I think this book was incredibly well written. I would not suggest it for kids under 12 due to some very intense and graphic battles that would probably disturb younger children (they came very near to disturbing me!). I would not say that there is too much violence for the storyline because that is to be expected in a fantasy series that deals with a battle against evil. There are also a few scattered curse words, but there are none in the other books and very little in this one.
Eragon
(2003, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by Christopher Paolini)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
A teen wrote this engrossing fantasy story.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 10 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Eragon was written by Matt Berman
Parents need to know that the idea that a teen wrote this will be fascinating to many children, and it may inspire some to try their own hand at writing. The story does include some rather gory violence, however, including beheadings, torture, and piles of dead bodies.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about the qualities of successful authors and how to become a published writer. Do you think this book's young author did a good job writing his first novel? What about his writing do you find appealing? Is there anything about it that you don't particularly like? Do you think you could have done as good of a job -- or ever better? Families can also talk about the major motion picture that was spawned by the book. When your favorite books turn into movies are you excited, or are you worried Hollywood might "get it wrong"?
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More on Eragon
Book Summary
Soon after the strange stone he found in the forest hatches a dragon, Eragon finds that his life has changed forever; his home is destroyed, the uncle who raised him is killed, and he and the dragon, Saphira, are forced to flee the minions of Galbatorix's evil Empire. Accompanied by Brom the storyteller, Eragon discovers that he is the last of the Riders, who once kept the peace and were wiped out by Galbatorix.
While pursuing revenge against those who killed his uncle, Eragon learns to communicate telepathically with Saphira, and Brom begins teaching him the skills of fighting and magic. But soon Eragon realizes he is a pawn in a vast power struggle that is tearing the Empire apart, and that he and his dragon may be the ones to change the balance of power -- if only they can find out whom to trust.
Includes map, pronunciation guide, and language glossary.
Is It Any Good?
Young first-time author Christopher Paolini (he was 15 when he wrote this book) has gotten quite a bit of publicity for ERAGON, the first of a planned trilogy called Inheritance, and it's easy to see why. The story is large in size (around 500 pages), epic in scope, and very engrossing. For a generation of young fantasy fans who love long, monumental, high fantasy, a teen author is icing on the cake.
It's not long, however, before they begin to notice the long-winded descriptions, the clichés and hackneyed dialogue, and the derivative nature of the plot -- straight out of Star Wars by way of The Lord of the Rings, with bits of other great fantasies thrown in here and there. That this is a great achievement for one so young is undeniable, and many children will love it. It certainly ranks right up there with other overblown fantasies written by adults, such as Terry Brooks's Sword of Shannara series. That Paolini is a major talent in the making seems certain -- but he's not there yet.
Publisher’s Details
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, Publication date: 10/19/2003
Number of pages: 509, Price: $18.95 (hardcover)
Read Aloud: 10+, Read Alone: 10+
Number of pages: 509, Price: $18.95 (hardcover)
Read Aloud: 10+, Read Alone: 10+
Our Members Say
See all 109 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
Well written, but too intense for some.
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Inheritance Cycle Book 1: Eragon
This is Book 1 in a series of four books called the Inheritance Cycle. This book grabs your attention from the beginning. It's tense and has a race-against-time feeling. Make sure you read this book!
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Educational
great for any kid who likes readin
omg! its soooo good but there is a little romance between Arya and Eragon but dont worry Eragon is just crushin and he knows Arya dosnt feel the same way(tear)
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
An AMAZING book!!!!!
This book is GREAT!!!! It is thrilling, and keeps you interested the whole time, there is only a little bit of violence, but of course there would be, considering there is war in the book. And unlike other fantasy books, everything is described in full detail. And, there is a spell/language glossary that tells you the meanings of everything. Christopher Paolini is an amazing author, and I would reccomend Eragon to anyone 9 and up.
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I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
for kids over 9.
Eragon is a book for FANTSY lovers. if you don't like fantsy then you will be bored stupid! i think this is an awesome book. can be a little violent in places ( like a pile of dead bodies and torture but other wise its really good!
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| 100% | of parents say it's too violent |
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