Binding: Hardcover
EAN: 9780375826726
ISBN: 0375826726
Label: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 784
Publication Date: 2008-09-20
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Reading Level: Young Adult
Release Date: 2008-09-20
Studio: Knopf Books for Young Readers

OATHS SWORN . . . loyalties tested . . . forces collide.

Following the colossal battle against the Empire’s warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still there is more at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep.

First is Eragon’s oath to his cousin Roran: to help rescue Roran’s beloved, Katrina, from King Galbatorix’s clutches. But Eragon owes his loyalty to others, too. The Varden are in desperate need of his talents and strength—as are the elves and dwarves. When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices— choices that take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice.

Eragon is the greatest hope to rid the land of tyranny. Can this once-simple farm boy unite the rebel forces and defeat the king?

Customer Rating:
Summary: Writing by Thesaurus....
Comment: The first book in the series, "Eragon," helped my dyslexic son develop a interest in reading. "Eldest" had its moments, too. We have slogged through Brisingr's dialog and philosophy. Many of the other shortcomings are startng to wear on us:

1. Characters usually don't speak with contractions in the manner of "Data" of Star Trek, TNG. Dialog is usually strained, even among intimates.
2. I have the sense that the author keeps his thesaurus at hand and insists on using a four-syllable word when a concise Anglo-saxon one-syllable word will do.
3. Add to this the endless descriptions of unimportant details and one has the elements of a long evening with a 12-year-old.

At one point, one hopes that Galbatorix might fly in and put an end to the squabbling, posturing, and political infighting. Eragon's internal conflicts make him seem weak in relation to his powers and position to the point his character is weakened. Even Nasuada seems to view him as a wishy-washy pawn in her political games.

If one is already involved in the story, by all means finish it. I find that I'm not recommending the series to new readers, however. Most disappointing is that the book pretends to be about magic and yet the mundane has claimed it. Even when Eragon runs into "Tenga" under very mysterious circumstances, Eragon seems almost dismissive of the historical significance of Elven structures in Varden territory, magic texts, and the odd personality of his host.

Perhaps Paolin will pull it all together in Book IV of the "trilogy?"

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: Ugh, all politics, little action!
Comment: I loved the first two books, but this third installment is a true challenge to finish, and I don't mean because of the length! 150 pages in, I was amazed that so little had truly happened in the form of adventures. It reads more like a political debate and is very boring, not to mention long-winded. Needless to say, I will not be buying the 4th book. And I'm very glad this was a gift and I didn't spend my own $18 on it. Sorry Christopher!

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: This book is the greatest!
Comment: If the first book is great then this one is supreme. If you are reading this Paolini then I want you to know that I love this book! It's the best book in the inheritance series. I sure hope there are many more to come. Does anyone know when the fourth book is coming out? I hope it doesn't take too long or I might just die waiting! This series is so good in fact it helped to inspire me to write my own book.
Cooper Age 11

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: Just a Good Read
Comment: I have read the first two books of this series and i was very happy with the thrird. it was very well written. I do have to say it was an unexpected ending. i thought this was a trilogy!! i was wrong!

Overall I would tell you to buy it and hang on to it because you will read it again.

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: A big book filled with very little.
Comment: This book was fairly disappointing. Paolini spent a lot of time on parts of the story that didn't deserve it, and the few areas of the story that did deserve the time were not given it.

Many of the important plot elements that were revealed seemed to be very contrived and isolated from the rest of the books. It seemed as though he made them up while writing the book and didn't even know about them while writing the original two.

---