The Book
I couldn’t finish the book. I got about 2/3 of the way through. It was hard enough reading through it, but when I heard that the dragon was merely a plot device, I think something clicked. I won’t point out why Eragon is a bad book, everything is explained at Anti-Shurtugal. An interesting (and mostly ignorant) discussion about the site is here.
The Game
The game flopped. Just your ordinary hack n’ slash. I was actually able to play through it all. Some moments were freaking awesome, but most of it wasn’t. The thing that struck me the most was the soundtrack, it was put to good use unlike in the movie. I’m annoyed that the dragon wasn’t present for most of the combat – that was the only thing I played the game for. IGN’s review covers the game well.
Update March 18, 2007 – Screenshots
I finally got around to uploading the screenshots I took. The game was actually very artistic in its use of lighting and other atmospheric effects, but the technical part was poor. I can see texture stretching and low-poly models everywhere. Not to mention the fact that the game doesn’t even allow me to change graphics settings and controls.
The Movie
The movie was boring. The soundtrack was way too dramatic. When I watch a good movie the music is subtle and adds a lot of emotion to the movie; this one is just blatant and was in my face the whole time. I must have slept through the book, because I don’t remember any solid evidence of the dragon being a plot device in it, but I noticed it in the movie: “A rider will live on if his dragons dies, but if a rider dies…so does his dragon.” and “I’m the rider and I say we go.”…no explanation needed. Also, the dragon didn’t even look right. Its head looks like they took a human head and puffed out the nose and jaw. And hair on its head?…where did that come from? Take a look at this. The end of the movie was decent though, but if they had just left it right there where the dragon was injured, and left the viewer thinking that the dragon died, it would’ve ended better. Instead, it goes on for another five minutes.
http://www.ericdsnider.com/movies/eragon/
http://www.southflorida.com/movies/sfl-sheragondec15,0,3378003.story
http://www.michaelhanscom.com/eclecticism/2006/09/25/eragon-and-dragon-wings/
Final Thoughts
I don’t understand why there’s such a huge, huge hype for Eragon. It’s probably just brilliant marketing, coupled with sheltered kids who’ve never read a good book. But those who like the book think it’s a good book. It’s fine if you like the book, nothing wrong with that. But saying it’s a good book when it’s not…that’s just stupid and blind.
January 28, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Hi,
I found your blog via google by accident and have to admit that youve a really interesting blog :-)
Just saved your feed in my reader, have a nice day :)
January 29, 2007 at 2:01 am
Thanks! :D You have a nice day too. I hope future updates don’t disappoint!
February 1, 2007 at 11:11 am
The book, Eragon, is 100x’s better then the game and the movie. It just depends what your into, for me I enjoyed the book and didn’t have any trouble trying to read it. Just depends on much you enjoy fantasy, and what type of fantasy you enjoy. Most people think of Dragons as creatures of that cause destruction and mayhem, I don’t agree with this so I find it was a nice change in how Dragons are seen.
The movie and the game put the book to shame though, the graphics on the game could have been better and I do agree that the face of the dragon shouldn’t look like a humans face, their reptiles not humans, but all in all the graphics on the movie were better, and of what I seen of the movie, it doesn’t look that bad. You just have to understand that the producers have money limit, while a writer can do whatever he wants with the background, story line, characters and so on.
Just to add on, why would you go see a movie based off a book that you didn’t like? I don’t see the point. =/ Its like eating food that you know you hate.
It’s rare that a movie is better then the book, plus with a series that’s as detailed as this, you know the directors can’t match up to it.
Could have saved yourself some money just not going. ;)
February 1, 2007 at 1:37 pm
I think you dont know crap, Eragon was an awsome book that over 70% of the ppl that read like.. But then again this is one persons point of view sorry for getting steamed up..
February 1, 2007 at 10:07 pm
BubblePopper: I do agree that the book is better than the game and the movie, but it’s still not a “good book”. The only reason I continued reading the book to where I got was because of the dragon. It’s a shame that there aren’t more books that feature dragons as more than just plot devices, and this book is no exception – even though this dragon, Saphira, is supposed to be on the good side.
Matt: Thanks for your “intelligent” input. Just because “70%” of people like the book, doesn’t mean that it’s an “awesome” book.
February 3, 2007 at 10:56 am
[quote=Matt] I think you dont know crap, Eragon was an awsome book that over 70% of the ppl that read like.. But then again this is one persons point of view sorry for getting steamed up.. [/quote]
Because the general populace is always right and can recognize quality?
I agree with the review, even if I haven’t seen the movie yet, the commercials tell me everything :P
February 3, 2007 at 11:32 pm
Leedeth person: its kinda hard to give an accurate depiction of the connection between the book, movie, and game if you have not even completed the book, and also you should read the rest of the series that is available and what is this about the dragon being a plot device; you’re trying to sound all intelligible when you should be going through the book for yourself and coming up with an independent review. Quite clearly you have gone through a lot of other people’s criticizing of the book and have just gone with the crowd like a “blind fan”. There’s nothing further to speak about with your current ignorant state. (Ignorant means failing to educate one’s self:you should really read it first). You will most likely try and come back with insults and criticize my speakings like a school boy, but all this might show is that your quite immature, take some alternative initiative, read the book.
February 4, 2007 at 10:43 pm
I’m sorry, not-monseigneur-bienvenu, you’re right. I should have finished the book before posting my review. If you think it will change my viewpoint, fine. Just don’t expect me to finish it anytime soon, though.
I wrote about the dragon being a plot device because that’s what angered me the most. The only reason I read into the series was because of the dragons.
If you think I have just gone with the crowd, you are wrong. It’s quite clear from the start that the book is poorly written. I am just referencing a site which has all the proof.
And who said anything about insults? I’m not one to throw insults around without good reason. Thanks for making assumptions.
February 5, 2007 at 11:54 am
Owned. :0
February 6, 2007 at 7:06 pm
hey leedeth how about you shut the fuck up and man up to your words. i doubt you could ever write a book as interesting as eragon. I haven’t read a good book for a while, and when i do it’s usually stephen king. I only started this book because i was bored, but i found it interesting, and you have no right to talk shit about just cuz it didnt include dragons having sex. but yea i geuss this book sucks if your someone who likes reading about fags fucking in the woods and other stuff that qualifies as “good books”
February 6, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Does “man up to your words” include not using primitive profanity to get your point across? If so, then, you’re ineligible.
What does my being able to write a book as “interesting” as Eragon have to do with anything? “Interesting” is a matter of perception, anyway, so even if I do write a book, not everyone is going to like it.
I don’t judge books based on the nature of the content they contain. If I want a book that contains dragon erotica, then I’ll read a book that was written specifically for that purpose. Obviously, this will not automatically qualify it as a “good book”.
February 7, 2007 at 11:01 am
I don’t know that any us are qualified to judge whether this is a ‘good book’ from a literary standpoint. I certainly don’t have the expertise to make that judgement, and looking at the comments made above by the author of this site and the various posters, I would venture to guess that none of you have a degree in literature either. If that’s the case all any of us can say with any degree of authority is whether we liked the book or not. All this discussion of ‘plot devices’ is irrelevant unless you really have the background to make an intelligent literary argument. Personally I liked the book. It held my attention more than any other book I’ve read in quite a while. In fact I read the second book as well, and found it extremely entertaining. That doesn’t mean its a ‘good book’. It just means its good in my book. Just thought I’d lend my own oppinion.
February 7, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Macgyver has an excellent point.
Still, expect more flames to come.
February 7, 2007 at 6:36 pm
Thanks macgyver, that was my point all along. ;)
May 16, 2007 at 7:22 am
Worst book i have ever read. Overload of detail, predictable plot, mary sue characters…
June 1, 2007 at 7:36 pm
IM- what the heck are you saying? is this your only book you have read? it was a tight book and so was the second. Ive read both at least 4 times(not a joke) and its still awesome.
yea right- ok don’t go of like a loose canon. I loved both books and Leedith has everyone against him but still goes on and on about how stupid the book is THAT HE HASN’T READ. however i totaly respect your opinion which coincidentally is the same as mine.
macgyver- I respect your opinion too(like most peoples) but WTF?!
Matt- You are totaly right (with the exception of telling Leedith to go screw himself). I cant stop reading the books. I have been searching everything I can about the books. What can I say They are AWESOME. but yet again Leedith has his own opinion and will stick to it no matter how “he doesnt know crap”
and finaly
Leedith- Okay……..READ THE WHOLE BOOK RETARD. go ahed and tell people how full of s**t they are for not agreeing the book sucks. not my problem. But as like you i think the movie bombed like crazy. Im not going to say that you have s**t for brains. JUST READ THE WHOLE FREAKING BOOK. and if it still sucks SHUT UP!!!! dont buy the second do whatever just stop harassing the others
September 29, 2007 at 6:28 pm
I think the book was great, but I agree the movie was a drag.
October 7, 2007 at 6:50 pm
the book was AWSOME
October 7, 2007 at 6:52 pm
ITS IMPOSIBLE TO ARGUE THAT YOU ‘HATE’ THE BOOK AT LEAST ADMIT THAT IT WAS OK IF YOU DONT WANT TO SAY THAT IT WAS GREAT
November 4, 2007 at 2:24 am
Anonymous: First of all, put a name to your words. Secondly, I appreciate that you have such a dedication to the book. But why waste all that time on a poor quality one? There’s a lot out there that are full of symbolism, implications, etc. You know, the details that make you want to read a book more than once, or at least read slower to absorb it all. The ones that increase one’s perception about the world, and other concepts. One of the reasons I dislike this book is because it describes every little detail, which deprives it of symbolism and implicity. Paolini assumes that the reader is dumb, and thus he overloads it with detail.
Why don’t you tell me exactly what you like about the book?
To the one above this comment: Um…I’m not arguing that I hate the book, I’m arguing about the quality of the book. If the book was just OK, then I would say that, but unfortunately it is not.
Stop saying that it is a quality book. It is not. When you say this you state it as a fact, which is an incorrect fact at that. Reword your statement so it is opinion instead.
November 4, 2007 at 7:40 am
Yeah, really, go read 1984.
November 4, 2007 at 7:43 am
Oh, and on a side note I’ve noticed that not everyone is really against Leedeth.
It just seems to be the people that are against him are those that cling to the book with a fanatical zeal, and have no particular argument to push out on why they do besides “omg this book rocks u suck go to hell lozer”.
November 5, 2007 at 9:08 pm
I’m writing a short story with a dragon as more than a plot device… Wanna read it when I finish?
November 8, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Of course I do. :)
December 12, 2007 at 11:37 am
I for one enjoyed the movie (i watched the movie when i was home bored) i really njoyed it so i read the book. i really liked the book so i read the 2nd book. the 2nd ook was hard for me to get into for the first few chapters but then i couldnt put it down. i guess my point is you cant judge this book until you have read every last word. so just finish the book without xpecing to hate it and you may like it.
December 18, 2007 at 8:52 pm
alright guys…not everyone can agree on a book…a lot of people hate Harry Potter and think it is poorly written, even though I do not agree; however, it does not deviate from the point that people are entitled to their own opinion….I liked Eragon and Eldest a lot and have reread them a few times each…but I am one for imagery so I liked the books…just like I liked the LOTR and that series used a lot of imagery…so hey leedith doesnt like the book, he make like imagery, but not the style or way the book was written..but I think an author should have the freedom to write how he/she feels, knowing that it could affect the reaction he gets from some readers…but hey..basically not everyone can all agree :)
December 19, 2007 at 9:49 am
I like the book and that’s it for me. I won’t preach to any one about it. However your arguments are mildly interesting and thought-provoking, so please continue.
February 3, 2008 at 9:27 am
ok look people not everyone is going to like eargon, I actually find the book very interesting. as for the dragons that you say are a plot thing you are right that is all they are. but if you finish the book and start reading the second book i think your opinion will change. The second book has like 5 dragons and like 3 wars in it alone and that is just that book. also you find out about many of the things that they don’t tell you in the first book for example gabortrax didn’t kill all the dragons he just thinks he did. eragon learns how to fight from one of the dragons that lived and the book ends in a war so that’s why it’s huge. the second book is better from my view point.
as for the game that’s a joke I beat it in one day in like 3 hours, the graphics could be better and a 5 year old could button press to beat the game so I don’t even think the game deserves to be called eargon. as for the movie it was worse than the game the urgles are not human and have black blood first of all the way the shade dies is different in the book and the raz’ac are not made out of bugs. so the movie is a HUGE disappointment. so all the people ragging on this review you have to understand not everyone likes it and if you do i bet you’ve read both books.
February 3, 2008 at 9:30 am
as for the quailty of the book I think it’s good but very criptave so you have to take the time to read it all to get so if your going to judge it one just part of the book I think I would think the same thing
February 7, 2008 at 10:07 pm
It doesn’t make sense to me how you can say that the dragons are nothing more than a plot device to the series. Im not exactly sure about all the things that go into making something in a book a plot device, but to my understanding, its basically an element put or even forced into a book so that the plot will come together. If I am correct, than there is no possible way that the dragons are anything close to that in the books. The dragons are so important to the history that the book brings forth and so vital to the shaping of what is going to happen as the books progress. Also, the complexity and individuality of each of the dragons presented in the books completely eliminates the possiblity of them being a plot device. All that being said, I am no expert on the matter and this is simply my thoughts gathering from what I already know about the term. As for my interest in the books, both of them are in my opinion very intriguing and excellent reads that I would recommend to everyone. It is definately one of my favorites and I am looking forward to book three.
May 25, 2009 at 4:22 pm
For all of you criticizing Leedeth’s comments, you are mostly justified. Leedeth, you are justified too. When a person reviews a book, s/he is doing so to either prevent or cause another to read it. However, using insults and barbaric language is not justified. Everyone should put their arguments and counter-arguments to influence the anonymous “reader”. And you cannot call a book good quality or bad quality, no matter what your stature is. The quality of a book is a vague term, defined by its impact on the reader. The purpose of this blog is to define opinion, support opinion, and convince others. No-ones comment succeeded in that.