The Inheritance Cycle by C. Paolini

[Becky]

I enjoy this story, although I know that many others feel that it is unoriginal at best, and outright plagiarism at worst.

I love Roran's character. I have high hopes for him in the final book.

What does everyone else think? Please feel free to share your opinions... good, bad or indifferent!

[Josie]

I managed to read the first, and get 1/4 way through the second, not because I liked them, but because I'd gone and BOUGHT them instead of borrowing them like I usually would!
While I think that the books are a HUGE achievement for a 15 year old, it would have been better if waited until he was older (like most authors), to produce work of much better quality. At 15, you're writing or imagining stories that are heavily influenced by your favourite stories and authors, and Paolini is no exception.
Actually though, it wasn't the obvious LOTR/Star Wars borrowing that really annoyed me, it was more his writing style. He didn't seem to have much idea (at least in the first book)of sentence rhythm, and I also remember reading a word like 'ersatz' or something, and snorting, because really, isn't it a bit pretentious for a 15 year old to be throwing words like that around?
I like the covers though (*throws conciliatory tid-bit*)! What did you think of the movie, Becky?

[[deleted user]]

I read Eragon a couple months ago. I am currently trying to read Eldest out loud to my husband, but he keeps falling asleep. Maybe he will get more into it this weekend.

[[deleted user]]

Haha I don't think anyone has horrible taste in books because it is your taste. Horrible to you will be amazing to someone else. Thats the great thing about GR. You get POV from every angle! I have enjoyed the storyline, but the style doesn't do it for me. I like reading these books before bed for the story.

[Allison]

Heather wrote: "I've read Eragon and Eldest and have Brisingr here waiting patiently for its turn. I have to say I really enjoyed the stories! I mean, yes there are times when it feels like Paolini is trying too h..."

well, I didn't want to tell you but...

(just kidding of course!)

[[deleted user]]

Heather wrote: "I was also really into the *gasp* Twilight series about the time I joined GR, and people were having a field day with that one! There were some pretty vicious debates going on in the general discussion board area. Again...another series I loved that was taking a beating....It's funny how some books fall into a "love 'em or hate 'em" thing. And then there are those that just sit comfortably in the middle or the road neither offending nor exciting much of anyone. "

I totally agree.

[Becky]

Don't feel bad Heather... I really like the Eragon series as well, and if that means I have terrible taste in reading material, so be it. I'm not here to be a literature snob, I'm here to read books that I will enjoy. :)

[April]

I've only read the first book, Eragon. I realy really liked it though and would have read the second if the library had a copy of it. I really love fantasy stories, and I felt this one was a breeze to read, the characters captivated my 17 year old heart (that's how old I was when I read it) and I remember shutting the book and wanting more.

Speaking of the movie, remember that horrid song from the trailer, "Keep Holding On" by Avril Lavigne? It gets stuck in my head all the time.

[Kandice]

I read the first, and while it was very obvious what books Paolini had read and enjoyed, that didn't bother me at all. I was entertained, and that's often quite enough for a book to offer.

We have the other 2, but I have not read them. Not because I don't want to, but I just wasn't compelled and they haven't fit in my schedule yet. I WILL read them, though. Like Heather said, I'm a sucker for a dragon:)

I liked the movie. My children did not! We saw it at the drive-in and they all fell asleep. I bought it on DVD and have watched it a few times, but I am pretty sure my fascination can be chalked up to Weistz (sp) and Irons.

[Kristen]

I tried the book and audiobook version and I couldn't get more than halfway through it. It grated on my nerves and didn't interest me like I thought it would.

[Kandice]

That's okay Heather. I just LOVE her voice, so, even though it didn't perfectly fit Saphirra, I wanted to listen to her!

And Jeremy Irons is always perfect!

[Kandice]

Tht was the only bad part of her voicing Saphirra, I didn't get to look at her oddly gorgeous face!

[Adam]

I actually thought the first book was ok. I have now read the first book three times, the second twice, and the third once, and I must say, a small piece of me dies each time I finish one of these books. I truly now believe that these are the worst books I have ever read.

Sadly, when the fourth book comes around, I'll probably still give it a try. I've invested this much time in the series and it can't possibly get any worse...can it?

[Becky]

Adam wrote: "I actually thought the first book was ok. I have now read the first book three times, the second twice, and the third once, and I must say, a small piece of me dies each time I finish one of these ..."

Oh no! What is it about them that makes you feel that way, Adam?

[JG (Introverted Reader)]

I've enjoyed the first two, but I haven't gotten around to the third yet, and I got it for Christmas! I actually liked the second better because it didn't feel like he was borrowing quite so heavily from other writers in that one. What really bugged me though, was that I struggled through the first book, getting frustrated when he wrote whole paragraphs in dwarvish, and then finding the translations at the back. I love fantasy, but I have a very low tolerance for authors who expect me to learn a whole new language just for a book, and Paolini really pushed that button hard.

For the record, I didn't care for the movie either.

[Cassie]

I saw the movie first, and I liked it so much I went and read the book. The first book was a little too verbose for me, but I liked the second a lot. I finished the third shortly after it came out and am now anxiously and impatiently waiting for the last. I'm a sucker for a series, and Inheritance is one of the highest in my anticipation list.

Paolini's age would usually influence the way I thought about the books in general, but I just didn't feel like I was reading something written by a young person even though I knew his age from the start.

[Becky]

The 2nd book was my favorite as well. I just loved Roran's character. He is my favorite in the series. ;)

[Terry (Ter05 TwiMoms/ MundieMoms)]

I'll have to tell my son (grown) that they have a release date for the fourth book. He asked me about it the other day. We read Eragon some years ago and then the other two. Loved Eragon (in spite of the criticisms of it which really don't matter if you like a book), liked Eldest, and wished he had edited the third one a lot more. I hope he learned from the others who have said the same thing. Just too much detail in some places. The movie - well they slaughtered the book story especially making turning the heroine into a human when she should have been left an Elf and then leaving the Dwarves out of it pretty much entirely. Loved Saphira, Ed Speelers as Eragon and Jeremy Irons as Brom - and the scenery. I watch it now and then just for those things and pretend it is separate from the book (which one often has to do with books to movie). I have them all in Hardback and will buy Inheritance for sure.
Have you ever noticed when a book becomes extremely popular (like Twilight) some love to rip it apart?

[Maggie the Muskoka Library Mouse]

I have only read "Eragon" so far, but plan to conquer the rest very soon.