Eldest by Christopher Paolini

For those who want to talk about other authors, but can't be bothered to go join other boards...

Moderator: Orlion

Post Reply

What would you do if you were psychically linked to a full grown flying fire breathing dragon?

Save the world from bad guys
3
38%
start a catering BBQ business "fire breathed grilling"
2
25%
make sure the dragon could read and then start entering all the game shows...
0
No votes
give rides to help save fuel consumption
0
No votes
try not to think of bad thoughts!
0
No votes
think any way I want - where is a full grown dragon going to hide?
0
No votes
I would run screaming - terrified of such a thing!
1
13%
none of the above
2
25%
 
Total votes: 8

User avatar
Khat
The Gap Into Spam
Posts: 3433
Joined: Tue Dec 28, 2004 10:22 pm
Location: Ohio
Contact:

Eldest by Christopher Paolini

Post by Khat »

My daughter and I just came from his book signing.
I enjoyed Eragon, as did my daughter. Eldest, the second book that just came out 8/23/05, is a good read so far.
I was very impressed with this author and his ability to attempt to create a new fantasy world the youth can follow and adults can enjoy.
I would find it hard to write about (the old characters) Dwarves, Elves, and Dragons and new characters with out falling into stereotypes that have been used over and over agin. C.P. does this in a few ways, although I can't help but feel that the elf Arya is a little like the Vulcan T'Pol and a mix of Ayla in the "Earth Children's" series. Can't help but compare (hee hee)

The really neat thing is that Eragon will be made into a movie.

And my favorite character is Angela - she is a real hoot and 'lampooned' from the author's sister! CP hinted that the third book will include a "neat thing" about Angela... but couldn't tell us what that was.

Are any of your kids enjoying this book?
[spoiler]"...the loveliness of the Land has only grown more precious to me as my senses have been
opened...To turn homeward now would be to pass from treasure-berries to dust."
-- Liand to Linden [P324 Runes][/spoiler]
User avatar
Menolly
A Lowly Harper
Posts: 24184
Joined: Thu May 19, 2005 12:29 am
Location: Harper Hall, Fort Hold, Northern Continent, Pern...
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 15 times
Contact:

Post by Menolly »

My FIL wa ssupposed to send this book for Beorn's birthday present today, but if he did it hasn't arrived yet. Beorn and I both loved Eragon and are really looking forward to this book.
Image
User avatar
Edge
The Gap Into Spam
Posts: 2945
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:09 pm
Location: South Africa
Contact:

Post by Edge »

I'd campaign for a guest-spot in one of Anne McCaffrey's books... ;)
Check out my digital art at www.brian.co.za
User avatar
Menolly
A Lowly Harper
Posts: 24184
Joined: Thu May 19, 2005 12:29 am
Location: Harper Hall, Fort Hold, Northern Continent, Pern...
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 15 times
Contact:

Post by Menolly »

Edge wrote:I'd campaign for a guest-spot in one of Anne McCaffrey's books... ;)
Been there, done that...

Actually, I'm in about six or seven of them, with two being specifically about my fire-lizards and yours truly.
Image
User avatar
Khat
The Gap Into Spam
Posts: 3433
Joined: Tue Dec 28, 2004 10:22 pm
Location: Ohio
Contact:

Post by Khat »

What I like about Eldest so far is that you get to know the Character of Roran more and the people of Carvahall as well as continuing with Eragon's adventure.

OK - now I am curious about you being in a story with your fire-lizards!
[spoiler]"...the loveliness of the Land has only grown more precious to me as my senses have been
opened...To turn homeward now would be to pass from treasure-berries to dust."
-- Liand to Linden [P324 Runes][/spoiler]
User avatar
Warmark
Lord
Posts: 4206
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2005 6:27 pm
Location: Scotland

Post by Warmark »

ah, didnt relise Eldest was out. Must go buy. :P
But if you're all about the destination, then take a fucking flight.
We're going nowhere slowly, but we're seeing all the sights.
And we're definitely going to hell, but we'll have all the best stories to tell.


Full of the heavens and time.
User avatar
Avatar
Immanentizing The Eschaton
Posts: 62038
Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:17 am
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Has thanked: 25 times
Been thanked: 32 times
Contact:

Post by Avatar »

khatalenabwraith wrote:OK - now I am curious about you being in a story with your fire-lizards!
"Menolly" (and her Fire-Lizards) is a character in some of Anne McCaffery's "Pern" books. :D

--A
User avatar
Khat
The Gap Into Spam
Posts: 3433
Joined: Tue Dec 28, 2004 10:22 pm
Location: Ohio
Contact:

Post by Khat »

oh - I should know better than to take her so "literally" - gosh I feel naive'.
[spoiler]"...the loveliness of the Land has only grown more precious to me as my senses have been
opened...To turn homeward now would be to pass from treasure-berries to dust."
-- Liand to Linden [P324 Runes][/spoiler]
User avatar
Menolly
A Lowly Harper
Posts: 24184
Joined: Thu May 19, 2005 12:29 am
Location: Harper Hall, Fort Hold, Northern Continent, Pern...
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 15 times
Contact:

Post by Menolly »

khatalenabwraith wrote:oh - I should know better than to take her so "literally" - gosh I feel naive'.
Oh, I am sorry, khatalenabwraith. Yes, my name sake has been in six or seven of Anne McCaffrey's Pern books. But here, I think of myself as Menolly.
Image
User avatar
The Leper Fairy
The Gap Into Spam
Posts: 2795
Joined: Sat Nov 30, 2002 6:42 pm

Re: Eldest by Christopher Paolini

Post by The Leper Fairy »

khatalenabwraith wrote:The really neat thing is that Eragon will be made into a movie.
Huh, I'll have to watch that when it comes out.

Has his writing improved much from the first book? Drifting away from the stereotypes a bit more, hopefully?

I wasn't so taken with his first one, but if he's improved maybe I'll borrow it from someone.
Image

Pie and Cake
User avatar
Khat
The Gap Into Spam
Posts: 3433
Joined: Tue Dec 28, 2004 10:22 pm
Location: Ohio
Contact:

Post by Khat »

I guess it depends what you mean by stereotypes L. Fairy. As I said above I feel it's a hard thing for us "seasoned" readers NOT to see into characters we've known through the great fantasy authors like Tolkein, SRD, (or even TV shows).
I think CP does a pretty good jub of adding a few twists to the characters to make them a little new in this reader's old eyes! The book is rich in descriptions, but the reading is light and the characters are likeable. It also was published AFTER HP-6 and before anything else I want to read...a great window for me as I need to read every day.
[spoiler]"...the loveliness of the Land has only grown more precious to me as my senses have been
opened...To turn homeward now would be to pass from treasure-berries to dust."
-- Liand to Linden [P324 Runes][/spoiler]
User avatar
The Leper Fairy
The Gap Into Spam
Posts: 2795
Joined: Sat Nov 30, 2002 6:42 pm

Post by The Leper Fairy »

khatalenabwraith wrote:I guess it depends what you mean by stereotypes L. Fairy. As I said above I feel it's a hard thing for us "seasoned" readers NOT to see into characters we've known through the great fantasy authors like Tolkein, SRD, (or even TV shows).
I think CP does a pretty good jub of adding a few twists to the characters to make them a little new in this reader's old eyes! The book is rich in descriptions, but the reading is light and the characters are likeable.
Hmm... that's good that he's trying to do that... Maybe I'll have to check it out then in my reading stack gets low.
Image

Pie and Cake
User avatar
Warmark
Lord
Posts: 4206
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2005 6:27 pm
Location: Scotland

Post by Warmark »

I bought this a couple of days ago and im planning on reading it after i finish my current book!
But if you're all about the destination, then take a fucking flight.
We're going nowhere slowly, but we're seeing all the sights.
And we're definitely going to hell, but we'll have all the best stories to tell.


Full of the heavens and time.
User avatar
Menolly
A Lowly Harper
Posts: 24184
Joined: Thu May 19, 2005 12:29 am
Location: Harper Hall, Fort Hold, Northern Continent, Pern...
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 15 times
Contact:

Post by Menolly »

My FIL never sent the promised copy of the book. But, I saw it for a reasonable price at Target, so I may buy it next week.
Image
User avatar
Sunder
Stonedownor
Posts: 37
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2005 12:12 am
Location: California

Post by Sunder »

Omg i so love CP's books. :D I like Eldest more though, all the time with the elves and such. I love Murtagh, he is so amazing.
Spoiler
It was sad though how Murtagh is the Red rider with Thorn. I mean its awsome how he is a rider but with the King, tear. :( And how him and Eragon are really brothers, i alwasy thought they were ya know. Just never thought it could really be true. AMAZING! I love Murtagh no matter what, he is still my fav. i thought CP didnt do him justice when he "died". I mean what a pathetic way to do him in. I knew Murtagh wasnt dead because of how CP wrote it. If Murtahg had died he would have given him a better death.
its cool how we do get to know roran better and Carvahal. Can't wait for the next book and the movie. Like the "May your swords stay sharp" part huh. Yeah!
"May Your Swords Stay Sharp!"

"Darkness withers the heart."

"If you desire to know the truth, you must also have the courge to accept it."
User avatar
Khat
The Gap Into Spam
Posts: 3433
Joined: Tue Dec 28, 2004 10:22 pm
Location: Ohio
Contact:

Post by Khat »

Sunder
Yeah I had close to the same feelings as you regarding Murtagh... I wonder how long it will take to finish Inheritance Book 3? Probably 2007 at least.
(That's OK because maybe "Fatal Revenant" will be out by then...)
[spoiler]"...the loveliness of the Land has only grown more precious to me as my senses have been
opened...To turn homeward now would be to pass from treasure-berries to dust."
-- Liand to Linden [P324 Runes][/spoiler]
User avatar
whitetrash
Stonedownor
Posts: 25
Joined: Sat Apr 01, 2006 12:46 pm
Contact:

Post by whitetrash »

man i loved this book and im really looking foward to the III book to come out
come join us at THE NUTHOUSEandRaistlins Soul
User avatar
Dragonlily
Lord
Posts: 4186
Joined: Sat Jun 14, 2003 4:39 pm
Location: Aparanta
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Post by Dragonlily »

I just read ERAGON and have been planning in a mild way to watch for ELDEST. From what I see here, it looks like my planning shouldn't be quite so mild. I did enjoy ERAGON, especially the first and last parts. The desert with an occasional battle was a bit slow for me.

I like Angela a lot, too. There are plenty of characters with potential. I'll be interested to see which ones he develops.... Arya, of course.
"The universe is made of stories, not atoms." -- Roger Penrose
Post Reply

Return to “General Literature Discussion”