Fine by me. I thought Eragon was okay... (Are you looking for other opinions?)

I have not finished the book yet. They've just encountered some Urgals...

Star Wars, LOL. I was thinking I'd heard people calling it a LotR rip off, but I wasn't sure, it seemed more like Star Wars to me.

Another Random Thought was: is this the source of the infamous stew? on the nanowrimo fantasy forums there are threads like worst fantasy cliches, favorite fantasy cliches, ways to know you're a fantasy writer, etc. There are threads like that here there and the other place too. A constantly reoccurring element (that I percieved) was stew. Stew is not an optimal questing food. Everyone eats stew, but if you ever make it you discover it doesn't work as well as you'd think. And I read these threads and comments and I think: "I've never read a fantasy novel where the questers eat stew. Ever. How is this cliche?"
Guess what? I'm reading a fantasy novel where the questers eat stew. It's called Eragon. I guess this book has been around longer and been more popular than I ever suspected.

Brom makes no sense, whatsoever. Eragon letting him come along makes no sense, whatsoever. Saphira seems to be rational only when it would somehow benefit the plot, and never when it would benefit clarity. And there's something wrong with the dialogue... what's wrong with the dialogue? Am I imagining it or does it seem... stilted?

And my sister pointed out that Eragon is only one letter to the second power away from Dragon. (ABCDE) And now I'm wondering if that's significant (no, don't tell me), and if it's not I'm going to be very put out...

Don't get me started on Eragon. It is my catch-all for ranting against fantasy conventions and cliches (as I'm sure you've noticed in my various posts) But I'd like to hear what you have to say about it.

eruheran

While many on the Forum may not have been enthralled with Eragon it is safe to say the rest of the world was. Therefore I think reading the book will give you great insight into what the public is attracted to. Don't dumb down your personal stories or compromise their integrity, but look at what elements these wildly popular books might have that yours could benefit from.

Ah. That is a good idea to do with a book that is pretty clean. Although I still don't really like Eragon... :P


I am confused about what that means...

Don't even get me started on Eragon. Not only does it suffer from an acute case of unoriginality in almost every element of its story, but it also comes from a very twisted worldview. Especially in the second book, it becomes apparent that Paolini seems to be very atheistic or, at the very least, a devote follower of the "We Can't Know Anything for Certain" religion. There is no moral validity for anything the heroes do. In fact, in some ways, the protagonists are as bad as antagonists. This severely takes away from any since of heroism or morality that has defined the great fantasy classics.

*inhales deeply* Okay, that was my daily rant. I feel better now .



That is an excellent point. Thanks for putting things in perspective. For us as writers, we can still learn a lot from books we don't like.

I'm not going to quote you a third time, I think everyone who's read this thread has read your post, Arianna, but thank you. I'm often asked, "Why do you waste your time reading that?" and I've encountered people who will only read one genre of fiction, but that's what I've come to believe about everything. I read everything regardless of whether or not it's "fantasy" because in everything there is something there to learn. Even in the worst book or film (plot/story/character-wise, we'll not talk about objectionable material right now. ) there is something you can learn, even if it's just how not to write a book.

Exactly Janin! While I'm not a big Eragon fan I did find value in reading the first book. Never made it to the second book Seraph, so I totally take your word for it.

No one behaves in a logical manner....

Brom never gave us a very good reason for tagging along. He still hasn't. Teaching Eragon is a very good reason, but it's not the one given and if it was it wasn't given in a very convincing manner. It's like... he's there, for some reason of his own, and Eragon is just an excuse for... whatever it is he wants to be doing. Saphira is unpredictable. Eragon is... strange. There are too many secrets that are obviously secret. If someone is keeping a secret isn't that usually a secret?

Nobody seems to have decent motives for what they're doing. No one seems to have a decent plan to accomplish what they're doing. And I want more proof that Galbatorix is really the bad guy. From the story Brom told in the beginning of the book, I'm inclined to side with him. After all, WHY ON EARTH COULDN'T HE HAVE ANOTHER DRAGON????

The magic business seems mostly unpredictable and mostly useless. Eragon's questions about it seem intended to raise interesting, suspenseful and moral questions in our own mind, but they don't. Brom protests and then does the thing he protests doing. He gives in way, way, way too easily or else 'he doth protest too much.' Is protesting a show?

So far, I am not impressed. And I've noticed, again, the presence of elves and the sea... Elves are not a rip off of LotR. Tolkien has no monopoly on dwarves. But elves that came from across the sea and long to go back, or did go back, or are going back, are not common elements in folklore. And everywhere else I see it it's going to bug me and bug me and bug me...

Ah, but there is much more to read and I shall persevere and hope that some kind of plot arises sooner or later because right now it's boring...

Yeah, I think it stays that way Janin.

No, I think Janin's point was that elves are not a Tolkien creation. They are seen throughout history long before Tolkien wrote Lord of the Rings. Her point (correct me if I'm wrong Janin) was that elves from across the sea were a Tolkien rip off because in history elves are never seen in this light. This was a Tolkien creation, not the elves. Just like lots of us use elves or Elvish creatures in our stories. It's not a rip off unless you use very Tolkien specific characteristics as opposed to historical elf characteristics. Hope that helped Evening L. And hope I didn't misrepresent you Janin.

You didn't misrepresent me, that was exactly what I meant. If I write a book about elves it is not a rip-off of LotR. It has nothing to do with LotR. I borrowed nothing from Tolkien. But if I write about a One Ring... oh wait, there is more than just one One Ring. So, better example! Let's put it this way! I can write about One Ring and have nothing to do with Tolkien (even though people will associate it anyway) since the ring first appeared in Norse Mythology. But if I write about a quest to destroy one ring, it's a definite rip-off since that never occurred in the aforementioned source. So if I write about elves, it has nothing to do with Middle-Earth since elves existed long before Tolkien wrote about them. But elves who came from across the see and long to go back, something that copies a plot point from LotR, is obviously a rip-off. In my opinion, anyway. When I read the description of elves in Eragon I am not thinking "elves" I'm thinking "LotR elves" which is neither good nor original.

(Why did I say all that again?)

For further explanation and clarification. I personally think it is a good point. Just because Tolkien uses elves and dwarfs doesn’t mean we can’t. That being said I try to avoid such things just so that my readers don’t go (huh, that reminds me of Lord of the Rings). I use similar elf and dwarf concepts, but my characters are not elves and dwarfs.

Eh, no problem. I open my big mouth more than I should. Janin would have done a fine job explaining herself, I just happened to cut in. I have to remind myself not to put words in other people's mouths. Anyway, you all will have to excuse me. I am as untamable as the wind.

As soon as Murtagh said who his father was I started thinking about Star Wars, and as soon as we heard the whole story about his mother I promptly decided that he and Eragon are brothers. I finished the book waiting for the "I am you father" moment, wondered if maybe Galbatorix was his father, realized that Morzan is dead, decided that doesn't mean anything, and then the book ended.

Yep. Ended. All the characters behave in strange and unpredictable ways except for Angela. Angela is also the only really likable character I've encountered. I'm really rather annoyed. I wanted to get Eldest out of the library but they don't have it... it's extremely popular. I'm not convinced.

There is another topic on Eragon somewhere else, if any of you want to check it out.


In an interview somewhere, C.P. said that he took Eragon's name from the word dragon.

But, in my opinion, the books (or at least the writing) get better as the series goes on. Eragon and Eldest were both very Star Wars-ish, but Brisingr didn't really remind me of Star Wars. And they never really reminded me of LotR - but that might be because I read Eragon first.
Some of the characters are rather cliche. Arya is way too perfect (don't even get me started about her. If she becomes the next dragon rider, I might scream.) Eragon's character does improve; I liked seeing him grow and mature. And I did like Saphira and Angela!

Well, that's my two cents... I think I might be the only one who actually enjoyed reading them...

After several months of haunting the library shelves, (and they only had it there when I was suddenly without a library card,) I finally got to check out Eldest. And... I'm reading it. And... I don't have anything good to say, I'm afraid.

His writing hasn't improved.
His writing needs to be tightened. That's the principle problem. There's nothing holding most of the chapter together. No common thread. An incredible amount of randomness.

Predictions of Yoda appearing in the near future.

So far I really don't like Eragon, but I think I'm beginning to wrap my mind around him. Maybe. Sort of. Kinda. We never really get inside his head...

Roran is cool.

Rac'zac sound an awful lot like Naz'gard.

This book is as long as Brother's Karamazov, I'm entirely uncertain as to why I'm reading it, but I'm getting through it four times as fast as Dostoyevsky so stay tuned for more probably heretical, blatantly opinionated posts. And I'll try to find something positive to say.

(Eragon needs some backbone!!)

I still haven't read this series, so I'm looking forward to more heretical ramblings.

I'm glad you're reading it before I decide to read it.

Eragon didn't have backbone in the first book. None of the characters did (although Brom was so Obi-Wan Kenobi that I was seriously expecting him to say "Use the Force, Eragon"). I always wondered what would happen if you threw LotR in a blender with Star Wars.
Now I know . . .

*Ahem* sorry. Random thought over. Back to you, Jaynin!

*chuckles* I like the blender analogy, Ciela.

Well, in the first book he could get away with out backbone because he was ignorant and training, etc. In this book he's powerful, has considerable authority, (still doesn't know anything, but whatever,) and just lets people push him around because he's afraid of making enemies. And he seems to be more worried about saving his own skin and/or getting revenge than doing what's right and that personally annoys me. Otherwise his behavior reminds me a bit of Lightning Ranger, but at least I know Lightning's motives and I don't know Eragon's. I also eventually redeem Lightning's, but I'm pretty sure it's not the same way with this.

Melody described it as Star Wars meets Middle Earth and now I'm hopelessly trapped in seeing it that way. She hit it dead on.

I feel like someone needs to come defend poor Eragon...

I actually liked most of Eldest. There were a couple parts that I thought were inappropriate and weird, but for the most part, I enjoyed reading it.

I loved Roran's chapters, especially. The whole book I was wondering how he would react when he ran into Eragon again. Eragon's chapters were so-so. A lot of times I would skim through those chapters just so I could get to Roran again.

Eragon is a little wimpy in Eragon and Eldest; I agree about that. Thankfully, he does get some backbone in Brisingr, and it vastly improves his character, in my opinion.



Isn't it "Ra'zac"?



Okay, that is true. But as the series goes on, it loses a lot of its resemblance to Star Wars.

The first book is rather SW but most stories are SW stole from all the good stuff LOTR, Norse sagas etc.
Eldest was too long but Roran's story line was pretty good and it had a good climax.
Eragon has character so for some reason everyone hates him. You know I think you would have problems too if you were thrust into his position
About his writing style, I don't know why everyone dislikes it. I thought he is a very good descriptive writer. And I like the POV's he does.

Brisingr is really good. I thought it was much better than both the first one's.


(I'd like to see someone on here make a book half as good as the Inheritance Cycle.)

Oh, so the Roran story sticks around? That's encouraging. He's more interesting than Eragon at this point.

To clear things up, there's nothing wrong with his style. But the books read like a first draft. Like he didn't have any friends (or Holy Worlds) to point out where it drags, where it contradicts itself, and where the dialogue is stilted and unrealistic. A few years ago I probably wouldn't have noticed but six months of reading and critiquing on here has kind of helped me recognize those kind of errors. They could be so easily fixed, but they weren't, and that's what galls me.

I keep stepping back and scrutinizing my motives, wondering if I expected to not like the book when I started, but I'm pretty sure I heard so many conflicting opinions I wanted one of my own and I ended up on the not liking side. I know a lot of people like it, so I will try to be considerate of that and come up with good things too.

I still predict that Murtagh is Eragon's brother, and that Galbatorix is possibly Eragon's father.

Half as good? I'd like to think that Elementir and Alcaydan, a couple of books I did for NaNo in previous years, are at least half as good as the Inheritance Cycle. Particularly once I get around to cleaning up the inconsistencies that developed between the two.


More on topic: It's been quite a while since I read Eragon or Eldest. I'm pretty sure I ended up skimming parts of Eldest, though. It just wasn't able to hold my interest the whole way through. Brisingr was better. It wouldn't surprise me if the biggest problem of the Inheritance Cycle is simply that it got published too soon. (And to be honest, I don't really like Roran all that much...)

Regardless, I'm looking forward to more of your "probably heretical, blatantly opinionated posts," Vanya!

Yes, I would probably have issues in his position. Actually, I'd most definitely fail as a Dragon Rider. However, I like it when the MC is able to overcome his problems in a book, rather than be dragged down by them like the reader would be.
Just my response to the statement. I still haven't read Eldest.


We're all trying! To me, that's the purpose of Holy Worlds. You learn from other authors, and you take what you learn and use it to craft something better to glorify God!

(I tend to use the blender analogy a lot.)

Ah but he doesn't he always rises again.


In response to our response to this statement


Sorry if I offend but as of yet none of the stories I've read on here came anywhere close to IC
I could rant about it all day but I think I'll wait till I'm a published author too, before allowing myself that privilege.


By the by has anyone but me read the third book yet?

I read it as soon as I could get my hands on it. I've read parts of it more than once, too.

For clarification, is Inheritance Cycle the proper name for the Eragon series?

I haven't read these but reading all these posts...I really need to!! I don't seem to read as much as I used to these days. I wonder what's stopping me? *glares at computer*

Pretty sure it is...



And brinkstrigg, I've read the third book.

Not to offend anyone in my turn, there are a lot of books better than that, and several written by people on here I'd prefer to Eldest.

I said that as an example of how pointless these kind of comparisons can be. I'd like to point out that "better" is mostly a matter of opinion. Some people think some books are better than others, and holding up one book as an example of "the best" isn't fair to the rest of the world, especially if it's controversial. Only if you are a publisher, or editor, who've studied what makes a book well written or not can you compare one writing to another and declare that this one is better than that. Everyone's list will be different, and that's a sign of our uniqueness and individuality.

Just a note of encouragement to keep this thread from turning into a "this book is better than that book" contest...

I totally agree with you, Katie, and think you hit the nail on the head perfectly.

I would love to rant on this book, but I'm afraid that if Vanya's rumblings are heresy, you all may decide to burn me at the stake.

Tentatively, I will say that whether the plot is good or bad, the nitty-gritty parts of writing on Paolini's part are woefully lacking. He may (or may not) have assembled an epic plot with a (possibly) interesting ensemble cast, but regardless, the actual WRITING is not very good. Definitely needed more editing. And less randomness. (Especially that shape-shifting Cat-thing. Really annoyingly random.)

Why do you think his writing is bad? Have any examples?
The were-cat makes perfect sense and in the next book Chis says he explains them a lot more.

Last night I finished reading the last book in the Inheritance Cycle aptly called "Inheritance" so I thought I should post a review of it. Then I decided I should include all of the books since it is a series and this is the last one.

Eragon.
I read Eragon when I was around 14 or 15 and I was really into it. I don't know if it was the fact that it was the first fantasy book I had ever read that was not Tolkien or Lewis, or that fact that a 16 year old home school boy had written it.
Looking back, Eragon is not very well written and is rather unoriginal and kind of deserves to be called Starwars in middle earth. But while the main plot is rather like Star Wars and the dragon riders seem very much like Jedi there is plenty of stuff in there that is very unique. I would say that criticizing it as ripping off Tolkien's middle earth is in error. It has similarity's to Tolkien's work but no more than any fantasy book since being influenced by Tolkien would be nearly impossible.
There is something about Eragon that feels more real and honest about it that is less apparent in the other books. I think this is because Paolini was the same age as Eargon and the story felt more genuine, as a result I think because Paolini identified with him.

Eldest.
The second book is much better in writing than the first which is understandable. But it is far too long and we find out why Tolkien does not do that much with his elves and sort of leaves them in the background. The reason? Elves are annoyingly perfect. And 70% of the book is spent in the company of the elves.
This book is the worst in the series in my opinion and I'll tell you why. (And this is a major problem with all of the books.) It's too long winded. And the whole main story is just dull and one big piece of exposition. Eragon stays with the elves for 70% of the book and learns the ways of the force- I mean magic.
That's right, the main plot of eldest is Eragon going to school with the elf equivalent of Yoda for 400 pages. It gets very, very, very, dull. The only saving factor to the book is a rather exiting sub plot with Eragon's cousin and another subplot involving the politics of the Varden (the rebel group). It does end with a very good large scale battle, and like I said Paolini is a much better writer than he was. Another thing I liked was that his world building is excellent he has a very well working believable world.

Brisingr.
This is possibly the best book in the series. The scope of the story was very much enlarged by Eldest and this one is much more action packed and interesting. Again, it has it's old fault of being long winded and there is a whole subplot with a minor character that has nothing to do with the actual story, but it makes up for it with some other very great scenes.
This is a good a place as any to talk about Paolini's writing. He is a very good descriptive writer and none of it is stilted or confusing. This is probably is best feature. Unfortunately, he is rather inconsistent with his use of words sometimes his characters talk in very King James English and at other times they talk in a more modern manor.
Also he can sometimes be way over the top and melodramatic.
But like I said Brisingr is much better than Eldest and better written than Eragon.

Inheritance.
The last book in the series came out in November. It's been two or three years since Brisingr came out and I hadn't thought that much about it in the space. But I picked up a copy since after reading 3 books in the series I didn't want to leave it unfinished.
This one is not as dull and tedious as Eldest even though it is the longest of the books (848 pages). But I don't know where all the pages went. There aren't that many events within the story and I don't really know why it is that long.
The writing hasn't really improved that much form Brisingr (compared to the leaps made between the other books.)
Originally Paolini planned this series as a trilogy but having so much materiel he decided to make it four books. I think this was a mistake. If this book and Brisingr were combined and edited into one book it would have been really good. But as it is I think he used up all of his good stuff stretching it to thin.
But it is a pretty satisfactory end to the series and there is some great scenes with the bad guy. Over all it was as good as Brisingr but for some reason I liked Brisingr better.


So, looking at the whole series I don't really care for the story that much and it's all very much in need of editing. The world that Paolini built is very good though. Its probably the best built fantasy world I've seen. I learned a lot about world building from the books. Is it worth your time? I can't really answer that if you have the time and want to learn some stuff about how to (and how not to) write a fantasy novel than I'd say go for it.
So in conclusion I found the Inheritance Cycle fun and educational. But certainly more educational than fun.


Content warning: All of the books are very, very violent. And many may object to the magic. Plus there a few isolated swear words. Also some of the morality of the characters are pretty questionable.

Nice review of the whole series.

I was going to go to a book signing for the newest book (Which I love. ). But we couldn't make it. I Love Brom. He was my favorite.

I disagree with Bard just a little. From a craft perspective, Inheritance was slightly better and written more maturely than Brisingr. Which is to be expected I suppose since he had gained more experience.

I shall look forward to finishing the last three books (which are still sitting on my shelf, neglected) so I can have my own thoughts on this subject.

I'd say you're right about that. What I actually meant was that I didn't think there was as large a jump in writing as there was between the other books.

Ah, these are good books! I read a good chunk of the first book, Eragon, and very much enjoyed it. I thoroughly enjoy fantasy, so I liked it quite a bit. I have also recently watched the movie that they made off of the first book, and really liked it. I wouldn't be able to decide if the book is better than the movie, for I haven't fully completed the book, but I did find the series interesting ever since I started to read it.

Has anyone read the last book yet? I got it for Christmas, but I'm finishing a couple other books before starting it.

Yep I've read it.
Its part of my review up above.

I haven't either. I just checked, and there are--

Woah! Looks like the book is headed to the library for me to pick up soon! (And here I was expecting there to still be more people ahead of me on the list.)

I really enjoyed it too. What I did not agree was in some cases Paolini made it seem like sin was fine. Like when Roran got Katrina pregnant out of wedlock, Eragon was glad for him. Also, in the last book Christopher gives his view on God which I do not agree with.