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