Common Sense Media Review
By Diana Theobald
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dragon rider sequel has battles, magic, and high stakes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 30 kid reviews
Kids say the sequel to the first book in the series features an engaging mix of adventure, training, and intense battles, appealing to fans of fantasy. However, the strong violence, questionable themes for younger readers, including a depiction of atheistic beliefs among elves, and a tendency for lengthy descriptions have drawn mixed reviews, making it better suited for teenagers and older audiences.
- engaging adventure
- intense violence
- mature themes
- lengthy descriptions
- character development
- cliffhanger ending
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
ELDEST picks up right where Eragon left off after the battle with the Urgals. Murtagh disappears after a surprise Urgal attack that leaves the Varden without a leader. Ajihad's daughter, Nasuada, is elected and leads the Varden to supposed safety in the independent nation of Surda. Eragon and Saphira go with Arya to Ellesméra, the land of the elves, to finish Eragon's training as a Dragon Rider. He trains with Oromis, also called "The Cripple Who Is Whole," who changes Eragon in ways he never could have imagined. Meanwhile, Eragon's cousin, Roran, returns to Carvahall to find soldiers led by the monstrous Ra'zac. The Ra'zac murder villagers and abduct his beloved, Katrina. Roran vows to rescue Katrina and lead the villagers to Surda, but the things he has to do to succeed chip away at his humanity. An epic showdown with the evil Galbatorix is brewing, but the odds against Eragon, Saphira, and the Varden are overwhelming.
Is It Any Good?
Christopher Paolini's sequel elevates the series, with improved character development, storytelling, and world-building. Where the first book, Eragon, sometimes felt more like The Lord of the Rings fan-fiction, Eldest distinguishes the Inheritance series by fleshing out the world's system of magic, exploring the different political factions, and allowing characters' decisions to guide the action. Choices have consequences in this sequel. Paolini does a great job heightening the stakes, as Eragon learns that seemingly good choices can have unintended, terrible consequences. That said, Paolini also relies on some fantasy clichés, such as the old, disabled mentor with unconventional teaching methods. He might not be reinventing the wheel, but it's a good wheel.
Eldest also wisely adds two more points of view to the storytelling. In addition to Eragon and his journey to master magic, we follow Eragon's cousin, Roran, who's dealing with the fallout from Eragon's actions in the first book. We also get a couple of chapters from the leader of the rebel group, Nasuada, who's a dark-skinned woman in a world of White people. However, some of the language around Nasuada borders on offensive (for example, a main character, having never seen a dark-skinned person before, asks if her skin is dyed). The use of the word "cripple" also raises some flags. These blips are infrequent but distracting in an otherwise insightful fantasy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Eragon's training in Eldest. What do you think of the way Oromis trains Eragon? Which of his lessons interested you the most?
What are some unintended consequences to decisions characters like Eragon, Roran, and Nasuada make? Have you ever said or done something you thought was good, only to have unwanted results?
Many older characters warn Eragon not to use magic as a shortcut, but that's exactly what Nasuada asks Trianna to do with the lace. What makes the time spent doing something valuable?
If you were a villager in Carvahall, would you have followed Roran? Do you think Roran made good decisions?
Which character do you identify with the most? How do different characters demonstrate self-control, courage, and perseverance? Why are these important character strengths?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Self-control
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Alfred A. Knopf
- Publication date : August 23, 2005
- Number of pages : 704
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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