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Eldest (Paperback)

by Christopher Paolini (Author)
3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (117 customer reviews)
RRP: £7.99
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Frequently Bought Together

Eldest + Brisingr (Inheritance Cycle) + Eragon (Inheritance Cycle)
Price For All Three: £16.47

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Product details

  • Paperback: 704 pages
  • Publisher: Corgi Childrens; Paperback Edition, First Printing edition (7 Sep 2006)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0552552119
  • ISBN-13: 978-0552552110
  • Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 4.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (117 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 991 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #45 in  Books > Children's Books > Fiction > Science Fiction & Fantasy

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
There’s a keenness in the storytelling, and an excitement for pure adventure and magic, that will ensure fans of Paolini’s Eragon will find its much-anticipated sequel every bit as readable and captivating. This young author, who wrote that debut (very long) novel aged fifteen, has shed some his earlier less convincing turns of phrase and tendancies to homage other inspirational works, to come up with a deeper second novel that is more assured, better balanced and distinctly original.

Picking up from the exact point where its predecessor gave way, Eldest begins with dragon rider and now shade slayer, Eragon, on the battlefield of his greatest triumph. He is saddened by the death and carnage before him, and fearful for the future. King Galbatorix is, despite this battle won, still the cruel ruler of the Empire and must be defeated. Together with the beautiful and elegant dragon, Saphira, with whom he can communicate without speech, they must travel to Ellesmera – fabled land of the Elves to undergo further training in magic, swordsmanship and other worldly necessities.

Meanwhile, in his homeland, in the village of Carvahall, Eragon’s cousin Roran faces challenges of his own. The king’s men, and the dark creature that instructs them, lay siege to the tiny mountain community in the hope of finding Roran, and thus lead them to Eragon. After fierce resistance, Roran leads the villagers on a long, arduous journey to salvation (hopefully) with the community known as the Varden.

Told in alternate chapters, the stories of both young men on separate missions give this ‘difficult second novel’ a refreshing feel. Eragon is still the star, but has a substantial second cast to make this novel a worthy sequel to the first book and a tantalising bridge to the final chapter in volume three.

(Age 12 and over) --John McLay --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description
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 magic and swordsmanship, the vital skills of the Dragon Rider. It is the journey of a lifetime, filled with awe-inspiring new places and people, each day a fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and Eragon isn't sure whom he can trust. Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle back home in Carvahall - one that puts Eragon in even graver danger. Will the king's dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life...

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Eldest
87% buy the item featured on this page:
Eldest 3.7 out of 5 stars (117)
£4.99
Brisingr (Inheritance Cycle)
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Eragon (Inheritance Cycle)
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Customer Reviews

117 Reviews
5 star:
 (48)
4 star:
 (30)
3 star:
 (13)
2 star:
 (9)
1 star:
 (17)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.7 out of 5 stars (117 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars I really want to know what happens next :), 1 April 2007
By Bel Alcat "bel_78" (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   
"Eldest", second book in Christopher Paolini's "Inheritance" triology, picks up where "Eragon" ended, and allows us to know what is going to happen with Eragon, Saphira and their friends, and what they will need to do in order to survive the wrath of king Galbatorix. If you haven't read the first book in the series, please do so before tackling this one. You can understand what happens in "Eldest" without having read "Eragon", but I think you will not enjoy what happens half as much.

Now, my opinion regarding "Eldest". Truth to be told, I loved the first book in the series, but I liked this one even more. From my point of view, Paolini manages to make Eragon's world more believable, without letting the magic go. That doesn't mean that this book is perfect, or that it doesn't have some scenes that are somewhat slow. All the same, I think it deserves 5 stars because it is the kind of book you cannot stop reading once you start, the kind of book that makes you wish you could read the final book of the triology instead of having to wait for it.

What is new in "Eldest", then? Well, Eragon has to travel to Ellesmera (the land of the Elves), in order to continue his training as a dragon raider. Along the way he will meet some new friends and foes, and discover new information about people he already knew. Also, the author introduces an alternative point of view in the story, that of Roran, Eragon's cousin. Roran and Eragon are far from each other, and must to face different challenges and enemies, but they have something in common: some chapters of "Eldest" will be about Eragon's adventures, and others about what is happening to Roran and his followers. As if that were not enough, we will discover two more dragon riders, and learn about what happened to Murtagh and Eragon's mother.

Of course, that are just some of the things you will find in "Eldest". The more important reason to read it is the opportunity to immerse you once again in the adventures of Eragon and Saphira, and become a dragon rider yourself, if only for a few hours. Highly recommended !

Belen Alcat

PS: To Christopher Paulini --> Please hurry up with the last book in this triology, I really want to know what happens next :)
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52 of 63 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Darkness Falls...Despair abounds...Evil Reigns..., 21 Aug 2005
By Jasper Wong "jbywong" (Beijing, China) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: Eldest (Inheritance Cycle) (Hardcover)
The Inheritance trilogy consists of Eragon, Eldest, Empire.

Read Eragon first, you will not understand Eldest, as it is filled with infomation and parts referring to the 1st book, Eragon.

Despite critics literally screaming "this is a weak copy of the LOTR trilogy!", these 2 (and hopefully 3) books are entertaining, absorbing, and serious fantasy. The unfortunate thing about these 2 books is that they do take a lot of influence from the LOTR trilogy. From the characters (Orcs) to the writing style (similar type of writing, and so on). But, as I said in my 'Eragon' review, no-one intentionally tries to copy, resemble, or poke fun at another book, unless the author is writing a parody.

Eragon seemed a little slow and dreamy at the beginning, but Eldest thrusts you into the action the moment you start. In Eldest, you follow the stories of two people, Eragon Shadeslayer, the slayer of Durza and rider of Saphira, and Roran Garrowsen, the uncle of Eragon. Eragon decides to travel to the land of the elves (ellesmera) to train his magic and swordsmanship. But along the way there is plenty of danger, magic, fights, sarcasm, and of course, adventure. Far away, Roran must defend Carvahall from Ra'Zac and orcs who invade almost everyday, trying to find, or even collect infomation about Eragon or Roran.

The one noticable difference between Eragon and Eldest is that Poalini's writing style has changed again. His writing has become noticeably more mature and darker, depicting scenes of evil more powerfully. In Eldest, Eragon is more like a man on a mission, rather than a teenager who is trying to find a certain area. There are less carefree moments for Eragon, and more 'I must follow my destiny' determination. This is by far a good thing for me, but for younger and less mature readers it might be a bad thing, considering that the pace of the book has dropped quite sharply. The Roran-Eragon switch every 40 something pages keeps you from concentrating on both characters.

Eldest is even longer than the already big Eragon (500 something pages, while Eldest is around 700 pages) I also find it increadible that Eldest retained the quality of Eragon, even though it is a sequel to a highly successful book. Though darker, more mature, longer, and slower-paced, Eldest still retains whatever qualities that Eragon has, while adding more details and information about Alagaesia. A fantastic book, even more so than Eragon.

If you have read Eragon, and not read Eldest, buy it and read it, if you have read none, buy both, and read.

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21 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars An easy read..., 16 Oct 2006
By Champignon (Newcastle, England) - See all my reviews
I was in WHSmiths desperately looking for a good book to read to take on my flight- when Eldest caught my eye. It was totally by chance, and I had never heard of the author= however it had a dragon on the front cover, and as I favour Fantasy- I thought I couldnt really go wrong! In my haste I forgot to check if it was in a series- which of course it was- this was the scond book...so I haven't actually read the first in the Inheritence trilogy, entitled Eragon. Initially I thought that this may pose a problem , which thankfully it did not- and I was quickly swept away with Eragon and his adventure.

As far as the story goes- Eldest has loads to offer and has all the elements of a good fantasy novel. I do however, think the writing is a bit rushed at times- and perhaps lacking in real depth. Paolini has crammed and crammed, which of course leads to excitement and a fast pace, but left me personally feeling a bit dissatisfied with certain factors of the plot.

I really enjoyed the development of various characters, and I like the fact that Paolini entwined philosophy and controversial ways of thinking with Eragons training and journey to maturity. It is trully captivating.

Obviously, the central themes to the book aren't new, and there are definate likenings to other established fantasy works- but I still really enjoyed reading it. This isn't a masterpiece by any means- but in places has the most beautiful imagery and writing- which make for a gripping read...give it a chance.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars good read
I have enjoyed reading this book which is another book in the series about Eragon. I am not sure the age of readers this book is aimed at but at 60 years of age I think I can read... Read more
Published 1 month ago by C. Jones

1.0 out of 5 stars Eldest but not wisest

When the very first line of a book is as nonsensical as "The songs of the dead are the lamentations of the living," you know you're in trouble. Read more
Published 1 month ago by E. A Solinas

4.0 out of 5 stars Great, but Boring
Just to explain things, this pribably would've gotten 3 stars if Brisingr hadn't been released. I've given it 5 because you need to read this book to fully understand Brisingr... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lui_Gui

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the greatest fantasy novels to date
If you want a book to read, i recommend you pick up this one. Paolini puts in so much vivid description that you clearly see an image in our head. Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. Matijuk

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Service
Item as described, very quick delivery despite the christmas rush, great service would definitely buy again.
Published 5 months ago by D. M. Curran

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic - whatever your age!

After having listened to Eragon last year whilst driving across America we were VERY excited to have Eldest for Christmas! Read more
Published 5 months ago by SarahLou

2.0 out of 5 stars Readable but slow
Okay, so I bought this after enjoying Eragon and this is enjoyable to some degree, but I found the pace of the plot a little slow, I was even flicking a few pages ahead to see... Read more
Published 6 months ago by A. Davies

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun to read
After reading Eragon I had to get the second instalment and found the book more intresting than the first, Mostly due to the other characters the book followed like Rohan... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Ms. Z. Cotton

4.0 out of 5 stars Eldest
Long, slightly dragging book (lots of pages) however the story line is fab, adventure style with a bit of romance on the side. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Ashbookaholic

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good read!
this book is an excellent read I enjoyed it immensely!
the part were he visited the elves was a bit boring but the battle afterwards made up of it. Read more
Published 9 months ago by B. Scott

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