Book Review: Eragon, Book One of The Inheritance Cycle

Eragon was first released in about 2002. Christopher Paolini wrote the book when he was fifteen and his parents helped him self publish it. He spent the next year traveling around the US marketing the book. At one point, Carl Hiaasen came across the book and helped Christopher get the book republished by a larger printing house. The first printing for that release was in 2003.

I was introduced to the book by a friend of mine. He mentioned my kids might like to read it. I liked the story I had heard about Mr. Paolini and thought I would give the book a try. In my house, if there is an unknown author, I typically will read the book first to make sure it is appropriate for my kids. I must say, as an avid reader--I read about three or four fiction books a week as well as two or three other books--I was impressed by Eragon. Not just because Mr. Paolini was fifteen at the time it was written either. It is an extremely well put together novel.

The book follows the story of Eragon, a young farm boy. When he is out exploring, he finds an amazing blue stone in the mountains that surround his home. From here, the story quickly gains speed. He plans on trading the stone for some food so he can supply his family with enough food for the winter. Before he can, it hatches. A sapphire dragon hatches out of the egg and Eragon bonds with it. Evil beings feel the egg hatch and seek out the dragon to kill or enslave it. Eragon and the dragon flee and seek safety. Along the way, they encounter many other interesting characters and beings.

Eragon is a great first book. The story line is fantastic and actually quite original. The characters are believable and the pacing is solid. There are enough action scenes to make the story stay interesting and the dialogue and action are both done very well. It is definitely the kind of book where you know who the villains are and who are the heroes--and you cheer for the heroes all the way through.

Most first books are just a touch rough around the edges. If there is anything to complain about in Eragon it is the following items:

First, it is a touch formulaic. It follows a fairly expected story arc for a fantasy book.

Second, it does go a little slow in a couple of parts. The book could probably have lost 30 pages or so and been just as good. Maybe even 45 pages.

I enjoyed Eragon enough to read it twice. I don't do that a whole lot, so if a book gets a second read from me it had to be fairly good the first time around. Eragon is a winner.

 Would I recommend Eragon.  Yes.  I rate it as an 8.5 out of 10.  Overall, this is a quality work of fiction suitable for any child ages 10 to about 17.  I am much older than that and enjoyed it quite a bit.  Several of my children have read the series multiple times.  The writing is solid.  The action is fun and believable.  Although evil exists in the world Paolini has created, he doesn't make the book "scary", which I like because it is a children's book.  Go out and get it today.  You will be glad you did.

The story of Christopher Paolini continues to amaze me. If you have ever wanted to write, there is another hub I produced about some of the best books for learning to write. Go there and get a list of great books that will help you get working on your novel.