'Eragon' is not a gripping story. I love dragonlore and I love how Paolini incorporates the mind link between Saphira, the dragon, and Eragon, the human. The characters are very hard to like, especially Eragon. He seems like your average, YA hero who's going to make it through, but that's just it: he's your average YA hero, but with too many character flaws.
Point A. Eragon comes across the egg while hunting, a plot factor that reflects a lot of fantasy: living a normal life until you come across something abnormal. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but I would rather have the story begin with Eragon being familiar with dragons, and maybe even opening the novel with Eragon already training Saphira.
Point B. Eragon is too trusting. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Eragon seems very accepting of Murtagh and Arya. The latter is not an issue, but *spoiler* Murtagh turns out to be a traitor. Eragon has entered the world of dragons and Riders, he should watch out more.

I am also aware of the heavy similarities between 'Eragon' and the Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. I'm not a big fan of either of those, but after reading through the similarities, and reading of how the author is the son of parents that made their own publishing firm, I think Paolini was very conscious of his choices, and should've taken the time to tweak them, and make them less noticeable, if they were to remain in the story at all.

There are many things to enjoy about this book: the world building, the dragon lore, the constant sense of danger ... But there are also a lot of basic plot cliches and most of the book happens inside Eragon's head so there's very little dialogue. However, the story is solid and interesting, and I think many younger fantasy readers will love it.

I'm a sucker for dragons, I have to admit. The very idea of them is irresistible to me, so my opinion should have been partial towards this book by default.

My main problem with this book is that it's almost exactly like the Lord of the Rings. And some of the names feel like a reversal of other name with slightly different vowels.
Ra'zac and Za'roc

also where is it written that fantasy novels must contain names with apostrophes in them?

Eragon, that sounds like... I don't know .. Aragorn?
and la dee dah whaddaya know he has a magic sword too..

SO boy finds a dragon egg, becomes a dragon rider. But shhh, it's a secret! Dagon riders are illegal unless they serve the evil king of the empire, (no idea why he isn't just called the emperor), Galbatorix.

The empire learns of his existence and retaliates by burning down his home, killing his uncle/stepfather in the process.

So far so good except for the fact that Eragon's narrative switches from farm boy in alternate world of fantastical creatures to regular fifteen year old. Sometimes his speech isn't as old-timey as it should be.

Eragon decides to journey on to avenge his uncle with his dragon and the town's old storyteller, Brom, who seems to know more that he's letting on.

A whole lot of absolutely nothing happens for a good 200 pages. It's a total snooze fest.. Eragon's narrative is 70 percent descriptions of scenery in a blasphemous attempt to be more TOLKIEN. which would be fine had he actually pulled it off but he didn't. I would read entire passages of this stuff without even knowing that my brain had automatically tuned it out, only to wake up when he starts getting back to the actual plot.

At some point during the journey Eragon is presented with the first opportunity to establish himself as a worthy protagonist. He is asked to solve a problem; Brom and Eragon discover that the ra'azak may have a way of traveling quickly using winged horses (no lie) and thus they have no way of outrunning them or at least catching up to them.

And instead of bedazzling us with the main character's mad problem solving skills, Christopher Paolini has him take a walk and (literally) stumble upon the solution. That was when I decided I wasn't going to read the following books in this series. If the hero is just going to be given the easy way out every time, I've got better things to do with my time.

Now if you ask me, this whole mess could have been avoided if Eragon had just gotten on his dragon and flown around looking for the Ra'azak but instead he and Brom use horses while there's a perfectly fine dragon accompanying them; flying uselessly over their heads.

There is no shame in being "affected" by another writer's work, especially a work as powerful and influential as the lord of the rings; once every maybe 100 years an author like Tolkein or JK Rowling will come along and write something so spectacularly original and all consuming that several tens of generations of authors will be influenced by it and strife to measure up to its glory.

However, it's an entirely different matter to copy another book almost exactly with different names. When you do that you force readers to make the comparison between you and R R Tolkein.. Do you really want to be compared to him? He is the supreme master of high fantasy. Any answer to the previous question that's not a clear and resounding NO is wrong

Reader reviewed by Caroline Walker

I liked Eragon a lot. I do not know how come the whole world doesn't read it. I read a review on how they didn't know how the book got published.I all most blew off my head . My friend Drew also read the review and we were fussing on how we should hunt him down and show him how many people like Eragon. If you have read the book you will know how good that book is.I can't wait till the second book comes out .The second bopok comes out. I also hope that there is a movie to all the books.

Reader reviewed by DREW SHIMANSKY

Now,if you have read any bad things about ERAGON earse it from your memory!NOW! it is the single best book I have ever read and yes that includes HARRY POTTER.Yes all of them!It tells a wonderfull story that (if you dont read the prologe)mystery and action.It is a must read and I dont know anyone LOOOOSER who thinks its not.Dont beleave ONE bad thing they say about it.THEY LIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reader reviewed by J.P.R.

I thought Eragon was one of the best books i have ever read. it was a awesome story about a young boy and a dragon. i thought it was worth 30 bucks or whatever u said........ i actualy thought it was worth more than 30 bucks!!! but there is only one prob with the author he takes way to long to make the next book. And i have plenty of friends who disagree with what u thought about the book even my teacher!!! u better watch what u say about good books boy... it must mean u are a messed up person who cant understand ANYTHING!!! u probably cant understand what i just typed u dippo brain. POFFY ESQUARE!!mestup mongoose man....

Reader reviewed by OObrey

I mak it a habit to visit the bookstore regularly now that I've got my beautiful and long-awaited car. When I arrived at the store, all I saw was this strangely captivating blue book with a dragon on it's cover. And for some reason, ever time I went, I refused to buy it, and I have no idea why. Mayhaps I was waiting until I had enough money?

Anyways, my father luckily came with me on my next visit and the beautiful blue book caught his eye. I could not move my Dad from the couch, the next few days, and that in itself is one of the biggest compliments my father (or I, for that matter) could ever give out.

That book cost less than it would for one day at Disney, and yet kept me on the edge of my seat for the whole three day journey. It was incredible. The smoothe way that Christopher writes his sentences is an estimable quality that should be harnessed and never lost, for it is what makes any story palatable.

The story itself wasn't the most original (after all, it deals with a common boy, who gets to fly a dragon, and fight evil kings), but the way this gifted boy/man author took this old-time story and turned it Paolini-style makes it one of the lucky books that will stand on my shelf, waiting for it to be reread time, and again.

You will not regret reading this wonderful book, because I say so.

Reader reviewed by Rachael

This is a wonderful book! Eragon is a new Dragon rider and the word is out! He will have to go through nany challenges to find the Varden! So many sad things happen, Sometimes I even cried reading the book! Eragon will make new friends, enemies, and meet a line full of changes. Can Eragon stay strong or will he surrender to the shade, urgles, and most of all, Galbatorox!

Reader reviewed by Bubba

This is an awsome book about a boy named Eragon,
his dragon and an old man named Brom. Their out
hunting for the two Ra'zac that killed Eragon's
uncle. I recommendthis book to all fantasy readers

Reader reviewed by Travis Lloyd

Hey, this book was really great. IF you want to read a book that will keep you guessing about what's going to happen next, then this book is for you. It had a lot of plot twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. I cant wait for the sequel to come out. If you like fantasy books, then I sugest you read this