Eragon (2002) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit see section history

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Summary edit see section history

Characters edit see section history

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• Eragon: The main character. A 15, almost 16 year old farm boy who finds a strange stone in the forest.
• Saphira.: Eragon's blue dragon. She is very powerful. Eragon finds her as an egg in the Spine when he is hunting in the Spine..
• Brom.: He teaches Eragon the art of magic and swordsmanship, while accompanying him on his quest to seek revenge on the Ra'zac for killing his Uncle..
• King Galbatorix: The Dragon Rider king of Alagaësia who betrayed his way to the top. He wants no one to challenge his power.
• Murtagh.: Eragon's companion who joins in the fight. He is an older boy with a mysterious past who is wanted by the Empire. He is an incredible swordsman who matched Eragon blow for blow..
• Ajihad of Teirm: The leader of the Varden. He befriends Eragon.
• Garrow.: Eragon's uncle and adopted father..
• Durza (male): A Shade under Galbatorix's control. Immensely powerful as he is possessed by three spirirts..
• Angela.: A herbalist who lives in Teirm. She has a werecat named Solembum..
• Arya.: The elf that Eragon saw in his dreams who was captured by Durza..
• Hrothgar.: King of the dwarves..
• The Ra'zac.: Creatures of the night, they kill dragons for the king. The Ra'zac are Durza's assassin's and are created from dark magic..
• Solembum.: A werecat who lives with Angela. He appears in front of Eragon while they are in Teirm and warns them of a guard..
• Eragon.: Is a farmer/hunter. Becomes a dragon rider..
• Katrina: The daughter of Sloan, the butcher. Falls in love with Roran.
• The Twins: Two dwarf magicians with strong magical abilities. They appear to have no name, and they are not on good terms with Eragon.
• trania: A sorceress of the Du Vrangr Gata in service to the Varden..
• Jörmundur.: Army General of the Varden and Nasuada's right-hand man..
• Sloan: The butcher of Carvahall and Katrina's father. He greatly dislikes Eragon and dissaproves of Roran's love for Katrina.
• Jeod Longshanks: Merchant of Teirm, Brom's good friend who presumed Brom is dead for over 20 years.
• Horst: Smith of Carvahall, husband to Elain and has two sons, Albriech and Baldor.
• Selena: Eragon's mother. She left after giving birth to him and no one ever saw her again.
• Cadoc.: Eragon's first horse..
• Gertrude: The healer in Eragon's home town of Carvahall
• Vrael: One of the oldest dragons in the world.
• Helen.: Jeod's wife..
• Tornac.: Murtagh's warhorse..
• Nasuada.: Narada and Ajihad's daughter..
• Shruikan.: Galbatorix's stolen dragon..
• Albriech.: Horst's son who works at the forge with his father..
• Haberth: The man who sold Snowfire and Cadoc to Brom.
• Snowfire.: Brom's horse, which he traded in return for their old horses..
• Orrin.: King of Surda..
• Morzan.: Last of the Forsworn, killed by Brom..
• Islanzadi: Queen of the elves.
• Elain.: Horst's wife.
• Roran.: Eragon's cousin. Is like a brother to Eragon. His father was Eragon's uncle, Garrow. Is in love with Katrina, the butcher's daughter..
• Baldor: One of Horst's two sons.
• Dempton: Add a description of this character.
• Trevor
• Haeg
• Marian
• Merlock
• Dormnad
• Fredric
• Torkenbrand
• Korgan
• Knurla Orik
• Gareth
• Martin
• Islanzadí

Quotes edit see section history

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• “No hunter of the sky should end his days as prey. Better to die on the wing than pinned to the ground.”

  Saphira

• “Keep in mind that many people have died for their beliefs; it's actually quite common. The real courage is in living and suffering for what you believe.”

  Brom

• “I neglect my duties as a host. I know you've not dined since that pitiful dinner the Twins saw fit to give you, so come, let's find the cooks and beg meat and bread from them!”

  Orik

• “Without fear there cannot be courage”

  Saphira

• “After all, how can a mere dragon expect to tell a man like yourself what to do? In fact, everyone should stand in awe of your brilliance of finding the only dead end.”

  Saphira

• “Do you think I enjoy this? My life has been threatened from the day I was born! All of my waking hours have been spent avoiding danger in one form or another. And sleep never comes easily because I always worry if I'll live to see the dawn. If there ever was a time I felt secure, it must have been in my mother's womb, though I wasn't safe even there! You don't understand - if you lived with this fear, you would have learned the same lesson I did: Do not take chances.”

  Murtagh

• “There's a reason why we're born with brains in our heads, not rocks.”

  Brom

• “Let me show you what flying is really like.”

  Saphira

• “A hatchling, that is what you are. A hatchling struggling into the world. I may be younger than you in years, but I am ancient in my thoughts. Do not worry about these things. Find peace in where and what you are. People often know what must be done. All you need to do is show them the way- that is wisdom. As for feats, no army could have given the blessing you did.”

  Saphira

• “The sands of time cannot be stopped. Years pass whether we will them or not . . . but we can remember. What has been lost may yet live on in memories. That which you will hear is imperfect and fragmented, yet treasure it, for without you it does not exist.”

  Brom

• “I have words for both of you. It's time I said them, as you are entering the world. Heed them and they will serve you well. First, let no one rule your mind or body. Take special care that your thoughts remain unfettered. One may be a free man and yet be bound tighter than a slave. Give men you ear, but not your heart. Show respect for those in power, but don't follow them blindly. Judge with logic and reason, but comment not.Consider none your superior, whatever their rank or station in life. Treat all fairly or they will seek revenge. Be careful with your money. Hold fast to your beliefs and others will listen. Of the affairs of love . . . my only advice is to be honest. That's your most powerful tool to unlock a heart or gain forgiveness. That is all I have to say.”

  Garrow

• “My mind is the one sanctuary that has not been stolen from me. Men have tried to breach it before, but I've learned to defend it vigorously, for I am only safe with my innermost thoughts.”

  Murtagh

• “That's the problem! I've been choosing male names. You are a she!”

  Eragon

• “Listen closely and I will tell you two things. When the time comes and you need a weapon, look under the roots of the Menoa tree. Then, when all seems lost and your power is insufficient, go to the rock of Kuthian and speak your name to open the Vault of Souls.”

  Solembum

• “May your swords stay sharp.”

  Brom

• “Books are my friends, my companions. They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life.”

  Christopher Paolini

• “"Again wisdom flies from his mouth"”

  Saphira

Setting & Locations edit see section history

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• Carvahall: Eragon's hometown.
• The Spine: A large forest that's feared and avoided, where Eragon found Saphira's egg. Its the only place which Galbatorix can't call his own.
• Hadarac Desert: A huge desert at the center of Alagaësia.
• Beor Mountains: An immense mountain range east of Surda and outside of Galbatorix's rule. It is the hide-out of the Varden, and the ancient underground home of the dwarves.
• Surda: A land outside Galbatorix's rule, which supports the Varden.
• Dras-Leona: A city of the Empire based around a natural wonder known as Helgrind. The habitants there follow a cruel religion based around the monument.
• Farthen Dûr: The home of the dwarfs, and the Varden base. It's carved underneath the Beor Mountains.
• Gil'ead: An imperial city.
• Yazuac: The city where Eragon sees the brutality of the Urgals

Organizations edit see section history

• The Varden: Group of warriors seeking to rid of Galbatorix.
• The Empire: Led by Galbatorix, who is trying to control all of Alagaesia. Very powerful, and holds two dragon eggs.
• Elves: They live in the forest of Du Weldenvarden. all have the ability to use magic and search and protect theirs and or someone elses mind. They are the most powerful of all races.
• Dwarves: The short stocky race of Alagaesia, who decided not to include themselves in the pact with the dragons. They hid away in the Beor Mountains for years.
• Urgals: Large, warlike race.

First Sentence edit see section history

Table of Contents edit see section history

Glossary edit see section history

• Ancient Language: The elves language of power. When speaking the Ancient Language, you are not able to lie unless you truly believe that what you are saying is true. The Ancient Language is commonly used in the wording of spells to give them specific direction.
• Scrying: The magical act of conjuring up an image of something you can't see, usually performed on a reflective surface.
• Argetlam: An ancient word used to describe riders. Literally meaning "silver-hand". the dwarves use to referto the dragon riders.
• Brisingr: The term for "fire" in the ancient language.
• Shur'tugal: The term for "Dragon Rider" in the ancient language.
• Ra’zac: Demonic mercenaries that serve Durza, have paralyzing breath, and are naturally suited to hunt humans.
• Shade: A sorcerer possessed by evil spirits. These spirits are more powerful than the sorcerer, and therefore, he cannot control them once he summons them.
• Urgals: Loathsome and brutish troops who serve Galbatorix. Their faces are grotesquely patterned with scars, and fearsome horns are mounted on their heads.
• Zar'roc: The term for "misery" in the Ancient Language. Also the name for Eragon's blade that he received from Brom.
• Gedwëy Ignasia: The term for "shining palm" in the Ancient Language. It is the mark of the dragon rider. When the rider uses magic the hand with the mark glows more powerfully than it natually does.
• Osthato Chetowä: The Morning Sage
• Togira Ikonoka: The Cripple Who Is Whole
• Yawë: A bond of trust
• Aiedail: the morning star
• Argetlam: Silver Hand
• brisingr: fire
• delois: a green-leafed plant with purple flowers
• dras: city
• draumr kopa: dream stare
• eitha: go; leave
• Eka ai fricai un Shur'tugal: I am a Rider and friend.
• ethgri: invoke
• garjzla: light
• jierda: break;
• slytha: sleep
• thrysta: thrust;
• Waise heill!: Get healed!
• wyrda: fate
• barzul: a curse;
• knurl: stone
• knurla: dwarf (made of stone)
• otho: faith
• gloaming: To glow with its own light, as the stars in heaven.

Themes & Symbolism edit see section history

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• Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover: Describe this theme.
• Hard Work Pays Off: Throughout the book, Eragon has to master various things on his quest. He becomes proficient at these things only by dutifully practicing the skill on an almost daily schedule.
• Fate
• Courage
• Coming of Age: As with most books where the protagonist is a teenager, the book deals quite a bit with coming of age.

Series & Lists edit see section history

Followed by Eldest.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Christopher Paolini (Author)

Other Contributors:

1. John Jude Palencar (Cover Artist)
2. Silvia Komét (Translator) - Spanish edition
3. Enrique de Hériz (Translator) - Spanish edition

First Edition edit see section history

Awards edit see section history

• Nene Awards, Hawaii (2006)
• Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award (2006)
• Iowa Teen Award (2008)
• Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award (2005: 6-8)
• ALA Best Book for Young Adults (2004, #2)

Classification edit see section history

• Library of Congress: PZ7.P19535 Er 2003
• Dewey: 813.6

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Some violence, but still enjoyable for all age groups.

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Teens › Science Fiction & Fantasy › Science Fiction
• Books › Teens › Science Fiction & Fantasy › Fantasy
• Books › Literature & Fiction

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

• Alagaesia: The official site of the Inheritance Cycle
• Wikipedia

Movie Connections edit see section history

• Eragon (2006) (IMDb): In his homeland of Alagaesia, a farm boy happens upon a dragon's egg -- a discovery that leads him on a predestined journey where he realized he's the one person who can defend his home against an evil king.

More Books Like This edit see section history