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adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Please note: I took a break partway through this book because I'd gotten acutely bored (and coursework got overwhelming).
The characters are compelling, and Paolini's revelation as to why the elves (and riders) don't eat meat (unless absolutely necessary) was well-written, portraying Eragon's internal dilemma up to the realization. While Eragon's training (which was about 1/3 of the book, I think...) was well thought-through, it was a little dull at times, focusing on explaing the mechanisms of magic and histories.
The characters are compelling, and Paolini's revelation as to why the elves (and riders) don't eat meat (unless absolutely necessary) was well-written, portraying Eragon's internal dilemma up to the realization. While Eragon's training (which was about 1/3 of the book, I think...) was well thought-through, it was a little dull at times, focusing on explaing the mechanisms of magic and histories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War
Minor: Child abuse
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Eldest is much slower than Eragon, but it felt right. Necessary, even, after the upheaval of the first book. Eragon had some much-needed growing to do, and he got to do it. Which is a bit too convenient, but eh.
Eldest has a lot more lore. Like a lot more. I was happy to read through and be with Eragon through his (almost) book-long training montage, but many won't be so content. If you're only here for the action, you won't get much until the final few chapters.
It was interesting to see the new POV, and I'm glad it was included. It made for nice breaks in Eragon's slower, more cerebral, story.
Eldest has a lot more lore. Like a lot more. I was happy to read through and be with Eragon through his (almost) book-long training montage, but many won't be so content. If you're only here for the action, you won't get much until the final few chapters.
It was interesting to see the new POV, and I'm glad it was included. It made for nice breaks in Eragon's slower, more cerebral, story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: War
adventurous
challenging
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was much better and didn't need the nostalgia to keep me invested.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Violence, War
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, War
Minor: Death of parent
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
The sequel to ERAGON, continuing the story of Eragon and his dragon Sapphire.
I’ve been struggling to get into this series since I was a teenager and honestly the second time around has not gone much better. I enjoyed the ending of this book, but felt like it took a VERY long time to get exciting or interesting. Eragon as a character also grates on me SO much—which may mean he’s a super realistic portrayal of a teenage boy, who can say. I also felt like some of the “lessons” and takeaways from the book were a bit heavy handed, though I appreciate that the series is generally geared towards a younger audience.
That said, I enjoyed the audio production (even though the dragons’ voices do make me insane) and the logic lessons, and dragons are just always the coolest in any context. I’m determined to finish the series this time, so I’ll be starting BRISINGR soon!
CW: Violence/war/injury/death; kidnapping
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Medical content, Trafficking, Alcohol
Minor: Gore, Sexism, Slavery
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The second book in the Eragon series does not disappoint. Eragon faces the task of becoming a true rider who will be able to face Galbotorix and hopefully save his world from ruin. He must travel across the realm, train hard, and face the scars left behind by his defeat of Durza. He encounters unexpected allies who offer truth regarding the rider legacy that will impact his destiny. He faces many of his past mistakes, and Angela's prediction of betrayal comes true. He will grow and face challenges that will test him in every way as he prepares to go to war. This book delivers on plot, character development, conflict, intrigue, and twists. I'm excited to jump into the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
📖
It's been ages since I re-read this book. I had a good time reading this. It was better than I remembered. I loved the worldbuilding and lore. The characters were good, the relationships/bonds between characters were strong, the pacing was kept me interested, and the plot kept me engaged.
It's been ages since I re-read this book. I had a good time reading this. It was better than I remembered. I loved the worldbuilding and lore. The characters were good, the relationships/bonds between characters were strong, the pacing was kept me interested, and the plot kept me engaged.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, War
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Kidnapping
Minor: Cursing, Slavery, Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read in German.
I love Nasuada, I love how she is Technically Protrayed as on the good side, but also treats people (Elva, Eragon, etc.) as tools for her own purposes. Very Boss of her, and I love the little parallel between her and Galbatorix because of that.
I last read this book as a child and did not find Roran's journey very interesting then. This time I made a more conscious effort to follow his story and enjoyed it. We love a man who goes absolutely bananas.
Really enjoyed the training montage Eragon goes through, it's probably my favorite part of the book. The satisfaction when he finally gets the upper hand in swordfighting is still just as fun as when I was a kid.
Rereading the books gives me a much better understanding of Arya. She was attacked, her companions killed, imprisoned, tortured, almost died to poisoning, and once she survives all this just has to go back to work and also fend off 16-year-old Eragon from making moon eyes at her. I really feel for her. No moment or chance for her to work through what she's gone through, and while of course she doesn't share much of her feelings (especially not with Eragon) I can imagine how horrible the entire situation is.
I love Nasuada, I love how she is Technically Protrayed as on the good side, but also treats people (Elva, Eragon, etc.) as tools for her own purposes. Very Boss of her, and I love the little parallel between her and Galbatorix because of that.
I last read this book as a child and did not find Roran's journey very interesting then. This time I made a more conscious effort to follow his story and enjoyed it. We love a man who goes absolutely bananas.
Really enjoyed the training montage Eragon goes through, it's probably my favorite part of the book. The satisfaction when he finally gets the upper hand in swordfighting is still just as fun as when I was a kid.
Rereading the books gives me a much better understanding of Arya. She was attacked, her companions killed, imprisoned, tortured, almost died to poisoning, and once she survives all this just has to go back to work and also fend off 16-year-old Eragon from making moon eyes at her. I really feel for her. No moment or chance for her to work through what she's gone through, and while of course she doesn't share much of her feelings (especially not with Eragon) I can imagine how horrible the entire situation is.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol, War
Minor: Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Vomit, Pregnancy