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Summary: Eragon
Review: Eragon was a really good book. It was the kind of book I couldn't put down. Anyway, Eragon is out hunting and the clearing starts to glow and sudenly theres this stone. Only the stone isn't a stone... I guarentee this is a good book.
Rating: 
Summary: A promising start
Review: Christopher Paolini may be a newcomer to publishing, but in "Eragon," the first of what he promises will be a trilogy, he does a fine job of holding high the rich fantasy tapestry woven by masters such as Tokien and others.Paolini borrows a significant amount from an already-strong fantasy tradition, but he still manages to bring his own unique offerings to the table. His characters are well-developed, his imagery strong, and his wit keen but subtle enough to avoid seeming forced. At times, he gets bogged down in descriptive detail, but the book and its engaging storyline easily overcome such minor flaws, and it ends up developing into a true page-turner. And unlike much of today's mass-produced fantasy fiction, Eragon has literary merits. It it well-written, has satisfying depth and offers tantalizing hints about what is to come in the next two books. (Who is Eragon's mother? What's the deal between Eragon and Arya? Is Murtagh a good guy or not?) Fantasy lovers will also enjoy the appendices, which include a glossary, a pronunciation guide, a series of language guides, and a map that readers will find themselves referring to constantly. Paolini is a young author with promise, and "Eragon" is a must-read book that is bound to lure new fans to the genre while satisfying old ones.
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Summary: Not as bad as some portray...
Review: As a long time reader of fantasy and science fiction, I'm not sure I understand the complete disgust some of the reviewers are feeling concerning this book. For me, Eragon is a good fill in as my post-LOTR:RotK-high wanes, and I anxiously await the next installment in Jordan's Wheel of Time series. I've read Tolkien, McCaffery, Lackey, Tad Williams, and many others. The fact that many elements are obviously taken from these greater works didn't take any enjoyment away from my reading. Not an epic, I agree, but not a waste of time. For those people who have found books of a Tolkien-esque scale intimidating in their size and vocabulary, I think this is a good start to get into the genre. If you are well aquainted with fantasy novels, this is a nice Saturday afternoon read when you just want to read something for the fun of it.
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Summary: Not enjoyable
Review: They say that I should like this book. I love J.K Rowling and J.R.R. Tolkien - the perfect gift you'd expect. However, as I read the first chapters, I found myself being needled with the feeling that I had read something similiar before, and it was better then. As I read more, I became bored with the whole thing. The whole thing was so predictable and unoriginal. I thought it sounded like a English class fantasy assignment gone crazy. I have read books that definitely took ideas from other "original" fantasy authors and managed to like them a little. But in Eragon, it was so OBVIOUS. Overall, I thought it was something you'd praise on the fanfiction level, but it shouldn't of been published. Glad I borrowed it instead of buying it.
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Summary: The beginning of a classic trilogy
Review: Eragon was a breathtaking novel that kept me on the edge of my seat through the whole 500 some pages! The characters are vivid and imaginative and draw you into the epic of a boy who struggles to raise a dragon outside the clutches of the Empire. Saphira, the dragon, takes my breath away, and I could feel the deep empathy she has with her rider. Brom, the mysterious story-teller who forces his way into Eragon's life while still hiding his own tragic past, is also a character who will leave a lasting impression.
All in all, this is sure to be a memorable book which will live on into the ages.
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Summary: looking forward to Inheritance 2
Review: Great book! I'm impressed...and I compare everything to Tolkien, Brooks, Eddings, and McCaffrey. The best part is that he's only 19 and has lots of years and books to come! I'm really looking forward to the next installment in the trilogy.
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Summary: More Fantasy Please
Review: With Eragon, Paolini ventured into a flooded market of fantasy books. As many have commented in previous "reviews", Paolini's book does have some similarities to Tolkien and other prominent fantasy writers. But with so many fantasy books, it is difficult, if not impossible, to write something completely original. Paolini's work is obviously inspired by the Lord of the Rings, but instead of copying Tolkien's format, he wanders off into his own land, with its own history and own uniqueness. For that, I applaud him. While reading this book, I was immersed into Paolini's, characters, story and world. I began feeling the emotions that the protagonist was experiencing in the story. Is that not the job of a writer? On this level, I believe Paolini was quite successful. However, when I read Eragon as a writer reads, I see some problems with his composition. The most glaring issue is his dialogue. The dialogue itself doesn't have the punch that I would have hoped and it seems as though he tried to come up with as many ways possible to say "Eragon said." The true power of the dialogue should be what is said, not how it is said. Finally, I have an issue with some of the other "reviews" of Eragon. The trouble with previous reviews is that adults are putting adult perspectives on a book that is intended for students and kids. Overall, I would recommend this book. It is entertaining and it kept me reading. Kids looking for something to fill the LOTR void will enjoy this book; they will look forward to its sequels. As a teacher, I know that kids will appreciate this book and accept it for what it is: a good young adult fantasy book.
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Summary: Like a cover version of an old favourite
Review: This reminds me of some boy band covering one of the classics. It's not bad as such, it just keeps reminding you how much better it's been done elsewhere. The story is totally derivative. I accept that it's difficult not to be these days, but sadly there's not an ounce of originality and far too much direct copying. Even then, if the story was a page-turner, you might be OK but it drags most of the time. Goodness only knows how the author is going to keep it going for two more books. Read the Pern stories, Tolkein, Ursula la Guin to see how it's really done.
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Summary: A good read
Review: This is a very interesting story. YES YES it is not new. In fact I recognize all the elements that were taken from the classic works of Fantasy. Just like Eragon, Paolini is just a fledging, a teenager who is thrown into the perilous adventure of writing only to confront the evil critics into a long epic battle of good vs. evil. I admire him because he had the courage to give to the world this book at such a tender age. Also, like Eragon, he is not a master yet. There is a lot he needs to learn. He is still sloppy with his penmanship(sword) and his magic use of language. Give him time and he will prove to be a great writer and one to contend with.
All in all I thought the story was quite entertaining, since I read it for the purpose of having a good time and not to rip it apart into pieces. Great things should be expected from these two young heroes!
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Summary: Don't let the pretty cover fool you
Review: It is interesting how readers either seem to love or hate this book. I was drawn to the book by the attractive cover. I got it out of the library and spent a few days trying to be interested in it. It was very easy to put down. The only reason I finished it is that I continued to read it hoping it would get better. It did not. This was written by a teenager, and it shows. One hopes that his next book(s) will demonstrate his growth as a writer. I must say I have sympathy for anyone who tries to write a fantasy novel which includes elves, dwarves and magic, because the book will inevitably be compared to Tolkien, especially now that the LOTR movies are out. However, in no way is this book "comparable to Tolkien," or even any of the other writers to whom Mr. Paolini has been compared, at least in terms of writing style and excellence. The plot and "devices" are not original; the story line is VERY like Star Wars, and the dragon/magic and relationships are similar to those in novels by Anne McCaffrey, Raymond Feist and Terry Brooks (no offense to these writers). The writing is disjointed, uneven and dull. There is much extraneous information which the reader tucks away in his memory, thinking it will be used later, but it is never mentioned again. Nearly every chapter ends with Eragon falling asleep or becoming unconscious. I had to laugh at some of the lines, such as "White mist rose up off the river, like blood steaming in winter." Surely that is something every reader can relate to (?) One can hope as Mr. Paolini matures that his writing will also. But don't waste your money on this book with a nice cover - get it out of the library or borrow it from a friend if you want to read it.
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