|
| |
Eragon
by Christopher Paolini
One boy, one dragon, one crazy experience . . .
Eragon was a simple farmer in the town of Carvahall in the vast land known as Alagasia. Eragon knows little about his birth parents, as his mother died shortly after giving birth, and never revealed the identity of his birth father. He has been raised by his mother’s brother, Garrow and, until she also passed, Garrow’s wife. He feels a strong connection with his cousin, Roran, and often refers to him as “brother.” Things rarely vary from year to year, until Eragon grows to the age of 16. The local storyteller, Brom, relays few tales during the year, but always saves something spectacular for when the traders come through town.
Eragon is most fond of Brom’s stories of the Dragon Riders of old. Riders used to keep the peace throughout Alagasia, but after a young Rider by the name of Galbatorix lost his dragon in battle, a madness overtook his mind, and created a being of pure evil. Galbatorix steals a dragon hatchling and, through dark magics, manages to make the dragon accept him as its Rider. Together, they gather a force of 13 other Riders (afterwards known as The Forsworn), and take over the entire land.
Galbatorix’s opponents manage to steal one of three remaining dragon eggs in existence. Those who long for the days of the Riders, and who are against Galbatorix, call themselves the Varden, and ferry the stolen egg between the elves and humans to see if the egg will hatch. It is during the time of transport that a convoy is attacked, and the egg is sent far away by magic. Eragon finds the egg in the ominous forest referred to as “The Spine,” and the egg hatches for him. As the first new Rider in over a hundred years, Eragon is tasked with ending Galbatorix’s reign.
As a first effort from newcomer Christopher Paolini, it is amazing. The writing is eloquent and mature, even though the subject material resonates most clearly with young adults. The book draws the reader into the story and holds them there until it is finished. It has all the makings of a classic - adventure, intrigue, suspense, emotion and passion. It is a quick and enjoyable read.
Title: Eragon
Author: Christopher Paolini
Publisher: Laurel Leaf
ISBN: 0440240735
Review written by: Tracy Elledge
Reviewer's Rating:9
Reader's Rating: 0
Reader's Votes: 0
Talk to other readers about this story.
|
|
|
|
|
|
