Eragon

Eragon, the first book of The Inheritance Trilogy is a book written by Christopher Paolini and published by Alfred A. Knopf. It is a New York Times Best Seller, placing second on the Children's Chapter list (as of April 22, 2004).

The story is set in the land of Alagaësia, the book follows the travels of a young boy named Eragon. It is thought that the author, Christopher Paolini, got the name from the Viking King Erragon, (the two "r"s are intentional) since many themes in the book are derived from Norse language.

Here is the summary of the book from the cover's flap:

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.

Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds.

Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands....

Plot summary

Eragon is the first book in the inheritance trilogy. It starts of when Eragon, living in the small town of Carvahal with his uncle and cousin, finds a mysterious blue stone in the forest. It soon hatches into a baby dragon, a species thought to be extinct, with the exception of King Galbatorixes dragon. He raises the dragon until two hooded figures, the evil Ra'zac, enter the town looking for a mysterious blue stone. Eragon and Saphira, as he names his dragon, manage to hide in the forest, but his uncle is not so lucky. The Ra'zac kill his uncle and destroy the house. Eragon takes upon himself to become a dragon rider, the ancient warriors who fought for good but died out with the dragons. He is accompanied by Brom, an old story teller who knows much about the dragon riders, and surprisingly good swordsman. He teaches Eragon the ways of the dragon riders as they hunt down the elusive Ra'zac.

Release information

Knopf released a "deluxe edition" of Eragon in August 2004. That version includes a larger map of Alagaësia than the standard edition, and can be removed from the book. It also contains longer appendices concerning the three constructed languages in the novel (Ancient, Dwarf, and Urgal) and exclusive art of Zar'roc, Eragon's sword. The deluxe edition also includes the first chapter of Eldest, the sequel to Eragon. Recently a paperback edition was released, which includes a bookmark, and some information on Eldest.

Movie

A movie based on the novel is scheduled to be released in June 2006 by 20th Century Fox.

External links

• Alagaësia Official Homepage
• dragonriders.co.uk :: inspire the legend of the shurtugal
• du Shur'tugals :: The First Eragon Fan Site
• Shur'tugal.com :: A New Generation of Dragon Riders
• Alalea :: An Eragon Roleplaying Site

ISBNs

• ISBN 0–375–82668–8 (hardcover, August 2003)
• ISBN 0–807–21962–2 (audio cassette, August 2003)
• ISBN 1–400–09068–7 (compact disc, February 2004)