Journal Entry 1 by msjoanna from Columbia, Missouri USA on Tuesday, December 04, 2007

From School Library Journal
Grade 5 Up–Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have survived the battle at Tronjheim, but their challenges are not over. Galbatorix, the corrupt emperor, still rules Alagaesia and is looking for them. The magically bonded pair must help the rebellious Varden regroup after their leader is slain. Eragon helps deal with the resulting diplomatic complexities and then leaves for Du Weldenvarden, the home of the Elves, in order to finish his training as a Dragon Rider. Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must unite the small town of Carvahall as it is battered by Galbatorix's forces, including the nasty Ra'zac. The story alternates between Eragon and Saphira and their political maneuvering and Roran and his more traditional adventure over land and sea. Paolini provides a worthy companion to Eragon (Knopf, 2003), though it does not stand alone (a summary of the first book will be included in the final edition). The plot–indeed, most of the fantasy conventions–is heavily inspired by Tolkien, McCaffrey, and especially George Lucas. The momentum of the narrative is steady and consistent: a problem presents itself and is neatly (and conveniently) solved before the next one arises, making it appealing to some adventure-quest fantasy fans and runescape.com players. Eragon's journey to maturity is well handled. He wrestles earnestly with definitions for good and evil, and he thoughtfully examines the question of good at what price.While there's nothing particularly original here, the book will find its fan-base.
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I listened to the the first book on CD and found that the only way I'll ever read this is if I listen to it on CD. If I were reading it, I'd be too annoyed by the somewhat cliched plot and trite language. 

Journal Entry 2 by msjoanna from Columbia, Missouri USA on Friday, December 14, 2007

The book is now on its way to potok-fan, who picked it from the Everybook VBB at Book Obsessed.

Jan. 31, 2008, ETA: I listened to this book on CD after sending the hard copy to potok-fan a while back. I enjoyed this book more than Eragon. The author clearly developed better and more complicated characters for this book. While I still found some of the language stilted and some of the plotting predictable, particularly the "surprise" twist at the end, overall I thought the book was less formulaic and more entertaining than the previous one. I'll look out for Brisingr, the third in the trilogy, but will probably try to get that one on audio as well. 

Journal Entry 3 by potok-fan from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Wednesday, January 02, 2008

This and Eragon arrived in the post between Christmas and New Year, thanks to the bookobsessed VBB. I think it's cute that msjoanna labelled this one with a picture of a dragon :) 

Journal Entry 4 by potok-fan from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Sunday, April 26, 2009

I have never gotten around to reading this one. Because I didn't read it immediately after the first book, I lost impetus, and also began to fear that I wouldn't remember enough details about that first book to follow this one.

I'm going to put this into a pile of books to take with us on our summer holiday. If we don't get it read then, I think we should release it back into the wild. 

Journal Entry 5 by potok-fan at Nauvo, Varsinais-Suomi Finland on Saturday, June 06, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (6/6/2009 UTC) at Nauvo, Varsinais-Suomi Finland

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

RABCK to Ametisti (wishlist request) 

Journal Entry 6 by Ametisti from Klaukkala, Uusimaa Finland on Saturday, June 06, 2009

Received this book from potok-fan at Nauvo BC Summer Festival in Finland. Thank you so much! 

Journal Entry 7 by Ametisti at Donation for school library in Rabck, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Gambia, the on Thursday, May 24, 2012

Released 4 days ago (5/24/2012 UTC) at Donation for school library in Rabck, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Gambia, the

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

A donation for charity container to Gambia. This book goes to build a school library!