppy in areas it is an all together good book. A little sloweer paced than the last book Eragon this boook will reward the readers who stick with it. All in all I would give this book a 4 and a half. I would recomend this book to young adults or older. Enjoy!

Perhaps it was a case of 'imitation is the sincerest form of flattery' rather than just plain old 'rip off'.
Having read everything from LOTR (beginning Sept. 22 annually and starting with 'The Hobbit) through the Silmarillion, ALL of Ursula LeGuin, ALL of Terry Brooks and everything else from Marion Zimmer Bradley and Katherine Kurtz through Stephen King's Dark Tower, I consider myself to be fairly knowledgeable in the genre. (Lest anyone think I read only fantasy, I also enjoy everything from Hesse, Dickens - the classics - to Robert Ludlum and Mary Higgins Clark) So I ask the question- was anyone else distracted from the story by the numerous similarities, borrowed names and basic story from many of the above mentioned ' fantasy' authors? Throw in a little 'Star Wars' with LOTR, the Shannara and Earthsea cycles and there you have 'Eragon' and 'Eldest'.
I know Christopher Paolini was a kid when he started these books but honestly, I think the publisher and editors should be ashamed. (But the almighty BUCK talks...and you-know-what walks) Note the character's name similarities: Eragon and Aragorn, Arya and Arha, there is even mention of a character named Ged as well as Galbatorix gaining control over Murtagh by using his and his dragon's 'true names'. How about the elven woman who 'sings' herself as part of the Menoa tree? Can you say 'Elfstones of Shanara'?
I give the book a 3 just for the kid's effort at such a young age. I give the adults surrounding Christopher Paolini a 0 in integrity because they allowed these books to be published. Kids will like the books and I guess that is alright if it gets them to read and expand their horizons, but as for Chris Paolini becoming his generation's equivalent to J.R.R Tolkien? Any one who believes that is a fool.
This book was at times very tedious and all in all disappointing and amateurish to say the least but understandable for a 15 - 19 year old.

Eldest is no better than Eragon. The protagonist is not likeable at all, exasperating, and dim. As for the writing, Paolini sounds ever so slightly less like a 7th grader with a thesaurus than he did in the first book. However, his descriptions are useless, bore the reader, and fail to help the reader visualize what is being described. There are many descriptions of gore as well. Sex is implied at one point, and Eragon behaves inappropriately towards Arya, the elf he has a creepy, stalker-like crush on. (Really, CP? That’s your strategy to make Eragon seem like a good person?) While every character should have flaws, Eragon is all flaws and no virtue. A bit sad considering CP based Eragon on himself…

I had very high expectations on this book when I opened it, because I enjoyed Eragon and I was looking forward to see if Paolini had developed his writing-skills, which truly were needed.
I became disappointed. The book goes on and on about the most irrelevant events, and leaves what's interesting in the outskirts.
The main-character Eragon's journey from boy to man is sadly going backwards, and his new heroic manner is just silly.
It's obvious that he tries to match with Tolkien, but the result is poor and surprisingly boring.
Do not waste money on this book.

Ok, loving fantasy, whether it be a movie, a book or video game, I love it. This book however is just not that good. The first book gets the reader wanting to read more of the story, yes their are similarities found between Paolini and and other writers but the story was solid. Then comes book two, and OUCH I felt like I had just stepped in to faerie land hell. I was not sure if I was reading LOTR or Star Wars or playing a video game or 1 of dozens of other things fitting this genre.
I will read the third book out of curiosity, but I am hoping Paolini gets a little no A LOT more unique and creative in his third book and stops plagiarizing the rest of the known fantasy world

Christopher Paolini is an excellent writer. He could, and probably will, make millions of dollars as a pulp fiction writer. However, in his attempts to write a literary masterpiece, he has succumbed to the deadliest trap of the English language: Theft. The major similarities between Inheritance and Tolkien's works are quite visible if you are familiar with the latter, but, I must admit, not quite as bad as the similarities I have seen between other recent novels and 'The Lord of the Rings'. The prose of Eldest, the writing in its basest form, without consideration for ideas, is excellent, but originality is lacking. If you are looking for a book to read for a bit of amusement, this is an excellent choice, but if you are looking for a deep, thoughtful read, look elsewhere.

Although 'Eldest' was masterfully created, with stunning landscapes and imaginative worlds, the plot itself is just a rough mix of over-used ideas, taking pieces from many great works of literature. In skilled hands, these pieces can be used to create a great work, but not in this case- Paolini writes an unbelievable account on a very cliched topic, obviously using the main character Eragon as a reflection of himself. Hopefully the final book will redeem him, if not it would represent wasted talent.