The beginning is a little slow but once you get through the first couple of chapters you are hooked! It makes you feel like you are there fighting with Eragon and makes you want to keep reading. I am ready to find out what happens in the next.
Yawn...
Well, at least I had a book to read that would put me to bed at night.
This book took me an excruciating, long time to get through. I can plow through an 800 page book fairly quickly - but these 500 pages in particular were quite hard to get through. The short chapters gave me a good excuse to stop regularly.
Don't get me wrong - I think this would be a great book for young adults who are just starting to read fantasy. Some parts did hold my interest; however, for someone who has been reading fantasy for over a decade it may be worth your time to go with a book with a little more substance.
This book was recommended to me by a friend on the basis that I enjoyed Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. Unfortunately, this book did not even hold a candle to either of those. I understand that Christopher Paolini was a young author when he wrote the book so it is guaranteed it will have a different feel, it just wasn't for me. I was definitely not engaged enough to be interested in picking up Eldest next.
Long story short, in my opinion - If you're over the age of 15, grab something else.
Spoilers!
People have been saying over and over again how very unoriginal this writing is. Never have finished the Lord of the Rings (finding one of the most boring things I've ever read.), and I haven't read the Star Wars books, I really can't tell you if this is really plagiarism. I have read the reviews that compare Star Wars to Eragon, and I admit, they do have some merit. But there are still a lot of original ideas in this book, and it is one of the better dragon books out there. And if it is just like the Lord of the Rings, I give Christopher Paolini a thumbs up for managing to make it interesting.
The story line was good, and there were a couple of laughs along the way. I was sad when Brom died, but happy when Eragon rescued Arya. Arya turned out to be my favorite character, and the most mysterious. Saphira was done well, giving her enough traits to not sound like she had the mind of a human. Overall, I would have to say that the characters were all well done.
I will say this though, the book could have a third less chapters and you wouldn't notice the difference. Too many pages, and too much time is spent on descriptions of every little thought, action, and scenery change. And while I love long books, I will only like them if it keeps you captivated. It is also a little bit gory, with lots of wars and battles, it's to be expected, and should delight teenage boys.
For boys I would say this is 10 and up, for girls I would say 12 and up. I liked it quite a bit, but it could have been a lot better in my opinion. Another thing that really got me was the ending. There was nothing that gave you the happy, contented feeling of just having finished a good book. Instead it was like the story line was fading into the distance, almost like an unfinished thought.
This is the type of book you can read several times, but with a very long distance between the readings. I would still place it on my top 10 favorite series list, but it would be in place #10.
When I first picked up Eragon I said to myself, "This is a big book. I'll never be able to finish it." And so I picked up the book, sat on my bed and started to read. It was like a whole new adventure with every changing chapter that I got through reading. The book would calm down for a chapter and then suddenly new people would come to life and appear in the story. I could not believe it. I was half way through the book! Now I have started on the second book and I can't wait to finish it so I can go on to the next adventure.
I rate this magnificent book 4,1/2 stars. Go to the closest library and get this book! NOW!!
I am not much into reading, but I can't put it down. Only 130 pages in and it's my favorite book. Can't wait to buy the next two!
Fifteen-year-old Eragon believes that he is merely a poor farm boy?until his destiny as a Dragon Rider is revealed. Gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his choices could save?or destroy?the Empire.
?An authentic work of great talent.??The New York Times Book Review
?Christopher Paolini make[s] literary magic with his precocious debut.??People
?Unusual, powerful, fresh, and fluid.??Booklist, Starred
?An auspicious beginning to both career and series.??Publishers Weekly
based on 2907 reviews
