Eldest

There's a keenness in the storytelling, and an excitement for pure adventure and magic, that will ensure fans of Paolini's Eragon will find its much-anticipated sequel every bit as readable and captivating. This young author, who wrote that debut (very long) novel aged fifteen, has shed some his earlier less convincing turns of phrase and tendancies to homage other inspirational works, to come up with a deeper second novel that is more assured, better balanced and distinctly original.

Picking up from the exact point where its predecessor gave way, Eldest begins with dragon rider and now shade slayer, Eragon, on the battlefield of his greatest triumph. He is saddened by the death and carnage before him, and fearful for the future. King Galbatorix is, despite this battle won, still the cruel ruler of the Empire and must be defeated. Together with the beautiful and elegant dragon, Saphira, with whom he can communicate without speech, they must travel to Ellesmera - fabled land of the Elves to undergo further training in magic, swordsmanship and other worldly necessities.

Meanwhile, in his homeland, in the village of Carvahall, Eragon's cousin Roran faces challenges of his own. The king's men, and the dark creature that instructs them, lay siege to the tiny mountain community in the hope of finding Roran, and thus lead them to Eragon. After fierce resistance, Roran leads the villagers on a long, arduous journey to salvation (hopefully) with the community known as the Varden.

Told in alternate chapters, the stories of both young men on separate missions give this `difficult second novel' a refreshing feel. Eragon is still the star, but has a substantial second cast to make this novel a worthy sequel to the first book and a tantalising bridge to the final chapter in volume three.

(Age 12 and over) --John McLay

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Ace - Rated
I just wanted to add my assertion that this book is indeed ace. i imagine that paolini's office is covered in timelines and family trees and little notes because there is so much that happens, so much story there and every moment is fab! i thank CP's parents for bringing him into the world.

excellent - Rated
i have to disagree with those people who found the book too long or felt that it focused too much on Eragon's training. i think that the training is a vital part in Eragon's developement plays a major part in the story as a whole.

Good - Rated
It is a good book but the first on in the trilogy(Eragon) is much, much more exciting and gripping.

Very dissapointed - Rated
After the first book simply blew away, I so dissapointed with its sequel. Like many trilogies, it just seems like a bridge between the first and last book, and to be honest, it was very tedious. If you've read the first book, you might as well read this one as well, but don't have high expectations of Eldest.

Too long! - Rated
This book is way too long! It could have been half the length, as three-quarters is taken up by the main character's "training" in "Ellesmera" (a.k.a Lothlorien!).
I thought Eragon was fairly good (if you ignored most of the faults), but this was not as good as I expected it to be. The way Eragon's arrogance grows throughout is enough to put anyone off. In the end battle (anticlimax!) I didn't really care whether he lived or died. And the way he cries after Arya rejects him (yet again) made me laugh. Isn't he suppposed to be some sort of hero?!
And just one more thing:
From Eldest:(Angela) "Of course! And I'll keep two eyes on her, if I can spare them."
From LOTR (The Fellowship of the Ring): (Gandalf) "Yes I will - two eyes, as often as I can spare them."
Notice any similarity?
But with all its flaws, it kept me amused on the 11 hour flight from Cape Town to Munich.