Summary and Reviews of Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Eragon

Inheritance, Book I

by Christopher Paolini
  • Critics' Consensus (5):
  • Readers' Rating (294):
  • First Published:
  • Aug 1, 2003, 528 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Apr 2005, 500 pages
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About This Book

Book Summary

Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders?

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands. . . .

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Reviews

Media Reviews

Midwest Book Review
Eragon by science fiction and fantasy enthusiast Christopher Paolini is a vigorously written high fantasy epic of Eragon, a young man armed with a mythic red sword, accompanied by a beautiful dragon companion named Saphira, and the recipient of Brom's old storyteller wisdom. Eragon is highly recommended for dedicated fantasy enthusiasts.

Booklist - Sally Estes
Starred Review. Gr. 7-12. It's an impressive start to a writing career that's sure to flourish.

Kirkus Reviews
This solid, sweeping epic fantasy crosses vast geography as it follows 15-year-old Eragon from anonymous farm boy to sword-wielding icon ....A slight tone of arrogance running through the narrative voice will hardly bother readers busily enjoying the reliable motifs of elegant immortal elves, mining dwarves, a wise elderly man, and a hero of mysterious birth.

Publishers Weekly
[An] impressive epic fantasy. The fantasy bildungsroman* has the brave youngster learning about exile, magic, love and his own destiny, and Paolini promises his saga will continue in two more volumes of the planned Inheritance series.

School Library Journal - Susan L. Rogers
Grade 5 Up--Eragon does not approach the depth, uniqueness, or mastery of J. R. R. Tolkien's works, and sometimes the magic solutions are just too convenient for getting out of difficult situations. However, the empathetic characters and interesting plot twists will appeal to the legions of readers who have been captivated by the Lord of the Rings trilogy and are looking for more books like it.

Author Blurb John Taliaferro, former Senior Editor of Newsweek
Paolini’s story unfolds like the tongue of a dragon. . . . remarkable novel. . . .This kid’s pen is as mighty as his sword. *Bildungsroman is a novel whose principal subject is the moral, psychological, and intellectual development of a usually youthful main character, from the German word bildung (formation) and the French word for a novel, roman.

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