Teenreads.com -- Holiday Basket of Cheer

ELDEST: Inheritance, Book II
Limited Edition by Christopher Paolini
Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts
Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic
Hardcover
Knopf
ISBN-10: 0375840605
ISBN-13: 9780375826702
704 pages

Author Biography  |   Review  |   Excerpt
alagaesia.com  |   Critical Praise
More on Teenreads.com  |   Buy from Amazon.com

-- ABOUT THE BOOK --

This deluxe edition of the runaway international bestseller includes:

A sneak peek at Book III

An exclusive, full-color foldout poster of Glaedr by award-winning artist John Jude Palencar

A revealing excerpt of the history of Alagaësia

Never-before-seen art by the author, including an image of Brom's elf ring

A complete and comprehensive list of people, places, things, and dwarf clans

Darkness falls. . . . Swords clash. . . . Evil reigns.

Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesméra, 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, filled with awe-inspiring new places and people, 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 back home in Carvahall --- one that puts Eragon in even graver danger.

Will the king's dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life. . . .
The #1 New York Times Bestseller
The #1 USA Today Bestseller
The #1 Publishers Weekly Bestseller
The Wall Street Journal Bestseller
The Book Sense Bestseller

-- AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY --

Christopher Paolini's abiding love of fantasy and science fiction inspired him to begin writing his debut novel, ERAGON, when he graduated from high school at fifteen after being homeschooled all his life. He became a New York Times bestselling author at nineteen. Christopher lives in Montana, where the dramatic landscape feeds his visions of Alagaësia. He is at work on the final volume in the Inheritance trilogy. Paolini is a nominee for the 2007 Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award.

-- REVIEW --

ELDEST opens as Eragon surveys, with great dismay, a field of dead, bloodied bodies, the results of the war that is being fought for the Varden against the evil Empire of King Galbatorix. He has killed the Shade known as Durza. With his dragon Saphira's help, he has bravely fought these enemies who destroyed his uncle and who continue to threaten the Dragon Riders. But his heart is heavy and he senses that there are changes happening to him. The boy is becoming the man, the warrior, the new Shadeslayer, but the cost is so dear.

...He no longer believed that life possessed inherent meaning --- not after seeing men torn apart by the Kull, a race of giant Urgals, and the ground a bed of thrashing limbs and the dirt so wet with blood it soaked through the soles of his boots.

So begins the second book of the Inheritance Trilogy, Christopher Paolini's eagerly awaited continuation of Eragon's life as Dragon Rider. While a 704-page book might appear daunting for readers, ELDEST roars along from beginning to end. The author's writing has matured and he has developed great skill at layering his themes as they build to an exciting climax.

While Eragon receives his training as a Dragon Rider from the wizard/Rider known as Oromis of Ellesmera, his cousin Roran begins a dangerous adventure of his own. Roran, bitter about his father's death, feels that in some way Eragon has been responsible. Roran does not realize that Eragon has left the valley to protect his family and friends from the Galbatorix. He only knows that if Eragon had not kept the strange stone (which was a dragon egg) a secret, perhaps things would now be different. After Garrow's death, Roran returns to the village of Carvahall where he hopes to court the beautiful Katrina and eventually ask for her hand in marriage. However, he no longer has a home or farm (thanks to Eragon) and he needs to build his fortune to win the approval of Sloan, Katrina's father.

Before any of this can happen Roran discovers that the Galbatorix, represented by horrible creatures known as Ra'zac, are after him --- simply because he is associated with Eragon. As the situation becomes more intense, Roran attempts to hide away from the village, but within a short time the village is under siege and the dreaded Ra'zac take Katrina captive. Here begins the true journey for Roran, as he leads the villagers away and begins a frightening, most dangerous adventure to find both safety for them and a way to get Katrina back.

Paolini skillfully weaves the stories of Eragon and Roran back and forth --- creating countless other fascinating characters on all sides. There are even suggestions of romance when Eragon becomes infatuated with Ayra, the elfin princess he rescued, and for Saphira, the only female dragon around, when she is attracted to her mentor, the great dragon Glaedr.

There are also spots of humor, and in one scene especially the often-quoted lines from the film Treasure of the Sierre Madre are played on when Loring, the cobbler, is protesting the use of barges for the villagers to make their escape:

"Barges?" said the cobbler. "Barges? We don't want no stinking barges!"

The panoramic battles at the end include one of the most exciting moments as Saphira fights a giant red dragon over a bloody battlefield. The battle is vividly realized as Paolini paints a scene that is sure to be a favorite. The identity of Eragon's father is also uncovered during a dual that echoes the power and themes of STAR WARS.

Using blended ancient Nordic languages is affective in the dialogues of this myth-like world, and an excellent language guide is provided at the end of the book. Wizards, monsters, dragons, elves, dwarves, magic forests, witches, storytellers, enchanted swords and powerful spells all combine to make ELDEST a sure winner for fantasy fans. There is no question that Paolini is paying tribute to writers like Tolkien, L'Engle and McCaffrey. His writing is filled with quests, heroes, magic and mysticism. A screen adaptation of these books, as well as book three in the trilogy, are in the making. For old and new fans, all of this cannot happen soon enough!

--- Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts

-- CRITICAL PRAISE --

"Unusual, powerful . . . fresh and fluid. An impressive start to a writing career that's sure to flourish."
--- Booklist, Starred

"Christopher Paolini make[s] literary magic with his precocious debut."
--- People

"The new 'It' book of children's lit."
--- U.S. News & World Report

"An auspicious beginning to both career and series."
--- Publishers Weekly

-- EXCERPT --

The Council of Elders

Saphira's breathing quickened, and she opened her eyes, yawning expansively. Good morning, little one.

Is it? He looked down and leaned on his hands, compressing the mattress. It's terrible . . . Murtagh and Ajihad . . . Why didn't sentries in the tunnels warn us of the Urgals? They shouldn't have been able to trail Ajihad's group without being noticed. . . . Arya was right, it doesn't make sense.

We may never know the truth, said Saphira gently. She stood, wings brushing the ceiling. You need to eat, then we must discover what the Varden are planning. We can't waste time; a new leader could be chosen within hours.

Eragon agreed, thinking of how they had left everyone yesterday: Orik rushing off to give King Hrothgar the tidings, Jörmundur taking Ajihad's body to a place where it would rest until the funeral, and Arya, who stood alone and watched the goings-on.

Eragon rose and strapped on Zar'roc and his bow, then bent and lifted Snowfire's saddle. A line of pain sheared through his torso, driving him to the floor, where he writhed, scrabbling at his back. It felt like he was being sawed in half. Saphira growled as the ripping sensation reached her. She tried to soothe him with her own mind but was unable to alleviate his suffering. Her tail instinctually lifted, as if to fight.

It took minutes before the fit subsided and the last throb faded away, leaving Eragon gasping. Sweat drenched his face, making his hair stick and his eyes sting. He reached back and gingerly fingered the top of his scar. It was hot and inflamed and sensitive to touch. Saphira lowered her nose and touched him on the arm. Oh, little one. . . .

It was worse this time, he said, staggering upright. She let him lean against her as he wiped away the sweat with a rag, then he tentatively stepped for the door.

Are you strong enough to go?

We have to. We're obliged as dragon and Rider to make a public choice regarding the next head of the Varden, and perhaps even influence the selection. I won't ignore the strength of our position; we now wield great authority written the Varden. At least the Twins aren't here to grab the position for themselves. That's the only good in the situation.

Very well, but Durza should suffer a thousand years of torture for what he did to you.

He grunted. Just stay close to me.

Together they made their way through Tronjheim, toward the nearest kitchen. In the corridors and hallways, people stopped and bowed to them, murmuring, "Argetlam," or "Shadeslayer." Even dwarves made the motions, though not as often. Eragon was struck by the somber, haunted expressions of the humans and the dark clothing they wore to display their sadness. Many women dressed entirely in black, lace veils covering their faces.

In the kitchen, Eragon brought a stone platter of food to a low table. Saphira watched him carefully in case he should have another attack. Several people tried to approach him, but she lifted a lip and growled sending them scurrying away. Eragon pretended to ignore the disturbances and picked at the food. Finally, trying to divert his thoughts from Murtagh, he asked, Who do you think has the means to take control of the Varden, now that Ajihad and the Twins are gone?

She hesitated. It's possible you could, if Ajihad's last words were interpreted as a blessing to secure the leadership. Almost no one would oppose you. However, that does not seem a wise path to take. I see only trouble in that direction.

I agree. Besides, Arya wouldn't approve, and she could be a dangerous enemy. Elves can't lie in the ancient language, but they have no such inhibition in ours-she could deny that Ajihad ever uttered those words if it served her purposes. No, I don't want the position. . . . What about Jörmundur?

Ajihad called him his right-hand man. Unfortunately, we know little about him or the Varden's other leaders. Such a short time has passed since we came here. We will have to make our judgment on our feelings and impressions, without the benefit of history.

Eragon pushed his fish around a lump of mashed tubers. Don't forget Hrothgar and the dwarf clans; they won't be quiet in this. Except for Arya, the elves have no say in the succession-a decision will be made before word of this even reaches them. But the dwarves can't be-won't be-ignored. Hrothgar favors the Varden, but if enough clans oppose him, he might be maneuvered into backing someone unsuited for the command.

And who might that be?

A person easily manipulated. He closed his eyes and leaned back. It could be anyone in Farthen Dûr, anyone at all.

• Click here now to buy this book from Amazon.com.