It is evident that Paolini loves them too. The series continues to draw on a broad background of past fantasy literature – not, as I have seen it unfairly described, in an act of plagiarism, but in a new synthesis and, at times, an homage to books we love. For I have now seen Paolini continuing to mature as a writer, and Eragon maturing with him. Now that I have read Eldest, I know that those vicious rumors were nothing more than irrational rantings. Besides, the final book – Brisingr – is out now, so I may soon know how the whole saga ended. It was finally my boss’s wife who convinced me that I had to read it. And the less-than-terrific movie based on the first book did nothing to encourage me to continue with the series. In fact, I’ll even admit right now that I was swayed by a couple of strongly-worded internet rumors suggesting that Eldest was a huge failure. Perhaps I was afraid – terrified, even – that it wouldn’t measure up to the high standard of Paolini’s debut. So why did I hesitate to read it? I don’t know. Written by the same youthful, Montana-based author, Eldest continues to follow the development of its hero from an illiterate, outdoorsy farmboy to a dragon-riding, magic-using, evil-emperor-defying warrior. If you consider how strongly I endorsed Eragon – the first book of the Inheritance Trilogy – you might think it odd that it has taken me so long to get around to reading this second book.
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