[Paul B.G]

G’day guys,

I know that some may view this series of books as more aimed at teens but I have to say that I just finished the series (4 Audio Books) and really enjoyed it, so much so that I’m still thinking about the character’s days later. There is even some detailed discussions about swords, 1 v’s 2 handed, pointed tips for armour, weight, balance etc. ( EDIT. Lol edit this was a throwaway comment, was the only thing in the book I could think of that somehow tied it to an Armoury site. )

So if you’re looking for a fantasy book to lose yourself in for a while I highly recommend the Inheritance Cycle series.

As for Audio Books, being an Accountant I read all day and the last think I want to do at night is keep reading so I’ve started getting Audio Books. I have to say that my experience has been that the narrator can make or break the book and in this series Gerrard Doyle has done an excellent job, his use of voices is quite engaging.

http://www.audible.com/series/ref=ml_1_ ... B005NAKJLW

I also listened to the Game of Thrones series on audio books and as with Eragon I really enjoyed it and the narrator Roy Dotrice is probably the best narrator I have come across yet.

http://www.audible.com/series/ref=ml_1_ ... B006K1QER6


And for the record Unabridged is the only way to go

Cheers

Paul

[Isaac Danial Rainey]

I liked the later books more than the first one. I just thought Eragon was just another take on Star Wars.

[Andrew M.]

I don't view it so much as aimed at teens, as aimed Paolini. There is so much wrong with those books. . . but going into that is way off the topic of this site, so I'll limit my self to one link. http://impishidea.com/tag/inheritance-cycle/ Start from the bottom.

On the subject of armor and swords, it's been awhile since I read them(years), but what I remember wasn't particularity impressive. At all.

I haven't read GRR Martin's stuff, but I've heard that is really good, if grim and depressing. Tolkien is good, if you haven't read that yet
So I can't recommend Inheritance to anyone. Eragon, and Eldest have plots straight from Star Wars, with serial numbers still on. The later books break away from that plot. . .and have no plot.
"Your work is both good and original. However, the parts that are good are not original, and the parts that are original are not good."—Samuel Johnson.

Sorry if this is too off topic.

[Phil D.]

I am also a little off topic.I haven't read the Eragon series at all.My favorite was a darker series titled "Thieves' World" by Robert Asprin, Janet Morris,Andrew J.Offutt,etc...if you haven't read it,in my opinion good set of books.It also inspired some very good offshoots by some of the involved writers.

[Len Parker]

Not much to add here. I saw the movie on TV, didn't read the books. I thought the scale armour had a cool look from a distance, but up close it doesn't look like it would offer much protection. http://www.costumersguide.com/cr_eragon.shtml

[Colt Reeves]

I saw the first movie and thought it a joke. As for the first book... Well, I guarantee you that boy had the Lord of the Rings, the Wheel of Time, Dragonriders of Pern, and the Belgariad on his shelves.

There is no doubt in my mind, and I could ramble on and on about his outright plagiarism. (Most damning is the way he just copied and pasted the Belgariad's system of magic over, like no-one would notice.) I'm sorry, but there wasn't an original thought in the first book. I'm still a little confused as to how come people didn't call him out for it, much less start throwing awards at him. I have heard that his later books were a lot better, and I hope that really is the case.

[Andrew M.]

Not really. Actually they're worse, because he tries to stop using Star Wars' plot, but has nothing to replace it with. I haven't heard of the Belgariad, I've heard(and seen) that the magic system was copied from the Earthsea books. Except without the logic.
Oh I forgot, I need to shill for the Temerarie books. They're awesome. Napoleonic wars with dragons. The first one is His Majesty's Dragon

[William P]

i can agree with the star wars plot, i picked up the parallels VERY quickly.

but meh i kinda liked it when i read it. but i cant be THAT botherered to buy the 4th book since ive discovered other series like terry pratchett and the wheel of time while waiting for the 4th book, if i read it itll be just to figure out how it ENDS, i wanna read about who the last egg links up with, 50$ says its arya (but DONT TELL ME, i actually want to read the book to find out)

but even book 3 has a bit of star wars plot. i mean he teams up again with his cousin to rescue his cousins girl from the lair of evil people
which is in the midst of a place of decedance. umm, rescue of han solo anyone
then his master dies. and hes preparing for an epic battle and he figures out a major character is his father.

its still starwars people

[Eric G.]

Paul,

I too listen to a good many audio books. You might want to try Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson or the Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan. I also really like The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfus and the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. Those (along with Game of Thrones which is excellent) are some of my favorites.

Ah, and before I forget, if you liked the Game of Thrones series, don't forget to check out the 3 short stories that Mr. Martin wrote. The first one is called Hedge Knight. They are great little reads.

[Paul B.G]

[Brandt Giese]

I enjoyed them as sometimes I just want to have fun. Paolinni was fifteen when he wrote Eragon. Perhaps after he has matured and has more experience he might write somthing that even the harshest critic will enjoy.

[Andrew M.]

I'm not a harsh critic. But if you want to get published, that work is going out there, and making excuses based on age just means that it shouldn't have been published. BTW, he was nineteen when he finished. He's twenty-eight now and hasn't got any better.
This doesn't meant that the books can't be enjoyable, but there's better written stuff that's also enjoyable, so why bother? Mistborn is good, with a different style of magic. Try about anything written by Andre Norton, she wrote early sci-fi and moved into fantasy, a good start is Witch World, and the series following it. Temeraire yes I'm mentioning it again, for sci-fi, Timothy Zahn's stuff is amazing. I'm looking for the first book of the Dresden Files. I almost forgot the 1632 series. Small American town(3000) goes back to 17th century Germany.

[Brandt Giese]

I bothered because my daughter read it and wanted me to. Glad I did. Apparently a few million people did as well. Btw I have read a couple other books.

[Ben P.]