by Christopher Paolini, Gerard Doyle, Listening Library
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English
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Listening Library
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$9.99
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Winner, Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award, 2005 Winner, Colorado Children's Book Award, 2005 Winner, Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award, 2006 Winner, Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2005 New York Times Bestseller, 2004 Nominated, Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award, 2004 Winner, Tennessee Volunteer State Award, 2005 Winner, Texas Lone Star Reading List, 2004 Winner, Texas TAYSHAS High School Reading List, 2004 Winner, Wyoming Soaring Eagle Book Award, 2004 Don’t miss the eagerly anticipated epic new fantasy from Christopher Paolini— Murtagh, coming 11.7.23! A new adventure hatches in Book One of the Inheritance Cycle, perfect for fans of Lord of the Rings! This New York Times bestselling series has sold over 40 million copies and is an international fantasy sensation.
"Christopher Paolini is a true rarity."— The Washington Post When fifteen-year-old Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered, and, gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power.
Now his choices could save—or destroy—the Empire.
In a land where dragons and magic are not just tales but reality, young Eragon's life changes when he stumbles upon a mysterious gemstone in the spine's shadowy forest. Unknown to him, this discovery marks the beginning of a journey that will unravel mysterious forces and awaken an ancient legacy. With a dragon at his side, Eragon is thrust into a perilous world of destiny and choice, challenging the very balance of power within his realm.
Eragon's journey is a coming-of-age saga transforming him from a farm boy to a legendary hero. Dragons symbolize the deep bond and potent magic that define Eragon's journey presenting themes of friendship trust and courage. The land of Alagaësia is a richly imagined landscape giving life to its myths and magic while challenging its heroes.
Eragon's simple existence in the remote village of Carvahall is shattered when he discovers a dragon egg setting off a chain of events beyond his wildest dreams. As a fledgling dragon emerges Eragon finds himself linked to the magical creature forging a bond that will define his path. Alagaësia is thrown into turmoil as the last free dragons are targeted by the tyrannical ruler King Galbatorix.
Eragon with his dragon Saphira must navigate dangerous alliances and ancient enemies unraveling secrets long kept hidden. Together they uncover a legacy buried in the sands of time. Alongside wise mentors and newfound allies Eragon learns the ways of magic and combat.
As he grows into his destiny as the last of the Dragon Riders he faces challenges that test his courage and heart. His quest becomes a struggle to maintain hope amidst chaos and fear. The journey leads Eragon through landscapes filled with wonders and perils uncovering truths about his family and the land's history.
With every revelation Eragon must decide what kind of hero he will become and what sacrifices must be made for freedom and justice. As the seeds of rebellion take root Eragon's choices will shape the future of his homeland. United with Saphira he discovers the strength within to confront King Galbatorix's despotic rule paving the way for a new dawn over Alagaësia.
The rich world-building of Alagaësia draws readers into a tapestry of vibrant landscapes distinct cultures and compelling lore creating an immersive fantasy experience The dynamic relationship between Eragon and his dragon Saphira adds depth and emotional resonance transforming the traditional hero's journey with themes of connection and growth This captivating adventure combines elements of magic destiny and self-discovery weaving a timeless tale that captivates both young and adult readers with its powerful narrative arc.
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Based on 15973 ratings
I made an exception for this book. I can't remember how I stumbled across "Eragon", but I was at loose ends after the third film of the Lord of the Rings series (and I've read the Tolkien books too many times to count) and I found myself craving more flights of fancy and fantasy. I was taken by the fact that a 15 year old prodigy had begun such an ambitious endeavor, for author Christopher Paolini is planning to write a trilogy about his young hero, Eragon, who goes from poor farm boy to a young master, growing in power, of magic. This first book is subtitled: "The Inheritance". Paolini's family first self-published 10,000 copies, and Floridian Carl Hiassen helped to sell the fantasy to Knopf, which later released a first national printing of over 100,000 copies. Paolini embraces the standard fantasy world of humans, dwarves and elves (no hobbits, here!), and adds the existence of dragons, nearly extinct, as creatures of power. Elves, and sometimes humans, are selected by hatchling dragons to become Dragon Riders, companions of dragons who can communicate with them and others by telepathy. Riders have magical powers, but the use of magic drains them of much energy. The evil forces of the land are somewhat more creative. Sluggish, warring monsters (Tolkiens' Orcs?), the Urgals, abound, but are no threat until they are organized for the king by the evil Ra'Zac (creatures of the King that are not human, covered in cloaks, and strongest at night) and the terrifying Durka, who is a Shade (a spirit in human form, with crimson hair and maroon eyes) all of whom are working for the king, and trying to locate Eragon and his dragon. Set in the fantasy world of Alagaesia, Eragon's land is ruled by Galbatorix, who once was a Rider himself. The adult dragons have all perished, and Galbatorix has been dispossessed of one of three dragon eggs by a group dedicated to ending his cruel rule, the Varden. This egg is conveyed to Eragon, and the dragon hatches in his care. Much of the facts of the land are uncovered as the book moves along, and Eragon is slowly filled in on the history of how he got to be who he is. His mother, Selena, has been missing from his life since he was a child, and the book ends without disclosing the mystery of what happened to her and just who his father was. Alagaesia is bordered by Du Weldenvarden, a deep forest, home to the Elves. It appears that this will be the setting for much of book 2. The country south of the forest is a vast desert that Eragon and his traveling companions must cross to reach safety (the Hadarac). Paolini is particularly clever in devising how the small band of travelers with Eragon gets water while crossing. He's also created rich city and village profiles in the kingdom, as Eragon tries to locate the Ra'Zac, to revenge killings in Eragon's home. South of the desert are the Boer mountains, home to the dwarves, who are assisting the Varden; the climax of the novel takes place in these mountains. Paolini has peppered his cast with strong characters who will assist Eragon in fulfilling his role. Brom, a wise soothsayer, with mysterious origins, becomes Eragon's mentor. Murtagh, a fearless fighter, accompanies Eragon across the desert to the Boer mountains; his history, when uncovered, is somewhat shocking. Arya is the elven woman that fills Eragon's nightmares, and must be rescued by the travelers from a prison, where she has been cruelly tortured at the hands of Durka. Ajihad is the strong leader of the Varden and Hrothgar the King of the dwarves, both of whom risk their followers to assist the young Rider. Two of the most interesting characters are Angela, an herbalist and her werecat, Solembum, both of whom are much more than they seem. Eragon encounters them more than once in this novel. Above all, Saphira, the dragon that Eragon hatches and accepts for his own, weaves a magical air into the story, and her relationship to the homeless boy, and their telepathic communion and communication, form the strong story background that sets "Eragon" apart from much of what has been written in the genre in the past. Paolini's a rich storyteller, with short chapters, and action-packed scenes. He doesn't forget to give his hero a conscience, nor does he fail to set the tone for the second book in the series, "The Eldest". I very much enjoyed the read, and hope he's close to finishing the second in the trilogy.
This book was great from start to finish! The world is expansive and plot has many layers to peel through before you uncover its secrets. A must-read for any young fantasy lovers!
This is the series that got me back into reading a couple years ago. I must have reread it several times since it came out. Paolini is a masterful creator of worlds, and his books never fail to hook me in. I was thrilled when Murtagh came out to continue this series, and you bet I immediately preordered when I heard about it.
I saw movie before reading book but reading book it has more action and I can say was better than movie
Haven’t read dragon in years, when I saw that there was a new book of the series thought I’d reread from the start.
So much action and storyline in these books. Easily could be on par with LOTR as a movie franchise if someone payed a good director to make it happen unlike the previous attempt that mosses all of the details and low budget cut the story into pieces. Great books!!!
I'm a professor of literature and language. From all that I have read, even on the dust jacket of this first book in Paolini's series, nobody, including the author or the publsher, makes a secret of the fact that he was heavily influenced by Tolkien, Lucas, McCaffrey, and most likely other readers. In fact, good writers are always influenced to some degree by those whom they have read. That's usually how they end up becoming GOOD WRITERS. Now, take a look at this very sentence in the prologue. This is the first introduction we have to the writing style of Paolini: "Wind howled through the night, carrying a scent that would change the world." That is powerful. That has nothing to do with Tolkien or Lewis or anyone. That has to do with individual writing voice, and an extremely good one, at that. When you read this book, or re-read it - look at it with an eye of examining how the words are put together. It's masterful. I've seen numerous examples, published and unpublished, of authors old and young(er) who were quite obviously influenced by any number of writers. Unfortunately, those writers, and I use the term as a point of reference only, did not choose to, OR HAVE THE ABILITY TO, string together words in such a way that was masterful. Or, for that matter, in any way approaching logic or sense or really, just sort of thrown in together in a way that made me quickly get to my used bookstore to trade in the item as fast as I could get rid of it. I'm talking about published writers who couldn't string together simple sentences and throw in an adjective or two along the way, without getting twisted up and falling over their own ink. And I've seen experienced writers do that, too. Anybody can use their love of certain written works to come up with similar plot lines. Plagiarism, as I saw a couple of reviews in here glibly toss out (and I am certain that means that you, of course, never plagiarized any of your reports in high school or college, yes? of course it does :) - is when someone steals another's words and claims them as their own. Paolini doesn't do that. The dust jacket, all press that I've read about him and his book, the publishers, his parents - everything I've read that promotes his book acknowledges in a broad metaphorical flag-waving right up front, Hey, Paolini was influenced BY - and gives a short list. That's not plagiarism. Also, ideas are not copyrighted. Words are. Ideas are not. Gilgamesh had an epic journey of good and evil. It's been going on for thousands of years in the written world. If we are going to start pointing fingers at who copied whom, or who had the original idea, I'm afraid you're going to have to point a finger at Tolkien and Lewis and McCaffrey. No writer for centuries has been able to avoid being influenced, to some degree, by those who have gone before. It's why writing is considered to be immortal, in a sense. Your words live on. And the words - oh my, Paolini's words. Look at how they are put together. Look at the rich description. That's not plagiarized. That IS original. Look at how he puts together ideas and plots and describes emotions, characters, colors, scents, the change of seasons, the change of terrain - that is all original. The WAY in which he put together his words, is original to him. It's his personal writing voice. Everybody has a writing voice. Some voices ought to be quiet, frankly, because they are that bad. Some voices should be trumpeted. Paolini's should be trumpeted. Gosh, you picked up a book that clearly, upfronts notes that Paolini was influenced by Tolkien, then you sit there and smugly type "Hey, ooobbbbbviously he was influenced by Tolkien" - well, gosh. You're like, Einstein. Of course, that would mean you got the idea of being Einstein, from Einstein. :) Look at the words. Look at how they are put together. Look at how Paolini crafts - yes, he crafts, he's an artist in the most precise sense - the words. Can you do that? Because I'm not seeing it in the evidence of some of your reviews. Or perhaps it was an off-day. Look - really look - at how the words are put together. It is art. It is truly art.
This book was such a good book! I really like dragon rider books and had this in my library on my waiting list. I finally got to it and I'm so glad that I did. I love the pacing in this book, it keeps you interested. I also really like the individual personalities of the characters. I am not usually a fan of the battle parts of a book, I often find them drawn out and boring. But in this book I actually enjoyed reading them. I like the one person POV, I don't mind multiple POV'S at times, but some books have so many you can't hardly keep up with the different storylines. This book had a very straightforward storyline that made each chapter just want to make you read the next. I highly recommend this book, I can't wait to start the next one!