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