I highly recommend reading Eldest and, preferably first, its prequel Eragon. Both books were absolutely fascinating. I just couldn't put them down. While reading Eragon and Eldest, I would look forward to finishing the books, yet I also felt I would regret finishing them because they were so enjoyable to read. Christopher Paolini is a very talented writer, as he demonstrates in the first two highly successful books of his Inheritance trilogy, and I expect his last book of the trilogy will be the best yet. I am really looking forward to the last book coming out. I can't wait to read it and re-enter the exciting and wondrous world of Alagaesia.