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10 Reasons the Inheritance Trilogy is Overrated

My Opinion on Why the Inheritance Trilogy is Overrated

By Blair Mathis, published Dec 15, 2006
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Rating: 3.0 of 5
You've no doubt seen the trailers on TV; a large dragon, a blond boy, creepy black things. Eragon, a movie based on the book of same title by Christopher Paolini, released in theaters yesterday.

First self-published by Paolini Inc, Eragon was later picked up by Random House, given a new snazzy cover, and promoted to death. Rising to the top of nearly every bestseller list, it was (and still is, for the most part) spouted as the new "it" book of children's lit.

My opinion, as those of thousands of others, are not so positive.

Okay, first I admit to reading both of the books in the Inheritance trilogy by Christopher Paolini. I grabbed the first one because I saw the picture of the dragon on the front, and I thought it would be interesting. I read the second, Eldest, because I thought "Hey, he's older, perhaps his writing has gotten better." I was wrong on both accounts.

There is an interesting thing about the Inheritance trilogy; the fact that nothing in it is interesting...or unique...or creative.... It is Star Wars plot with Tolkien characters. If you have ever watched/read either of these, you can not argue that Inheritance isn't a rip-off of them. Paolini did not even attempt to veil the similarities. Without revealing too much, here's a little snippet:

Eragon is a poor farmer boy. He doesn't know his parents. He lives with his uncle. He finds out that he is special. His uncle dies. He is guided by an old mentor.

I'll stop here because I don't want to give away the (I gag upon writing this word) plot. But if you want to know what happens without reading the books, go rent the original Star Wars movies-you'll find everything out, and in a far more entertaining way.

10 Reasons the Inheritance Trilogy is Overrated

Eragon, now a major motion picture.

Credit: eragonmovie.com

Copyright: eragonmovie.com

Takeaways
  • The Inheritance trilogy is nothing new
  • It lacks depth, goals, meaning, emotion, creativity, etc....
  • Watch the original Star Wars and read Lord of the Rings, they are actually worth their status.
Did You Know?
Eragon has been made into a movie.
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Comments
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Why dudes why. Your trippen yo. The book is awsome the movie sucks. Yeae Yeae! The movie lacked the art and cdeatils of the book. Whoever wrote the other comments diagreing withs this"IT" is right. Rock on. I'm a loser. I love you All. not really. Just wasting words. OH @^*% my parents. Not really. Next comments below. NARR! i think

Posted on 10/25/2008 at 7:10:53 PM

 
My dear friend, maybe you should look up the meaning of the word 'anagram' in the dictionary before you criticize a book based on other's opinions. Yes, OTHER's opinions.

Posted on 10/14/2008 at 4:10:47 AM

 
Your opinion is your opinion and mine happens to differ. I will not bash you although I happen to disagree. I love the Inheritance Trilogy and I also loved the LOTR movies but when I tried to read the books I could not get past the first 100 pages because I was bored to death. All fantasy novels contain elves and dwarves and orc-like creatures so every other fantasy author is just as guilty of "copying characters" as the next. I happen to believe Christopher Paolini wrote a very entertaining and all around good series. I happen to love Star Wars and considering that this is similar in "plot" then there is no wonder that I enjoy these books.

Posted on 09/25/2008 at 10:09:29 PM

 
I disagree... The Trilogy may be similiar, but many books of this genre-fantasy and the like-contain the same materials. Take Harry Potter for instance. It is quite similiar, isn't it?? Both his parents die, and then he goes and gets tutored. Nott he perfect example but I don't think Paolini was trying to rip off star wars...

Posted on 07/15/2008 at 12:07:46 PM

 
i was bored to tears when i read starwars yet eragon and eldest are one of my favorite series. but the movie eragon did suck, the books are way better

Posted on 06/23/2008 at 7:06:41 PM

 
The inheritance triligy rocks, u have no idea mate what ur talking about, one of the greatest novels i have ever read and fully suggest reading it

Posted on 06/16/2008 at 12:06:58 AM

 
Haha what a idiot, you have no idea what you're talking about at all. Saying Paolini is nothing like Tolkien, yet you fail to notice the age differene between the two authors. Paolini is still very young, and even younger when he started writing the books (doh). To write something like Eragon at the age of 14-15(?), if that's not good writing skills I don't know what is, it's at least not bad which you claim. What do you expect from a young fantasy writer really? To write like Tolkien and to not copy any other fantasy elements? Get a grip. This whole article is a waste of time, everyone should just ignore this idiot.

Posted on 06/10/2008 at 12:06:51 PM

 
Wow Gretal, not only did you explain yourself, but you used proper grammar. Kudos!

Posted on 05/21/2008 at 6:05:22 PM

 
besides, i don't think any of you could even come up with half the things made in the story. good day to you all.

Posted on 05/13/2008 at 7:05:21 PM

 
the inheritance trilogy is awesome, please just stop the comments already.....

Posted on 05/13/2008 at 7:05:22 PM

 
-continued- right now he is nothing more than an over advertised hack. Now, to the flamers that have commented on this article: He isn't attacking your right to like the books. He just doesn't like them and stated why. If you disagree there are better ways to say that other than childish flames and insults. You can strongly disagree with someone and still hold a civil, or at least reasonable, argument. How about stating why you like the books and trying to come up with ways to refute his reasoning? At least a few people did that ( Like Richard, though I mostly disagree with him). =)

Posted on 04/19/2008 at 7:04:36 PM

 
*looks down at the comments and whistles* Damn, that's a lot of hate. I better get a good fire proof shield since I agree with you. =D I don't think it's the worst book I've ever read, but it is definitely inexperienced and unoriginal. =( I can understand why, Paolini is a new author, and most authors when starting out tend to gravitate towards generic ideas to back up sub-par writing. Looking back on some of my own old stories that I started to think up in fourth and fifth grade, I am almost sickened by how cliche' they are. Most where blatant rip-offs of the series I had been interested in at the time. Even now, I can find things in various stories of mine that are horribly unoriginal. it's an inevitable beginning for most writers and artists. But that doesn't mean it's an excuse. just because Paolini is new and inexperienced doesn't change the fact that these books are bland, tasteless hybrids of much greater books and movies. I think that Paolini has a lot of potential, but

Posted on 04/19/2008 at 7:04:35 PM

 
Agreed one hundred percent, i should walk over to that kids house and demand my money back for the first book(so awful i didn't by the second) and the movie

Posted on 03/19/2008 at 3:03:08 PM

 
As a teacher I have read many books that are good and bad. I would not rate a book upon your opinion or originality. If what you say is correct, then there will never be a book that is original. All forms of writing have a vague formula. Antagonists, protagonists, ect. If you look at this you can never have a well written book because someone has already penned a book using this "formula". I would appreciate that you keep your opinions opinions and not your ranting at a young man who has written a timeless classic prior to the age of 18. For those who read this, I would greatly suggest the reading of all books in the trilogy.

Posted on 03/07/2008 at 8:03:16 PM

 
dood, Shut Up

Posted on 02/28/2008 at 11:02:06 AM

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