Christopher Paolini, Eldest: Inheritance, Book Two (Alfred A. Knopf, 2005)
It's only been two years since Christopher Paolini's first book, Eragon, hit the shelves. Pretty quick work, especially for a book over 600 pages long! After such praise for his first novel, I wondered if his sophomore effort would pick up the torch and run with it. With Eldest, the author proves he's able to sustain a lengthy story. It's an enjoyable follow-up to what has gone before, and leaves the reader wanting to know what will happen next. Sure, that sounds like an easy enough thing to accomplish, but there are plenty of flat-out boring series out there that don't have the pull this one has.
This volume of the Inheritance series starts off with a brief synopsis of Eragon for the folks who may be a little shaky on the plot and characters from the first book. It's not a bad way to recollect what has gone before, but the author did such a great job with the first volume of the series, it's really worth reading the first novel before starting this one. The action starts almost immediately in the first chapter, as Eragon and rebel group the Varden recover from the battle at Farthen-Dûr. From that point on the Rider Eragon, his dragon Saphira, and his friends must prepare for the imminent battle with the evil King Galbatorix. Eragon heads to the Ellesmeéra for formal training as a Rider. Lead by the elf Arya and accompanied by the dwarf Orik, the group must get to the elven land quickly, since Eragon needs to have as much training as possible before the war comes. He must also learn how to balance his allegiances, as well as carve out his own view of the world.
But this is only one story in this volume. Eldest also follows Eragon's cousin Roran and the village of Carvahall, as well as Varden leader Ajihad's daughter Nesuada and the Varden. At first, these chapters disturbed my reading a bit, since I wasn't expecting the action to shift from one character to another in different chapters. Especially since Nesuada's chapters don't start until almost halfway into the book. But the pattern soon established itself (aided by symbols at the bottom of a chapter that signaled when a character change was going to take place), and I got used to the differing storylines. But I couldn't help but wonder when the storylines would intersect, and I looked forward to that meeting more than I focused on the story in a few instances.
As with every second book of a trilogy, this novel has a whole lot of moving and shaking; characters have to get from one place to another, or just hold things together during the chaos. Alliances are strengthened and friendships are made. And there's the cliffhanger that seems to be present in every series novel (saving final volumes, of course.) But how else are we going to want to tune in next time? The author does well with this installment, and the novel doesn't feel like the throwaway book of the series, as so many "middle books" do.
In between storytelling and character development, Paolini voices some pretty strong opinions in this volume. Vegetarianism and religion (especially the question of the existence of a higher power) are discussed at length, leaving no doubt as to how certain characters see things. I'm not quite sure if this is a case of an author using his novel as a sounding board, or if he's just letting his characters come into their own and voice their own opinions. Since I'm not entirely sure, the jury's still out. As a borderline veggie whose own personal faith has settled in comfortably over the years, I found these passages stimulating. But these issues do hit the reader over the head, and may touch a sore spot in some readers.
With Eldest, the series title of Inheritance becomes clear. Each character that is highlighted in this novel has an inheritance of his or her own that must be acknowledged. Eragon, his friends, family and allies must decide for themselves how to deal with what life has given them. The way the characters grow in the midst of hardship and challenge while still trying to cope with the responsibility the past has given to them is one of the reasons this book is so engaging. The fleshed out locales and characters also keep things interesting.
It's almost a shame that the Inheritance series came out when it did, in the midst of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince mania. Harry's got such a stranglehold on children's literature that very few other books get the press they deserve. I'm not denying the pull of Hogwarts, but there is room for more than one brand new well told tale. Eldest deserves some limelight of its own, and hopefully it'll get it.
There's a pronunciation guide at the end of this book, and a map of Alagaesia on the end papers, just like with Eragon. The cover art is simple but effective; the face of a red dragon, seemingly this close to you. The book jacket itself is similar to the first novel, tying them together visually too. The artist, John Jude Palencar, does beautiful work, letting a simple "portrait" provide all the information readers need: Here There Be Dragons. I look forward to the conclusion of this series, but I'm also interested in what I'll see on Book Three's cover.
Nothing more to do now but sit back and wait for the final volume. Great. Don't authors know that patience isn't one of my virtues?
The 2006 hardcover reissue of this novel has an excerpt from the third novel of the series, plus new material selected by fans in an online poll -- including a foldout poster of the dragon Glaedr (by John Jude Palencar), a history of Alagaesia, and an extensive list of people and creatures, places, and things.
