Hey Jared,

Even having endured three previous books, and basically zero expectations, I’m still surprisingly disappointed.

Title: Inheritance
Series: The Inheritance Cycle; Book 4
Author: Christopher Paolini
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval/Renaissance, Dragons, Magic, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Not so very long ago, Eragon — Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider — was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders. Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chance. The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost
Recommendation: I recommend this series (not really) for pre- and early teens.

Continue reading “The Inheritance Cycle – Book 4: Inheritance – By Christopher Paolini” →

Hey Jared,

I finished this book last week but never got around to writing it until last night. So it’s not a very good review but then again it’s not a very good book.

Title: Brisingr
Series: The Inheritance Cycle; Book 3
Author: Christopher Paolini
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval/Renaissance, Dragons, Magic, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Oaths sworn… loyalties tested… forces collide. It’s been only months since Eragon first uttered “brisingr”, an ancient language term for fire. Since then, he’s not only learned to create magic with words — he’s been challenged to his very core. Following the colossal battle against the Empires warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still, there is more adventure at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep. First is Eragon’s oath to his cousin, Roran: to help rescue Roran’s beloved from King Galbatorix’s clutches. But Eragon owes his loyalty to others, too. The Varden are in desperate need of his talents and strength — as are the elves and dwarves. When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices — choices that will take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice. Eragon is the greatest hope to rid the land of tyranny. Can this once simple farm boy unite the rebel forces and defeat the king
Recommendation: I recommend this series for pre- and early teens.

Continue reading “The Inheritance Cycle – Book 3: Brisingr – By Christopher Paolini” →

Hi Jared,

The books in this series are longer than I remember. Regardless, today is the day of the big move. At this moment we are already up and frantically trying to finish packing. We pick up the truck this afternoon and hope to have everything in before it gets too dark. Early tomorrow morning we set out.

Title: Eldest
Series: The Inheritance Cycle; Book 2
Author: Christopher Paolini
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval/Renaissance, Dragons, Magic, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Darkness falls…despair abounds…evil reigns… Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the Dragon Rider: magic and swordsmanship. Soon he is on the journey of a lifetime, his eyes open to awe-inspring new places and people, his days filled with fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and nothing is what it seems. Before long, Eragon doesn’t know whom he can trust. Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle–one that might put Eragon in even graver danger. Will the king’s dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life. . . .
Recommendation: I recommend this series for pre- and early teens.

Continue reading “The Inheritance Cycle – Book 2: Eldest – By Christopher Paolini” →

Hey Jared,

I figured it was about time to revisit this childhood classic. It was weird picking up your/our old copy from over a decade ago. If you recall it was just the first two books and I’ve since gotten the second two. But I’ve never read them back-to-back, only the first two and then many years between the others so it’s going to be a bit of an eye opener.

Title: Eragon
Series: The Inheritance Cycle; Book 1
Author: Christopher Paolini
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval/Renaissance, Dragons, Magic, Higher Magic
Synopsis: When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands. . . .
Recommendation: I recommend this series for pre- and early teens.

Continue reading “The Inheritance Cycle – Book 1: Eragon – By Christopher Paolini” →