Eldest: Book II: 02 (Inheritance Cycle) - Hardcover

Paolini, Christopher

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 037582670X ISBN 13: 9780375826702

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2005

Synopsis

Don't miss the latest book from the author of Eragon, The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm: Tales from Alagaësia!

Perfect for fans of Lord of the Rings, the New York Times bestselling Inheritance Cycle about the dragon rider Eragon has sold over 35 million copies and is an international fantasy sensation.

Darkness falls...despair abounds...evil reigns...

Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the Dragon Rider: magic and swordsmanship. Soon he is on the journey of a lifetime, his eyes open to awe-inspring new places and people, his days filled with fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and nothing is what it seems. Before long, Eragon doesn't know whom he can trust.

Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle-one that might put Eragon in even graver danger.

Will the king's dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life. . . .

Praise for Eragon
"Unusual, powerful . . . fresh and fluid. An impressive start to a writing career that's sure to flourish." -Booklist, Starred
"Christopher Paolini make[s] literary magic with his precocious debut." -People
"The new 'It' book of children's lit." -U.S. News & World Report
"An auspicious beginning to both career and series." -Publishers Weekly

A #1 New York Times Bestseller
A #1 Publishers Weekly Bestseller
A USA Today Bestseller
A Wall Street Journal Bestseller
A Book Sense Book of the Year
A #1 Book Sense Selection

About this title

Review

There’s a keenness in the storytelling, and an excitement for pure adventure and magic, that will ensure fans of Paolini’s Eragon will find its much-anticipated sequel every bit as readable and captivating. This young author, who wrote that debut (very long) novel aged fifteen, has shed some his earlier less convincing turns of phrase and tendancies to homage other inspirational works, to come up with a deeper second novel that is more assured, better balanced and distinctly original.

Picking up from the exact point where its predecessor gave way, Eldest begins with dragon rider and now shade slayer, Eragon, on the battlefield of his greatest triumph. He is saddened by the death and carnage before him, and fearful for the future. King Galbatorix is, despite this battle won, still the cruel ruler of the Empire and must be defeated. Together with the beautiful and elegant dragon, Saphira, with whom he can communicate without speech, they must travel to Ellesmera – fabled land of the Elves to undergo further training in magic, swordsmanship and other worldly necessities.

Meanwhile, in his homeland, in the village of Carvahall, Eragon’s cousin Roran faces challenges of his own. The king’s men, and the dark creature that instructs them, lay siege to the tiny mountain community in the hope of finding Roran, and thus lead them to Eragon. After fierce resistance, Roran leads the villagers on a long, arduous journey to salvation (hopefully) with the community known as the Varden.

Told in alternate chapters, the stories of both young men on separate missions give this ‘difficult second novel’ a refreshing feel. Eragon is still the star, but has a substantial second cast to make this novel a worthy sequel to the first book and a tantalising bridge to the final chapter in volume three.

(Age 12 and over) --John McLay

Review

"'A compelling and action-filled adventure . . . a galloping good example of its genre'" (Daily Telegraph)

"'A portrayal of true affection between boy and dragon ... Paolini writes like someone gripped by his own story'" (Guardian)

"'This book is an achievement. Readers . . . will be transported'" (Sunday Times)

"'A stirring fantasy of epic proportions'" (The Bookseller)

"

PRAISE FOR ERAGON:

'A winner ... tip of the hat to young master Paolini'

" (Anne McCaffrey, author of The Dragonriders of Pern series)

Edition details

• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 037582670X
• ISBN 13: 9780375826702
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 704