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Surpassing its popular prequel Eragon,obstacles will deter the many fans of
this second volume in the InheritanceEragon from diving headfirst into this
trilogy shows growing maturity and skillhighly-awaited fantasy. (Ages 12 and up)
on the part of its very young author,Grade 5 Up Eragon and his dragon,
who was only seventeen when the firstSaphira, have survived the battle at
volume was published in 2003. The storyTronjheim, but their challenges are not
is solidly in the tradition (some mightover. Galbatorix, the corrupt emperor,
say derivative) of the classic heroicstill rules Alagaesia and is looking for
quest fantasy, with the predictable castthem. The magically bonded pair must
of dwarves, elves, and dragons--but alsohelp the rebellious Varden regroup after
including some imaginatively creepytheir leader is slain. Eragon helps deal
creatures of evil.with the resulting diplomatic
The land of Alagaesia is suffering undercomplexities and then leaves for Du
the Empire of the wicked Galbatorix, andWeldenvarden, the home of the Elves, in
Eragon and his dragon Saphira, last oforder to finish his training as a Dragon
the Riders, are the only hope. ButRider. Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must
Eragon is young and has much to learn,unite the small town of Carvahall as it
and so he is sent off to the elvenis battered by Galbatorix's forces,
forest city of Ellesmera, where he andincluding the nasty Ra'zac. The story
Saphira are tutored in magic, battlealternates between Eragon and Saphira
skills, and the ancient language by theand their political maneuvering and
wise former Rider Oromis and his elderlyRoran and his more traditional adventure
dragon Glaedr. Meanwhile, back atover land and sea. Paolini provides a
Carvahall, Eragon's home, his cousinworthy companion to Eragon (Knopf,
Roran is the target of a siege by the2003), though it does not stand alone (a
hideous Ra'zac, and he must lead thesummary of the first book will be
villagers on a desperate escape over theincluded in the final edition). The plot
mountains. The two narratives moveindeed, most of the fantasy
toward a massive battle with the forcesconventionsis heavily inspired by
of Galbatorix, where Eragon learns aTolkien, McCaffrey, and especially
shocking secret about his parentage andGeorge Lucas. The momentum of the
commits himself to saving his people.narrative is steady and consistent: a
The sheer size of the novel, as well asproblem presents itself and is neatly
its many characters, places with(and conveniently) solved before the
difficult names, and its use ofnext one arises, making it appealing to
imaginary languages make this asome adventure-quest fantasy fans and
challenging read, even for experiencedrunescape.com players. Eragon's journey
fantasy readers. It is essential to haveto maturity is well handled. He wrestles
the plot threads of the first volumeearnestly with definitions for good and
well in mind before beginning--theevil, and he thoughtfully examines the
publisher has provided not only a map,question of good at what price.While
but a helpful synopsis of the first bookthere's nothing particularly original
and a much-needed Language Guide. But nohere, the book will find its fan-base.



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