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The book begins with [[Ajihad]]'s death and beautiful [[funeral]], the [[disappearance]] of [[Murtagh]] and the [[Twins]] (they are captured by Urgals, and assumed dead), and the [[election]] of a new [[leader]] of the [[Varden]] - [[Nasuada]], to whom [[Eragon]] swears [[fealty]] after some internal [[politics]] among the Varden's [[Council of Elders]]. [[Saphira]] says she can fix the [[Star Rose]] at a later date, heartening the [[dwarves]].
This book begins with [[Ajihad]]'s death and beautiful [[funeral]], the [[disappearance]] of [[Murtagh]] and the [[Twins]] (they are captured by Urgals, and assumed dead), and the [[election]] of a new [[leader]] of the [[Varden]] - [[Nasuada]], to whom [[Eragon]] swears [[fealty]] after some internal [[politics]] among the Varden's [[Council of Elders]]. [[Saphira]] says she can fix the [[Star Rose]] at a later date, heartening the [[dwarves]].


Meanwhile, in [[Alagaesia|Carvahall]], [[Roran]] is being pursued by [[Galbatorix]], who has sent the [[Ra'zac]] and a unit of Imperial [[soldiers]] to capture him and thus lure Eragon out. After repelling many attacks, they manage to drive the [[army]] away, but [[Katrina (Inheritance)|Katrina]], [[Roran's]] fiancée, is captured. They decide to leave Carvahall and travel to [[Surda]]. Roran earns the name "[[Stronghammer]]" because he defended Carvahall bravely with a [[hammer]] given to him by [[Horst]].
Meanwhile, in [[Alagaesia|Carvahall]], [[Roran]] is being pursued by [[Galbatorix]], who has sent the [[Ra'zac]] and a unit of Imperial [[soldiers]] to capture him and thus lure Eragon out. After repelling many attacks, they manage to drive the [[army]] away, but [[Katrina (Inheritance)|Katrina]], [[Roran's]] fiancée, is captured. They decide to leave Carvahall and travel to [[Surda]]. Roran earns the name "[[Stronghammer]]" because he defended Carvahall bravely with a [[hammer]] given to him by [[Horst]].

Revision as of 04:59, 21 February 2007

Look up eldest in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

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Eldest
File:Eldest-usa.jpg
AuthorChristopher Paolini
IllustratorJohn Jude Palencar
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
SeriesInheritance Trilogy
GenreFantasy novel
PublisherAlfred A. Knopf
Publication date
August 23, 2005
Media typePrint (Hardcover and Paperback) and audio-CD
Pages704 pp (hardcover edition)
ISBNISBN 0-375-82670-X (hardcover edition) Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character
Preceded byEragon 
Followed byBook 3 

Eldest is the second book in the Inheritance trilogy, written by Christopher Paolini. It is the sequel to Eragon. Eldest was first published in hardcover on August 23, 2005, and was released in paperback in March 2007. Eldest has also been released in audiobook and ebook formats. Like Eragon, Eldest became a New York Times bestseller.

The story follows the continued adventures of Eragon and his dragon Saphira, centering around their journey to the realm of the Elves in order to further Eragon's training as a Dragon Rider.

The book includes a translation guide to the Ancient Language, a glossary, and a synopsis of Eragon, the previous book in the series. A deluxe edition was released on September 26, 2006, which includes a sneak peek at the third book, a fold-out poster of the dragon Glaedr by artist John Jude Palencar, a revealing excerpt of the history of Alagaësia, never-before-seen art by the author, including an image of Brom’s elf ring, and a complete and comprehensive list of people, places, things, and dwarf clans.[1]

Plot summary

Template:Spoiler

This book begins with Ajihad's death and beautiful funeral, the disappearance of Murtagh and the Twins (they are captured by Urgals, and assumed dead), and the election of a new leader of the Varden - Nasuada, to whom Eragon swears fealty after some internal politics among the Varden's Council of Elders. Saphira says she can fix the Star Rose at a later date, heartening the dwarves.

Meanwhile, in Carvahall, Roran is being pursued by Galbatorix, who has sent the Ra'zac and a unit of Imperial soldiers to capture him and thus lure Eragon out. After repelling many attacks, they manage to drive the army away, but Katrina, Roran's fiancée, is captured. They decide to leave Carvahall and travel to Surda. Roran earns the name "Stronghammer" because he defended Carvahall bravely with a hammer given to him by Horst.

By that time, Eragon has decided to go to Du Weldenvarden to further pursue his training. Before that, Hrothgar invites him to join his clan, which Eragon accepts. On the way to Du Weldenvarden, they go to the dwarf city containing Celbedeil, a temple. Eragon finds his choice to join Hrothgar's clan made him an enemy of a dwarf clan The Tears of Anhuin, descendants of guards of a person whose clan was killed in the war against Galbatorix. Eragon learns of the Dwarf religion and their gods.

After many adventures on the way, Eragon comes to his destination and meets Islanzadí, the Elven queen. It is revealed that Arya is Islanzadí's daughter. Eragon is introduced to another Dragon Rider, Oromis; the Mourning Sage or Osthato Chetowa: The Cripple Who Is Whole, Togira Ikonoka; who shielded Eragon in the first book. Eragon and Saphira begin their training with Oromis and his dragon Glaedr. Eragon learns how to read and fluently speak the Ancient Language, as well to use various spells and magic skills. While Eragon's feelings for Arya increase, he continues to train under Oromis's wing and suffers repeated bouts of pain from the scar on his back Durza gave him. Nevertheless, he and Saphira grow steadily more powerful, but he is held back imensely by the pain from his scar. On a traditional Elvish celebration day of the pact with the dragons, called the Blood-oath Celebration, or Agaetí Blödhren in the ancient language, Eragon is healed of his wound and, as an unprecedented gift from the dragons, gains elvish qualities that enhance his strength and agility.

Meanwhile, Nasuada learns the blessing Eragon bestowed on the child in the first book was worded wrongly due to his lack of basic knowledge of the Ancient Language at the time, becoming a curse of sorts. Eragon too is horrified when he hears of this, and promises to try and nullify it. In the meantime the girl, Elva, serves as a sort of bodyguard to Nasuada against Galbatorix's assassins, the Black Hand, who are discovered in the Varden. Nasuada has made a momentous decision and moved the Varden to Surda, and the threat of war with Galbatorix seems imminent. Upon hearing of this, Eragon immediately leaves for battle in Surda, but not before receiving gifts from Oromis and Islanzadi. During Eragon's very long stay in Ellesmera and travel to Surda, Roran travels and meets Jeod Longshanks in Teirm.

Jeod, as a member of the Varden, helps Roran lead his group of Carvahall villagers to Surda and tells Roran and the villagers about Eragon and Brom, knowing this because Brom was his best friend. Eragon arrives to find the situation poised on the edge of battle. The armies of the Varden, together with the army of Surda, camp on a plain opposite the vast armies of Galbatorix. Before the battle, four Kull offer to act as a bodyguard to Eragon during the fight. Angela the herbalist poisons the enemy's drinks and bread, killing many soldiers, and causing the officers to hallucinate. Meanwhile, Roran, Jeod, the people of Carvahall and Uthar, the head sailor, take command of the new empire ship, the Dragon Wing, leading it to Surda. They manage crossing a big whirlpool called The Eye of the Boar and arrive in time in Surda. The battle begins, and Eragon is able to repel the opposing armies for some time with his new forces, but the tide soon turns. During the fighting, Roran arrives at Surda, and his group of villagers join themselves to the forces of the Varden. Then, with the appearance of the dwarves from the east, the situation changes again, until the appearance of an unknown Dragon Rider who kills Hrothgar, the dwarf king. Also at the same time Eragon feels two new, powerful, spellcasters arrive on the field of battle and recognizes them for the Evil Twins thought dead. The Twins systematically start killing off the Varden's group of mages and sorcerers who are under Eragon's command. But Eragon faces off with the unknown rider in both aerial and ground fights and ultimately unmasks his opponent, revealing Murtagh. Murtagh tells Eragon that the Twins had betrayed the Varden and taken him to Galbatorix. Galbatorix made Murtagh and Thorn, his red dragon, swear to try to capture Eragon; Galbatorix knows thetrue names of both Murtagh and his dragon, and thus is able to control them. Murtagh also reveals that Galbatorix is working to save the dragon race by capturing Saphira and having her mate with the third dragon hatchling, still lying dormant in its egg. He and Thorn prove to be more powerful than the battle-weary Eragon and Saphira, while Murtagh displays the great and terrible potency of his magical prowess, using spells that would have killed a normal human. Murtagh decides to have mercy on them, but before leaving them, he reveals that Eragon was the youngest son of Morzan and Selena, and that therefore Murtagh is Eragon's elder brother. Murtagh takes Zar'roc away from Eragon, saying it should rightfully have been his, an inheritance from Morzan. Eragon decides that even though Morzan may be his parent, Garrow was his father and Roran is more of a brother than Murtagh.

In the end, Galbatorix's army is routed, mainly because of the sudden entry of the dwarf troops and Roran's killing of the Twins.

Characters in "Eldest"

Main article: List of characters in the Inheritance Trilogy

Appearing Characters

Ajihad†
Father of Nasuada and leader of the Varden. He was killed by a group of Urgals sent to kidnap Murtagh. The Urgals call him Nightstalker.
Angela
Angela is a witch who stayed with the Varden after coming to fight in Eragon. She is a eccentric herbalist and fortuneteller.
Arya
The ambassador of the Elves to the Varden, and once Saphira's egg's courier. Arya is the daughter of the current reigning elven queen and the late elf King Evandar†. She is also a romanic interest of Eragon.
Blagden
A white raven who lives in Ellesméra who saved the life of Evendar and was blessed. He can now sense what will come to pass but can only speak his visions in rhyme or song
Elva
Elva is an orphan child of the Varden. Eragon accidentally cursed her in Eragon when he tried to bless her. She can sense events hours before it happens and also sense when someone is hurt, mentally and phsyically. She has a mark on her forehead like Eragon's gedwëy ignasia from Saphira's blessing. Also, known as Shining Brow.
Eragon
The main character of the Inheritance Trilogy, Eragon is sixteen years old in this book; there is no indication of him becoming seventeen. He is paired with Saphira as a Dragon Rider. He is sent to Ellesméra, the capital of the Elves, to continue his training as the new Dragon Rider. He is found to be Morzan's son, as well as Murtagh's brother though it is hinted by the riddle of a bird that although he shares Murtagh's mother they might have different fathers which means that Morzan might not be Eragon's father as he believes. His hometown is Carvahall. He is Cadoc's grandson, Garrow and Marian's nephew, and Roran's cousin. He is also known as Argetlam(Silver Hand), Firesword, and Shadeslayer.
Garzhvog
Garzhvog is the chieftain of a clan of Kull (Urgals) who fight with the Varden in the final battle of the novel." He is leader of the Bolvek tribe.
Glaedr
Glaedr is the gold dragon who is bonded with Oromis. He is Saphira's teacher in the arts of being a Rider's dragon and flying.
Horst
The blacksmith of Carvahall. Horst helps Roran and the villagers escape the Ra'zac.
Hrothgar†
The king of the Dwarves and clan chief of Dugrimst Ingeitum. He was killed with magic by Murtagh at the Battle of the Burning Plains. He is Orik's uncle and adopted father.
Islanzadí
The present queen of Ellesméra and mother of Arya. She is Evandar's wife.
Jormundur
The third in command to Ajihad and then to Nasuada. The Varden's most senior commander and member of the Council of Elders.
Lethrblaka
The matured form of the Ra'zac, which carry their young like dragons. Horrible, twisted form of dragons, though not dragons.
Maud
A werecat that Eragon meets in Ellesmera. She knows Solembum. She is also known as The Dream Dancer, Quickpaw, and The Watcher.
Murtagh
Murtagh is Morzan's firstborn son. He ran away from Galbatorix and rescued Eragon from the Ra'zac. After the battle of Farthen Dûr, Murtagh accompanied Ajihad underground, and was later captured by Urgals lead by The Twins. He is paired with Thorn, the second egg of the three remaining and the red dragon on the front of Eldest. Since his capture, Galbatorix has trained him and Murtagh's power has grown tremendously, eclipsing even Eragon's power after training with the elves. Galbatorix has sworn both Thorn and he in the Ancient Language, making it impossible for him to escape. At the end of the battle, between he and Eragon, Eragon is spared because it is revealed that Murtagh was to capture him, not kill him. Galbatorix wants Saphira alive to mother future dragon eggs. However, Murtagh is convinced by Eragon to let them go free, but he takes Zar'roc, asserting his right as the eldest of Morzan's sons, to have his father's sword.
Nasuada
The daughter of Ajihad†, Nasuada is elected by the Council of Elders of the Varden to become the new head of the Varden after her father was ambushed and killed by Urgals. A brave and highly intelligent leader, she makes risky yet shrewd decisions and quickly establishes her leadership over the Varden. Also, known as Lady Nightstalker by the Urgals.
Orrin
The king of Surda. He allowed the Varden to take refuge in his country and then fought with them in the Battle of the Burning Plains. He's Larkin's son.
Oromis
Aside from Galbatorix, Oromis is the only remaining true Rider from before Eragon's time. He lives in a secluded area (the Crags of Tel'naeir) by Ellesméra and becomes Eragon's teacher in the arts of the Riders, preparing him to fight Galbatorix. He is terminally ill and no longer has the strength to perform large amounts of magic. He is paired with Glaedr. He is known as the Cripple Who Is Whole, the Mourning Sage, Osthato Cheowä, and Togira Ikonoka.
Ra'zac
The Ra'zac are powerful beings who are the natural predators of humans. They have been known to especially like human bone marrow. They killed Roran's father, and captured Katrina. They are weak in sunlight, and have a fear of deep water. There are only two known survivors that exist. They are the last race to arrive in Alagaësia, and mature to Lethrblaka. They also allow their Ra'zac young to ride them, much like dragons.
Roran
Roran is Eragon's cousin. When his fiancée, Katrina, is captured by the Ra'zac and Carvahall is attacked, he leads the villagers away to Surda. He is Cadoc's grandson and Garrow and Marian's son. He is also known as Stronghammer.
Saphira
Saphira is Eragon's intelligent dragon that had been inside of the blue "stone" which he found in the Spine. She shares a special bond with Eragon that allows them to share power and communicate telepathically. She is paired with Eragon. She is a blue dragon and Iormúngr and Vervada's daughter. Also, known as Bjartskular and Flametongue.
Solembum
Solembum is a werecat who travels with Angela. He transforms into a small boy with shaggy hair and pointed teeth.
Thorn
Thorn is the red dragon ridden by Murtagh. He is the second dragon to hatch of the three eggs that Galbatorix had captured, the first of whom was Saphira. He is paired with Murtagh.
The Twins
The Twins are two powerful, bald magicians who worked with the Varden but was later found out to have been betraying them. They ended up getting killed by Roran. They used to be the leader's of Du Vrangr Gata(The Wandering Path).
Trianna
The present leader of Du Vrangr Gata(The Wandering Path). She is a sorceress. Once was instrested in Eragon and him the same (over a short period).
Undin
Dwarf clan chief of Dûrgrimst Ragni Hefthyn that resides in Tarnag. He is the son of Derûnd.
Vanir
An elf that spars with Eragon in Ellesméra. Vanir dislikes Eragon and considered him weak and a disgrace to the Riders until Eragon was granted elvish abilities and beat Vanir in a sword fight, while doing so fulfills the expectations of a Rider.

Unseen Characters

Galbatorix
King Galbatorix is the cruel and corrupt king of the Empire. He is only mentioned. Galbatorix is old and is trained in "dark magic" previously known only by Shades. He is the destroyer of the Riders and paired himself with Shruikan(also Ushnark the Mighty) through dark, black spells. His original dragon was killed by Urgals. He is said to have went insane after this event.
Morzan†
The first and the last of the thirteen Forsworn faithful to Galbatorix. Also the father of Murtagh and (perhaps) Eragon. He was killed by Brom in the race for Saphira's egg. Original owner of Za'roc(Misery).
Shruikan
A black dragon. Galbatorix stole Shruikan from a dragon rider he murdered when Shruikan was still a hatchling. He is paired unwillingly with him.
Vrael†
The last dragon rider before the fall. He himself was slaughtered by the tyrant. It has been rumored that as in book 2 with its subplot, that in book 3 there will be a subplot involing Vrael a hundred years ago. He was the last leader of the Dragon Rider.

Template:Endspoiler

Critical reaction

Positive

The Philadelphia Inquirer praised the wonder of Paolini's invented world, saying "The real beauty of his novel is just that—the beauty...Paolini demonstrates an awesome, and sometimes awe-struck, knowledge of all the wonderful things the world has to offer, from farming to metalworking, to linguistics, philosophy and art."[2] Teenreads.com asserted that "Wizards, monsters, dragons, elves, dwarves, magic forests, witches, storytellers, enchanted swords and powerful spells all combine to make Eldest a sure winner for fantasy fans."[3]

At the 2006 Quill Awards, Eldest won in the young adult/teenage category.[4]

Negative

Common Sense Media found the book exciting but overly detailed:

Eldest could have been several hundred pages shorter without harming the plot at all just by cutting some of the lengthy descriptions of nothing important to the story that Paolini loves to write and that give him a chance to show off his vocabulary.[5]

Entertainment Weekly lambasted the book, calling it a "Tolkien knockoff," saying it owed another debt to Star Wars (implying the first did as well), and that overall it is "mind-numbingly silly," finally giving the book a rating of D+.[6] Later, they named it the number one worst book of 2005, calling it a "700-page Tolkien wannabe,"[7] and cited a specific trope from Tolkien: "the ageless elves speak wisdom."

Note on Title

As Paolini said in an interview, "Eldest" refers to the troubles the Eldest (Specifically Murtagh) has to deal with, especially those left over by the previous generation, how he or she faces hardships for the first time, and how he or she fullfills his or her inheritance.[citation needed] There are rumours that the third book of the Inheritance series may be called "Empire" beacause of the previous books containing 6 letter words that begin with "E".

Film

When Paolini was asked if there was a chance of making an Eldest movie at the Eragon movie's premiere, he answered, "I think we'll know after the opening weekend."[8]

It was also said in a press release by 20th Century Fox, that there will be a feature on the upcoming Eragon DVD called "Just The Beginning" that will give us a "post-mortem look at what's to come in the film series".

Release details

  • 2005, USA, Alfred A. Knopf ISBN 0-375-82670-X, Pub date 23 August 2005, hardback (first edition)
  • 2005, UK, Doubleday ISBN 0-385-60790-3, Pub date 25 August 2005, hardback
  • 2006, Spain, Roca Editorial ISBN 84-96284-96-4, Pub date ? January 2006, paperback (Spanish language translation)
  • 2006, UK, Random House ISBN 1-84657-657-1, Pub date ? September 2006, Audio CD (forthcoming)
  • 2006, UK, Corgi Children's ISBN 0-552-55211-9, Pub date 7 September 2006, paperback (forthcoming)
  • 2006, USA, Alfred A. Knopf ISBN 0-375-84060-5, Pub date 26 September 2006, hardback (forthcoming deluxe edition: This version includes art by the author.)

Publishers in other countries

References

  1. ^ http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/037594060X/002-3887219-6824856?v=glance&n=283155
  2. ^ http://www.macon.com/mld/inquirer/entertainment/books/12449504.htm
  3. ^ http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/037582670X.asp
  4. ^ http://www.thequills.org/2006.html
  5. ^ http://www.commonsensemedia.org/reviews/review.php?id=4319&type=Book
  6. ^ http://www.ew.com/ew/article/review/book/0,6115,1095866_5_0_,00.html
  7. ^ http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0,6115,1142746_5_0_,00.html
  8. ^ http://media.shurtugal.com/movieviewer.php?type=rev&id=123099&play=fla

External links

Official

Interviews

Fansites

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