Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

Reviewed by Melody

            Eragon, a simple farm boy, is hunting in the mountains when he hears an explosion and a blue stone appears in front of him. He brings it home, where it hatches into a dragon named Saphira. He raises her in secret, and together, they become Dragon Riders.

In Inheritance by Christopher Paolini, Eragon, Saphira, and the Varden, an army opposed to Galbatorix, a deranged dark king, venture to march to the capital, where Galbatorix resides. This exciting novel tells the tale of this group of friends who want to destroy their enemy and let peace ring on the land once and for all.

One of the reasons I like Inheritance is because the author weaves an amazing story with elves, humans, dragons, and other strange and beautiful creatures. He makes it very easy to understand the people of Alagaesia and shows how an entire world can unite against a common foe. Paolini makes the characters really come to life and act believable, like real humans. For example, Roran, Eragon’s cousin, decides to go to a city called Helgrind to save his betrothed, Katrina, even though Alagaesia was in the middle of a war.

I also recommend this book because Paolini weaves a powerful message throughout the story- that family is what you make it, not who your blood relatives are. Eragon proves this true when he speaks to Roran and says, “Murtaugh isn’t my brother, even though he may be my half-brother in blood.” Paolini also shows that friendship can stand through the hardest of times, and that love can make you stronger than anything else.

            I give Inheritance a 9/10 and a recommendation for all adventurous girls and boys alike. However, make sure to read Eragon, Eldest, and Brisingr before reading Inheritance. Go to the library and get a copy today! 

Random House, 849 pages