Review Detail

While Paolini obviously borrows certain aspects of his fantasy universe wholesale from Tolkien—elves and dwarves are almost public domain at this point—Eragon is no mere imitation, but a wholly creative and original work. The depth of the world, the nature of magic, and the believability of its characters all help Eragon to stand out as a shining example of fantasy done right. I was continually impressed how the story seldom went in a predictable direction, but never felt forced or contrived. So if you like fantasy and want something new, look no further than Eragon.