Eldest

This article is about the 2005 book. For the 2024 television episode, see Eldest (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power).
Eldest
Head of a dragon staring at the viewer. He has spikes on his curved neck and antler-like projections over his eyes.
Cover of USA first edition, featuring the red dragon Thorn
AuthorChristopher Paolini
IllustratorJohn Jude Palencar
Cover artistJohn Jude Palencar
LanguageEnglish
SeriesInheritance Cycle
GenreYoung adult fiction
Fantasy
Bildungsroman
PublisherAlfred A. Knopf
Publication date
August 23, 2005
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (Hardcover and Paperback) and audio-CD
Pages694 (hardcover edition)
ISBN0-375-82670-X (hardcover edition)
OCLC58919923
[Fic] 22
LC ClassPZ7.P19535 El 2005
Preceded byEragon 
Followed byBrisingr 

Eldest is the second novel in The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini and the sequel to Eragon. It was first published in hardcover on August 23, 2005, and was released in paperback in September 2006.[1] Eldest has been released in an audiobook format,[2] and as an ebook.[3] Like Eragon, Eldest became a New York Times bestseller.[3] A deluxe edition of Eldest was released on September 26, 2006, including new information and art by both the illustrator and the author.[4] Other editions of Eldest are translated into different languages.[5][6]

Eldest begins following several important events in Eragon. The story is the continued adventures of Eragon and his dragon Saphira, centering on their journey to the realm of the Elves in order to further Eragon's training as a Dragon Rider. Other plots in the story focus on Roran, Eragon's cousin, who leads the inhabitants of Carvahall to Surda to join the Varden, and Nasuada as she takes on her father's role as leader of the Varden.

Reviews pointed out the similarities between Eldest and other works such as The Lord of the Rings,[7] while praising the themes of the book, such as friendship and honor.[8] Several of these reviews commented on the style and genre of Eldest,[9] while others considered the possibility of a film adaptation similar to the first film.[10]

  1. ^ Paolini, Christopher (13 March 2007). Eldest paperback. Random House Children's Books. ISBN 978-0375840401.
  2. ^ Eldest audiobook. ISBN 0307280721.
  3. ^ a b "Eldest eBook". eBooks.com. Retrieved 2007-10-29.
  4. ^ Paolini, Christopher (2006). Eldest — Deluxe edition. Random House Children's Books. ISBN 037594060X.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Gailivro was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Gramedia was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Amazon was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Themes was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference BookBrowse was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ "Eragon films review". Hollywood Video. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-07-12.