Review - Eldest - 7/10

The followup of the great first fantasy novel "Eregon".

In case you have not read the first novel, Eregon discovers what he thinks is a giant precious stone. When it turns out to be a dragons egg, he realizes that the evil kingdom is out to destroy him and his dragon. In the process of fleeing he learns about his special powers and begins to cultivate them.

In the second novel, Eregon travels to the kingdom of the elves to receive training for him and his dragon. Meanwhile his cousin, Roran, who returns to the city where Eregon lived with Roran's father, discovers that Eregon is missing and his father was murdered. After being attacked by the kingdom soldiers, he convinces his fellow villagers to flee across the great mountains called The Spine.

Like many second novels in a trilogy this story ends up being just a set up for the third book and not much happens until the last quarter of the book. I also think Paolini should have spent more time on Roran's story than Eregon. Eregon's studies and lessons were interesting at times, but much of it seemed to be pointless and dragged on too long.

Another strange thing is that the story is sort of a "Star Wars" meets "Lord of the Rings". I am not going to make accusations, but at the very least much of the plot is not very original. I kep't thinking I was going to read the phrase "Luke--I am your Father."

Aside from those short comings this was a great epic read, and I am looking forward to the last book. Having read a bunch of fantasy novels lately, I am coming to realize that this genre is a very difficult to get right. I think Paolini is one of the very few authors that his been successful in my opinion. Not to the level of Tolkin or Lewis but probably at the level below those two great giants.