|
| |||||||||||
What are readers saying about Eldest (Inheritance Cycle)?
|
A Reader posted a review at 2007-08-10 01:21:04.
(Language: English)
  
The second installment of Paolini's Inheritance trilogy is not as good as Eragon but the end makes up for everything! Paolini takes the reader on a journey through Eragon's training and details it so much that you actually feel Eragon's agony and elation as his relationship with Arya and his master unfold. This is the first time, Paolini switches between storylines. This time, we follow Roran's plight with the citizens of Carvahall. If you like stories of peasants rebelling against overwhwlming odds, you'll like this book. So many mysteries show up and there are so many more questions to be answered in the third book. The end battle is insane! For the first time, Eragon rides Saphira into a full-scale battle and even fights a....no, I can't say. Read it for yourself and grieve along with me as the awful truth of Eragon's lineage unfolds. 
|
Yes (0) 
No (0) |
|
A Reader posted a review at 2007-07-08 02:15:29.
(Language: English)
As for the second installment, I read about half of it and returned it to the library. Sorry, but this time I wasn't even gripped by the story (which was also a copy, paste, edit fantasy) and I still couldn't look past the grammatical no nos. You just don't use the same adjectives to describe different things in the same paragraph, and that is just one of his minor infractions. For this reason, amongst others, is why it SHOULD take as long as it does to establish yourself as an author. This one gets an F grade, and if you know me at all, I only hand out Fs to the books I don't finish without intent to ever read again. The third book, I won't even read the dust jacket to. Not worth my time.
|
|
|
Shirlene posted a review at 2011-10-25 10:32:39.
(Language: English)
Great sequel to Eragon. Want to read the next book, if there is one.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-04-26 03:34:16.
(Language: English)
The land of Alagaesia is suffering under the Empire of the wicked Galbatorix, and Eragon and his dragon Saphira, last of the Riders, are the only hope. But Eragon is young and has much to learn, and so he is sent off to the elven forest city of Ellesmera, where he and Saphira are tutored in magic, battle skills, and the ancient language by the wise former Rider Oromis and his elderly dragon Glaedr. Meanwhile, back at Carvahall, Eragon's home, his cousin Roran is the target of a siege by the hideous Ra'zac, and he must lead the villagers on a desperate escape over the mountains. The two narratives move toward a massive battle with the forces of Galbatorix, where Eragon learns a shocking secret about his parentage and commits himself to saving his people.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2010-08-13 05:45:53.
(Language: English)
I liked that we learn so much about the magic of Alagaësia in this book. However, it seemed like a very long book and, even though there was impending danger throughout, one kept waiting for something to happen. Also, I find Paolini's work a little too deriative of Tolkien's; I don't know if that is just his schtick or if he does it unknowingly. He claims to be primarily inspired by Ursela LeGuin though, and having now read "A Wizard of Earthsea," I can see why. Still, this is a good book.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-06-04 07:43:25.
(Language: English)
I don't get the positive feedback on this one. Perhaps I'm alone in finding this an unreadable paperweight. I read Eragon and didn't find it exceptional, but did enjoy it. However, Eldest was so over-written and bogged down in adjectives that it reads like an unedited first draft. I actually didn't get past the third chapter where I decided to give up and put it back on my shelf where it will stay. I definitely do NOT look forward to Paolini's next installment in this series and am deeply disappointed in Eldest. Perhaps when my daughter learns to read, it may appeal to the sensibilities of a five year old.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-08-28 02:40:27.
(Language: English)
Not quite the book that Eragon was (that one was a classic that can stand on it's own...unlike that godforsaken movie adaptation which was totally unredeemable outside of Jeremy Irons and the kid who played Eragon!) This book went on a little too long for me with a not enough interest to make me want to keep reading accept for the fact that I liked the first novel so much. Roran's story actually had so much more interesting aspects to it than the Eragon story. Ended with a nice twist with Murtaugh's character. Won't say anymore for those who have not read, but you will most likely not like as much as Eragon, but will enjoy.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2011-07-12 06:22:46.
(Language: English)
SECOND IN SERIES AGAIN A MUST READ.
|
|
|
Ryan posted a review at 2008-05-13 11:03:50.
(Language: English)
Complete epic failure on the part of Christopher Paolini to fully flesh out the great potential of Eragon. There is no possible way the characters and plot could have conformed any closer to the stock personalities and events already set up by the norms of the fantasy genre. Basically what the storyline has become is your basic battle of equally ultimate powers, in which I expect the eventual fall of Galbaorix is some intentionally placed, convenient mistake. The hole that Chris has dug himself is a deep one and I wish him luck for getting himself out. One things for sure: I will definitely not be there to see it.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-06-09 08:10:03.
(Language: English)
Eldest is a somewhat good sequel to Eragon. I have to admit that Paolini's style has developed from what it originally was, but he still has a long way to go before he can call him self a real writer. I did like how the story evolved and revealed of what happened to Eragon's cousin. On the whole, all the caracters got fleshed out from the first book which is something to marvel. I also like how Paolini has managed to create that many controversial characters, and descripe the turmoil of the hero without making it sound simply whiny and childish. On the whole, Paolini definitely has grown up, and I do have hopes for the third book.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2009-11-22 06:12:06.
(Language: English)
A wonderful and fitting second book for Paolini. His Inheritance series is really beginning to take shape, as the story gets more intricate and intriguing in this, Book 2. I could not put the book down, and plowed through it in a single day only to run right out to the library to get the next one. The character development is impressive, the storyline is deliciously intricate, and the action keeps the whole thing in constant motion. Not one dull moment, not one useless word. Bravo Paolini. Bravo.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-06-15 02:40:39.
(Language: English)
Darkness falls... Despair abounds... Evil reignsEragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragonmust travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in magic and swordsmanship, the vital skills of the Dragon Rider. It is the journey of a lifetime, each day a fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and Eragon isn't sure whom he can trust.Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle - one that puts Eragon in even graver danger...
|
|
Angela posted a review at 2008-08-02 01:24:13.
(Language: English)
The plot is cliched, the language pompous and poetic, the narrative overly descriptive, the names ridiculous. And it's BRILLIANT! I found myself hooked from the first dramatic encounter to the final Epic Battle Scene (TM). Surely this is every teenage geek-boy's fantasy - a mind bond with an intelligent, good-hearted dragon, a sexy elf chick and a proud but patient mentor. What more do you need? Sure, it is a cliche - but people forget - cliches are cliches for a reason - they're what people like to read! An Paolini really makes this work. Good on him.I listened to this on audio book and I must say, I truly pitied the narrator trying to get his tongue around some of those names!
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2007-09-26 06:45:25.
(Language: English)
Have you ever taken this story and realized how closely it follows star wars? While similarities can be drawn from any story to star wars, this book was a little too close for my taste. -Luke visits master Yoda to further his Jedi Training, after realizing he had to train more to fight (Eragon goes to see a master, after realizing that most of his victory in the previous book was from luck) -During the training, Luke gets a vision of his friends in danger, and leaves his master to help them (Eragon has a vision of his friends in trouble, and leaves his master with Saphira to find and save them) -"Luke, I am your father." (Murtagh turns out to be Eragons brother) Too close for my comfort and enjoyment. However, Paolini did do an excellent job in character development in this story, touching on every minor detail he could, such as Eragon healing even enemy soldiers at the end to show his compassion. I wouldn't recommend this read for everyone...but I feel it was well done, even if it was basically the plot of Star Wars.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2007-12-10 01:56:46.
(Language: English)
Despite Eragon's fierce criticism from its readers, Paolini has a devoted fan base that will continue to place him on the bestseller list. Where he ventures long after the final volume in the Inheritance Trilogy is the ultimate question. After reading Eldest, I have a proposition: Paolini should write about Roran's journeys. Reading this novel I found myself gravely disappointed that one of the subcharacters garnered more respect than the protagonist did, and as we know, no story is good if the protagonist cannot maintain the audience's focus! Certainly this is sacrilege! Eragon comes off as unchanged from beginning to end, although we do get alot of emotional venting and hopeless flirting. He remains stale and unconvincing, and it is utterly frustrating that I found myself connecting more with Roran than the series' ultimate hero Eragon. Perhaps the long chapters - that feel more like forced and quasi-intellectual college lectures - focusing on Eragon during his Rider training drain the finer aspects of Paolini's writing. This is especially true considering how Paolini puts immense strain on the reader's eyes with his 'Ancient Language' that is probably closer to the asinine but admirable babble of infants. Paolini's attempts are much akin to a child's in trying to reconstruct the archetypical hero vision through literature and dry poetry. one that shows potential, but requires dire practice, practice, and more practice. You're not there yet my boy and comparing yourself to Tolkien is like J.K. Rowling comparing herself to Steven King: two different authors, two different worlds, and two extremely different levels! Maybe even the political meanderings of Nasuada also draw us from our hero - although she too comes off as more convincing than Eragon fortuitously - and distract us from the perils facing an entire land. What still remains highly frustrating to the reader is that an enemy has not been shaped coherently for the audience to enjoy - Galbatorix remains a misnomer for an enemy whose presence is far from his power and reputation. Thus throughout these qualms left unresolved and a few *deus ex machinas* gratuitously thrown in to solve very controversial problems - {cough} any one {cough} remember Durza's curse {ahem} and the gift of the dragons that never happened before? He could have saved his credibility by making the gift tradition and saying the gift had never been given to anyone outside of the Elvish race. What remains the ultimate threat to Eragon in Paolini's work however is not Murtaugh and Thorn, Galbatorix and his dragon Shruikan, or the ancient Ra'zac that seek to obliterate the human race. Eragon's greatest threat is that of Roran, the most ideal and realistic exemplar of a true reluctant hero. This is Roran's story, not Eragon's. I'd put my money on that.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2007-11-10 02:39:27.
(Language: English)
ive got to say, this is not the most in depth fantasy adventure you could ever read, if your looking for epic, go find the lord of the rings. however, this novel, in serveral respects is the best fantasy novel i have ever read. it beats alot of fantasy ive read, which is loads, and even goes beyong the fantastic story of harry potter by JK Rowling. in my opinion, as the sequel of the best selling book eragon, by christopher paolini, this novel is beautifully written, with a catching story,vivid scenes and an adventure that always keeps you toward the edge of your seat or sofa or whatever you sitting on. highly recogmended for anyone who love fantasy, and anyone who wants an amazing read. it was not a waste of time reading this, thoroughly enjoyed all the way through.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2007-07-25 01:59:00.
(Language: English)
Probably the worst book I have ever read in my life. How he ever got published is beyond me. These books are so aggressively mediocre. My god... maybe it's just because I read a lot of kid's fantasy, but these books are just atrocious. I'm not even going to say he "stole" anything, because as everyone always says, most fantasy plotlines are from other books. That's a dumb criticism, especially since there's so much more to hate. The characters blow. The plotlines are so ridiculously obvious. The descriptions are flowery, repetitive, and totally unnecessary. The writing itself is painful to read. Does he even have an editor? It's like he read one of those "Ten things you should never do when you write fantasy", or "You know you're reading fantasy when..." lists and did all of them. It's impressive that he was writing at age fifteen or whatever, but he clearly needed an editor, and maybe a new brain. Or a ghostwriter.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2007-07-10 08:25:48.
(Language: English)
I still can't fully decide whether Paolini is an incredible writer or just a good copy of Tolkien. Undoubtedly, Paolini is very heavily reliant upon the mythology of Middle-earth which Tolkien created. The elves, dwarves, and humans of Alageisia are mostly parallel to their counterparts in Middle-earth. Urgals are basically equal to Orcs. Paolini relies on Tolkien's conception of honor as well. Overall, Paolini's trilogy doesn't have the depth or brilliance of The Lord of the Rings. Literary classes won't be taught on this trilogy. Truly, because Paolini relies so heavily on the template set forth by Tolkien, it's inevitable that he would place a very distant second. All that said, Paolini is a wonderful story-teller and varies enogh from LOTR to make it an entirely new read and story. His addition of Dragon's into the landscape as well as the further clarification and use of magic to fill out his characters are well done. Both Eragon and Eldest have been enjoyable books that are hard to put down. Paolini really lets you know his characters and you feel disappointed to finish and sever that connection with their story. For anyone who loved the story of LOTR, I would recommend this book highly for its narrative value.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-04-17 01:02:16.
(Language: English)
Eragon is adopted by the dwarves and heads to the land of the elves to train as a rider. Meanwhile his cousin Roran is fighting back at Carvahall. Eragon heads for Varden to help fight the evil ruler Galbatorix. he encounters another dragon and riderand they battle, He finds out that therider is Murtagh, a person he befriended earlier in the story.Murtagh has been forced to fight for the evil ruler. He befriend the Urgals who were once enimies.He and Roan meet and Roran asks him to help him find his girl, Katrina, who was kidnapped by the Ra'zacs. Eragon agrees to help. The end of book two. now the wait for book three of the inheritance. I hate having to wait for book three, I love his story and can't wait to see what happens next. The next book Brisingr (book 3 of the inheritance) is supposed to be out September 20, 2008. SPOILER: In the 3rd book Eragon meets a god.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-07-29 02:21:43.
(Language: English)
Well I must admit that I was not expecting too much with Eldest, after all I found Christopher Paolini’s first part (Eragon) too be a little long. Well, this book could have been two books and stood well on their own (I found that there was too much detail for a reader to concentrate on the story). But, I must admit that Mr. Paolini’s writing has matured. In his first book there was a feeling that he was writing to show off his knowledge of words and not his ability to write to the masses. In this book he is starting to write to the masses. This book tied up some lose ends from the first book and he did a good job with continued character development.I am looking forward to reading his next book. I suspect it will feel more mature and that he will tie up the remaining lose ends.
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-05-27 09:17:31.
(Language: English)
an incredible, mind blowing book!!the way Paolini takes the reader through the twists and turns of the story is simply amazing!This guy has loads of potential in him...and I hope there are much better books from him in the near future!But what's weird in Eldest is that...Roran gets lots of importance in Eldest...sometimes it seems to the reader that Roran's character is much more important than Eragon's...its always like...the protagonist gets the ultimate importance...but its different in Eldest...which is good...and yeah...all you Sidney Sheldon fans out there...please...realize that there are better books than Sidney Sheldon's nonsense! an incredible, mind blowing book...I suggest every person whether he/she likes reading books or not, to read this book...because its not something which should be missed!! a 21 year old...that was Christoper Paolini's age when he wrote Eldest...and what a book!!everyone...please DO NOT make the mistake of NOT reading both Eragon as well as Eldest!...Man!! I can't wait to lay my hands on the Third and the Final book of the Trilogy!!
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2011-08-28 11:35:52.
(Language: English)
The second book is not as good as one, it consist of mostly on eragon's training only. Still it was enough good that i am gonna start 3rd part soon....
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2008-01-29 10:11:17.
(Language: English)
Un deuxieme tome qui aura grandement rempli mes attentes me surprenant meme par la maturite de l'auteur, il faut dire aussi que Paolini sera passe de 15 a 21 ans entre le debut du premier tome et la fin du second, de quoi permettre un grand changement de style et une belle evolution du texte... Le tout commencera avec un retour au source a Carvehall et l'histoire de Roran qui sera mele bien malgre lui a cette grande lutte entre le bien et le mal, d'ailleurs il ne saura pas avant un bon moment pourquoi il est entraine dans tout cela... il ne fera donc que se sauver pour ensuite se defendre et entraine tout le village entier a sa suite pour qu'il puisse survivre, d'aventures en aventures ils reussiront l'impensable et deviendront une legende... le premier village a avoir oser se soulever contre l'empire et Galbatorix et surtout a avoir reussit a s'extirper de ses griffes... Durant ce temps Eragon et Saphira seront chez les Nains a finaliser les derniers details de leur nouvelle vie et obligations, allegeance sera faite aux Vardens en meme temps qu'il acceptera de devenir frere de sang d'un des clans Nain et ce juste avant de partir pour Ellesmera la patrie Elfe... Que d'obligations pour un jeune dragonnier qui ne connait encore rien du monde... Arrive chez les Elfes il commencera ses etudes et fera de nombreuses decouvertes fort surprenantes, d'ailleurs le gros des surprises se passeront chez eux de son maitre en passant par Arya qui la repoussera a maintes reprises a la fete des dragons qui changera a jamais son visage, de l'apprentissage de la gramarie et bien d'autre chose... Un univers a part du reste du monde sera sa demeure pour de nombreuses semaines et lui permettra d'evoluer fortement et de passer de la fougue de la jeunesse a l'humilite de l'eleve qui sait qu'il lui en reste encore beaucoup a apprendre... Viendra le moment de partir pour aller defendre les Vardens dans une lutte sans merci contre l'empire, une lutte qui sera le couronnement de biens des efforts pour les 3 races qui auront tout miser sur un seul et meme homme... L'histoire ne se deroulera pas du tout comme cela avait ete prevu, la bataille sera gagne et perdue en meme temps... De nombreuses surprises seront devoiles et la douleur sera de la partie... difficile de dire dans de telles conditions qui gagnera vraiment cette guerre... le tome 3 risque fort bien d'etre enlevant avec les nombreuses questions qui sont restees en suspens dans ce volume... Vivement qu'il soit traduit !
|
|
|
A Reader posted a review at 2012-06-20 07:14:37.
(Language: English)
A lot of battles, and a rushed ending, but a good end to the series nonetheless.
|
Share your views!
Similar books
