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A review by fadingapple
Eldest by Christopher Paolini
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is a lifelong favorite for me - adventure, politics, battle, slight romance, vast world building....DRAGONS. No matter how many times I reread it, it remains a comfort and I love it more every time.
Paolini is a master of his craft, creating such a beautiful world and intricate characters. Eldest really expands not only on Eragon, but Saphira and Roran as well. We learn more about Nasuada and the Varden, are introduced to Surda and it's king, and we learn the fate of Elva - the child Eragon "blessed" in book 1. Paolini weaves such a fantastic cast together in ways expected and not and manages to give such a huge cast such depth - masterful.
And the world....few authors have captured by heart and dreams the way Paolini has with Alagaesia. The lore and history and magic and landscapes and just all of it is stunning and has had my mind in a chokehold for over a decade. I find something new every time I read any book in the Inheritance Cycle which is a testament to the quality of the writing, in my opinion. I love learning about Du Weldenvarden and Ellesmera, and even the Burning Plains, in this book. We saw a lot of the world in book 1 but his worldbuilding is a gift that keeps on giving in each book in this respect.
Is it a perfect book? No. Is it wonderful all the same? Yes. The storytelling is masterful, the characters real, and the world building/lore/magic intricate, the plot captivating.
Can you tell this is one of my favorite book series ever?
Paolini is a master of his craft, creating such a beautiful world and intricate characters. Eldest really expands not only on Eragon, but Saphira and Roran as well. We learn more about Nasuada and the Varden, are introduced to Surda and it's king, and we learn the fate of Elva - the child Eragon "blessed" in book 1. Paolini weaves such a fantastic cast together in ways expected and not and manages to give such a huge cast such depth - masterful.
And the world....few authors have captured by heart and dreams the way Paolini has with Alagaesia. The lore and history and magic and landscapes and just all of it is stunning and has had my mind in a chokehold for over a decade. I find something new every time I read any book in the Inheritance Cycle which is a testament to the quality of the writing, in my opinion. I love learning about Du Weldenvarden and Ellesmera, and even the Burning Plains, in this book. We saw a lot of the world in book 1 but his worldbuilding is a gift that keeps on giving in each book in this respect.
Is it a perfect book? No. Is it wonderful all the same? Yes. The storytelling is masterful, the characters real, and the world building/lore/magic intricate, the plot captivating.
Can you tell this is one of my favorite book series ever?