I enjoyed reading "Eragon" after someone told me it was completely different than the movie. Of course, it had the first part of "Eldest" at the end of the book, so I immediately got "Eldest". I enjoyed reading it, parts of it very much parts of it not so much. I particularly enjoyed the development of Arya and Nasuada, Arya especially. Eragon himself changes and I did not mind the transformation that happened to him. The only thing I absolutely did not like was Eragon's use of "Master" when addressing Oromis, that brought to mind Anakin Skywalker in "Star Wars" eps 2 and 3. In the chapter "Under The Menoa Tree" when Arya deliberately asked Eragon about who was at fault, and he answered (basically), "They both were." She responded that, "They weren't suited for each other." Eragon should have said something to the effect of "Then you would not have the beautiful Menoa Tree, which covers the forest." I thought that he missed an opportunity there to add some further depth to their relationship. Remember, in "Eragon" Angela foretold that he would have a "romance", not that he would pine over someone and it never get resolved. So I do think that Eragon and Arya will end up together and it was interesting how she broke the fairth because she was frightened. The raven flying around both of them, saying, "Wyrda" was not insignificant. He also said the same thing when he was healed by the dragon-elves at the Blood-Oath Celebration. Then his revelation that he cursed the girl instead of blessed her may have been his misstep, but Saphira's gift of planting the symbol on her forehead was actually a blessing in disguise, because Elva saved Nasuada. I think that at some point in the next book the Elven kingdom will be threatened, that's when he will need a weapon and "look under the roots of the Menoa tree". Also, when he does face Galbotrix that's the point where the Vault of Souls will come into play.
As far as him plagarizing Tolkien, McCaffrey, and Lucas, I think that though it is clear he took things from those sources, he made them different enough to get beyond plagarism, (except use of the term "Master"), and moved instead into giving a "nod" to those works of fantasy (and science fiction) but really creating his own world. I think that is what sets the books apart.
I have a little beef with the elves who don't believe in anything, and argue with the dwarves who have their own version of god, yet Arya later says "Fate has decided". So, she believes in "fate". That is as real as a belief in gods and implies something at work that is beyond the realm of nature or magic.
Plus, Saphira's response to Eragon's announcement that he won't eat meat was way, way more right and accurate than his reason for not eating meat.
The part of the book leading up to the battle was thoroughly enjoyable, especially the part about the Urgals. But once the battle started, the quality of the book fell way off. It went too quickly.
Where was Arya? What was going on with Elva and Nasauda? I wanted to know what was happening with them as much as I did with Eragon and Saphira.
What about the magicians? We learned so much in the earlier part of the book about magic in general and then how magicians were used in battle, but when it comes time to get into the battle we don't actually SEE them. The battle with Murtagh seemed off. Eragon defeated an elf at swordmanship, something which Brom told him he would never do, and then he reverts back to his old ways of fighting, with he and Murtagh matched equally. A very big discrepancy there. One that I cannot explain, and I've been a part of science fiction groups that actually spent time coming up with how this or that could work. Now Murtagh being strong in magic leads me to believe that it has to do with Galbotrix and why he keeps growing stronger. But, he was too cruel, there should have been more anguish that Galbotrix controlled Murtagh because he knew Murtagh's true name. Murtagh said Galbotrix actually made sense in what he wanted to do, and then turned around and watched the Twins get destroyed by Roran because he "gave [his] oath as a Rider." Then took Zar'oc, which meant "Misery" and said "Thorn (his dragon) and Misery" go together and will wreak havoc. Eragon should have beat him with his sword,and almost killed him, but then stopped because he recognized the complex series of blows. Eragon should have then stepped up and pulled off his helmet to reveal that it was Murtagh. At that point, Murtagh should have trapped Eragon with magic, thus stopping Eragon from finishing him off with the sword.
That is why I only give "Eldest" three stars out of five. As far as it being too long, it was, but that wasn't a problem, because I skipped reading most of what Roran went through (other than the basics) until Roran met up with Jeod. Then it picked up and seemed to flow with the rest of the book.
Oh yes, and the final egg, which carries Saphira's mate, I would personally like to see it hatch for Arya. But that's just me and my own personal taste. |
Eldest (Inheritance, Book 2) Books In Print, Audio Books.
Christopher Paolini’s abiding love of fantasy and science fiction inspired him to begin writing his debut novel, Eragon, when he graduated from high school at age 15. 
Our quickie pronunciation guide will help you get to know some of the names and places in the Inheritance series.