Paolini's "Eldest"

[Andromeda]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "dumbledore11214" 
<dumbledore11214 at y...> wrote:
> Have anybody finished the Eldest? I am curious to know what others 
> think.
> 
> If I were to sum up my impressions, I would say that I did enjoy hte 
> story - I had  a hard time putting the book down, but I would wish
> for 
> more in character development department.
> 
> To me, even Eragon does not have truly multifaceted personality.
> 
> JMO,
> 
> Alla.

Is it too late to chime in?  My husband and I were just discussing 
Eldest.  I enjoyed both of Paolini's books, but I have to admit 
the "borrowing" from other books is at times pretty blatant and the 
elves just plain made my eyes roll. It really made me appreciate the 
Harry Potter elves (so very different from the willowy, impossibly 
beautiful, powerful, singing, tree-hugging elves from Tolkein & co).  
But the dragons right out of Pern, the little girl "abomination" fresh 
from Dune, and Elfquest.... I used to love Elfquest!  Is it still 
around?  
  Anyway, I'd agree the character development is a little thin... 
maybe Eragon sounds a little too much like he's a teenager writing his 
own story?  But I have to admit I bought the book right after it came 
out and read it quickly and did enjoy it.  NOthing against the nice 
young man who wrote it, whatever his schooling.  May he keep writing 
and improving as a writer!

Cheers,
Andromeda