| Surpassing its popular prequel Eragon, | | | | obstacles will deter the many fans of |
| this second volume in the Inheritance | | | | Eragon from diving headfirst into this |
| trilogy shows growing maturity and skill | | | | highly-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 first | | | | Saphira, have survived the battle at |
| volume was published in 2003. The story | | | | Tronjheim, but their challenges are not |
| is solidly in the tradition (some might | | | | over. Galbatorix, the corrupt emperor, |
| say derivative) of the classic heroic | | | | still rules Alagaesia and is looking for |
| quest fantasy, with the predictable cast | | | | them. The magically bonded pair must |
| of dwarves, elves, and dragons--but also | | | | help the rebellious Varden regroup after |
| including some imaginatively creepy | | | | their leader is slain. Eragon helps deal |
| creatures of evil. | | | | with the resulting diplomatic |
| The land of Alagaesia is suffering under | | | | complexities and then leaves for Du |
| the Empire of the wicked Galbatorix, and | | | | Weldenvarden, the home of the Elves, in |
| Eragon and his dragon Saphira, last of | | | | order to finish his training as a Dragon |
| the Riders, are the only hope. But | | | | Rider. 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 elven | | | | is battered by Galbatorix's forces, |
| forest city of Ellesmera, where he and | | | | including the nasty Ra'zac. The story |
| Saphira are tutored in magic, battle | | | | alternates between Eragon and Saphira |
| skills, and the ancient language by the | | | | and their political maneuvering and |
| wise former Rider Oromis and his elderly | | | | Roran and his more traditional adventure |
| dragon Glaedr. Meanwhile, back at | | | | over land and sea. Paolini provides a |
| Carvahall, Eragon's home, his cousin | | | | worthy companion to Eragon (Knopf, |
| Roran is the target of a siege by the | | | | 2003), though it does not stand alone (a |
| hideous Ra'zac, and he must lead the | | | | summary of the first book will be |
| villagers on a desperate escape over the | | | | included in the final edition). The plot |
| mountains. The two narratives move | | | | indeed, most of the fantasy |
| toward a massive battle with the forces | | | | conventionsis heavily inspired by |
| of Galbatorix, where Eragon learns a | | | | Tolkien, McCaffrey, and especially |
| shocking secret about his parentage and | | | | George 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 as | | | | problem presents itself and is neatly |
| its many characters, places with | | | | (and conveniently) solved before the |
| difficult names, and its use of | | | | next one arises, making it appealing to |
| imaginary languages make this a | | | | some adventure-quest fantasy fans and |
| challenging read, even for experienced | | | | runescape.com players. Eragon's journey |
| fantasy readers. It is essential to have | | | | to maturity is well handled. He wrestles |
| the plot threads of the first volume | | | | earnestly with definitions for good and |
| well in mind before beginning--the | | | | evil, 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 book | | | | there's nothing particularly original |
| and a much-needed Language Guide. But no | | | | here, the book will find its fan-base. |