"Eragon" is the first of Christopher Paolini's best-selling novels which he wrote while he was still a teen. it is a fantasy story based on the courage of one ordinary boy who was choisen to be the champion of justice and fight against evil so the good may triumph.
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The protagonist of the story is a young boy named Eragon. He is a poor farm kid whose family finds happiness in their simple lives. one day e stumbles upon a blue rock which he picks up, being poor he considered the possibility of the rock being a semi precious gem or something that might bring him into some cash. Instead it brought him a dragon!
A pretty blue dragon hatched out of the blue rock (you might have guessed by now that it was actually a dragon egg). The hatchling was a female ans he named it Saphira because of its sapphire blue color and fascinating eyes. but what was even more fascinating was the fact that the dragona Saphirra and Eragon seemed to have some sort of a strange telepathic connection. The dragon Saphira and its rider Eragon soon develop a strong bond of friendship.
And just as in every other fantasy story, a mentor and guide appeared as a stranger to teach Eragon how to handle his new found courage and his dragon friend. Together the mentor Brom and Saphira told Eragon that it was his destiny to save the world from the eil clutches of the King Galbatrox.
As it is said in the book Eragon happened to be “one part brave and three parts fool” so his foolishness compelled him to be brave enough to accept his fate and he trained a little under Brom. Then he joined a group of rebels who were only too happy to meet another enemy of King Galbatorix.
There is a lot of drama in the story which includes a lot of sword fights and some hints of romance between Eragon and the brave but beautiful rebel Arya.
The review of this Book prepared by zainab iqtidar
In this book, the main character Eragon, is hunting in the woods to find game so he can sell it to earn money. While searching, he finds a blue egg inside a forbidden part of the mountain, the lost spiral. He takes the stone and brings it to his house. While he trys to get to sleep, he hears squeaking and sees a head, when he looks at it, it looks like it's hatching and when he sees it completely out of the stone, he realises that the stone wasnt a stone yet a egg, a dragon's egg. After the dragon hatches he takes care of it for several weeks, he was marked with a crest on his hand when his dragon touched him, soon after strangers in cloaks come and ask to find Eragon. These strangers mortally wound Eragon's grandfather, and the dragon, which eragon named Saphira makes a suggestion that they flee.
From this point on, they meet Brom who was a dragon rider which Eragon became, Brom teaches Eragon in the way of the sword, how to ride dragons. During their treacherous journey, Brom dies, Eragon makes friends with Murtaugh, a swordsman who can match blades with Eragon. Eragon battles many battles with Murtaugh and saves an elf which suggests that he takes a path to Ellesmera. Through hard work and the loss of Murtaugh, they finally reach a Dwarven village and get ready for their next battle to come.
The review of this Book prepared by David Hong
Eragon is a young man who finds a strange stone in the forest by his home. He does not know it is a dragon's egg until it hatches. Saphira is a dragon who Eragon can communicate with telepathically. Eragon develops many strange powers from his relationship with Saphira and because of his destiny to become a Rider, and ride a dragon. Together with Brom, a storyteller who proves to be Eragon's teacher and trainer, they set out on a journey to kill the Ra'zac, an evil race who killed Eragon's family. Eragon has a vision of an elven girl, Arya, who he rescues and must find an antidote for the poison that is slowly killing her.
In the mythical land of Alagaesia, they travel for months, battling Urgals and Kull, and finally make it to Tronjheim, a city built inside a mountain. Tronjheim is the dwarf capital, and here a significant battle is fought. Eragon uses many types of magic to help the Varden fight the armies of Galbatorix. He learns about his true destiny, as a leader of the people in a new time of justice, and also learns that he has a big enemy that he has yet to face, Galbatorix, the king.
The review of this Book prepared by Jennifer Hobbs
15-year-old, farm boy Eragon finds a polished blue stone in a mysterious forest called the Spine. Brom, Carvahall's storyteller and Eragon's friend, tells the legend of the Dragon Riders fall, and how Galbatorix came to rule the land of Alagaesia. That night, the polished blue stone hatches, proving it not to be a stone, but in fact an egg! The baby dragon, Saphira, has hatched. When the Empire comes in search of the dragon, Eragon's uncle is killed and his farm burned down. Eragon is now forced to flee Carvahall, with Brom, from the imposing danger, and from his need for revenge. On the road, Eragon has strange dreams of a fair elf maiden, locked in a cell, close to death. Eragon goes after her and eventually finds her. Eragon quickly becomes, from the hunter, to the hunted, and is forced to find refuge in a rebelious group called the Varden. Once there, he learns of the elf he saved, Arya, and the war that is being fought, over him. The only question is, what side will he choose? t.
The review of this Book prepared by Amber
Eragon is a farm boy raised by his "uncle". One day when he finds something in the forest he brings it home, later to find out that it is a baby dragon egg. The dragon began to grow really fast, exceedingly huge. Their ruler soon knows about the new "dragonrider" and sends his people to kill them. With the death of his uncle due to the Emperor's people's interrogation, Eragon swore to avenge his uncle no matter what the cause. As he steps closer into avenging his uncle, he learns how friendship can grow, his new found magical powers, and he slowly pieces together his heredity.
The review of this Book prepared by Sophia Tang
Eragon takes place in a country called Alagaesia during medieval times. The story begins when Eragon, a fifteen-year-old boy, goes on a hunt to get food for the winter. While he is on the hunt he finds an interesting stone that he thinks he might be able to trade for meat. The butcher will not take the stone, so he goes home and puts the stone on his bedside table. That night, the stone breaks apart and a dragon comes out.
The dragon will change his life. He names the dragon Saphira. He hides Saphira for the first few months. Ra'zac soldiers, servants for King are searching for the lost dragon. They believe the dragon and its owner will fulfill a prophecy which will bring peace to Alagaisia and destroy the Ra'zac. The Ra'zac kill Eragon's uncle, but Eragon and Saphira escape. Later, Eragon searches for the Ra'zac to get revenge. This search will take him through Algaesia where him and Brom, the town's storyteller, will fight Urgals and many other dangerous enemies. If Eragon succeeds in defeating the Ra'zac and making peace in Alagaesia he will take up the glory of the Dragon Riders who came before him.
The review of this Book prepared by Adam Brown
When a 15-year old boy named Eragon finds a mysterious rock while hunting in the mountains, he has no idea that this simple thing would change his life forever. The rock unexpectedly hatches into a dragon, and Eragon must raise it in secret. Soon, two of the evil king's minions appear in the town, sent by the king to fetch the egg back. They destroy Eragon's home and kill his only remaining family, shattering his simple life, and forcing him to leave the only home he's ever known.
He sets out to find the creatures and avenge his family, and is joined by the village storyteller, Brom, who has many untold secrets. Along their journey, Brom trains Eragon as a rider, instructing him in magic and swordsmanship.
Eragon, his dragon, and Brom travel through the world of Alagaesia, battling the Empire's monsters, as well as his own feelings.
The review of this Book prepared by Kaylin Meyers
Eragon goes hunting to find food for his family, but winds up in posession of a strange blue stone. He attempts to sell it, but no one wants it, or so he thinks. Soon, it is revealed to be an egg, and hatches a dragon, whom Eragon names Saphira,. He'll become a dragon rider, one of the great and ancient warriors long believed to be extinct.
Shortly afterwards, Eragon's only surviving family are murdered by some creatures acting in the Emperor's service. Eragon vows to avenge their deaths and is joined by the wizard Brom.
The review of this Book prepared by Steve Arthur
Eragon, an ordinary village youth, finds a mysterious blue stone, which turns out to be a dragon's egg and hatches his dragon, Saphira. When enemies sent by the king to find the egg destroy his uncle's home and kill his uncle, Eragon leaves to seek revenge, accompanied by an old man from the village, Brom, who knows more than he tells. Along the way, they try to find the Varden, a hidden group of rebels. Although this book is aimed at a younger audience, it can be enjoyed by older readers because of its fast paced action and vivid characterization.
The review of this Book prepared by Riannon Cutler
Eragon is 15. He lives in Alagaesia, a large land with mystical creatures. Alagaesia is ruled by the evil Empire, and King Galbatorix. While Eragon is out hunting in the Spine, a range of mountains close to his home town Carvahall, he finds what he thinks is a stone.The villiage storyteller Brom tells Eragon of the Dragon Riders, they rode dragons and constantly fought against the King, who was a former rider. The Dragon Riders were all killed except Galbatorix. Eragon finds himself embarking on a strange and adventure as the "stone" hatches into a dragon and he becomes a dragon rider with the help of Brom's traing.
The review of this Book prepared by Anna Kopka
Eragon is the story of a fifteen year old boy with an unknown past who lives in the farming community with his uncle, Garrow, and cousin, Roran. While on a hunting trip, Eragon finds what he suspects to be a rock. After careful examination, and failed attempts to sell the rock, he finds out that it is, indeed, a dragon egg.
From then on, all sorts of strange things occur--his uncle is killed and he is left to fend for himself and the dragon. He then meets with Brom the storyteller and sets out to avenge the death of his uncle.
The review of this Book prepared by Holly B.
A 15 year old boy named Eragon finds a dragon egg in the Spine. When the dragon hatches, Eragon finds himself as a Rider. Ra'zac come into his village and distroys his home and kills his uncle. Seeking revenge, Eragon sets off to kill them. Brom, the village story teller, comes with him. Together, they make there way across Alagaesia, tracking the Ra'zac. Brom teaches Eragon many things about being a Rider. Eragon is able to use magic, but learns from Brom the old language. Also, Eragon must decide whather to join Galbatorix, the king of the emire, or join the Varden, who fights against him.
The review of this Book prepared by Kari
Eragon is a 15 year old boy who lives with his poor but proud family on the edge of the village of Carvahall. Out hunting one day in the Spine, a mountain range which is known for the bad luck that befalls those who enter it, a magical explosion shakes the ground. In the middle of where the explosion took place a blue rock spiderwebbed with white lines appears.
Thinking the foot-long stone will buy his family food for the winter, Eragon takes it home. But one night the stone hatches, actually and egg incasing for a baby dragon. Dragons are rare and powerful creatures who were thought to be extinct except for the dragon Shruikan of the evil King Galbatorix and the three eggs in his possesion.
One of the King's most powerful minions, the Ra'zac, kill Eragon's adopted father Garrow. Strving for revenge, Eragon, a regular farm boy, is thrust into a world which consists of magic, swords, evil monsters, and notorious kings. With only what seems to be an old storyteller named Brom to guide him through this terrifying adventure, Eragon and his young dragon Saphira tavel through the world of Alagaesia seeking the Ra'zac.
The review of this Book prepared by Saphira
When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands. . . .
The review of this Book prepared by Meghan Hickey
Knopf, Aug 2003, 18.95, 509 pp.
ISBN: 0375826688
Fifteen years old hunts deer in the nearby Spine, a locale feared by the townsfolk of his village Carvahall. As he about to shoot an arrow, an explosion occurs. He checks and in the midst of where his prey was resides a blue stone with white lines on it. The gem soon hatches into a noisy sapphire blue dragon. Receiving guidance from the village storyteller, the teen raises his new companion that he names Saphira.
King Galbatorix wants the dragon and its owner working for him. His evil followers murder Eragon's uncle and go after the lad. Eragon and Saphira flee. On the run, they learn to fight as one and study magic in an attempt for the lad and his dragon to become the first Dragon Rider in a century. If successful with the first stage of their quest, they will attempt to avenge the killing of his family and free the Empire from the monarch and his malevolent minions.
Clearly paying homage to Beowulf and of course Tolkien, Christopher Paolini provides a powerful epic fantasy. Though adjusting to the proper names of places and people can prove difficult (thank goodness for a listing and a map), the fast-paced story line is action-packed so that readers gain a strong novel that tells part of the tale (sequels to follow). Lord of the Ring fans of all ages will appreciate Christopher Paolini's tale and look forward to the sequel in the Inheritance Trilogy.
Harriet Klausner
The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner
The young Eragon is pulled into a destiny he is unsure he can rise to meet--but does!--when a dragon's egg he finds while hunting (one of only three that were not destroyed by the evil king) hatches and a beautiful blue dragon named Saphira becomes imprinted to him. So does Eragon become a Dragon Rider and begin to grow into those shoes. On a quest for revenge against the minions who destroy his home, killing his adoptive father/uncle, he journeys into vast and unfamiliar lands, meets and makes alliances with some very interesting and well drawn characters, undergoes intensive training with the wise/good Brom (later killed), rescues a very special elf, and heroically battles all manner of evil beings who seek to destroy him and the glorious past he threatens to resurrect. All throughout he is accompanied by the intelligent, beautiful, loyal, and magical Saphira, and the relationship between Rider and dragon alone makes it worth reading the book. There are plenty of issues relevant to current times that float beneath the surface of this book, as well as rich historical and cultural associations. The author seems to be writing out of a higher level of consciousness. The ending, although very satisfying, is only the beginning of Eragon's adventures, and it leaves you hankering for the next in the series. A very good book!
The review of this Book prepared by Diane Kistner
Gifted only with an ancient red sword, the brilliant-blue dragon Saphira, and advice from the old storyteller Brom, the young man Eragon is entangled in an intricate tapestry of destiny, magic, ancient glory, and love. His saga carries readers through a fantastical land filled with beauty and brooding danger as he flees the tyrannical king, Galbatorix. A mysterious elven woman haunts Eragon's dreams, while an ancient legacy and an unexpected inheritance shape his destiny.
The review of this Book prepared by Christopher Paolini
