Eragon's Guide to Alagaesia (The Inheritance Cycle) - Hardcover

Paolini, Christopher

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0375858237 ISBN 13: 9780375858239

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2009

Synopsis

From the creators of the bestselling books Dragonology, Egyptology, Piratelogy, and others, this is a never-before-seen glimpse into the world of Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance cycle. Alagaësia comes alive in a lush and detailed look at an unforgettable magical land. From elves, dwarves, Urgals, humans, and dragons, to the natural landscape and the magic it contains, Eragon himself offers the reader an unsurpassed tour. This oversized, full-color book provides 15 spreads chock full of spectacular artwork, engaging novelty elements, and fascinating insights into Eragon’s home. With gorgeous jewels adorning the cover and pages filled with envelopes, gatefolds, samples of dragon skin, and more, Eragon’s Guide to Alagaësia is sure to appeal to the legions of fans of Christopher Paolini’s bestselling Inheritance cycle.

About this title

About the Author

Christopher Paolini’s abiding love of fantasy and science fiction inspired him to begin writing his debut novel, Eragon, when he graduated from high school at 15. He lives in Paradise Valley, Montana.

Reviews

Grade 5–9—Designed in the style of such books as Ernest Drake's Dragonology (Candlewick, 2003), this large, colorful, well-illustrated volume has many foldouts and removable pieces. It is an attractive browsing item, although it may not hold up well in long-term circulation. The cover, which looks as if it were bound in the scaly blue skin of Eragon's dragon, Saphira, adds a slightly creepy touch. The drawings, while not spectacular, are nicely done and appealing. The Guide's contents, presented as if written by Eragon, introduce readers to the peoples and creatures of the realm—elves, humans, Urgals, Dwarves, and Dragons—along with quick overviews of the series' history and culture. While not necessary for fiction collections, the book will be popular wherever the "Inheritance" series (Knopf) is in demand.—Walter Minkel, Austin Public Library, TX
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Paolini’s humongously successful Inheritance Cycle gets a visual counterpart in this splendidly illustrated guide for the newly minted Dragon Rider (that’s you). The journey begins and ends with sealed letters from Eragon Shadeslayer himself. Crammed with detailed maps, insightful bestiaries, time lines, and legends, this might be problematic for some libraries who won't want to circulate an edition with delicate mini books and physical samples featured on nearly every spread. These textural asides include soft Feldunost fur, scratchy dragon wing, elven fabric, glittery star-sapphire dust, and a genuinely surprising gift at the book’s end. Obviously nonessential but nevertheless grandly conceived. Grades 4-8. --Daniel Kraus

Edition details

• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0375858237
• ISBN 13: 9780375858239
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32