Eldest is the second book in the Inheritance trilogy and the follow-up to the successful Eragon, which has previously been discussed at X-Realms (book review, movie adaptation preview). As an introduction to the review of its sequel, I will briefly outline the events that unfolded in Eragon, without giving too much away, I hope, but enough for you to be able to follow this discussion.

The story is set in the mystical land of Alagaësia, which is governed by the harsh rule of King Galbatorix. While there exists a rebel movement (the Varden), they have yet to engage in open confrontation with the king’s forces, prefering small raids, while remaining secluded in secrecy. In the midst of this turmoil, the title character Eragon, a teenage orphan living with his Uncle Garrow and cousin Roran on their farm, finds a dragon egg. When it hatches for him, Eragon is confronted with the legacy of the Dragon Riders (the former protectors of Alagaësia, long destroyed by Galbatorix’ Empire) and thrust right into the heart of the conflict. A hunt for revenge turns into a run for his life, until Eragon is united with the Varden, at which point the book climaxes in massive battle between Empire and Varden.

That was Eragon; Eldest picks up virtually moments after its predecessor’s ending. The battle-scarred Eragon must travel to Ellesméra, the stronghold of the Elves hidden deep in the expansive forest of Du Weldenvarden, where he is to be aptly trained in the ways of the Dragon Rider. Meanwhile, his cousin Roran is forced into his own adventure, when his home village is attacked by imperial forces seeking clues to the whereabouts of Eragon, now the number one enemy-of-the-state. And in a third storyline, the leader of the Varden must move the rebels into safety from Galbatorix’ impending retribution.

Eldest was released in August 2005, three months prior to Christopher Paolini’s twenty-second birthday. The author’s young age has always surrounded the success of Eragon, resonating both positively (”what an amazing feat for a writer so young!”) and negatively (”considering his age, the book is bound to be rubbish!”), but always adding to the myth, and ultimately the number of books sold. Eldest suffers from some of the same points Eragon did: Alagaësia reads like Middle Earth (the setting of master Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings) and Eragon’s story arc parallels that of Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy.

The love Paolini shows for his favorite stories detracts from his originality as an author. On the other hand, the familiar surroundings make for an easy introduction and a fast orientation within the story, which gets progressively intricate with Eldest. The book is not uniquely focused on Eragon anymore, but jumps back and forth between three independent storylines which obviously, but also quite assuredly, converse in Eldest’s final chapters. Eragon’s storyline is determined by learning: on his journey to Ellesméra he gets acquainted with the Dwarf culture, in Ellesméra he discovers much about the Elves’ way of living, and during his training he gets insight into what it means to be a Dragon Rider.

The detailed way in which Paolini elaborates the non-human cultures, the way what makes the Elves and Dwarves tick is put on par and showcased as much as the Human antics is something that sets his work apart from that of Tolkien’s rather secretive treatment of the ‘fair folk’ and the ‘bearded diminutives’. Plot-wise, this makes for almost no immediate action for Eragon, but this is perfectly balanced out through the storyline of Roran, who rises up to the villager’s leader in their struggle against the Ra’zac (hideous special agents of Galbatorix) and an imperial legion. Roran’s fight is as much physical as it is mental: the battle for survival and the loss of someone very close to him push Roran to the edge of sanity and any moral values he used to harbour.

If Eragon’s story is that of learning, and Roran’s that of survival, the third (and briefest) plot thread, the one focusing on the Varden and their leader, deals with politics. The Varden, it must be understood, are not a homogenic enterprise. Paolini displays an uncanny understanding of political subtleties when he describes the schemings amongst the various factions within the Varden. The Varden aren’t just the ‘good guys’ (whereas the Empire pretty much is evil incarnate), many of the members are implied to have joined the cause simply to get their own grasp on power after the Empire is overthrown. It is interesting to follow how various Varden attempt to puppeteer their leader to benefit their own interests, and how the leader (who’s name, for the sake of suspense, shall not be revealed here) holds up against these manipulations.

Paolini further deceives his age in the way he handles the romantic part of the story. Eragon has had a weakness for Arya since he rescued her in the first book, but (quite ironically) the Elf is far more mature and experienced than her looks would have you guess. Paolini’s writing of this never succumbs to teenage-love-story-syndrome, but instead has much to say on the theme of unrequited love. It is also evident that Paolini has grown as a writer, his majestic and lush descriptions of new places flowing much easier than in Eragon, feeling a lot less forced. It is also intriguing to learn how minor events in Eragon that happened only in passing (like Eragon and his dragon blessing a Varden child in the ancient, magical language) are revealed to carry major consequences.

The strongest improvement, and what ultimately makes Eldest superior to Eragon, was Paolini’s choice to let the story be told from more perspectives. Splitting up the story’s focus between three characters rather than laying it on Eragon alone allows for a much better pacing and a more dynamic unfolding of the plot. And the moment when all three storylines are tied together is hugely satisfying. All of this is, of course, set to the backdrop of another epic battle, but what really makes the event special is a significant plot twist involving Eragon’s past. The secrecy behind Eragon’s parents is revealed, and the appearance of the person who tells him combined with that person’s (new) role in the scheme of things lays the path for the events in book three, which Paolini is currently writing (no confirmed release date set) and carries the rumoured title Empire.

It should be evident from this brief glimpse into Eldest that I believe Christopher Paolini, despite his tale’s likeness to The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, can stand his own in fantasy literature and brings something fresh to it. The Inheritance books are a captivating read and might very well reach an even wider audience by the end of the year, when Stephen Fangmeier’s movie adaptation of Eragon (starring newcomer Ed Speleers as Eragon, and John Malkovich as King Galbatorix) is released in cinemas worldwide.

Posted by Tai in Books & Comics, Reviews • Add to del.icio.us Add to Digg