Eragon / Eldest (Inheritance, Books 1 & 2)

If you're reading this review, then you're probably thinking about buying this book (or both books I guess). Well, since my version hasn't shipped yet, I can't say that I've read it, but I guess since I read the first two separately, that I can kind of guess what's going to happen. Let me tell you that this book (again, two in one) is an absolute must read. If you're any kind of fan of Tolkien, Jordan, or Goodkind, then you will definitely enjoy these books. There is one condition that you must meet before reading this book though; you can't have any problem with the age-old saga of Star Wars. This book regrettably follows a similar plot, but trust me, it's a good thing. All you have to do is pretend that they don't exist in the same time frame. Pretend that Paolini never saw the movies or read the books and that you're reading it fresh out of his mind. If you take the story as a stand-alone, you'll enjoy it 10 times more than if you sit there comparing the two stories all day. I think Star Wars has a lot of merit in it's own right, but Eragon and Eldest bring a whole new level to the story. You have to treat it as a separate entity. If you can do that, then you will enjoy the story, I guarantee. That is, if you're a fan of those other authors I mentioned previously.

My goodness, such passionate reviews. Let me add my own passion to the mix. I am an OLD dude, and I have been reading since I was a little tad. I read everything I can get my hands on, or, if I have nothing, even the back of cereal boxes will do. I have to read! I LOVE this series! I have been reading fantasy, and science fiction, Cowboys and Indians, adventure of all kinds, for all of my life. One must remember that Christopher was 16-17 years old when he began this series, so his imagination was able to soar. Yes, there is a relationship to the "Dragon Riders of Pern." Yes, there is a relationship to Tolkin, but so what? If you are writing stories of "Smokey the Bear," there will be similarities to other bear stories, So how would one write a story without having it "sort of" relate to some other story? In Eragon, Saphira becomes a very lovable part of the story. She is intelligent, sometimes funny, always wise, and a wonderful conscience of Eragon. The dragons of Pern, were none of these, but were none the less, loveable. The series is VERY enjoyable, and I can hardly wait for the release of Bersingr, and the good news is that the story has grown so epic, that a forth book is now necessary. So my friends, just read, or listen, and enjoy the story as written. Don't try to relate it to other books, enjoy it for what it is, an epic journey into the world of magic, dragons, elves, dwarfs, and other mystical creatures. Time well spent. Try it on audio too, the readings add a LOT to the story with the variety of voices. I listen in my truck, it makes the drive seem way too short.

I know a lot of people are criticizing these books because they do remind you of other books you've read or movies you've seen, but that is what I love about them. It's like putting the best plots you've ever read or seen into a mixer to see what you can make out of it. The end result is bound to be something fantastic when all the ingredients were fantastic to begin with. Besides Paolini isn't that old so we get the best of both worlds. We get an author who is still young enough to remember what it's like to create your own adventures and old enough to know how to put a pen to paper so the rest of us can share in his excitement. I love Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Harry Potter and Dragonriders of Pern and I love that I am reminded of all of them in these stories. It's kind of like a continuing legacy of entertainment. While totally new ideas are good to read too sometimes you just want the story to never end. For those of us who love every adventure and reliving them in countless different ways these books are for you.

Has someone ever given you a book you just can't find time to read? That happened to me with "Eragon" and "Eldest". I liked the story, as summed up in the cover, but a lot of the reviews I had previously read about the series were awful, mostly criticizing the style of its author, Christopher Paolini, or saying that these bookS were just an imitation of others, for example the books in the "Lord of the Rings" series. I must confess that I let those comments get to me, and I always found something else to read before tackling the books included in this box set. That is, until I watched the movie, loosely based on the book of the same name written by Paolini. It wasn't spectacular, but it had something special that made you care for Eragon, a young man like many others that ends up discovering a dragon's egg, and changing his destiny and that of Alagaesia. "Eragon", the film, was a good introduction to Paolini's world, a world of magic and dragons, elves and strange creatures. All the same, I wanted more, so I went straight to the source. I picked up the book that had been waiting patiently for me and started reading. I read it in a day, without stopping, enjoying the fact that Paolini's story was much, much better than what the film had allowed me to glimpse, and that I was on holidays and could allow myself the luxury of reading the whole book without having to stop and go to work :) Of course, reading "Eragon" was not enough, and immediately after finishing it I started reading "Eldest". Truth to be told, I liked it just as much or more. "Eldest" picks up where "Eragon" ended, and allows us to know what is happens with Eragon, Saphira and their friends, and what they need to do in order to survive the wrath of king Galbatorix. All in all, I can say that I loved "Eragon" and "Eldest", and that I strongly recommend it to others, specially those that (disregarding their age) have lots of imagination. On the practical side, buying this box set is a good idea because it is cheaper, and will save you some time you could spend reading. Now, what are you waiting for? Belen Alcat PS: To Christopher Paulini --> Please hurry up with the last book in this triology, I really want to know what happens next :)