Christopher Paolini, Eldest

I've never read Eragon, so I can't compare between the two.

But I found the Eldest and the world of Alaga sia enchanting.

The book starts when Eragon travels to Ellesm ra to learn more about magic and the riders. During his training he learns the secrets of power and magic from a acient dragon rider.

As he finishes his studies and travels to Surda to fight against Galbatorix ' s empire, in this battle Galbatorix himself suppose to show up. But instead of showing up, Galbatorix sends someone else. Someone that Eragon knows, and treasures. During Eragon's battle with the knight the prediction Angels' werecat makes comes true. Also someone dies, and someone else come back to Eragon ' s life.

The story continues as Eragon and Saphira go on to find the mysterious person who helped Eragon as he lay injured after fighting the shade. The book is full of adventure and detail. Eldest by Christopher Paolini is a beautifully crafted book! There is lots of action and information to keep the reader interested, and I can't wait for the next book to be out. I think it might be called Empire, but the title hasn't been published yet.

Eldest is definitely one to read! We also learn what happens back at the village with Roran and the rest.

Eldest

Christopher Paolini

Knopf, September 2006, $24.00

ISBN: 037582670X

Following the battle at Farthen Dur (see ERAGON) the young rider now called Eragon the Shadeslayer due to his heroism and his dragon Saphira continue their journey to Ellesmera, where he hopes to complete his training as a rider and to better understand the magic. In the elven city, Eragon meets Oromis the rider and his dragon Glaedr, who agree to mentor the lad and his dragon, though that might expose them, as they have hidden since Galbatorix's coup slaughtered the Riders.

While the lad is training under Oromis' tutelage, Galbatorix's inhumans assault the village Carvahall, intending to abduct Eragon's cousin Roran. Though these monsters overwhelm the village and abduct Roran's fianc e Katrina, many escape. Roran leads the survivors as they join the Varden counterinsurgency to overthrow Galbatorix.

The second Inheritance tale is a solid coming of age fantasy, though it lacks some of the shock and awe of the first novel, as too much descriptive detail is given on Eragon's specific training, though ironically that depth makes Paolini's world seem genuine, but can be tedious to read (this reviewer skipped some of those passages). Still, the adventures of Roran and his villagers are exhilarating, and when Eragon is outside the classroom the escapades of him and his dragon are also exciting, especially with fans expecting the two heroes to unite. Overall, this is a fine fantasy targeting young teens.

This book, Eldest by Christopher Paolini, is absolutely brilliant! It has an amazing storyline, and wonderful characters. It might be best to read the first one before you read this, but it is still fantastic by itself.

Christopher Paolini creates a brilliant world, very much like Tolkien. You learn about the Elves, the Dwarfs, and mankind's adventures in this wonderful complex world.

If you like Dungeons and Dragons type stuff, this one is one of the best!