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The Inheritance Cycle

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The Inheritance Trilogy is about a 15-year-old boy named Eragon and his dragon Saphira, written by homeschooled author Christopher Paolini. It is set in the fictional land of Alagaësia, which resembles Viking-era Scandinavia. Both of the first two books, Eragon and Eldest, became New York Times bestsellers.

Christopher Paolini began Eragon at the age of fifteen. The book was originally self-published in 2002, and was promoted by Paolini and his family. On a recommendation from Carl Hiaasen, Knopf Publishing Group took on Eragon and the rest of the Inheritance trilogy; a second edition of the book appeared in 2003 (see Christopher Paolini).

Books

Eragon

The first edition of Eragon was self-published by Paolini's family in 2002; the second (Knopf) edition was published in 2003. Eragon was released in paperback in 2005.[1]

Eldest

Eldest was released in hardcover in 2005. It was released in paperback in September 2006[2]

Book 3

Though not yet officially confirmed, many fans believe the third book to be called Empire, in keeping with the trilogy's other titles: both have six letters, begin with the letter 'e' and give a hint to the main event/person in the books. Both previous books, however, refer directly to a main character. The third book is due to be published in late 2007 or early 2008.[citation needed]

Important people and places

Places

  • Alagaësia - Fictional land where the story takes place

People

Main article: List of characters in the Inheritance Trilogy
  • Ajihad - Leader of the Varden until his death in Eldest
  • Angela - Witch/herbalist who helps Eragon. Solembum is a constant companion of Angela
  • Arya - The Elvish princess rescued by Eragon, for whom he develops an infatuation.
  • Brom - Former Dragon Rider and Eragon's mentor. Thinks the King has much to answer for. Has defeated many of the thirteen Forsworn, a group of Dragon Riders who betrayed their order and helped Galbatorix make himself emperor.
  • Dragon riders- One-time keepers of the peace in Alagaësia
  • Durza - A "Shade"-- once a normal person who lost control of his mind to three evil spirits.
  • Eragon - Main Character. Has same name as the first Dragonrider. Slew the Shade Durza, after which he was given the name Eragon Shadeslayer.
  • Galbatorix - The evil king of the Empire; a Dragon Rider.
  • Hrothgar- Dwarf king who is one of the wisest in the books
  • Jeod - Brom's friend in Teirm who helped brom steal Saphira's egg
  • Murtagh - The son of Morzan the most powerful of the thirteen Forsworn. Rescues Eragon and takes him to Farthen Dûr; also Eragon's brother, later becomes a Rider who is forced to work for Galbatorix.
  • Nasuada - Daughter of Ajihad and leader of the Varden after Ajihad dies
  • Ra'zac - Evil creatures who prey on humans.
  • Roran - Eragon's cousin, and revolutionary leader of Carvahall.
  • Saphira - Eragon's dragon, also name of Brom's dragon
  • Solembum - The werecat that choses to travel with the herbalist, Angela
  • Urgals - A tribal race of creatures with troll-like qualities; fought against the other races for many years, later to be betrayed and enslaved by Galbatorix and Durza. Released by Eragon.
  • Varden - A group of rebels against the Empire and King Galbatorix who fight for freedom for the people of the Empire.

A compressed synopsis of 'Eragon'

Template:Spoiler

Eragon, a 15-year-old farmboy, is shocked when a polished blue stone appears before him while he is hunting in the range of mountains near his village, known as "The Spine." Eragon takes the 'stone' back to his uncle's farm near the village of Carvahall, where he lives with his cousin Roran, as well as his aforementioned uncle, Garrow. Garrow and his late wife, Marian, raised Eragon, and very little is known of his parentage, save that his mother was named Selena, and has not been seen since shortly after Eragon's birth. Soon after Eragon returns from hunting, the 'stone' hatches, revealing a baby dragon, which Eragon names Saphira. Eragon is now the sole bearer of the ancient responsibility of the Dragon Riders, or Shur'tugal.

The Shur'tugal were destroyed long ago by a maniac named Galbatorix, whose defeat will eventually become Eragon's quest. After Eragon and Saphira have spent a short time together, during which Saphira grows in size and mental ability, Eragon's home is attacked by creatures called Ra'zac. Garrow dies as a result of wounds sustained during the attack. Eragon and a mysterious old storyteller named Brom escape with Saphira, and embark on a quest to find the Ra'zac and avenge Garrow's death. Brom teaches Eragon how to fight with a sword and use magic (or gramaraye, as it is properly called). On the way, they visit the seaside city of Teirm, and Eragon has his fortune told by an herbalist named Angela. Unfortunately, a turn of events causes them to not be able to journey to the Ra'zac's base for quite some time. Later Brom dies and Eragon loses hope when he is ambushed by the Ra'zac and a young man named Murtagh, later revealed to be the son of Morzan saves his life; he becomes Eragon's ally. Brom is fatally wounded in an attack by the Ra'zac; in his final words, he reveals that he was a Rider before the Fall, and that he is an agent for the Varden. He also tells Eragon seven special words from the Ancient Language, but both the words and their meanings are as yet unrevealed.

Shortly afterwards, Eragon is captured and taken to prison. Murtagh comes to his rescue, and whilst pulling off an escape from Gil'ead, the indomitable duo also manage to rescue a beautiful female elf named Arya, who has been poisoned. They travel many leagues over the Hadarac Desert to find the antidote for her. They are taken in by the Varden, and Eragon is tested by the smarmy, bald-pated Twins. They ask him to perform an act of magic that is impossible at his skill level, but Arya intervenes in time to stop them from killing him. The forces of Galbatorix attack the Varden's hideout, and during the battle that follows, Eragon kills a Shade named Durza, suffering a terrible wound which will cause him endless grief during the next book. Whilst he is immersed in a healing sleep, he converses mentally with a being who calls himself Oromis, "Togira Ikonoka", or "The cripple who is whole". He also calls himself "The Mourning Sage." When he awakes, he decides to go with Arya and complete his training with the elves, following advice from the Mourning Sage.

A compressed synopsis of 'Eldest'

Template:Spoiler Following the battle of Farthen Dur, Ajihad, leader of the Varden, is killed in a sudden surprise attack by Urgals. Murtagh and the Twins disappear during the attack, and are presumed dead. After swearing fealty to Nasuada, Ajihad's daughter and new leader of the Varden, Eragon then sets out on his journey to Ellesmera, the Elf kingdom, accompanied by Orik.

Much of the book is devoted to Eragon's training with the ancient Dragon Rider, Oromis, and his unsuccessful attempts at wooing Arya, who is dedicated to her mission and considers his feelings misplaced. While this is going on, Roran returns to Carvahall after learning of his father's death, and discovers that he is wanted by Galbatorix. Consequently, his presence is endangering the entire town, which has come under attack by the Ra'zac. He convinces most of the villagers to follow him in an attempt to reach sanctuary in Surda. Before they can make good their escape, however, Roran's fiancée Katrina is captured by the Ra'zac. Forced to leave without her, Roran and company join up with Jeod at Teirm and set sail in pirated ships for the southern coast.

Eragon returns to the Varden after a ceremony with the Elves which heals him to help them in the approaching battle against Galbatorix's army. Thanks to the timely arrival of Roran, Jeod, and the villagers, the battle is a victory for the Varden. During the battle, Murtagh resurfaces alive, revealing that he is now Morzan's successor as Galbatorix's second-in-command. Murtagh and Eragon begin to fight, and Eragon is defeated, but he manages to convince Murtagh to let him go. Eragon offers to kill Murtagh and his dragon for the sake of helping the people under the rule of their king,Galbatorix, but refuses it because he loves his newfound power. Eragon loses because he has lost too much energy in the battle before and was not expecting another Dragon Rider to come this late in the game. Murtagh then reveals that they are, in fact, brothers, Morzan being the father of both. He relieves Eragon of the sword Zar'roc, claiming it as his inheritance. The book ends with Eragon promising to accompany Roran and free Katrina.

Magic in Alagaësia

Main article: Magic (Inheritance)

Derivative nature of the books

Numerous critics, both amateur[3][4] and professional have cited the books for their derivative nature. The two most commonly discussed sources are Star Wars (due to a strikingly similar plot[5]) and Lord of the Rings (due to the setting, elven[6][7] and dwarven races[6], the language[6] and character names). Even many positive reviews note that the work pulls strongly from the conventions of fantasy, in character, dialogue and concepts.[8]

The thirteen Forsworn are similar to the nine Nazgûl of The Lord of the Rings, the thirteen Forsaken in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series, and similar characters in other works; being once-great and powerful men (usually sorcerers; kings, in the case of the Nazgûl, though they also practiced sorcery) who serve the forces of evil.

Critical reception

School Library Journal's review of Eragon was positive, yet lukewarm, noting that it compares unfavorably to Tolkien and is overly simplistic in its resolution of plot issues[9]. The Journal's review of Eldest was more negative, noting the book drew heavily upon fantasy conventions and the work of Tolkien, Anne McCaffrey, and George Lucas, but still thought it would find reception among fans despite its lack of originality.[10]

Commonsensemedia, a family-friendly review site, was particularly scathing, calling Eragon's dialogue long-winded and clichéd, with a plot "straight out of Star Wars by way of The Lord of the Rings, with bits of other great fantasies thrown in here and there." The website did concede that the book is a notable achievement for such a young author, and it would be appreciated by younger fans, but still labeled it "overblown and derivative."Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). USAToday also alleged strong echoes of Star Wars in Eragon's plot[6], while Entertainment Weekly writes that the plot closely resembles that of the original Lord of the Rings saga.[11] Generally, Eragon was seen as a moderately worthwhile venture into the genre, while Eldest offered little Eragon had not already given - generally the books are recommended for younger readers.

References

  1. ^ Eragon, second edition, 2003. Christopher Paolini. ISBN 0-375-82668-8, ISBN 0-375-82133-7 (paperback), ISBN 0-375-82133-7 (hardcover)
  2. ^ Eldest, first edition, 2005. Christopher Paolini. ISBN 0-375-82670-X (hardcover)
  3. ^ Anti-Shurtugal
  4. ^ SwankiVY's Essays: Eragon
  5. ^ Commonsense Media: Review of Eragon
  6. ^ a b c d "More of the 'Rings' magic", USA Today 1/20/2004
  7. ^ Books 2005: The 5 Worst", Entertainment Weekly
  8. ^ Barnes & Noble Editorial Reviews
  9. ^ School Library Journal
  10. ^ School Library Journal
  11. ^ Book Review: Eldest, Entertainment Weekly, 08/19/05

See also

Official

Fan

Critique

Reviews


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