Perhaps it was a case of 'imitation is the sincerest form of flattery' rather than just plain old 'rip off'.
Having read everything from LOTR (beginning Sept. 22 annually and starting with 'The Hobbit) through the Silmarillion, ALL of Ursula LeGuin, ALL of Terry Brooks and everything else from Marion Zimmer Bradley and Katherine Kurtz through Stephen King's Dark Tower, I consider myself to be fairly knowledgeable in the genre. (Lest anyone think I read only fantasy, I also enjoy everything from Hesse, Dickens - the classics - to Robert Ludlum and Mary Higgins Clark) So I ask the question- was anyone else distracted from the story by the numerous similarities, borrowed names and basic story from many of the above mentioned ' fantasy' authors? Throw in a little 'Star Wars' with LOTR, the Shannara and Earthsea cycles and there you have 'Eragon' and 'Eldest'.
I know Christopher Paolini was a kid when he started these books but honestly, I think the publisher and editors should be ashamed. (But the almighty BUCK talks...and you-know-what walks) Note the character's name similarities: Eragon and Aragorn, Arya and Arha, there is even mention of a character named Ged as well as Galbatorix gaining control over Murtagh by using his and his dragon's 'true names'. How about the elven woman who 'sings' herself as part of the Menoa tree? Can you say 'Elfstones of Shanara'?
I give the book a 3 just for the kid's effort at such a young age. I give the adults surrounding Christopher Paolini a 0 in integrity because they allowed these books to be published. Kids will like the books and I guess that is alright if it gets them to read and expand their horizons, but as for Chris Paolini becoming his generation's equivalent to J.R.R Tolkien? Any one who believes that is a fool.
This book was at times very tedious and all in all disappointing and amateurish to say the least but understandable for a 15 - 19 year old.