Who Would Like This Book:
If you love classic fantasy adventures - think dragons, magical powers, elves, dwarves, and epic battles - Eragon is a fantastic starting point. The world of Alagaësia is rich and immersive, filled with memorable characters, imaginative creatures, and a coming-of-age hero’s journey. The special bond between Eragon and his dragon Saphira adds heart to the action. Given that Christopher Paolini wrote this as a teenager, it’s perfect for younger readers and anyone new to epic fantasy, though adults nostalgic for their first fantasy reads will also enjoy the trip down memory lane.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Seasoned fantasy readers might find Eragon a bit too familiar, as it borrows heavily from classics like The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. Some have criticized the writing style as simplistic or juvenile, with predictable plot twists and characters that lack depth. If you’re looking for groundbreaking originality, complex prose, or fresh fantasy tropes, this might not tick all the boxes for you.
About:
"Eragon" by Christopher Paolini follows the story of a young farm boy named Eragon who discovers a dragon egg that changes his life forever. As he becomes a Dragon Rider, Eragon embarks on a journey filled with magic, adventure, and danger in the land of Alagaesia. Alongside his dragon Saphira, Eragon faces challenges that will determine the fate of his world, his family, and the entire nation. The plot is described as epic, addicting, and full of excitement, tension, adoration, fear, and tragedy, with a structured use of language that connects readers to the emotions of the characters.
The writing style of "Eragon" is noted as well-written, easy to read, and engaging, with memorable characters, many twists and turns in the plot, and a well-crafted fantasy world created by the author. While some opinions mention similarities to other fantasy works like "Lord of the Rings" and "Star Wars," the book is still praised as an enjoyable and gripping read, providing readers with a nice escape into the world of fantasy.
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From The Publisher:
A new adventure hatches in the first book of the Inheritance Cycle, perfect for fans of Lord of the Rings! This New York Times bestselling series has sold over 35 million copies and is an international fantasy sensation.
When fifteen-year-old Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.
Overnight his simple life is shattered, and, 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.
Features interlocking art that reveals an image across the spines of all four books! And don't miss the most recent book set in Eragon's world, The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm: Tales from Alagaësia!
"Christopher Paolini is a true rarity." -The Washington Post
Ratings (950)
Incredible (114) | |
Loved It (331) | |
Liked It (269) | |
It Was OK (152) | |
Did Not Like (65) | |
Hated It (19) |
Reader Stats (1611):
Read It (982) | |
Currently Reading (7) | |
Want To Read (237) | |
Did Not Finish (26) | |
Not Interested (359) |
11 comment(s)
I didn't care for the writing style and the plot was desperate for some breath of originality.
A Classic Gateway into Fantasy
This book is exactly what I signed up for. A fantastic light fantasy read. It is a great gateway into fantasy for children and adults. Worth reading.
I can see why folks would like this. The idea is interesting enough, but I found the style of writing overly pretentious and incapable of supporting its own weight.
Awesome for a fifteen year old, but... you can tell it was written by a fifteen year old. Worth reading, though, and it gets better.
This is the third time I've read this book. The second time, I DNFed because I felt that it was derivative and not as good as LotR. That remains true.
The first time I read it, I found it more accessible than LotR and more enjoyable. I'm not sure that the second remains true, but the first still holds.
Eragon is a mixture of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and, yes, Wheel of Time. Unlike the lattermost, it doesn't suffer from glacial plotting, which is all to the good. Perhaps because I just came back from a WoT book, this book feels much more action packed.
Eragon's action doesn't stop, or, if it does, it doesn't for very long. It barely gives the characters time to breathe, let alone the readers.
I don't know if I enjoyed it as much as I did the first time, when I read it in high school (I was *obsessed*, OMG), but I did really enjoy it.
It would have been better if the humanoid female characters were treated as more than love interests. The only female character that felt like a real person to me was Saphira, and I didn't like the way the narrative treated Arya.
3.5
Eragon is a testament to modern publishing standards.
very good...
I really liked the story. Loved the characters. Felt like Eragon was whiny and his brother was annoying. I did not like that nothing was going to go well for him.
What can you read after
Eragon?
About the Author:
Christopher James Paolini is an American author and screenwriter. He is best known for The Inheritance Cycle, which consists of the books Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, Inheritance, and the follow up short story collection The Fork, the Witch and the Worm. His first science fiction novel, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, was published on September 15, 2020. He lives in Paradise Valley, Montana, where he wrote his first book.
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