"An auspicious beginning to both career and series."

--Publishers Weekly

"Full praise to Eragon, and I want more ! A winner...tip of the hat to young master Paolini."

--Anne McCaffrey, author of the Dragonriders of Pern series

"Will appeal to the legions of readers who have been captivated by the Lord of the Rings trilogy."

--School Library Journal

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.

  Overnight he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds.

  Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands.

Prologue: Shade of Fear

Discovery

Palancar Valley

Dragon Tales

Fate’s Gift

Awakening

Tea for Two

A Name of Power

A Miller-to-Be

Strangers in Carvahall

Flight of Destiny

The Doom of Innocence

Deathwatch

The Madness of Life

A Rider’s Blade

Saddlemaking

Therinsford

Thunder Roar and Lightning Crackle

Revelation at Yazuac

Admonishments

Magic Is the Simplest Thing

Daret

Through a Dragon’s Eye

A Song for the Road

A Taste of Weirm

An Old Friend

The Witch and the Werecat

Of Reading and Plots

Thieves in the Castle

A Costly Mistake

Vision of Perfection

Master of the Blade

The Mire of Dras-Leona

Trail of Oil

Worshipers of Helgrind 

The Ra’zac’s Revenge

Murtagh

Legacy of a Rider

Diamond Tomb

Capture at Gil’ead

Du Sundavar Freohr

Fighting Shadows

A Warrior and a Healer

Water from Sand

The Ramr River

The Hadarac Desert

A Path Revealed

A Clash of Wills

Flight Through the Valley

The Horns of a Dilemma

Hunting for Answers

The Glory of Troniheim

Aiihad

Bless the Child, Argetlam

Mandrake Root and Newt’s Tongue

Hall of the Mountain King

Arya’s.Test

The Shadows Lengthen

Battle Under Farthen Dur

The Mourning Sage

Pronunciation Guide and Glossary

A Special Preview of Eldest