Rating: 
Summary: Almost Amazing
Review: The story of Eragon has all the makings of being one of the best fantasy books I have ever read. It only falls a little short during the few passages and plot lines that seem forced and don't allow you to get completely sucked into the book. Overall its worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book
Review: I read this books some months ago. It is simply great. It has lots of action and the right amount of the dialogue. The flaws in this book is that Christopher seemed to put all of his ideals of what he wanted in the trilogy into this one book and that makes me wonder will there be anything new in the next book. Also the fact that some clues about what could happen in the next book are banged on our head many times. The writing is very smooth,the characters are very cool, and it has a nice modern feel to it. Murtagh is the coolest. If you wish that JK Rowling had Harry get into more magical duels, then read this book. If you hated the fact that it was torture to get through LotR, then read this book. If you like Star Wars (Which is the main influence on this book in my beliefs), then read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Familiar, yes. But what's all this comparison to LOTR?
Review: I gave Eragon only 4 stars because it IS rather familiar. You have your standard young person of humble station getting a big fat destiny landing in his lap, and running off into the unknown with a mystierious aged tutor and pursued by terrible enemies. But it is still a very enjoyable read and I stayed up until 3am to finish it. There's a lot to like about Eragon, especially the portrayal of magic (which differs somewhat from most other works I've read). But what's all this talk about it being like LOTR? Eliminate the similarities you find in nearly ALL fantasy, and the two are really quite different. And the stories are very different as well. A fun read. Keeps you up at night. Want more. That's all you need to know.
Rating: 
Summary: It's like LOTR, but it's also VERY much like Star Wars
Review: I agree with other Amazon reviewers who say that Eragon is a lot like Lord of the Rings. However, it also bothered me that it is a LOT like Star Wars! This is what I mean: Eragon (Luke) is a young farm boy who lives with his poor Uncle Garrow (Owen). He doesn't know anything about his past, but finds out that his mother chose to leave him at the farm. And there are hints that Galbatorix, (Anakin/Vader) who was a benevolent Dragon Rider (Jedi Knight) who became evil and took down the whole order of peace, is actually Eragon's father. Now that Eragon has a dragon, (similar to Luke obtaining the Death Star plans from Artoo) he is a threat to Galbatorix's Empire (Yes, it's actually called the Empire, just as in Star Wars) and will be hunted down. Brom (Obi-wan), who is considered a kind of crazy old story teller (just as Uncle Owen calls Obi-wan a crazy old man) decides to help Eragon on his quest. Brom was apparently an influential Dragon Rider himself, but is now in hiding from the Empire. (Just like Obi-wan). Eragon's farm is torched for what he knows, and his uncle is killed. (Just like Star Wars!) Brom and Eragon start traveling, and Brom teaches Eragon about his apparently inherent ability with magic (the Force). Along the way, Brom ends up sacrificing himself (like Obi-wan's death), and Eragon meets a gruff, mercenary type guy named Murtagh (Han Solo). Eragon gets captured, finds out an Elven princess is imprisoned as well, and he and Murtagh pull off a perfect replica of Han and Luke rescuing Princess Leia from the Death Star, complete with Murtagh disguised as one of the guards. These are just the parallels I found with Star Wars; there are many more pertaining to Lord of the Rings which other reviewers have already mentioned. My point? It's okay to have a few similarities with other popular works, but there is a point at which you are simply copying. People who believe that Paolini has some kind of divine fantasy inspiration are simply not looking at Eragon objectively. Christopher Paolini, whether doing it intentionally or not, has created a mismash of elements from other works, and is passing it off as something that should strike us all as wildly original. I have a degree in creative writing, and while this does not make me an expert, I could see something in Paolini's writing that ANY student of creative writing will learn in their very first writing course: people who are beginners will invariably copy from other works they have enjoyed, either intentionally or subconsciously. When you become a more mature writer, regardless of whether you began writing at age 15 or 75, you learn to develop your own style and orginality. I don't see orginality of expression or plot in Mr. Paolini's work, not in the smallest measure. Don't get me wrong; the quality of his prose is okay for someone who apparently started Eragon when he was 15. But, in my opinion, it's NOT nearly the quality you'd expect from someone who now has national acclaim, and has been on David Letterman and CNN. His age has gotten him this press, not the quality of anything he's done. It makes me sad that there are so many writers out there who have great talent, but because they did not promote their books like Paolini has (with, ahem, his parents initially publishing it for him) they will never receive widespread recognition. (...).
Rating: 
Summary: Commendable First Effort; Room for Improvement & Originality
Review: Christopher Paolini has written a book that showcases his potential for producing some truly great fantasy stories in the future. While reading this book, I found myself constantly comparing the plot and character development to other authors. This was not always a bad thing, however, because in some instances Paolini actually improves upon other authors' ideas and writing styles. For example, in scenes that dealt with interaction between Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, of course Anne McCaffrey's Pern stories immediately came to mind. But, I was impressed by Paolini's inclusion of his own original details- and found myself thinking that those extra details were the things I always wanted to know when reading the Pern books, but was never given by McCaffrey. The only time I was really disgusted by a borrowed idea was near the end of the book, when Paolini unashamedly rips off Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea novels nearly word for word in discussing the nature of magic, with regard to the Language of the Making (which dragons inherently know and humans must strive to learn); and the idea that every thing and being has a name in the Language of the Making that if known, gives others power over that thing or being. The only twist Paolini gives to the idea is that humans must discover their name (while LeGuin's characters are given their name in a coming of age ritual). I believe Paolini's next book in the series will serve to define the greatness of "Eragon". I fear that the potential is there for the story to degenerate into a painfully drawn out "Wheel of Time" series. However, if Paolini disciplines himself and keeps his writing fresh and interesting, "Eragon" will be a commendable first effort that serves as a springboard to other truly great books.
Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: Anyone who enjoys LOTR/Harry Potter-esque books, young or old will enjoy Eragon. Excellently written, and excellently read by the talented Gerard Doyle. I loved it.
Rating:
Summary: Just amazing.
Review: This book is definently one to read. Although it has many similarities to Lord of the Rings, it still has its many good points. Paolini is a young writer who deeply describes the story and creates an understandable story line. People who say the following: -Paolini copied LOTR.
-It is boring.
-He is not consistent with the personality of the characters. NOT TRUE. He has his own writing style and I found it amazing, for such a writer in his teens. This book is awesome!! Anyone should dive into these pages of fantasy, adventure, and emotions.
Rating:
Summary: A great begining that will leave you eagerly awaiting more!
Review: "Eragon" is the first book in the Inheritence trilogy (the other two books haven't been written yet). It is the story about a fifteen-year-old farm boy named Eragon who discovers a mysterious blue stone in the forest near his home. At first, Eragon intends to sell it for much-needed money, but when a very rare and powerful dragon hatches from the "stone", Eragon is immediately thrown into an adventure that he isn't prepared for! He's forced to flee his village with his dragon, Saphira, and an old storyteller, Brom, after his grandfather is brutally murdered. Before long, Eragon finds himself unwillingly at the center of an ongoing war between elves, dwarves, men, primitive Urgals, fiendish Shades, and the evil King Galbatorix. With elves, dwarves, magic, and all of the other fantasy elements in the story, it's impossible to ignore the similarities between this book and the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. But, even so, "Eragon" is still a very entertaining book with plenty of originality. Christopher Paolini uses the perfect amount of detail to make the story incredibly believable, but not so much that the story drags on longer than it needs to. Though there were a few slow parts, especially in the beginning, there was enough suspense built up to keep you reading and wondering about what would happen next. All of the main characters in "Eragon" have their own unique personalities, and the way they interact with each other makes them seem very real. Actually, though "Eragon" is obviously a fantasy book, many aspects of it were quite realistic, such as Eragon's numerous self-doubts and weaknesses: two things that main characters often lack. Even the made-up geography and languages of Paolini's world are very intricate and well thought-out. The only thing that might annoy some people about "Eragon" is that it's very complicated and often confusing at times. There over fifty different names of people, places, and animals that are used throughout the story, so if it weren't for the glossary and maps in the back of the book, I would have been hopelessly lost! But if you really enjoy reading fantasy/adventure stories like "Lord of the Rings", then you shouldn't let that stop you from reading "Eragon"! The continuous excitement and suspense will surely keep you hooked throughout the whole first part of Eragon's long journey!
Rating:
Summary: familiar but fun
Review: I must admit, I went into this book expecting to dislike it. I even delayed reading it for a while, only now getting around to it. I thought the media hype and advertising, and the novelty of a 15 year old writer, were the only reason it was getting anywhere. However, I got around to reading it, and found myself enjoying it. Yes, of course it has all the elements of a cliched fantasy, but sometimes I don't have a problem with reading a good old-fashioned fantasy. It's familiar and comfortable, but still a good story, and in this case written out in a nice way. Recognizable from other books we've read, yes. That does not mean it has to be a bad book. Reading the reviews on this site, one thing that has especially irked me is how people stress the unoriginality and resemblance to Tolkien. Tolkien, while revolutionary, was not totally original himself, using many old archetypes, legendary creatures, and fairy tale background. Some people have blamed Paolini for copying Tolkien, citing things like his use of one main guy on a quest with a old wise advisor (Gandalf/Brom). This especially is not just copying Tolkien, it is use of the universal archetype of the quest journey, and exactly this situation is found in old folk tales from throughout the world. Why? Well, it makes sense to have an old wise advisor-can't you see that in real life? In conclusion: familiar but fun. Many of the same cliches have been used in adult epic fantasy with much worse writing, taste, and interest. (...)
Rating: 
Summary: Somewhat Lacking
Review: The fact that this author is young does IS amazing, however the literary work is not so impressive. Yes, it is in-depth and has the normal twists and turns of fantasy books, but it lacks the craftsmanship of better writers. I believe this author has not yet acheived the ability to create 'atmosphere' liek many others have been able to. If you are interested in a hard-core fantasy series, Robert Jordan's 'Wheel of Time' is a great one to start in. With over 9 books, its completely comprehensive; the first books being easy enought o read for all people, and the latter ones being rediculously awesome and complex. A must read.
|
