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A review by little_miss_darkness
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
<b>I have been a fan of the series since I was about 10 years old.</b>
I remember finding this book in my little local library in Split, Croatia. At that point, it had been out for years, but it took them a long time to get the rest of the series, so I must have re-read this one at least fifty times throughout the course of my life (I still re-read the series occasionally, as something stirs my fancy every once in a while - this time Disney+ randomly picked the film for me, and I had to go back and read the original material). I am still mad they didn't make the TV series for these books, as I think, at the least, they could be as big as Game of Thrones.
But enough about my rant.
I give this book 5 stars (in retrospect, with having read all four books, it would be four stars) because I still get that feeling every time I read it. This book has helped me when I would feel lonely growing up, and has helped stir my love for dragons and elves (I still maintain that Saphira and Arya are my favourite characters throughout the series).
Eragon tells us that everyone can get their own adventure, even a small farm boy in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere, and be the cause of great changes. Who doesn't love a good story with an evil king and rebels fighting for a just world?
I feel like Angela (kooky, amazing Angela) might be right about what she says about Brom. Poor Brom, seems doomed to spend his life fighting, never having peace. And Murtagh. Who can forget about him? I feel like he got the worst luck in this universe. Why can't he get a break?
The dwarves are fascinating as well, of course. Farthen Dur and Tronjheim sound like the places to visit, and see even once before you die. I think part of me relates to them on account of their stubbornness.
I am also fascinated by the new species first introduced in this world. We have the Ra'zac, who nobody really knows what or who they are, just that they eat human flesh and enjoy being the cause of pain and suffering of the others. The Urgals, horned monsters who relish the war and fighting and sweep through the mortal villages and cities causing death and destruction. Shades, once human themselves, now inhabited by evil spirits, relishing in darkness. Finally, werecats, covered in the shroud of mystery, always there when important things are happening, always seeming to know more than they let on.
It is an excellent introduction to the world of Alagaësia, and the Empire. It has enough of world-building to tell us more about the background, as well as the history. The author tells us enough to keep us hooked, but holds back so we know there is going to be a lot to discover in the future books. Which I appreciate, as looking back, first books are usually quite boring, and don't have a lot going on. Eragon, however, has constant danger lurking around every corner, but it's not over-tiring and has quite a few nice, mellow scenes to make us relax and get familiar with this universe.
I loved this series before I was a teenager, and now, re-reading it at the ripe age of 26, I can confidently say that I am a fan. And if they finally did make the series (or if it's another film, please oh god, let it be a long one like Lord of the Rings), I would be one of the first to view it with enthusiasm.
I remember finding this book in my little local library in Split, Croatia. At that point, it had been out for years, but it took them a long time to get the rest of the series, so I must have re-read this one at least fifty times throughout the course of my life (I still re-read the series occasionally, as something stirs my fancy every once in a while - this time Disney+ randomly picked the film for me, and I had to go back and read the original material). I am still mad they didn't make the TV series for these books, as I think, at the least, they could be as big as Game of Thrones.
But enough about my rant.
I give this book 5 stars (in retrospect, with having read all four books, it would be four stars) because I still get that feeling every time I read it. This book has helped me when I would feel lonely growing up, and has helped stir my love for dragons and elves (I still maintain that Saphira and Arya are my favourite characters throughout the series).
Eragon tells us that everyone can get their own adventure, even a small farm boy in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere, and be the cause of great changes. Who doesn't love a good story with an evil king and rebels fighting for a just world?
I feel like Angela (kooky, amazing Angela) might be right about what she says about Brom. Poor Brom, seems doomed to spend his life fighting, never having peace. And Murtagh. Who can forget about him? I feel like he got the worst luck in this universe. Why can't he get a break?
The dwarves are fascinating as well, of course. Farthen Dur and Tronjheim sound like the places to visit, and see even once before you die. I think part of me relates to them on account of their stubbornness.
I am also fascinated by the new species first introduced in this world. We have the Ra'zac, who nobody really knows what or who they are, just that they eat human flesh and enjoy being the cause of pain and suffering of the others. The Urgals, horned monsters who relish the war and fighting and sweep through the mortal villages and cities causing death and destruction. Shades, once human themselves, now inhabited by evil spirits, relishing in darkness. Finally, werecats, covered in the shroud of mystery, always there when important things are happening, always seeming to know more than they let on.
It is an excellent introduction to the world of Alagaësia, and the Empire. It has enough of world-building to tell us more about the background, as well as the history. The author tells us enough to keep us hooked, but holds back so we know there is going to be a lot to discover in the future books. Which I appreciate, as looking back, first books are usually quite boring, and don't have a lot going on. Eragon, however, has constant danger lurking around every corner, but it's not over-tiring and has quite a few nice, mellow scenes to make us relax and get familiar with this universe.
I loved this series before I was a teenager, and now, re-reading it at the ripe age of 26, I can confidently say that I am a fan. And if they finally did make the series (or if it's another film, please oh god, let it be a long one like Lord of the Rings), I would be one of the first to view it with enthusiasm.