| Surpassing its popular prequel Eragon, this second | | | | will deter the many fans of Eragon from diving |
| volume in the Inheritance trilogy shows growing | | | | headfirst into this highly-awaited fantasy. (Ages 12 |
| maturity and skill on the part of its very young | | | | and up) |
| author, who was only seventeen when the first | | | | Grade 5 Up Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have |
| volume was published in 2003. The story is solidly in | | | | survived the battle at Tronjheim, but their challenges |
| the tradition (some might say derivative) of the | | | | are not over. Galbatorix, the corrupt emperor, still |
| classic heroic quest fantasy, with the predictable cast | | | | rules Alagaesia and is looking for them. The magically |
| of dwarves, elves, and dragons--but also including | | | | bonded pair must help the rebellious Varden regroup |
| some imaginatively creepy creatures of evil. | | | | after their leader is slain. Eragon helps deal with the |
| The land of Alagaesia is suffering under the Empire | | | | resulting diplomatic complexities and then leaves for |
| of the wicked Galbatorix, and Eragon and his dragon | | | | Du Weldenvarden, the home of the Elves, in order to |
| Saphira, last of the Riders, are the only hope. But | | | | finish his training as a Dragon Rider. Meanwhile, his |
| Eragon is young and has much to learn, and so he is | | | | cousin Roran must unite the small town of Carvahall |
| sent off to the elven forest city of Ellesmera, where | | | | as it is battered by Galbatorix's forces, including the |
| he and Saphira are tutored in magic, battle skills, and | | | | nasty Ra'zac. The story alternates between Eragon |
| the ancient language by the wise former Rider | | | | and Saphira and their political maneuvering and Roran |
| Oromis and his elderly dragon Glaedr. Meanwhile, back | | | | and his more traditional adventure over land and sea. |
| at Carvahall, Eragon's home, his cousin Roran is the | | | | Paolini provides a worthy companion to Eragon |
| target of a siege by the hideous Ra'zac, and he must | | | | (Knopf, 2003), though it does not stand alone (a |
| lead the villagers on a desperate escape over the | | | | summary of the first book will be included in the final |
| mountains. The two narratives move toward a | | | | edition). The plot indeed, most of the fantasy |
| massive battle with the forces of Galbatorix, where | | | | conventionsis heavily inspired by Tolkien, McCaffrey, |
| Eragon learns a shocking secret about his parentage | | | | and especially George Lucas. The momentum of the |
| and commits himself to saving his people. | | | | narrative is steady and consistent: a problem |
| The sheer size of the novel, as well as its many | | | | presents itself and is neatly (and conveniently) solved |
| characters, places with difficult names, and its use of | | | | before the next one arises, making it appealing to |
| imaginary languages make this a challenging read, | | | | some adventure-quest fantasy fans and |
| even for experienced fantasy readers. It is essential | | | | runescape.com players. Eragon's journey to maturity |
| to have the plot threads of the first volume well in | | | | is well handled. He wrestles earnestly with definitions |
| mind before beginning--the publisher has provided not | | | | for good and evil, and he thoughtfully examines the |
| only a map, but a helpful synopsis of the first book | | | | question of good at what price.While there's nothing |
| and a much-needed Language Guide. But no obstacles | | | | particularly original here, the book will find its fan-base. |