Review: Eragon

Three elves are ambushed in the woods by a Shade and a group of monstrous Urgals. Her guards dead and herself about to be captured, the lady elf reaches into a pouch and removes a large sapphire stone. As the Shade launches a ball of red flame at her, there is a flash of light and the stone vanishes. The red fire hits her and she collapses.

Eragon is a 15 year old farm boy, worried about whether he can hunt enough food for his family to get through the coming winter. After 3 days hunting, he was about to get his prey when an explosion startled the deer herd. He shot, but his arrow missed. Where the deer had been, smoldered a large circle of grass and trees. In that circle was a stone that would change his life. He had never seen it's like and he hoped that it would be worth enough to supply his family for the winter.

This is the beginning of a coming-of-age story. There are Dragons, Elves, Dwarves, Monsters, and a land in the grip of darkness. Once there were Dragon Riders who made peace in the land, but one of them turned to evil, gained allies among the riders, killed the rest, and became King of the land. Except for the king, the Dragon Riders are no more.

The book follows Eragon as he finds a teacher and learns of Dragons, Magic, and the skills of a Dragon Rider. He also learns far too much of fighting and loss. It’s a very tough journey he’s on.

Christopher Paolini started this novel when he was only 15. He is now 19 and lives in Montana. Given the youth of the author, I expected this first novel to have some flaws, but I was thoroughly surprised. This is epic fantasy at it's best. Everything about this book is richly detailed, from the characters to the wonderful locations. As you read this book, you'll come to think of some of the characters as friends and experience the journey with them.

If you're looking for well-written, detailed fantasy, then check out this book. It's the first of a trilogy and I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, David Ball

Book Review: Eragon