Poll: The Inheritance Cycle (i.e. Eragon)
- Thread starter Arnoxthe1
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I read the first one. It was sorta dumb to me. Hell I read the entire Twilight series just to see how bad it was. The worst part of the books is just how utterly unmemorable they are. The only reason I remember sort of the plot is because I like Star Wars. Read Game of Thrones. Much better series. Or even the Wheel of Time series. Or the Dragon Lance series. Or watch Star Wars.
It's not bad. Not entirely original or completely brilliant, but I enjoyed it.
It was written by a teenager for teenagers. It's fairly deep and mature for what is basically a kids book.
Also, I found the romance plot extremely awkward... as it should be. Hopefully they won't end up together in the end.
It was written by a teenager for teenagers. It's fairly deep and mature for what is basically a kids book.
Also, I found the romance plot extremely awkward... as it should be. Hopefully they won't end up together in the end.
Sounding less like someone I'd want to kill:
I liked the series when I read it, but after re-reading it the books seemed a bit less well-written that I originally took it to be. The second book could've been better if they chapters didn't flip to and fro as much, maybe if it stuck Eragon and then told Roran's story it'd have a less choppy flow to it. If you liked the Inheritance series as a whole, or like the genre, I'd suggest the Malazan Book of the Fallen series or the Wheel of Time series. They're both good series to read and can help you pass the time until the final (?) Inheritance book comes out.
I liked the series when I read it, but after re-reading it the books seemed a bit less well-written that I originally took it to be. The second book could've been better if they chapters didn't flip to and fro as much, maybe if it stuck Eragon and then told Roran's story it'd have a less choppy flow to it. If you liked the Inheritance series as a whole, or like the genre, I'd suggest the Malazan Book of the Fallen series or the Wheel of Time series. They're both good series to read and can help you pass the time until the final (?) Inheritance book comes out.
I hope she doesn't die, if she did it would be a meaningless death like you-know-who in the third Matrix film.
My solution:
My solution:
Eddings actually serves as an interesting sort of counterpoint to Paolini. Both authors use a very typical Hero's Journey archetype, along with heaping doses of cliche in the latter's case. The key difference is that Edding's did it on purpose. He gathered up all of the fantasy archetypes and tropes and set out to make a good story out of them and he did. And the writing contains a lightness of tone so that the reader understands the author isn't taking himself too seriously. And that's what makes it work. That, and the well written snarky characters.Arnoxthe1 said:
Contrast that with Paolini, who takes the writing way too seriously, trying to play the cliches straight and the end result is they come off sounding trite. His case isn't helped by the fact that his protagonist's actions present him as a sociopath but in-universe he's treated as the Messiah.
I actually think it was a missed opportunity for really interesting character development. If Eragon actually was a sociopath and this was recognized by the other characters but they were forced to work with him anyway, or if Dragon Riders became more vicious after bonding with their dragon, and had to balance that violent instinct without losing their humanity. But alas, it was not to be.
Having said all that: I do think there are glimpses of genuinely good, original writing throughout the books, and hopefully future books will improve.
One example of a God existing doesn't change that he's spent (up to that point anyway) triumphing Atheism. There's only two religions in the entire world, one that is so stupid it's hard to believe it made it past editing [footnote]a mountain? You're worshipping a goddamn mountain? How is that even possible? I know Middle Aged era people weren't the brightest, but nobody is that stupid[/footnote] and the other has been portrayed as argumentative, wasteful and ranting...while the Atheist Elves are cool, calm, reasoned, and right. I didn't really care that much about the Vegan part, by that point I was already too annoyed at the book to even care that much.Arnoxthe1 said:
Maybe I can across as too angry/rage-filled in my original post[footnote]it's 2:30am here, cut me some slack[/footnote], it's just that these books really really REALLY annoyed the hell out of me
It's not my favorite book series, but I like it. Sure, it starts out as "Star Wars + dragons", but the guys was sixteen when he started...adjust expectations accordingly.
It was OK.
When I was 12.
Then I saw the Godawful movie, and then the last book had the dwarf council that went on for like a hundred pages.
I mean, we give shit to George Lucas for inserting those pointless and dull Senate scenes into the Star Wars movies, yet Paolini gets off Scot-free.
Speaking of Lucas, it is basically a Star Wars rip-off, isn't it?
When I was 12.
Then I saw the Godawful movie, and then the last book had the dwarf council that went on for like a hundred pages.
I mean, we give shit to George Lucas for inserting those pointless and dull Senate scenes into the Star Wars movies, yet Paolini gets off Scot-free.
Speaking of Lucas, it is basically a Star Wars rip-off, isn't it?
Look, that's not the best way to suggest books...or, well, anything you like. It makes you seem pretentious, since you seem to assume anyone who likes Eragon has no taste and that you wish to teach them about quality. Now, if I had never heard of Wheel of Time or Malazan Book of the Fallen (actually...I haven't heard of this one), then I might make the mistake of associating them with a kind of "French art house film" pretentiousness and avoid them.liger03 said:
I liked it, admittedly it has the flaws previously mentioned. I like how he did dragons especially, not enough people portray them as intelligent creatures (Tolkien did better though). However I dare anyone to find any sort of media or literature that has added to the fantasy genre with something that can't be argued as a reskin of the fantasy basics, the genre starters don't count.
I was a fan as a kid, but I went back to Eragon a few weeks ago just as something to thumb through on the can and couldn't stand it. It's very clearly designed for a younger audience and at that point I just went back to reading Watership Down for the third time.
I read most of it, and I will admit that I skimmed through parts of the second and third books, and thought that it was okay. Not great but not the worst thing I've ever read.
The books even have potential to be pretty decent to good if they were gone over by an editor or two and underwent a bit of revision/rewrites.
The books even have potential to be pretty decent to good if they were gone over by an editor or two and underwent a bit of revision/rewrites.
Fucking terrible books.
Kid got off easy getting published.
The first book is literally the plot of A New Hope. Eragon contradicts himself constantly. No redeeming characters. Terrible writing flow.
End of story.
Kid got off easy getting published.
The first book is literally the plot of A New Hope. Eragon contradicts himself constantly. No redeeming characters. Terrible writing flow.
End of story.
Any media? Including games? Okay...Mario and Zelda.Xeivous said:
Other than working with the "knight rescues princess from dragon" story, what in Super Mario Bros. is lifted from established fantasy? The koopas are named after Kappas, but from what I know, they don't seem to be that similar.
Zelda might be medieval and use a legendary sword, but it doesn't just re-skin existing fictional civilizations.
There's still some inspiration from classic fantasy, but they do more than just give it a facelift.
it was enjoyable enough, so long as you didn't take a step back and really look at how pathetically stupid the names are (people and places)...
like with harry potter... voldemort? seriously? vold...e...mort? pffft
and as long as you don't watch the movie/play the game... jeez they were bad
like with harry potter... voldemort? seriously? vold...e...mort? pffft
and as long as you don't watch the movie/play the game... jeez they were bad