Eldest (Inheritance Cycle 2) by Christopher Paolini

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Description

Darkness falls…despair abounds…evil reigns… Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the... read more

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Summary

Following the battle of Farthen Dûr, Ajihad, leader of the Varden, is killed in a sudden surprise attack by Urgals. Murtagh and the Twins (the Varden's chief magicians) are thought to disappear during the attack, but later in the book, Eragon realizes that the Twins were traitors who had... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Cast of Characters

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Eragon (aka Eragon Shadeslayer): Protagonist; the boy who tries to free his empire from its evil ruler, Galbatorix.
Saphira: Eragon's dragon
Ajihad: Leader of the Varden
Angela: A powerful and mysterious witch, who supports the Varden
Arya: A she-elf with long, raven black hair. Is wise and solemn, and a good friend of Eragon's.
Elva: The girl that Eragon and Saphira blessed
Galbatorix: The evil ruler of the Empire
Garzhvog: A Kull
Gilderien the Wise: Add a description of this character.
Glaedr: Oromis' dragon
Helen
Horst: Blacksmith of Carvahall, friend of Roran's.
Hrothgar: Dwarf king, friend of Eragon's, and uncle of Orik
Islanzadí: Queen of the Elves
Jeod: Old friend of Brom's
Jörmundur: Nasuada's closest adviser
Katrina: Sloan's Daughter
Lethrblaka
Menoa Tree: A tree an elf sang herself into, therefore becoming the tree
Maud: A werecat
Murtagh: Young man with mysterious past, friend of Eragon's, Son of the forsworn, Morzan
Nasuada: Ajihad's daughter
Orik: Hrothgar's nephew and friend and guardian of Eragon
Oromis: Eragon's tutor in Ellesmera
Orrin: King of Surda
Rhunön: Smith of the elves
The Ra'zac: Evil creatures in league with Galbatorix.
Roran: Eragon's cousin
Sloan: Butcher of Carvahall, father of Katrina, and very unkind
Solembum: A werecat, usually seen with Angela, friend of Saphira
Thorn: A red dragon
Trianna: A sorceress, member of Du Vrangr Gata
The Twins: Two distasteful bald men with strong magical abilities
Vanir: a male elf who is not on good terms with Eragon.
Blagden: A white raven that presents Eragon with a riddle while Eragon is trying to settle his nerves.

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Memorable Quotes

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“Live in the present, remember the past, and fear not the future, for it dosen't exist and never shall. There is only now.”
Saphira
“Why, little one, you just said something wise.”
Saphira
“Life is both pain and pleasure. If this is the price you must pay for the hours you enjoy, is it too much?”
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First Sentence

The songs of the dead are the lamentations of the living.

1. A Twin Disaster
2. The Council of Elders
3. Truth Among Friends
4. Roran
5. The Hunted Hunters
6. Saphira’s Promise
7. Requiem
8. Fealty
9. A Sorceress, A Snake, and a Scroll
10. Hrothgar’s Gift
11. Hammer and Tongs
12. Retaliation
13. Az Sweldn rak Anhûin
14. Celbedeil
15. Diamonds in the Night
16. Under a Darkling Sky
17. Down the Rushing Mere-Wash
18. Drifting
19. Arya Svit-Kona
20. Ceris
21. Wounds of the Past
22. Wounds of the Present
23. His Enemy’s Face
24. Arrow to the Heart
25. The Dagshelgr Invocation
26. The Pinewood City
27. Queen Islanzadí
28. Out of the Past
29. Conviction
30. Repercussions
31. Exodus
32. On the Crags of Tel’naeír
33. The Secret Lives of Ants
34. Under the Menoa Tree
35. A Maze of Opposition
36. Hanging by a Thread
37. Elva
38. Resurgence
39. Why Do You Fight?
40. Black Morning Glory
41. The Nature of Evil
42. Image of Perfection
43. The Obliterator
44. Narda
45. The Hammer Falls
46. The Beginning of Wisdom
47. Broken Egg and Scattered Nest
48. The Gift of Dragons
49. In a Starry Glade
50. Landfall
51. Teirm
52. Jeod Longshanks
53. An Unexpected Ally
54. Escape
55. Child’s Play
56. Premonition of War
57. Red Blade, White Blade
58. Visions Near and Far
59. Gifts
60. The Maw of the Ocean
61. Running the Boar’s Eye
62. To Aberon
63. The Burning Plains
64. The Clouds of War
65. Nar Garzhvog
66. Witch’s Brew
67. The Storm Breaks
68. Convergence
69. Eldest
70. Inheritance
71. Reunion