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Eldest (Inheritance book 2) by Christopher Paolini
01/01/2007 . Source: Tomas L. Martin 
Pub: Alfred A. Knopf. 706 page hardback. Price: $24.00 (US), $32.00 (CAN). ISBN: 1-375-84060-5. Buy Eldest in the USA - or Buy Eldest in the UK  checkout websites: www.aaknopf.com and www.alagaesia.com
When 'Eldest' arrived on my book pile, I decided to go out and read the first book, 'Eragon' in Christopher Paolini's 'Inheritance Trilogy' first. I enjoyed the book's down-to-earth style and storyline but berated it for its lack of imagination in its setting, which borrows heavily from Tolkien and other standard fantasy tropes.
'Eldest' continues where its predecessor left off with signs that young author Paolini is improving his craft. 'Eragon' has just been released as a film and the first book was a New York Times best-seller when the author was just nineteen. For a film like this, it can be assumed that 'Eldest' is expected to be part of the trilogy, a franchise for Hollywood like the very successful 'Lord Of The Rings' trilogy, which these books borrow a fair amount from.
'Eldest' picks off exactly where 'Eragon' finished. Each book is not separate and the storyline continues onto this book as it left off. Young hero Eragon, thrust from his home when he discovers a dragon egg, has reached the rebel stronghold of the Varden, who are the only force openly opposing the evil King Galbatorix and his empire.
Having been partly trained in his flight to the Varden, Eragon now needs to train fully with the elves to become a true dragon rider. For most of the book he studies from Oromis and his dragon Glaedr, becoming immensely powerful in the arts of fighting and magic, riding his dragon Saphira.
The vast part of the action follows Eragon's cousin Roran, who was left behind at the start of the first book and not mentioned for the rest of it. In this sequel, he takes a much bigger role as Galbatorix' men return to the village, looking for Roran, intending to use him as bait to ensnare the new dragon rider.
Roran must unite the village against this threat and take them on the run to the Varden as they realise their home is no longer safe. This is no easy task and the growth of Roran as a leader mirrors Eragon's rise in training nicely.
Ultimately, the forces of war are gathering and the Varden, under their new leader, need Eragon to complete his training in time before their outnumbered army is threatened by Galbatorix' forces. The tension as the battle mounts is handled very well, as is Roran's flight with his village across the continent.
For a young writer, this is a good book. As a fantasy, it is horribly derivative. There is little here that isn't found elsewhere, especially in 'Lord Of The Rings'. The plot itself is nicely done and paced extremely well but it's a shame there isn't more adventurous work done on the setting.
The world of elves, dwarfs and humans at war with a dark overlord and his orc-like army has been done so many times and when writers like China Mieville are showing the world just how original fantasy can be, it is a shame Paolini has resorted to such a traditional trope.
Having said that, the book has been very successful on the basis of his strong writing and good characterisation so hopefully, as he matures, his work will develop more in the originality stakes. As it is 'Eldest' and the rest of the 'Inheritance Trilogy' is a good diversion. Derivative as it may be, there are few who would disagree that this book is lot of fun and very enjoyable read.
Tomas L. Martin
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