ISBN: 037582670X
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Avg Cusomer Rating: 4
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Summary: A bit slow...
This book was not quite as exciting as Eragon. It had such high hopes, and it did not leave me completely satisfied. Eldest dealt a bit too much with Eragon's training. It should show SOME of his training but not every bit of it.
However, the plot got deeper as Christopher added two new POV's to the mix: Roran and Nasuada. This kept the book interesting while we were away from Eragon. And Christopher's writing skills have exceedingly improved from the first book. I also loved the ending. It was played out masterfully and with a nice little plot twist, too. I NEVER expected it. Nicely done, Christoper.
Even though this book kinda disappointed, it is still a must-read. I'm looking forward to the third one.
Summary: More original than the first, but still...
This book was slightly more original than the first and didn't copy off Tolkien quite as much (it still did, but there was nothing new), but even as someone who hasn't seen Star Wars I can tell it took a plot twist from that. Also, I find Eragon's relationship with Oromis COMPLETELY copied from The Giver. I advise every potential buyer of this book to stay away and read Tolkien instead.
Summary: Excellent inspite of its "faults."
The Short Version: If you feel like losing yourself in an easy to read, fantastical tale with easily relatable characters, pick up and read <u>Eragon</u> and <u>Eldest</u>. Though flawed (what book isn't?) and derivative (what fantasy isn't?), it is thoroughly engrossing and enjoyable. As reader of every type of book from adolescent fantasy to classic philosophy, I look forward to the conclusion of Inheritance, as well as Paolini's future efforts.
The Long Version: As unorthodox as this may be, I would like to first quote from a review on the first book of the Inheritance Trilogy, <u>Eragon</u>:<hr>I didn't find the story any more derivative than any epic fantasy tale will surely be in the wake of the grand sire of the genre, Lord of the Rings, and the story had enough uniqueness of its own to entertain. I haven't read Eldest yet, but I hope Paolini builds on what he's written here. If he does, I can't wait to read it.
- Gregory Bernard Banks, author<hr>I quote this here because this person's words exactly sum up my feeling regarding Inheritance overall clearly derivative, but engrossing and enjoyable nonetheless.
One thing that is important to remember when considering <u>Eldest</u> is that, unlike some other series (<u>Harry Potter</u> for instance), Inheritance is a much more intimately linked trilogy. Meaning, as a stand along book, one might consider it to be lacking in certain areas; or, how some have criticized, focused too earnestly on character history, Eragon's training as a Rider, the history of Alagaësia, etc. However, if we take the book in context, as part of a larger whole, then those "faults," if they are indeed faults, have very little weight.
There were several interesting aspects in <u>Eldest</u> that I haven't seen detailed yet, specifically, the Elves' emphasis on Logic over feeling to ensure correct moral thinking, and the Elves' clearly dismissive attitude towards religion. These two sections in particular I found were interesting and clearly original, but I think that sections like this, which breath life into the series are exactly the "meaningless" or "boring" portions of the book that people railing against.
Regardless of the few, necessary and well placed battles, <u>Eldest</u> contains much less action than <u>Eragon</u>. Basically, because in <u>Eragon</u>, the titular character is usually chasing or fleeing something, and, overall, is entirely unsure of what his direction in life will be. In this sequel, however, his path is set and rather well defined, so he only has to follow it--which means less fleeing, less chasing, less sudden and unexpected action, and more self-exploration, more learning about the world of Alagaësia, and what it means to be a Rider. Knowledge that, I'm sure, will come in handy for the final installment of this trilogy (in which case the path is again, uncertain, and readers can expect a great deal of fast paced action).
One other aspect of the book which I found unexpected--and that added a bit of human element--was the level of intrigue and mistrust among the leadership of the "good guys" of the series. While I cannot go into detail without risking a major spoiler, I will say that, I liked that fact that Paolini didn't delve into a lot of unrealistic noble action on the part of the Varden. The people involved, including the other leaders, are very wary of other people's intentions, and often it is obvious that they are acting out of very selfish intentions.
Also, a last note of praise, was the sudden alliances and sacrifices made in the course of war. And the acknowledgment of the fact that, though their intentions may be noble, the protagonists of this story could very easily mimic the actions of the evil King Galbatorix. In addition to that, the knowledge that their actions will cause suffering to a great many people.
There are, of course, a few minor faults and one fault that I consider to be major (though it could be corrected in book 3). Occasionally, as in his first book, Paolini sprinkles in a few phrases in seemingly archaic language. Not that the fantasy genre isn't full of such language, but he uses them in such a way as to seem suddenly forced and contrived. So, instead of giving the ideas expressed by them the poignancy and impact that I am certain was his intention, it makes them silly. This of course, is only my opinion on the matter, and this occasional flaw shouldn't hamper someone's enjoyment of the novel unless they have resigned themselves to the pinnacle of snobbery.
The major flaw, which I hope is expounded upon and thus corrected in the coming book, is the shameless use of a deus ex machina, about which I will not reveal specifics because I would rather not spoil the plot. For those of you unaware of that term, it is the use of a sudden plot device that solves a whole host of problems and fixes a whole lot of plot holes in a single instance. Sometimes, it's funny, sometimes, it's excellently explained. However, in <u>Eldest</u>, there is virtually no precedent set in the book to accommodate the instance in question. And, in turn, the incident is then used to wrap up a whole host of issues that Eragon had been struggling to overcome. The only redeeming aspect is that,, at the end of the book, it's made clear that what was a cure-all in this book will not be in the next. My biggest hope, in this regard, is that some of time will be spent explaining the exact nature of the event, how and why it happened, so that it doesn't seem like such a lazy or sudden way out.
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