2011 is turning out to be the year of the mega blockbusters in the world of Fantasy. Between Martin, Rothfuss, Abercrombie, Sanderson, and Grossman there is nearly an unprecedented number of top tier authors vying for our book dollars this year. And another one just joined the crowd. Christopher Paolini's last book in the Inheritance cycle/Eragon series the aptly title Inheritance will be released this November 8th right in time for the holidays. The series has done so well Random House is anticipating a first printing of 2.5 million. The full press release can be found here.
Say what you will about this series, but it has been quite entertaining even if formulaic at times. Both Eragon and Eldest kept the level at a high while I, personally, found Brisigner to be a bit too much of a filler/bridge book. Regardless, Paolini has developed his characters well in a world with lots of nice touches a damn fine history and my fingers are crossed tight in hopes of Inheritance finishing things out just as strongly as it started.
You Might Also Like:
REVIEW | Going Bovine by Libbra Bray
REVIEW | Un Lun Dun by China Miéville
REVIEW | Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
LOOKING FORWARD Fantasy & Cross Genre Books to Watch for in 2011
LOOKING FORWARD Sci-Fi Books to Watch for in 2011
Would you recommend this series for someone like me who still likes "classic" epic fantasy? Some of the reviews about the quality of the writing have kept me away..even though the story itself sounds like something I would like.
ReplyDeleteJeff - Given what I know about your tastes I think you'd find a lot to like in the series. Plus they are really quick reads. Paolini's greatest strength is getting you invested in the characters.
ReplyDeleteExcellent thanks for the info. I will download a Kindle sample of Eragon later today.
ReplyDeleteLet the rereading begin!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to pass on this one.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Eragon, and Eldest, though a bit less. Brisingr however was such an utter disapointing piece of crap that it completely turned me off the series. I don't even care how it ends anymore.
Eh. All of Paolini's books are derivative, kitschy, and rough-edged. I did enjoy the first one, however, mostly for its sort of earnest joy. Fantasy genre, like it or not, has been for decades struggling to deal with a perceived reputation as a the pulpiest of pulp, giving rise to a long war to rise above the formulas. Thus you get "grim 'n gritty" fantasy, surrealist fantasy, sci/fi-fantasy genre crossovers, etc. Everyone trying to do something fresh to avoid what's perceived as "stereotype fantasy".
ReplyDeleteIt was refreshing, in a sense, to get a book that didn't give a rat's ass about trying to be literary or elevate the genre and just cobbled together an old-fashioned mythos. It was very much the book of a kid who loved fantasy unconditionally, and that made it cute. It was a little pitiful and clumsy, but on the other hand, just so lovable and happy. Like a puppy.
Eldest saw some failing of this charm, and Brisingr saw more. Regrettably, Paolini's growing up, and trying to save the course of what essentially started as a cute fanfic.
So do I want to see how it ends? Yes, I think I do. Just not for the same reasons everyone else does. I kind of hope he just finishes how he started, lets his 15-year-old fantasies rip. It won't be high art, but it will kind of adorable just the same.
Ok I shouldn't be judging what all of you guys say about a good story but here I go....I would just like to point out that this is Paolini's first EVER books. I would like to see you people write a good story. I am only saying this because I know how it feels when you work really hard on something and all you get is someone berating it and pointing out all of the flaws. It is just hypocritcal when you yourselves won't pick up the pen or computer and start to write a story, and if you have I congratulate you on writing a story but if so why are you berating another author, when you know how it is when people question your books. All I have to say anymore is that I loved his books entirely and if you can't respect what he has tried to do for the reading community, by providing a good book so that we could escape the hussle and bussle of the world, then please don't judge.
ReplyDeleteJerry, I appreciate how you feel, but you're in the wrong place if you don't want to see judgement passed on a book. To review a book isn't meant to only point out its strengths or the enjoyment level. Part of being a published writer is facing public criticism. The majority of authors appreciate feedback and to know how fans take to their work.
ReplyDeleteI am saying that you should judge, but not as harshly as some of you put it. It just seems that all you can think of is just the trivial things, and that as I pointed out before this IS his first book series, as well as being his only books that he has written. I am sure that he like to read the CC but some of the comments just don't seem right to be saying, or typed, but that is me as a person. I just can't stand it when I read a good book and then I find all of these blogs that find details about the book that they deem insignificant in the book, when Chris as a person see's them to be significant in his books
ReplyDeleteI read the first one when i was 15, loved it because i was a bit dumb back then and didn't pay attention to the incredibly unimaginative prose; just enjoyed the story and the characters without judgement upon the author. Now i am painfully aware of it, but screw it, i want to know how it ends. Balls to the demographic.
ReplyDelete