A young boy, Eragon, finds a shiny rock in the forest and brings it back to his village. The rock is a dragon egg and the dragon inside hatches and bonds with the boy. Powerful interests from far outside the village come in search of the egg forcing Eragon and his rapidly growing Dragon to flee and embark on an adventure. In the process, they meet many different characters and learning new things about themselves and the greater world in which they live.

The writing is relatively juvenile and it probably aimed at a younger reader. Decisions and actions taken seem to work out or progress the plot even though there is little in the narrative to suggest that they should. This left me less interested in the outcome as I knew that 'something' will happen, however unlikely, which will save the day.