After finishing Eragon, I couldn’t wait to dive into Eldest, the second book in the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini. [Too bad it took me much longer to dive in and finish this review, lol!] Eldest picks up right where Eragon leaves off in the aftermath of a major battle. For a recap on how Eragon and Saphira, his dragon, got to this point, see my Eragon review.
Book Stats
- Title: Eldest
- Author: Christopher Paolini
- Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
- Series: Inheritance Cycle, Book #2
- Publication Date: August 23, 2005
- Pages: 681
- Est. Reading Time: Approx. 25 hours
- My Rating: 4/5 Stars
- Buy Now: Amazon
Eldest: Plot Summary
Eldest begins with the Varden dealing with the aftermath of the battle from the end of Eragon. Although instrumental in winning the battle, Eragon was injured and wakes up with a huge scar across his back. Their near defeat highlights the need for Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, to receive more training. To get it, they travel to Ellesméra, the elves’ capital city. There, they spend most of the book learning magic, combat, logic, and the history of the Dragon Riders.
Meanwhile, Eragon’s cousin, Roran, faces his own difficulties when the Empire sends the Ra’zac and a group of soldiers to capture him. With the help of the village, they repel the soldiers but Roran’s betrothed, Katrina, is taken by the Ra’zac. Roran knows more soldiers will come, and so, he convinces most of the villagers to leave their home and accompany him to try to find and join the Varden.
From there, the chapters bounce between following Eragon’s and Saphira’s training, Roran’s struggle to lead the villagers to safety, and the Varden’s preparations to come out of hiding and attack the Empire. Although Eragon’s training is not complete, he leaves Ellesméra to rejoin the Varden when he learns of a coming battle against the Empire. During the battle, Roran and the villagers also arrive, proving helpful to the Varden’s efforts!
However, just when they start to think the battle is turning their way, a new dragon and rider appear on the horizon. Eragon and Saphira fly out to face them, only to discover a shocking truth.
Eldest: Eragon’s Training
The majority of the book is spent on Eragon’s and Saphira’s training, which I’ll admit gets a bit slow at times but contains a great deal of wisdom and explains many of the questions raised in Eragon about the world of Alagaësia. Unfortunately for Eragon, his training is made more difficult by the injury to his back often crippling him with pain when he overexerts himself.
Pain
The theme of pain is explored throughout Eldest and results in several of my favorite quotes.
“Because when you’re in pain, nothing else can exist. Not thought. Not emotion. Only the drive to escape the pain. When it’s strong enough, pain strips us of everything that makes us who we are, until we’re reduced to creatures less than animals, creatures with a single desire and goal: escape.”
– Christopher Paolini, Eldest
“He had realized, with Saphira’s help, that the only way to stay rational amid such pain was to do things. Beyond that, he no longer believed that life possessed inherent meaning.”
– Christopher Paolini, Eldest
“Eragon, you are only a cripple if you consider yourself one. I understand how you feel, but you must remain optimistic, for a negative outlook is more of a handicap than any physical injury.”
– Christopher Paolini, Eldest
Despite the pain, Eragon continues to push himself in training, leading the episodes to become more frequent. While the pain is intense, the fear that his injury will prevent him from defeating Galbatorix is worse.
“Life is both pain and pleasure.”
– Christopher Paolini, Eldest
Logic
In addition to Eragon’s physical training, a considerable amount of time is spent learning logic. At first, Eragon does not understand why, but the lessons prove crucial to his understanding of magic, history, people, and leadership.
“A good compromise leaves everyone angry.”
– Christopher Paolini, Eldest
The lessons also help Eragon and Saphira to better understand themselves and what they’re fighting for. This understanding will prove vital throughout their journey as they face more and more difficult circumstances.
“If any honor existed in war, he concluded, it was in fighting to protect others from harm.”
– Christopher Paolini, Eldest
Religion and Faith
As part of Eragon’s logic lessons, his beliefs are often questioned. This leaves him torn between the religious beliefs he was raised with, those of the Dwarves who have adopted him, and the elves’ belief only in nature and logic.
“That is the difference between us, Grimstborith. You devote yourself to that which you believe to be true but cannot prove. There, we must agree to disagree.” – Arya (elf) to dwarf priest
– Christopher Paolini, Eldest
Initially, Eragon struggles to decide where to place his faith and wavers as his different teachers and friends share their own beliefs with him. Eventually, however, he begins to form his own mix of beliefs based on his unique perspective and experiences. I think this is something we all go through as part of growing up and becoming our own self, with unique opinions and beliefs.
“Whether fate and destiny really exist, the only thing I can do is enjoy the present and live as honorably as possible.”
– Christopher Paolini, Eldest
Love
Love is a powerful theme throughout the series. Eragon’s devotion to the friends and family he loves help shape him into the hero he must become but also present him with many challenges. Since he has friends among each race, such as his human cousin Roran, dwarf foster brother Orik, and elf love-interest Arya, it is often difficult to satisfy everyone’s expectations.
Most difficult is Arya, who he loves as more than a friend despite her cautions against it. She fears becoming a distraction to Eragon’s mission to defeat Galbatorix, along with the added complexity of the lifespan differences between elves and humans. Eragon’s struggle to keep Arya as a friend, in spite of his feelings for her, make for some of the most impactful parts of the series.
“Those whom we love are often the most alien to us.”
– Christopher Paolini, Eldest
I really enjoy this quote, as I find it to be a bit of a paradox. At first, you would think that those you love would be the people you know best. However, sometimes it seems you only think you know them best and they surprise you. More often than I’d expect, I learn something new about someone I’ve known for a long time. It’s usually small things, like something they like or dislike, but I always find it interesting and wonder how I didn’t know before.
Eldest: Roran’s Journey
While Eragon’s training can be a bit slow and philosophical, Roran’s journey is full of excitement! I was never able to put the book down when I came to a new chapter and found it was regarding Roran. Without the added action and pacing from Roran’s side of the story, I don’t think I would have enjoyed the book nearly as much.
After Katrina is taken by the Ra’zac, Roran’s determination to do whatever it takes to save her is nothing short of inspiring. Similar to Eragon, he faces many challenges in leading the villagers to the Varden but faces them all without the help of a dragon or magic. His courage, leadership, and prowess in battle earn him the nickname Stronghammer, and it is certainly well deserved.
Eldest: Final Thoughts
Although a bit long and slow at times, I gave Eldest 4/5 stars. Unfortunately, it lacked the same allure from the initial discovery and pacing of the first book but I think it’s hard to love Eragon and not read the whole series. Each book has a lot to offer and leaves you itching to find out how Eragon’s and Saphira’s journey will end. Will they defeat Galbatorix and save Alagaësia? What then?
Have you read Eragon and Eldest? Which did you like best? Did you stop there or finish the Inheritance Cycle series? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
Stay tuned for my review of the next book in the series, Brisingr, and subscribe to our Email Newsletter to never miss a post from Quill Quotes!
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