Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008

My Child’s Book Review: Eldest by Christopher Paolini

DeeDee Gives Her Two Cents

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As you may have read, we have a new rule in my family, before Mom buys a kidlet a new book, they must write me a book review on the one that they just finished.  Books are, after all, expensive.  If they want treats… they have to do what Mom does.  I’m so strict! 

The other reasoning that I have for this rule is that they are in 6th grade now.  Much of their curriculum is including the 5 paragraph essay.  And, boy, do they need practice!  With  the presence of “spell checker,” it seems as though spelling has taken a lesser importance to my children’s schools.  But, I find that knowing to spell properly is a very important skill.  So… I hope that writing helps them with their spelling.

A few things to know about this book.  This book is the second in a series of four books.  Some think it’s a trilogy (The Inheritance Cycle), but the author elected to write a fourth book.  The twins have each read the first book, Eragon, which was made into a movie released in 2006.  They are both in an all-day “ReadAThon” fundraiser at school tomorrow and they are starting the next book, Brisingr tomorrow for the all-day read.  I donated $20 per child and they get to bring a pillow and wear jammies to school for the ReadAThon. 

Another notable fact, the person who wrote this series is a young man.  I think he started writing his books as a teen or pre-teen.  He was a home schooled child and his parents encouraged him to write it.  He explains that he wrote something that he would want to read, himself.  The video below tells a bit more (it’s a short one… check out how excited the kids are!)

OK, so… I promised the kids that their book reviews would go up on A Novel Menagerie.  I’m pleased to present DeeDee’s first review.

The Review:

Title:  Eldest

Author: Christopher Paolini

Author’s Website:  http://www.alagaesia.com

Publisher: A Borozi Book Published by Alfred A. Knoff <which  believe Random House acquired (Mom)>

Publisher’s Website:  http://www.alagaesia.com

Type:  Fiction

Number of Pages:  681 (hardback)

ISBN #: 0-375-82670-x (trade) & 0-375-92670-4 (lib. bdg.)

Settings:  Ellesmera is where Eragon trains the elves.  Carvahall is where Ronan and Katrina get engaged.  Terim is where Eragon, Roran, Nasauda, Araya, Orik and many more face a hard and compelling battle.

Characters:   Saphira, Eragon, Twins, Roran, Katrina, Murtagh, Arga, King Galbatorix and many more.

Summary of the Story:  Eragon is waiting for Murtagh, his friend, Ajihad, the leader of the Varden, Twins and more.  Suddenly, the Urgals jump out and carry the Twins, Murtagh and one other guy with them.  Ajihad dies and his daughter, Nasuada, takes his place.  Eragon goes to the Elf Clan’s Palace and trains there.  Roran is about to ask Katrina’s father to marry his daughter, but before he can soldiers come for him.  When that happens, he must go into the forest and wait for the soldiers to leave.  But, they refuse to.  He comes down and they attack the soldiers.  Katrina and Roran get engaged without Katrina’s father’s permission.  Katrina gets taken away and Roran decides to go after her. 

Eragon, Arya, and Orik eventually make it to the Elves’ Palace where Eragon meets another dragon rider.  This rider is Eragon’s teacher and his dragon becomes Saphira’s teacher.  <For those of you who do not know the story of Eragon… Saphira is his dragon (Mom)>.  Eragon goes to a ceremony and confesses his love for Arya.  She turns him down.  Eragon gets his back healed and is as fast as an elf now.  Roran goes on a daring adventure to rescue Katrina.  This adventure means having to cross the forest, go on two boats, and find Eragon.  Does he make it or does he fail?

Eragon learns that a battle is about to go on and Nasauda needs him.  He goes to battle.  Then, he meets Roran who comes and helps win the battle.  All of the people are amazed when another dragon rider comes.  Guess who it is?  It is Murtagh, Eragon’s old friend.  He betrayed them.  He also took Eragon’s sword and told Eragon the truth.  They where brothers and they had the same mother and father.  Eragon agrees to help rescue Katrina.

DeeDee’s “Out of Ten” Scale:

This is a great adventure story.  The things I like about it are that ever time you think ”that’s all of the surprises,” another one leaps out at you.  Some words are hard to understand, but it is a great series and I love this book.  I give it a 9.5 out of 10.

Where To Buy The Book:

You can buy the book for $7.99 at Amazon.Com (Click Here)

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