Eldest
Darkness falls... despair abounds... evil reigns...
Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the Dragon Rider: magic and swordsmanship. Soon he is on the journey of a lifetime, his eyes open to awe-inspring new places and people, his days filled with fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and nothing is what it seems. Before long, Eragon doesn’t know whom he can trust.
Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle – one that might put Eragon in even graver danger.
Will the king’s dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life...
Christopher Paolini
Christopher Paolini, the author of the Inheritance Cycle series, is a name that evokes images of dragons soaring through fantastical skies and young heroes embarking on perilous quests. Paolini's rise to fame is as remarkable as the worlds he creates — a testament to the power of imagination and perseverance.
Born in 1983 in Southern California, Paolini grew up surrounded by books, nature, and a deep love for science fiction and fantasy. Homeschooled from an early age, he found solace in writing and developed a profound connection with the stories that sparked his imagination. By the age of 15, he had written the first draft of Eragon, the book that would eventually catapult him into literary stardom. Self-publishing the novel at first, Paolini's hard work paid off when Eragon was picked up by Alfred A. Knopf, marking the beginning of an incredible journey.
The Inheritance Cycle
In a world where dragons are both feared and revered, The Inheritance Cycle invites readers into a realm of ancient magic, epic battles, and a young hero’s transformative journey. From the very first page of Eragon, Christopher Paolini weaves a tale that is as vast as the lands it explores — a land where destiny and danger walk hand in hand, and the fate of kingdoms rests on the shoulders of an unlikely dragon rider.
The Inheritance Cycle consists of five primary books, and includes one additional book that complement the series but is not considered mandatory reads and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Related series Tales from Alagaësia
Book Reviews
Eldest is the second book of the Inheritance series. Eldest isn't a special book. It's a bit predictable and flat, but I've read plenty of worse fantasy books, so I decided to give this book two stars. If you're expecting an intelligent and interesting story, you'll be disappointed, because you won't find depth in this book. But if you're looking for light and average fantasy, this book is a good choice.