I would say that Eragon has some potential if put in the hands of a more mature writer, but some of dialouge is immature and the ancient language which Eragon is learning is downright idiotic. His characters are not complex or deep and the developing romance between Arya and Eragon is out place with the close mental link sharing of pain ect. of Saphira and Eragon. Not to mention he makes Eragon 15 in the begining of the book and 16 at the end, and Paolini is not clear on Arya's age, but one gets the impression that she's in her 20's or early 30's, hardly compatable with a teenager. Murtagh is 18 and has the temprament of someone in their late 20's or early 30's as well. He overdoes the magical powers of the elves, the battles are dissapointing. The urgals are just another name for goblins with horns, and the kull elite are just another name for hybrids like the Uruk-Hai from the lord of the rings. Eragon is really just another lukewarm fantasy book that no one will remember in 10 yrs, unlike the lord of the rings which has been remembered with fervour since 1954.