My Favorite Fantasy Book - Eragon

I have read numerous books in the fantasy genre, written by various authors – J.K.Rowling, Jonathan Stroud, K.A.Applegate and Christopher Paolini to name a few.

However, my favourite book, particularly in the fantasy genre, will have to be ‘Eragon’, by Christopher Paolini, the environment and settings for which are perceived to be slightly more believable by me ('slightly'), then the others.
Eragon is the first book in the ‘Inheritance Trilogy’, and was started by Christopher at the tender age of just fifteen years.

Set in the backdrop of a fictitious land of Alagaesia, ‘Eragon’ tells us about the seven ‘Dragon Riders’, how one among them betrayed the others and rose to power as the dictator known as ‘King Galbatorix’. The story begins with an account of how Durza, a shade (evil sorcerer) ambushes a party of elves moving through the forest, carrying a dragon egg stolen from the King. In the ambush, the lead elf called Arya, transfers the egg to a place nearby with the help of magic, thereby preventing it from being seized.
At the same moment, a young farm boy called ‘Eragon’ discovers the egg while hunting in the forest. And his life changes. Forever.

Then begins an arduous journey for him, a journey he hadn’t expected in the wildest of dreams. His father had been killed, his brother’s life was in danger, he himself was now a legendary Rider of a deceivingly beautiful dragon called Saphira, and was having to trust a complete stranger called ‘Brom’, to help him flee his hometown and reach the Elves or the ‘Warden’, who were rebels and had resisted the King’s autocratic might.

The author takes us on a roller coaster ride. The descriptions of the surroundings were so vivid I couldn’t believe I wasn’t actually there. Every time the confused, young, but determined Eragon faced an obstacle, one couldn’t help but urge him on, wanting to be there to assist him in fighting the ‘Urgals’ (soldiers). The author tells us of his visions of the captured elf and how she was rescued, and also of the rapidly strengthening bond between Eragon and Saphira.

I liked this book because of the fact that Eragon didn’t crumble but accepted responsibility on knowing himself to be a rider. He was accepting of change and determined to work hard.
The Book inspires us in the sense that it tells us that as long as one has good intentions, is determined to work hard to reach the destination, is willing to take guidance from the people one trusts, no mountain is insurmountable, no river is un-crossable, and no goal is un-attainable, in the daily gamble we play in this game of life.

At the end of the book, there’s an epic battle between the Urgals on one side and the Warden and Eragon on the other, where the Warden eventually win when Eragon somehow manages to slay Durza, the shade.
I was, however, a little disappointed with the movie rendition of the book, where at least 70% of the story was left out or changed.

In all, I would say that Christopher captivated me in this enchanting world of Dragon Riders and Demons, of faith and hope, of undying love and the power of trust, and ultimately, of the victory of good over evil, which makes it one of my all-time favourite fantasy books.