Christopher Paolini’s first book of the Inheritance cycle was originally drafted when he was fifteen years old! The book is called Eragon and although it has parallels to the Earthsea books and the first three Star Wars, the series as a whole has an amazing reputation. After all, what’s not to love about dragons, magic, and a quest for revenge, only tempered by the young novice’s lack of supernatural knowledge?
“I don’t understand”
“Of course you don’t … that’s why I’m teaching you, and not the other way around.”
Brom, The Inheritance Cycle
Eragon is introduced to us as an experienced hunter and tracker. While he has no other living relatives that he’s aware of, Eragon has a good relationship with his Uncle Garrow, and Roran, his cousin. But then he finds a dragon egg in the Spine, a mysterious mountain range well-known for secrets and magic. The dragon hatches and bonds with him, opening a new world of danger. The people who want the egg for themselves hunt Eragon’s family down and kill his uncle. Eragon retaliates and goes in search of the Ra’zac, his uncle’s murderers. Eragon receives help from the village’s odd storyteller, Brom, and they travel with Saphira, the dragon Eragon bonded with, to find the rebel group called the Varden, who will hopefully help Eragon in his search. On the dangerous journey, Eragon discovers that his connection with Saphira has allowed him to use magic, and he finds it a great asset.
Despite the troubles Eragon encounters along the way, he eventually finds the Varden, though the members of his group have changed significantly and they will still have many more challenges to overcome. As the first book in an amazing, complex, and engaging quartet, I rate Eragon 3.5 out of 5.