Eragon

[twoodcc]

so anyone read or reading this book? i've been reading it and like it a lot. i am almost half-way through it.*

can't wait for the movie

[quigleybc]

no

but I like good books,

what's it about?

maybe I'll check it..

[Macaddicttt]

no

but I like good books,

what's it about?

maybe I'll check it..

From what I've heard of it, it isn't so much a good book, but a good story. I think it was written by a teenager. Most of my family has read it and liked it, but say the writing is pretty bad. I didn't read it because I think I'd be distracted by poor writing all the time.

[twoodcc]

From what I've heard of it, it isn't so much a good book, but a good story. I think it was written by a teenager. Most of my family has read it and liked it, but say the writing is pretty bad. I didn't read it because I think I'd be distracted by poor writing all the time.

i'm not sure if the author was a teenager when he wrote it, but he's 22 right now. i don't think the writings poor. they are making a movie about it, so it can't be that bad.*

it's about a boy and a dragon. i don't want to give it away before you read it, but if you like dragons and adventure books, you'll like this one. the boy can talk to the dragon with his mind. it has elves and magic in it also.*

[Mr. Anderson]

Sorry, I read it and its lame. Didn't get the second book.

He borrowed so much from Tolkein, David Eddings and a bunch others. Nothing really original and a little over the top in most cases. I didn't know there was going to be a movie. Good for him - but I don't imagine its going to do that well.

D

[Leareth]

First book was pretty good, neat characters
second book was very predictable and actually quite bad

movie looks so so

[twoodcc]

well i don't know......i think it's a good book about a dragon adventure. just thought i'd talk about it here.*

[Zwhaler]

From what I've heard of it, it isn't so much a good book, but a good story. I think it was written by a teenager. Most of my family has read it and liked it, but say the writing is pretty bad. I didn't read it because I think I'd be distracted by poor writing all the time.

I read it, and it was a great book. The writing isn't poor at all, if anything you should go read it yourself. I havn't started the second book yet, but the first one was fantastic. And the guy who wrote it isn't just another teenager he's a really bright person who is now 22 I believe?

[fblack]

Soembody gave me the 2nd book to read last Xmas. Its ok for kids. The dragon riders had a buddhist outlook if i remember correctly. I believe he started writing the first book at 17(?). I think his writtings still rough, but he's gotten a great opportunity hopefully he can capitalize and improve.

I prefer George R.R. Martin's A Game of Thrones and Scott Bakker's The Darkness that Comes before:The Prince of Nothing. :)

[twoodcc]

I read it, and it was a great book. The writing isn't poor at all, if anything you should go read it yourself. I havn't started the second book yet, but the first one was fantastic. And the guy who wrote it isn't just another teenager he's a really bright person who is now 22 I believe?

i knew there was someone else who enjoyed the book. thanks*:cool:

[Mr. Anderson]

i knew there was someone else who enjoyed the book. thanks*:cool:

Its all personal preference - its an ok story if it had been more original. I've read a lot of sci/fi and fantasy over the years and its just too similar to what's out there.

If you like this type of stuff, read some of Dave Duncan's books. They are incredibly original.

Oh, and McCaffrey's Dragon Rider series is probably the better of the genre.

http://www.annemccaffrey.net/

D

[MultiM]

I've read both and agree the writing was not the best, but it was enjoyable. There were some original ideas that I quite liked and I will read the 3rd and last novel, but that's because I just have to know the end.

I agree, the Dragon Riders of Pern series is by far the benchmark for dragon stories.

Dave Duncan's writing bores the crap out of me. It's all a matter of taste, though.

Have fun!

[Macaddicttt]

I read it, and it was a great book. The writing isn't poor at all, if anything you should go read it yourself. I havn't started the second book yet, but the first one was fantastic. And the guy who wrote it isn't just another teenager he's a really bright person who is now 22 I believe?

Well, I guess it would depend on your definition of poor writing. As a benchmark, I get distracted reading Harry Potter because I think it's poorly written. Is it better or worse than the writing in Harry Potter?

[quigleybc]

All I care about is when the new George R.R Martin book is coming out....arrrggh

If you like contemporary fantasy, then that's the way to go....

[Zwhaler]

Is it better or worse than the writing in Harry Potter?

I only read the first book, and then only watched the movies after that. And I read the book like 5 years ago, so can't help ya.

[ravenvii]

All I care about is when the new George R.R Martin book is coming out....arrrggh

If you like contemporary fantasy, then that's the way to go....

Hear hear!

And I'd like to add the Thomas Covenant books to the "If you like contemporary fantasy, then that's the way to go..." list.

[twoodcc]

Its all personal preference - its an ok story if it had been more original. I've read a lot of sci/fi and fantasy over the years and its just too similar to what's out there.

If you like this type of stuff, read some of Dave Duncan's books. They are incredibly original.

Oh, and McCaffrey's Dragon Rider series is probably the better of the genre.

http://www.annemccaffrey.net/

D

thanks for the suggestions.

i haven't read a lot of this type of stuff lately, but i tried to when i was younger (early teenage years).

but it seems i'm obsessed with this book, and since school is starting again, i better not read anymore until christmas break

[CorvusCamenarum]

I think I remember seeing/hearing an interview with the author. He said he was about 15 when he started writing it, now he's in his early 20s. I've read both books. The first was not a bad effort for a young kid, but it's obvious that his writing has a lot of maturity ahead of it.

In his defense, it's almost impossible to be truly original these days, especially in that particular genre. To paraphrase my last writing teacher, every good idea has been done, and probably more than once. Originality isn't necessary to sell a story anymore -- just ask Robert Jordan. He's written however many number of never-ending-fantasy-novels that are more patchwork than a hobo's coat. Even Asimov put himself on the map as a writer by borrowing, the only difference is that he used a historical topic for his Foundation novels (Galactic Empire = Roman Empire) and he freely admitted it. Art seems to be once again imitating life in that it how you say it matters more than what you say.

[twoodcc]

I think I remember seeing/hearing an interview with the author. He said he was about 15 when he started writing it, now he's in his early 20s. I've read both books. The first was not a bad effort for a young kid, but it's obvious that his writing has a lot of maturity ahead of it.

In his defense, it's almost impossible to be truly original these days, especially in that particular genre. To paraphrase my last writing teacher, every good idea has been done, and probably more than once. Originality isn't necessary to sell a story anymore -- just ask Robert Jordan. He's written however many number of never-ending-fantasy-novels that are more patchwork than a hobo's coat. Even Asimov put himself on the map as a writer by borrowing, the only difference is that he used a historical topic for his Foundation novels (Galactic Empire = Roman Empire) and he freely admitted it. Art seems to be once again imitating life in that it how you say it matters more than what you say.

thanks for defending the author and the book. glad to see that you've read both and enjoyed them (or you wouldn't have read the 2nd one)

i'm almost done with the first one now

[CorvusCamenarum]

thanks for defending the author and the book. glad to see that you've read both and enjoyed them (or you wouldn't have read the 2nd one)

i'm almost done with the first one now

I wouldn't necessarily say I enjoyed it per se. Like I said, he's got a long row to hoe. Truth be told, I got the second book for the same reason I keep plunking money down on Robert Jordan's crap every couple years -- I hate leaving a story unfinished.

[twoodcc]

I wouldn't necessarily say I enjoyed it per se. Like I said, he's got a long row to hoe. Truth be told, I got the second book for the same reason I keep plunking money down on Robert Jordan's crap every couple years -- I hate leaving a story unfinished.

either way, the author clearly got your attention. anybody that young will have room for improvement.*

and they are making a movie about it, so the kid couldn't have done that bad of a job

[CorvusCamenarum]

either way, the author clearly got your attention. anybody that young will have room for improvement.*

and they are making a movie about it, so the kid couldn't have done that bad of a job

A theater film or a made-for-TV film?

[Applespider]

A theater film or a made-for-TV film?

They made a movie of the Da Vinci Code; a film is no vindication of good writing ;)

[twoodcc]

A theater film or a made-for-TV film?

a threater film.....coming out December 15

link:*http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449010/

[twoodcc]

They made a movie of the Da Vinci Code; a film is no vindication of good writing ;)

well apparently people liked the book, or there never would have been a movie. same applies to Eragon.*

[benthewraith]

I read the book. As to whether the writing is more mature or better than Harry Potter, to be honest, yes. I think JK Rowling made it a bit more simple for people, whereas Paolini took elements of a whole bunch of stories. Not really his fault, mind you, elves and dwarves have been done to death that there really is no originality anymore.

[Leareth]

The first book introduced some great characters that havent been touched on in too many fantasy novels : the werecat Somblebum, the dwarf trained Healer (witch?) Angela, , the black princess and her people...

The second book ignored the first book's creative characters and focused on the stereotypic look "how great the elves are, all humans should be like them blah blah" .

I really liked the first book and am greatly disappointed by the second, I wonder what he is going to do for the third one...

[twoodcc]

The first book introduced some great characters that havent been touched on in too many fantasy novels : the werecat Somblebum, the dwarf trained Healer (witch?) Angela, , the black princess and her people...

The second book ignored the first book's creative characters and focused on the stereotypic look "how great the elves are, all humans should be like them blah blah" .

I really liked the first book and am greatly disappointed by the second, I wonder what he is going to do for the third one...

interesting........i just bought the 2nd book tonight. i have about 30 pages left to go in the first. i hope the 2nd book is better than how you described it

[CorvusCamenarum]

well apparently people liked the book, or there never would have been a movie. same applies to Eragon.*

I think they just made a film adaptation of Da Vinci because they knew how controversial it would be, which would in turn get more people to go see it, even though it was a piss-poor film. Many more people in this country watch movies than read books, because reading books is a smart people thing, and that just isn't cool.

[twoodcc]

I think they just made a film adaptation of Da Vinci because they knew how controversial it would be, which would in turn get more people to go see it, even though it was a piss-poor film. Many more people in this country watch movies than read books, because reading books is a smart people thing, and that just isn't cool.

i agree with you about movies compare to books in this country. but i must say, that was a popular book before the movie. it seems everyone had read it except me

[CorvusCamenarum]

i agree with you about movies compare to books in this country. but i must say, that was a popular book before the movie. it seems everyone had read it except me

One of the reasons I generally don't like film adaptations of books is that they are rarely on par with one other. Unless the book is 25 pages long, it's almost impossible to condense it all into a 2 hour film and still retain accuracy.

If you don't pick up Da Vinci with any preconceived notions about it, it's mediocre at best. While there is some action on just about every page (good), Dan Brown's writing hasn't changed much over the several books he's written (bad). Despite what everyone has said, just remember this - it's fiction.

[twoodcc]

One of the reasons I generally don't like film adaptations of books is that they are rarely on par with one other. Unless the book is 25 pages long, it's almost impossible to condense it all into a 2 hour film and still retain accuracy.

If you don't pick up Da Vinci with any preconceived notions about it, it's mediocre at best. While there is some action on just about every page (good), Dan Brown's writing hasn't changed much over the several books he's written (bad). Despite what everyone has said, just remember this - it's fiction.

i agree that books don't equal movies....books are far more detailed. but it's nice to see what going on in a movie.*

i did watch Da Vinci Code, but i didn't read it. and i don't believe it either

[twoodcc]

so anyone seen the movie? compared to the book it's not that good, but i guess all movies are like that (when they come from books).

i'm still glad i got to watch it though.

can't wait for the third book though.

anyone else into eragon?

[Zwhaler]

Whoa, I saw the title of this thread and I said to myself, "I swear I posed in a thread like this before..." Looks like I was right! I havn't seen the movie and I kinda expected it to be not that great. I still stand my place for the books being good. I never got into the second one, but I loved the first. But that is coming from someone who hasn't read many other books where the author could have stolen themes or elements of the books from.

[twoodcc]

Whoa, I saw the title of this thread and I said to myself, "I swear I posed in a thread like this before..." Looks like I was right! I havn't seen the movie and I kinda expected it to be not that great. I still stand my place for the books being good. I never got into the second one, but I loved the first. But that is coming from someone who hasn't read many other books where the author could have stolen themes or elements of the books from.


yeah, i'm kinda the same. i don't read too much. but once i got into this one, i just couldn't put it down. the second one is even better!

[OutThere]

Read Eragon way back when nobody had heard of it...I enjoyed it a lot. I don't really read fantasy, so I can't really tell how original the story was, but I felt that it was put together well, and the writing was fine. Not sure where these complaints about the level of the writing are coming from...I don't necessarily think they're well founded.

[speedemonV12]

ya, i read Eragon when it first came out, and i loved the book. I enjoy reading fiction books a lot, but this one i liked almost more than harry potter. It seems not quite as childish as harry potter. Dont get me wrong, harry potter is great, but i think that those books are a little bit more simple than the Eragon series. I enjoyed the second one a lot also. And there will be a third one, hopefully it will be better than the second one. The second didnt have me reading as much as the first one. These are really good books tho. For those of you who have not seen the movie yet, let me warn you. It is very childish. They leave out tons of parts, change the story around, and not just a little, a good bit. So the movie is no where close to the book in my opinion, but i still wanted to see it, and will see the second one, just because i liked the books so much. Cant wait for the third book!

[twoodcc]

Read Eragon way back when nobody had heard of it...I enjoyed it a lot. I don't really read fantasy, so I can't really tell how original the story was, but I felt that it was put together well, and the writing was fine. Not sure where these complaints about the level of the writing are coming from...I don't necessarily think they're well founded.

glad to see other people who like the book as well :)

ya, i read Eragon when it first came out, and i loved the book. I enjoy reading fiction books a lot, but this one i liked almost more than harry potter. It seems not quite as childish as harry potter. Dont get me wrong, harry potter is great, but i think that those books are a little bit more simple than the Eragon series. I enjoyed the second one a lot also. And there will be a third one, hopefully it will be better than the second one. The second didnt have me reading as much as the first one. These are really good books tho. For those of you who have not seen the movie yet, let me warn you. It is very childish. They leave out tons of parts, change the story around, and not just a little, a good bit. So the movie is no where close to the book in my opinion, but i still wanted to see it, and will see the second one, just because i liked the books so much. Cant wait for the third book!

i agree with you. the movie isn't near what it could be, and it kinda makes me mad, cuz it looks like they didn't try very hard with the movie. but if they make a second and third movie, i'll still see them as well, just because of the books.

i'm actually reading the second book again right now :)

[MultiM]

As I said earlier, I read both books when they were first released. I've been reading this kind of book for probably 25 years and there were still a few original ideas in the first book. Not so much the second, which is not to say I didn't enjoy it. I did. The writer does have a long way to go to mature his style but I have faith that the third will be a fun read. I need to finish the story so whether he does a good job of it or not, I'll still buy it.

As for the movie, maybe I'll just wait to rent it. I'm not in that big a hurry for another slash job of a book I enjoyed.

Merry Christmas and have fun!!

[twoodcc]

As I said earlier, I read both books when they were first released. I've been reading this kind of book for probably 25 years and there were still a few original ideas in the first book. Not so much the second, which is not to say I didn't enjoy it. I did. The writer does have a long way to go to mature his style but I have faith that the third will be a fun read. I need to finish the story so whether he does a good job of it or not, I'll still buy it.

As for the movie, maybe I'll just wait to rent it. I'm not in that big a hurry for another slash job of a book I enjoyed.

Merry Christmas and have fun!!

i agree with you. glad to see someone who's been reading these kind of books still enjoy eragon. can't wait for the third book.

and you're right about the movie, but i just couldn't resist

Merry Christmas to you as well!

[d wade]

it annoys me cuz its a freaking Dragon movie and they are so creative they just changed the D with an E.

[twoodcc]

it annoys me cuz its a freaking Dragon movie and they are so creative they just changed the D with an E.

LOL :D

the reason i think that's funny is i went into the bookstore to get the second book (before all the movie hype), and i didn't know how to pronounce "Eragon". and i didn't know the name of the second book (i had forgotten it), so i told the lady "do you have Eragon....you know, Dragon with an 'E' " she looked at me like an idiot and pointed to the teen section. i was so embarrassed

[stcanard]

I haven't read it yet, my son (11) devoured the first two and is going nuts trying to find out when the third will be out and what it will be called. Its really driving him nuts.

Any book that can do that is a good book, by definition.

As for the alternatives, he's really not mature enough for Pern yet (I only read the first few, and decided they really ran out of steam after that, anyway) and as for being derivative there's no way he's ready for LoTR yet.

But in a few years he can read those and realize what influences one of his treasured childhood books drew from. Win-win in my opinion.

[twoodcc]

I haven't read it yet, my son (11) devoured the first two and is going nuts trying to find out when the third will be out and what it will be called. Its really driving him nuts.

Any book that can do that is a good book, by definition.

As for the alternatives, he's really not mature enough for Pern yet (I only read the first few, and decided they really ran out of steam after that, anyway) and as for being derivative there's no way he's ready for LoTR yet.

But in a few years he can read those and realize what influences one of his treasured childhood books drew from. Win-win in my opinion.

yeah, that is a good thing. hopefully it will lead you to read them as well ;)

but it's driving me nuts too about the third book

[stcanard]

yeah, that is a good thing. hopefully it will lead you to read them as well ;)

but it's driving me nuts too about the third book

He's pushing me to it, I just have to wrap up _Snow Crash_ and _The Last Continent_ first :)

[twoodcc]

He's pushing me to it, I just have to wrap up _Snow Crash_ and _The Last Continent_ first :)

fair enough.....you wont regret it :)

[jsw]

I listened to the audiobook on my drive back from Florida. I found it to be entertaining. As with any audiobook, the narration is as important as the story.

I listened to Ender's Game on the way down, which I found to be superior, but I also enjoyed Eragon.

[twoodcc]

I listened to the audiobook on my drive back from Florida. I found it to be entertaining. As with any audiobook, the narration is as important as the story.

I listened to Ender's Game on the way down, which I found to be superior, but I also enjoyed Eragon.

i've never tried audiobooks before. i have a friend who loves them though. i should try them out one day

glad to see that Eragon was a good audiobook

[twoodcc]

there is supposed to be some type of announcement today about the series....i'm guessing about the third book. hopefully a release date

well the news is out. September 23, 2008 is the date for the 3rd book. and now there will be 4 books total! :eek:

[twoodcc]

i thought i would bring back this thread instead of starting a new one, but anyone getting Brisingr this weekend? (the third book of the series)

[Scepticalscribe]

I have not read any of them yet, but having read this thread from the beginning, I'm intrigued and am longing to investigate them.

Actually, I have read a lot of fantasy and similar fiction over the years (I don't watch much TV, so some chill stuff is necessary); I used to just read 'serious' stuff and a friend got me into LOTR and The Hobbit and while I was revising for my BA; later, while about to submit my Master's, I read Eddings, and Brooks.

Since then, I've read a lot of fantasy type literature. (And yes, I love Harry Potter, too.) Earlier posts on this thread referred to how most plots and possible subjects were already used and how it was extremely difficult to come up with new ideas and treatments in this sort of area. I'd disagree. Some of the best authors in this sort of writing take old themes and rework them, sometimes brilliantly.

Some recommendations would include, Michael Shea (dark and deep, but very clever), Guy Gavriel Kay (fantastic take on alternative histories, great characters and depth to his tales), Garth Nix (Sabriel series is brilliant, I have not read the current series), Trudi Canavan, (her Black Magician trilogy is very good), KJ Parker (very dark stuff sometimes, but very original), and Carol Berg (Restoration, trilogy) is also very good. Robin Hobb has also written some very good stuff.
Cheers and enjoy number three

[twoodcc]

I have not read any of them yet, but having read this thread from the beginning, I'm intrigued and am longing to investigate them.

Actually, I have read a lot of fantasy and similar fiction over the years (I don't watch much TV, so some chill stuff is necessary); I used to just read 'serious' stuff and a friend got me into LOTR and The Hobbit and while I was revising for my BA; later, while about to submit my Master's, I read Eddings, and Brooks.

Since then, I've read a lot of fantasy type literature. (And yes, I love Harry Potter, too.) Earlier posts on this thread referred to how most plots and possible subjects were already used and how it was extremely difficult to come up with new ideas and treatments in this sort of area. I'd disagree. Some of the best authors in this sort of writing take old themes and rework them, sometimes brilliantly.

Some recommendations would include, Michael Shea (dark and deep, but very clever), Guy Gavriel Kay (fantastic take on alternative histories, great characters and depth to his tales), Garth Nix (Sabriel series is brilliant, I have not read the current series), Trudi Canavan, (her Black Magician trilogy is very good), KJ Parker (very dark stuff sometimes, but very original), and Carol Berg (Restoration, trilogy) is also very good. Robin Hobb has also written some very good stuff.
Cheers and enjoy number three

well i hope you pick them up sometime. i think you would like them. some aspects of the plot does tend to come from other things, but i don't think it hinders the book at all.

[gusious]

I haven't read any of them but i have played the game on Xbox. Nice story! I enjoyed playing it although it was too easy!

[twoodcc]

I haven't read any of them but i have played the game on Xbox. Nice story! I enjoyed playing it although it was too easy!

haha, yeah i got that game also. though it's based on the movie, which was terrible compared to the book.

btw, i did pickup brisingr today

[Scepticalscribe]

Enjoy it, and let us know how you find it. I have not bought any of them yet - I tend to read trilogies in sequence at the one time, if I can and I have been very busy recently - but it sounds like a trilogy that I can look forward to reading.
Good luck and cheers

[techlover828]

Enjoy it, and let us know how you find it. I have not bought any of them yet - I tend to read trilogies in sequence at the one time, if I can and I have been very busy recently - but it sounds like a trilogy that I can look forward to reading.
Good luck and cheers

It's no longer a trilogy, its a cycle

[Scepticalscribe]

It's no longer a trilogy, its a cycle

Better and better. There are few things better than losing oneself in long tales and wondrous universes (when the affairs of the real world are at bay for a while). Some years ago, while working in a pretty stressful environment, I fell ill with shingles (very nasty) and was out on sick leave for over a month. It was a brilliant time for reading - nothing too taxing, - such as fact, philosophy, or even history, which I normally love, as I was physically and mentally exhausted - but it was a time to seek refuge in escapist fiction, and fantasy in particular, was a fantastic and wonderful escape. During those weeks, I devoured dozens of books.
Cheers

[twoodcc]

Enjoy it, and let us know how you find it. I have not bought any of them yet - I tend to read trilogies in sequence at the one time, if I can and I have been very busy recently - but it sounds like a trilogy that I can look forward to reading.
Good luck and cheers

thanks. i just started it last night. it'll probably take me a week to finish it, depending on how good it is. i'll let you know if i like it or not

[techlover828]

thanks. i just started it last night. it'll probably take me a week to finish it, depending on how good it is. i'll let you know if i like it or not

how many pages, I ordered mine on amazon and it should be here midweek.

[twoodcc]

how many pages, I ordered mine on amazon and it should be here midweek.

748 pages on my hardback edition

[techlover828]

748 pages on my hardback edition

cool, I totally forgot the whole story, I'll have to look at the wikipedia summery.

[twoodcc]

cool, I totally forgot the whole story, I'll have to look at the wikipedia summery.

haha, there is a summary of it at the beginning of the book. but i actually read the first 2 again before this one

[techlover828]

haha, there is a summary of it at the beginning of the book. but i actually read the first 2 again before this one

have you finished yet? I'm on page 420.

[MyDesktopBroke]

I read the first two. I didn't see a problem with Paolini's writing or world building, but I couldn't stant any of his main characters. They all seemed to be self rightous, hypocritical, vane, proud, foolish, and overly judgemental.

Never read the third book, but I heard he put a Docter Who cameo in :confused:

[twistedlegato]

On page 440 of Brisngr!

All my friends tell me there is a HUGE twist in the beginning 600's!

Gotta go read now :D

[techlover828]

On page 440 of Brisngr!

All my friends tell me there is a HUGE twist in the beginning 600's!

Gotta go read now :D

I've made it to 450, can't wait for that twist! now i'm really excited!

[twistedlegato]

No plot spoilers below, but if you don't want any speculation on the book please don't read the rest of my post.



I just finished. Wow.

Definitely the best book of the cycle. The writing is a lot more mature, and you can tell that Paolini made some serious improvements to his writing style.

The 'twist' didn't really live up to the seriousness i wanted it to be, but it was definitely a wonderful turning point.

The ending was slightly disappointing, but it makes me really excited for the next book. He better not take another 3 or 4 years to write this one!

[techlover828]

I just finished it as well. Great! Now we really need the 4th book, so much is left unanswered.