Eragon

Inheritance, Book 1

By: Christopher Paolini

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner, Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award, 2005

Winner, Colorado Children's Book Award, 2005

Winner, Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award, 2006

Winner, Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2005

New York Times Bestseller, 2004

Nominated, Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award, 2004

Winner, Tennessee Volunteer State Award, 2005

Winner, Texas Lone Star Reading List, 2004

Winner, Texas TAYSHAS High School Reading List, 2004

Winner, Wyoming Soaring Eagle Book Award, 2004

Don’t miss the eagerly anticipated epic new fantasy from Christopher Paolini—Murtagh, coming 11.7.23!

A new adventure hatches in Book One of the Inheritance Cycle, perfect for fans of Lord of the Rings! This New York Times bestselling series has sold over 40 million copies and is an international fantasy sensation.

"Christopher Paolini is a true rarity."—The Washington Post

When fifteen-year-old Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.

Overnight his simple life is shattered, and, gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his choices could save—or destroy—the Empire.

©2003 Christopher Paolini (P)2002 Random House, Inc., Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"It's an impressive start to a writing career that's sure to flourish." (Booklist)

"Doyle's range of accents is perfect for the multiple characters of this epic....On paper Eragon is a sprawling fantasy, filled with obvious nods to Tolkien and too many convenient plot devices. But on audio, it fills the ears with vivid characters, witty dialogue, and nail-biting battle scenes set in a magical world where a beautiful blue dragon and her rider are at the noble center of it all." (AudioFile)

"An impressive epic fantasy." (Publishers Weekly)

amazing book read well. only one problem

loved this book. it was read well but the voice for saphira didn't work in my head. I grew used to it but I understand that the narrator had a different voice for everyone and that I appreciate.

Good story

It is, of course, reminiscent of other books. The narrator was an excellent story teller except for one thing. Why is this lovely, graceful female dragon given the deep, gravely voice of an elderly, crusty, cranky old fisherman who won't retire? If you can't do a female voice, don't do it. Hire another voice for the character, or just use a slightly "lighter" version of your own.
It was so grating I would cringe when he was doing Saphira.

Now that I've seen the film, I'm spoiled for a female voice for the dragon.

A great story

it is my favorite series I can't wait to get the next book in the series

Fantastic audio experience

I had seen this book in the bookstore a bunch of times, and been extremely interested, but just never got around to buying it. I got a gift card for an audible credit from my wife, and I saw this and downloaded it. I was hooked from the first sentence. Not only is this a great book for pretty much all ages, the performance is probably the best I have heard. Gerard Doyle does such a good job narating this book that I forgot to miss having the actual book in front of me. I've listened to a whole slew of audio books, because my wife is a big fan of them, but this is easily the best narration that I have heard. Normally, I get bored listening to audiobooks because the readers don't speak near as fast as I can read, and I've found that readers tend to limit my imagination's involvement. Not so with this book. Bravo on the narration!

The book itself is also a fantastic experience, especially for so young of a writer. The characters are well fleshed out, and despite some predictability, the book kept me hooked. I normally listen to my ZVM when I'm working out and not much more. I found myself carrying my player to work and basically everywhere I went to be able to listen more. I also decided to become an Audible member so I could get the second book.

In summary, this is a thoroughly enjoyable audiobook, and it has really changed my mind about the whole media group.

gripping

I loved the story even though it did have it's slow moments the description in the fight scenes more than made up for it can't wait to read the next book!!

Easy Weekend listening

This is a nice book - if you put away your critiques and simply decide to listen away a story (may I call it a folk tale). Don't expect any scholarly stuff here, just the enjoyment of a fun tale (a bit twisted and elongated). It was a fun reading.
It was very disheartening to realize that this book is not the complete story. It is left half dangling in between. It would be very nice of Audible.com to indicated by naming it Book 1 or something. At the end you are left without a completed story and just a minor closure. That was very bad. How am I supposed to know that this book does not conclude the story.
But nevertheless, I did enjoy the listening. It wasn't bad. I wish they have the second book (or what ever completes the story) out too. Not a masterpiece. A trifle rather.

That Voice...

Any additional comments?

This is one of my favorite books. When it was first published, after I finished it I started it over again, and have read it at least 7-8 additional times after that. So since I've been on an Audible kick here recently (I enjoy listening to books at work), I thought it would be fun to explore the series again. At the beginning, I was extremely happy! The narrator was good, not too corny...
And then Saphira entered the story. The voice the narrator uses for the regal, catty, proud dragon, sounds like Animal from the Muppets, Fat Albert, or that sand tiger guardian of the cave from Aladdin. I was severely disappointed and almost stopped listening to the book right there. But I paid for the book and love everything else about it. Then he gave the SAME VOICE TO THE WERECAT. WHY GERARD DOYLE? What director sat down and said THAT WAS A GREAT VOICE FOR A FEMALE DRAGON, CUT AND PRINT.
All I can really say is, I love this book, I love this series, but I can't say I'll listen to it again. I was so severely unhappy over the voice of the dragon... I think I may stick to just reading the physical book.

Great Book

I love this series. the narrator did a great job. Sapphira's voice was portrayed a little odd, but I had no issue getting used to it.

The dragons voice! Awful.

I could understand the crackled voice for the dragon if it spoke from its mouth, but it communicates with its mind and there were no anatomical structures to interfere with what should have been a crisp clear voice. Because she talks a lot, the voice ruined a lot for me.

Great Book. Good Narration.

When I first started listening to this audiobook I was put off by some of the voices or accents the narrator gave the characters (particularly Saphira and Murtag). After some time I became more used to it however I still believe they could have been chosen better. The book itself however is absolutely wonderful and highly entertaining. A must read for any fantasy lover.