When a young boy hunting in the forest discovers a beautiful blue stone in a flash of light it begins an adventure which could save his nation. Eragon takes the blue stone home and discovers it is more than just a rock. His Uncle Garrow and cousin Roran suggest they sell it, but when the stone hatches into a small blue lizard with wings Eragon realizes he's discovered a dragon.
Eragon forms a special bond with the creature. He and his new friend Saphira discover an ancient history of legend in their journey to understand what it means to be the last of the Dragon Riders. When the king's men come searching for the dragon egg and murder Eragon's uncle it is the village storyteller Brom who helps spirit Eragon and Saphira out of the mountains and toward freedom.
In the south of Alagaesia are the Boer Mountains of the dwarves. Brom sets the trio on that path to evade the King Galbatorix's searchers and capture the creatures who murdered the only family Eragon has known. Along the way Brom teaches Eragon swordplay and magic and the history of the Dragon Riders. Eragon hopes to use his new skills to hunt the men who killed his uncle and destroyed his home - the Ra'zac. As they travel Saphira grows stronger, and larger. When she becomes large enough to easily carry Eragon they learn to fly.
In their search for the Ra'zac and during Eragon's education the trio travels to Teirm where they seek any sign of the monsters. While searching the city Eragon meets herbalist Angela and her witch-familiar cat, Solembum. Something about the pair tingles against Eragon's enhanced senses and Saphira warns him they are likely to find the pair again.Brom continues to teach the fledgling pair until Eragon's thirst for revenge draws them to the Ra'zac hiding in Dras Leona. There they discover Arya, an elven noblewoman held captive and regularly tortured by the Shade Durza. In rescuing Arya the Ra'zac and shade discover Eragon and Brom. They are aided by a stranger, Murtagh who helps them escape, but Brom is gravely injured in the process.
As Brom dies he reveals his history to Eragon, upon his death Saphira, in a feat of magic, turns his tomb to diamond. Murtagh decides to travel with the remaining group and they seek refuge with the rebellious Varden in the Boer Mountains. But their journey is far from complete - the King's forces, monstrous Urgals, the Ra'zac, and Durza follow to the gates of the dwarven kingdom, which the group may find sealed in their faces.
Readers who enjoyed Tolkien's Middle Earth and Lewis's Narnia will enjoy the high fantasy of Paolini's Alagaesia. Magic and chivalry entice while evil stalks in the open and one boy with his dragon finds the way through to join a rebellion. Young adult readers may find the pacing varies, with some portions moving along at a quick clip and others catching in the scenery; overall readers of all ages can enjoy the fantasy.
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