BOOK REVIEW:
This is one book that will either have you pressing for more
or discard it as a tamer rip-off of Tolkien’s “Lord
of the Rings” trilogy or any Terry Brooks, Ann McCaffrey’s
titles. Written by Christopher Paolini when he was still a
15-year old homeschooled young lad, “Eragon” is
about a farmer boy who happened to pick up a blue stone (turns
up to be an egg of a dragon) and his new role as a Dragon
Rider who must free the empire from the hands of the evil
King.
There
are plenty of characters with mouthful names, try pronouncing
King Galbatorix and plenty of plot twists that will truly
engaged you through the hefty 500 pages. Dragons, dwarves,
elves, Knights and evil creatures of all sorts filled Eragon’s
journey. Well, there’s maps attached to assist you in
this wondrous read if you happen to get lost. Halfway through
the book, you wonder if this is really meant for young readers.
You
can see how Paolini diligently turns his love for fantasy
and science fiction into “Eragon”. And yes, homeschool
must have blessed him ample time to catch up on reading because
this teen writes like a seasoned writer.
“Eragon”
is an earnest tale of action-adventure blended with magical
elements. For fans of “Eragon”, the second instalment
“Eldest” is already out in stores. For those who
aren’t keen on reading the novel, the movie version
is scheduled to be out in December 2006. Hope it succeed along
the line of Harry Potter instead of the disasterous “Dungeons
& Dragons”.
CHOICE
XCERPT:
“O liquid temptress ' neath the azure sky,
Your gilded expanse calls me, calls me.
For I would sail ever on,
Were it not for the elven maid,
Who calls me, calls me.
She binds my heart with a lily-white tie,
Never to be broken, save by the sea,
Ever to be torn twixt the trees and the waves.
The words echoed hauntingly in Eragon's head.”
VERDICT:
Like
I mentioned, you either love it or hate it.
XTRAS:
8 pages of full-colour photos from the movie plus 9 pages
preview of ELDEST, Book Two of Inheritance.
Review
by Linus Tee
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