ELDEST is the middle instalment of young author Christopher Paolini's mighty fantasy trilogy, Inheritance. Book one, Eragon, was a publishing phenomenon when it first appeared three years ago. It seemed to have achieved the almost impossible task of appealing to die-hard fantasy fans as well as mainstream fiction readers. Eldest dragged in readers who would not normally be attracted to fantasy fiction. With Eldest, Paolini stays safely on the tracks mapped out in Eragon. He is careful not to spin off in any new directions that might derail his loyal fans. You get a lot of what you are expecting with Eldest. Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, continue their journey towards the destruction of the evil forces that rule the Empire. Paolini's detailed and serious story-telling might be hard work in places, but the what-happens-next factor does keep the reader battling on alongside the hero and his dragon towards the final book of the trilogy. Eldest By Christopher Paolini Published by Random House/Doubleday ISBN 0 3856 0869 1
