The Bottom Line

Christopher Paolini's Eragon's Guide to Alagaesia is a sumptuous scrapbook introduction to the fantasy world created by Paolini in his Inheritance Cycle of fantasy novels. By 2009, three novels in the series had been published: Eragon, Eldest, and Brisingr. While fans of Paolini's novels and/or the movie version of Eragon will enjoy learning about the landscape and creatures of Alagaesia from the perspective of Dragon Rider Eragon Shadeslayer, I am not sure how much appeal it will have for tween and teen readers unfamiliar with the series.



Pros

• The book should be very appealing to Paolini's fans who want to know more about Alagesia.
• Eragon's Guide to Alagesia is written in scrapbook format and includes maps and letters.
• The book provides many illuminating details about the fantasy world created by Paolini.
• There are a great many illustrations, from detailed pencil sketches to landscape paintings.
• Readers will learn about being a Dragon Rider and the history, landscape and populace of Alagesia.

Cons

• The guide may not interest those who haven't read any of the books or seen the movie.
• Without having read any of the books in the series, it's hard to make sense of all the information.
• The decorative typeface, while attractive, can be difficult to read, especially the smaller fonts.

Description

• Book Format: Scrapbook
• Book Designer: Jonathan Lambert
• Author: Christopher Paolini, author of Eragon, Eldest, and Brisingr, all part of Paolini's Inheritance Cycle of fantasy books
• Illustrators: Fred Gambino, Larry McDougla, Ian Miller and David Wyatt

• Copyright: 2009
• Richly textured cover includes a painting of a Dragon Rider and several 3D "jewels."
• Little booklets of background information are sprinkled throughout the guide.
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• ISBN: 9780375858239
• For Ages: Tween (ages 9-12) and Teen

Guide Review - Eragon's Guide to Alagesia by Christopher Paolini

The first thing the reader discovers upon opening Eragon's Guide to Alagesia is a letter from the Dragon Rider Eragon. The letter is addressed to a new Dragon Rider. Eragon explains, "I have compiled these papers for you, as an introduction to the most important people, places, and things within Alagaesia. They will explain more about what it means to be a Rider. Study them most carefully, for someday your life may depend on this information."

The Guide begins with an illustrated description of the elves, urgals, humans and dwarves who inhabit Alagaesia. It goes on to cover the topography, cities, plants and lanscape, natural history, and history of Alagaesia. The subject to dragons is covered with descriptions, a dramatic and colorful painting and such items as a small framed segment of dragon wing and an envelope with instructions for using dragon knucklebones to tell fortunes in it. A double-page spread is also devoted to Dragon Riders, their training, their sword and the bond between dragon and rider. There are extended sections on what Eragon calls "Peoples...the two-legged races in Alagaesia," including their relations with one another and the places they live. Eragon's Guide to Alagesia ends with the revelation of the usually closely guarded secret of the Eldunari.

Throughout the guide, little booklets and fold-out pages provide additional information. Because of the typeface used and the small size of the font, this can be a little difficult to read. The illustrations, which range from one color to full color and from pencil sketches to detailed paintings, add greatly to the reader's enjoyment, as does the scrapbook design of the book.

However, to fully appreciate the guide, readers need to already be emotionally involved with the characters, something that is impossible unless they have read Eragon or another book in the series and/or have seen the movie version. There is so much detailed material in the book. Background knowledge is needed, both for the reader to make sense of what's in the guide, and for the reader to care about what's in the guide. For this reason, I would happily recommend it to those who have enjoyed the series or the movie, but caution that it may not appeal to those unfamiliar with Paolini's fantasy world and its inhabitants.