The Bottom Line: I struggled between 3 and 4 stars, it is beautifully written but I ended up docking him a star because the story really does lack depth.
thecoloursinme's Full Review: Christopher Paolini, Silvia Komet, Enrique De Heri...
As many of you know before even reading Eragon, the author began his debut novel at the age of fifteen…I feel inclined also to point out that the book wasn’t even published until he was nineteen. I cannot help but wonder how much of the book was left in its original form before its final revision.
Although at a first glance you would not know that Eragon was written by a young adult, the storyline may clue you in. It is a rather simple tale, about a young boy coming of age. Like any self-respecting fantasy novel, Eragon is riddled with verbose descriptions and names. The one thing I found myself impressed with was the vocabulary, although there are times when the descriptions are a bit over-done. It’s almost as if you can see the author trying very hard to use “big” words, or so to speak.
The tale begins in the fictitious town of Carvahal, in the empire of Alagasia, which is currently ruled by the unpopular King Galbatorix. We are introduced to Eragon, who we find out has just turned the age of manhood, fifteen. He lives in a modest home with his uncle and cousin because his mother abandoned him for unmentioned reasons. While out on a hunting trip in search of meat (in light of the rapidly approaching winter), Eragon discovers a large smooth blue rock. Thinking it may be worth a few pounds of meat, he takes the treasure home with him, only to have his offer brutally rebuffed by the town butcher. With a heavy heart he brings the rock back home. The rock in fact turns out to be an egg, as Eragon finds out the night that it hatches into a beautiful blue dragon, whom he names Saphira..
And then the journey begins, because it isn’t long before certain members of the Kingdom’s army (a sort of petrifying half-bird half-man type creature) are on the hunt for Saphira, as she was removed oh so long ago from the clutches of the big scary King Galbatorix. The ruthless half birds destroy Eragon’s home and kill his uncle. Eragon seeks the companionship of a drifter by the name of Brom, who becomes Eragon’s mentor, eventually revealing to Eragon that both of them are Dragon Riders, special people with the ability to talk to dragons. They also come with special powers like the ability to speak what they call the “Ancient Language” through which certain magical powers are bestowed.
Ok, so the strengths of the book are in the numerous detailed descriptions (though as I said before, I believe the author overdoes it sometimes). I also found myself appreciating the personification of the dragon, Saphira. Although she doesn’t seem to have much of a personality that extends beyond that of protective instincts toward Eragon, she still comes across as charming at times. She says cute things like “I love you, little one.” And I’m sorry, I’m a girl, I can help but go “awwww” at that sort of thing.
Despite the vivid imagination, the book seems to lack an actual story. The story he comes up with is not only cliché, but it just lacks a lot of intrigue. The entire plot is basically a chase through the land of Alagasia, men fleeing from the “bad guys.” I enjoyed reading the words, but I found the plot to be very simple and predictable. It lacks the complexity that most books have. It wasn’t gripping. I didn’t cry when various unmentioned people died, and I am a CRIER. I cry during TV commercials. The book just lacked something. No emotional charge, no decent climax. I know that it is a children’s book, but when I say “complex,” I mean something that has substance, and not just a journey through the land to escape the Storm Troopers…oops…I mean the Urgalls (who, as was said in another review, bear an uncanny resemblance to Orcs).
I know my review seems a bit harsh, and I thought about modifying it, but I believe it to be objective. That aside, I think Christopher Paolini should be commended, he seems to be quite a gifted writer, I cannot imagine writing such lovely prose as a teenager…or even now, so I can appreciate the fine imagery and writing style. I look forward to reading more of his stories, as I am sure he has no where to go but up. He just needs to improve his storytelling abilities.
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 swor...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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