Common Sense Media Review
A teen wrote this engrossing fantasy story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
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Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 32 parent reviews
Parents say this book offers a captivating story filled with themes of perseverance and personal growth, though its advanced vocabulary and graphic violence may not be suitable for younger readers. Many parents love the book for its compelling characters and action, while also cautioning about specific scenes that include intense violence or mature themes, suggesting it's best for pre-teens and up.
- captivating story
- advanced vocabulary
- graphic violence
- themes of growth
- suitable for pre-teens
- compelling characters
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 144 kid reviews
Kids say that this book is an engaging fantasy featuring dragons and magic that captivates readers, even those who typically aren't fans of the genre, although some critiques cite it as derivative and overly violent for young audiences. While many praise the intricate world-building and moral themes of conflict and heroism, others find the excessive gore and dull pacing off-putting, suggesting it is better suited for mature readers.
- engaging fantasy
- excessive violence
- derivative elements
- strong character development
- moral themes
- mixed audience reactions
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
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 young dragon, Saphira, are forced to flee the minions of evil Galbatorix's Empire. Accompanied by Brom the storyteller, Eragon discovers that he's 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 that he's a pawn in a vast power struggle that's tearing the Empire apart, and that he and his dragon may be the ones who can change the balance of power -- if only they can find out whom to trust.
Is It Any Good?
Young first-time author Christopher Paolini debuts with a wildly readable tale, but, much like the titular hero, he still has more to learn. Eragon received quite a bit of early publicity, and it's easy to see why: The story is epic in scope and very engrossing, full of gory action, a larger-than-life dragon, and a mysterious love interest for the 15-year-old hero to rescue. For a generation of young fantasy fans, having it all come from an author close to their age feels like icing on the cake.
It's not long, however, before readers may start to notice the book's many clichés, poorly written women, and derivative nature. Story elements seem plucked straight from Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings. That this novel exists is undeniably a great achievement, and many will love it. But readers looking for fresher, more inclusive, and/or stronger writing can feel confident in skipping to newer fantasy fare.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the qualities of successful authors and how to become a published writer. How did Eragon get written, discovered, and made popular? Are you interested in trying your hand at writing stories too?
What do you find appealing about Paolini's writing? Is there anything you don't particularly like? What other stories (books, movies, etc.) does Eragon remind you of?
Characters in the book display teamwork, self-control, and perseverance. Can you recall specific instances of each? Why are these important strengths to have?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Self-control , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Alfred A. Knopf
- Publication date : October 19, 2003
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 17
- Number of pages : 509
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Media Award
- Last updated : January 8, 2026
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