Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1) in Building a SciFi/Fantasy Library

Jul 22, 2007 Kerry (The Roaming Librarian) O'Donnell rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-fiction, fantasy, fromchildhoodadolescence, action-adventure

I wasn't sure I was going to like Eragon, and it was one of the books that people kept thrusting at me, telling me I would love it. (I hate it when people do that.) So I wasn't as open to it in the beginning. Of course, I said the same things about Harry Potter and look how that turned out. Nevertheless, I began reading, and before long I was completely hooked. Its a great story, and though one kid in a class I had at school said it was a rip off of other books/stories, I disagree, most heartily ...more

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Aug 12, 2007 Rindis rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

In positive reviews there is some tendency to excuse faults with a 'well he was only 15'. Personally, while it is worth noting to applaud the fact that he was able to write any sort of novel at that age, it must stand on its own, separate from its creator, like any other story.

And for me, it does very well. It is not the 'best fantasy book ever', nor even the 'best one recently'. Nor do books need to be, they can be perfectly fine and worth enjoying without necessarily being being stellar, or li ...more

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Jul 15, 2009 Harold Ogle rated it it was ok

A mediocre fantasy novel that is noteworthy for two reasons:

1) It was written and self-published by a fifteen-year-old, and
2) It was nowhere near as bad as the film.

_Eragon_ follows the formula of heroic fantasy initiated by Tolkein:
a. Young nobody discovers that he has a marvelous destiny
b. Young nobody is forced to flee his home
c. Young nobody discovers hidden reservoirs of strength/ability/magic/powers that distinguish him as superior to everyone else
d. Young nobody becomes Puissant Valiant H ...more

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Dec 20, 2007 J-Lynn Van Pelt rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult-and-adolescent-lit, fantasy

When you think about the fact that Paolini was only fifteen when he published Eragon, this novel is remarkable. The complicated plotline follows many fantasy conventions and features a lovable pair of heroes in Eragon and Saphira. I recommend this to fantasy fans.

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Mar 17, 2007 emily rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, 2007-and-earlier

this is mediocre in every sense; i wouldn't have to look hard to find better fantasy, or better YA lit. but it's not too poorly written, so if you're bored, give it a shot. ...more

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