Paolini continues to spin his story that is engaging and entertaining to listen to. Though, as with his first novel, the plot is predictable and dialogue that is intended to be dramatic is often laughably absurd. The story is fun to listen to, but Paolini still needs to refine his style and his stories would benefit from more original plot twists (echoes heavily of LOTR and The Wheel of Time).

That being said, I've just downloaded Brisingr and am about to continue the tale...

All books are flawed in some way - we can always find something to nit pick about, but this series is remarkable since no one wanted to publish the first book, somewhat like Harry Potter books. It's nice to know that we readers can make a difference - hopefully it will send a message to publishers. BTW, a GR8 read!!!!!! Or listen ...............

Christopher Paoli continues to grow in skill as an author. This book is filled with very profound thinking and ideas. It proceeds at a measured pace, and keeps the reader enthralled. I am eagerly awaiting the final book of The Inheritance Trilogy, though will be sad to see the end. These stories keep me coming back to listen over and over again. The author's writing transcends the ages of readers. Early teens through adults will enjoy reading Eldest and Eragon. It's a shame the movie industry gave the first installment such a poor treatment. I hope another studio gives The Inheritance Trilogy another chance with a a director such as Peter Jackson. The story has the potential for success to rival Lord of the Rings.

enjoyed the story line. good narration is a definite plus

What an amazing first novel. While critics of this novel say that it is to similar to JRR Tolkiens lord of the rings trilogy. Yes there are some similarities, but there are far more significant differences. With a very drawing story and in depth characters this is one of my favorite novels of the year.

After his first book, I was excited to download and listen to this second book in his triology. However, I was somewhat disappointed. This book seemed to be full of philisophical ramblings that really didn't help get the story anywhere. I anticipate the third book to be better but recommend reading this one only so you know what's going on in the third.

OK, so after the first book which was marginally better I thought the second one started with promise but the middle section or Part 2 of this download it dragged and dragged. By the end I was just wanted to be done. Part of me wants to think the Paolini is a great writer, but I'm not sure. He's decriptive to a fault and when listening to all that narrative it gets boring. "Alright already with the scenery let's move on." The pacing is bad. It seemed like reading the equivalent of a bad buffet dinner..a little bit of everything when a tasteful entree would have been a better read or listen. If you've listen to JK Rowling stuff you will think Gerard Doyle is good. He's kinda like Jim Dale.

This is a wonderful story. I loved listening to it and I was very disappointed when it was over. I can't wait till the next book in the series comes out!

This was an engrossing and exciting book. I can't wait for the third in the trilogy

I expected more from this series and am now on a quest of my own: to finish it, no matter how hard. There are scenes that I have enjoyed in these books, and for an author's first attempts into writing, these are very good. I would even say thhat they are excellent...for that level of author. Unfortunately, they are not good on the level of other authors, and the borrowed LOTR names and insights are disturbing to a die-hard LOTR fan. Here are but a FEW striking similarities. I have read that he had other inspirations but the similarities remain very annoying to me as I navigate the books.

1. Eragon / Aragorn
2. Beor Mountains / Beor from the Hobbit
3. The Grey Folk / The Grey Elves
4. The Dwarves and their origins are almost taken exactly from the Silmarillion.
5. The use of song to create things is also exactly how Middle Earth was created in the Silmarillion.
6. Eragon's poem that uses the words "the land of shadow" multiple times is strikingly similar to Tolkien's "In the Land of Mordor, where the shadows lie"
7. Ellesmera = Lothlorien

Much of the other parts of the book seem original enough, but these are just a few of the DIRECT similarities with LOTR that I have to really swallow or I would toss the book altogether.

Other criticisms are the overly descriptive discussions of inconsequential things...meals etc. that do not fit with other parts of the story. Tolkien was descriptive of absolutely everything, while here some things are described in detail while others are not, and there is no rhyme or reason as to why one is explained and another glossed over.

The reader gives Eragon a very high pitched voice, which seems to make Eragon mad every time he opens his mouth. It is less so in this book, but the first book was terrible for the constant "high-pitched soft-yell" that was Eragon's voice.

Having said all this, I am still listening to the audiobook and like it enough to finish it...but I am not quite sure why.