Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Eragon Audio
Fiction
For ages 12 and up
Unabridged audiobook (CD)
Performed/read by: Gerard Doyle
Listening Library, 2004 ISBN: 978-1400090686
When Eragon first sees the object lying on the ground in the wood, he thinks it is just a beautiful, clearly very special, stone. It is only some time later that he discovers that the stone is not some valuable gem to be sold for supplies. When the stone cracks and breaks open he realizes that what he has found is in fact an egg.
From this egg hatches a little dragon, a creature that instantly bonds with Eragon, and who soon begins to talk to the boy by some sort of mental telepathy. Though he fears the consequences of his choices Eragon takes on the responsibility of rearing the dragon whom he names Saphira. It is not long before some “strangers” visit his home destroying almost everything that matters him. With his uncle dead and the farm where he grew up a ruin, Eragon vows to avenge the wrongs done to him, and he sets off in pursuit of the creatures who have pitiless and black hearts.
Eragon begins his travels with the mysterious old story teller Brom who seems to know so much about dragons, the Dragon Riders of old, and the empire. Brom is also able to fight like a warrior and manipulate magic. The old man sets about teaching Eragon his skills as they travel in the wake of the deadly Ra’zac. Eragon also begins to realize that some great destiny lies ahead of him. Which side of the conflict - which seems to be threatening the whole land - is he going to support, and is he really the first of a new line of Dragon Riders?
For this first title in the Eragon trilogy, Christopher Paolini has created a complex and fascinating world. As the relationship between Eragon and his dragon grows and flowers into something powerful and magical, Eragon tries to understand who and what he is, and what his role is in the power-struggle that threatens to tear his homeland apart. Filled with history, ancient tales, magic, magical creatures, and with a superbly crafted story, “Eragon” is sure to delight listeners who enjoy tales of fantasy.
Gerard Doyle’s rich voice lends itself perfectly to the tone of this title, and his narration is captivating and highly entertaining.
