Review of "Eragon"

"He quenched the fires in his path but left the rest to burn."

     Christopher Paolini's Eragon is a dragon story like no other. When fifteen-year-old Eragon Garrowson discovers a large gemstone in the woods, he thinks luck has finally struck his family--but when that stone hatches a dragon whose skin brands his palm, this farm boy is thrown into an ancient feud that may cost him everything he holds dear. With the help of a wizened storyteller and his new winged companion, Eragon crosses Alagaësia on a mission that starts out as vengeance but morphs into something more: a desire for justice, and a confrontation with destiny that will leave his world forever altered.

     Paolini's writing is enthralling. From the first sentence, which describes a haunting wind, we are swept up in a world of magic and mystery, beautifully detailed with loving care that soaks every page, though the style is rather old-fashioned and formal. By the end of the prologue, every aspect of this world seems real, and the plot is already underway. Eragon's journey flows naturally and is full of high stakes, battling conflicts, and relatable characters. Everyone, from the mysterious Brom to the childish Eragon to the ever-wise Saphira, is painted from a wide variety of angles that portray every facet of their personality, lending them a firm sense of realism and roundness.

     Though it starts out as a traditional "seeking revenge" plot, Eragon quickly proves to be more than meets the eye. The Dragon Riders have long been extinct, a belief the king is determined to enforce. Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, pose a threat to the old king that has never been faced before. Together, they must decide where to cast their loyalties: to themselves, the Empire, or the rebellion stewing to the south. First, however, they must learn to work as a team, else they will never get anything done.

     Wherever he goes, Eragon learns more about the world than he thought possible, and every new piece of knowledge shapes his personality and his character in miniscule ways that eventually add up. On top of that, he learns new skills--swordfighting, for instance, and the use of magic. As a Dragon Rider, he has access to forces regular mortals can only dream of, but as a beginner it takes plenty of frustrated practice to succeed at even the simplest task. This, more than anything, influences Eragon's future and crafts who he is destined to become.

     For those worried that a fantasy tale of epic proportions may be unsuitable for children, fear not! Readers from the sixth grade onward will be perfectly safe in the hands of clean-mouthed characters, crush-only romance, and incredible battles. The book does contain some mild gore and a couple of chilling scenes that involve savage creatures who pillage quite violently (though always off-screen), however, so parents would do well to keep that in mind when considering Eragon for their children.

     I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an action-packed adventure with strong characters, cult-free magic, and dragons that leap right off the page. The plot is thick and dynamic, the protagonist flawed but relatable, and the worldbuilding beautiful. Any reader comfortable with a fantasy-formal writing style will be right at home with Eragon, the first title in a series of four. It fully deserves a full five stars.