Book Review: Eragon's Guide to Alagaesia by Christopher Paolini

Eragon’s Guide to Alagaësia – Christopher Paolini

As this book isn’t a fictional story book, this review will have a different layout compared to my usual one.

Author: Christopher Paolini

Publisher: Doubleday

First published: 2009

Cover: Hardback

Blurb: Greetings, Dragon Rider.

             Welcome and congratulations – it is a great honor to be chosen as a Rider. I have compiled these papers for you as an introduction to the most important peoples, places, and things within Alagaësia. Study them most carefully, for someday your life may depend upon this information. Mine has, and more than once.

Eragon Shadeslayer

History of my copy: I have owned The Inheritance Cycle for quite a few years now and, although I am yet to start the third book, I love them and the whole world Paolini has created. When I saw this book at a garden centre in autumn of last year, I got my parents to put it back for Christmas for me.

This book is a fantastic companion to The Inheritance Cycle, containing numerous pages of beautiful illustrations and extra bits of information about Alagaësia and the people that Eragon meets. I am a huge fan of ‘interactive’ books, and, with all the pull out extra items, miniature books and different materials throughout the book, it certainly doesn’t disappoint in that area either. Of course, I’m a little too old to believe that a piece of glittery card is actually a dragon wing, but I can certainly appreciate how a child would view this book. There isn’t much to read, and at points I do wish that there was more information about Eragon’s world. However, despite that, it does give a wonderful insight.

To read or not to read: Read. For any fan of Paolini’s books, or anyone who loves exploring fictional worlds in general, I would really recommend that they give this book a go. It’s the kind of book that you can just pick up and read a page at a time, and perhaps just leave on your coffee table for anyone to flick through, as the images themselves are enough to occupy even the most unimaginative of people.

Christmas Book Haul

Firstly, I want to wish a very Merry (belated) Christmas to you all!

This Christmas, I was lucky enough to get many fantastic gifts from all my family, but to save boring you, I shall just stick to the books I received. However, I shall briefly mention a fantastic sort-of Christmas present. Just before Christmas, I received an offer to study medicine at Plymouth university!

~The books I received for Christmas~

1) Eragon's Guide to Alagaesia  by Christopher Paolini

Although I've only read the first two books of The Inheritance Cycle (the other two       remain on my ever increasing TBR shelf), I am a huge fan of the world Paolini has created. I saw this at a Garden Centre in Autumn and so got my parents to put it back for Christmas.

2) Illustrated Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Initially, I wasn't that sold on the idea of my favourite book series being illustrated. I enjoy the magic of using your imagination to picture the story, and was worried that the images would make me feel as if my version was 'wrong'. However, as soon as I saw the book itself, it instantly became one of my presents from my grandparents.

3) Wars of the Roses: Bloodline by Conn Iggulden

Although I wasn't a huge fan of the first in the series, as you can see from my review here, I absolutely loved the second book, Trinity. Because of this, Bloodline was a must-have Christmas present and again was a book I chose for my parents to give to me.

4) Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

I'm a big fan of the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, and all his other series have been on my to-buy-to-be-read list for ages. I'm also a huge Thor fan and, because of that, I have wanted to delve into Norse mythology a little more. When I stumbled across this book, especially a signed edition, I knew I had to have it!

I've actually started this one already and so far, I love it! It even has a special dedication to one of my favourite authors Cassandra Clare regarding the name Magnus. Also, it has a small appearance from one of my favourite characters from the Percy Jackson series too.

5) The Company of the Dead by David Kowalski

Growing up, I had a fascination of the Titanic, which probably rubbed off from my brother who loved it. This was a cover buy late this year, which ended up being put back for Christmas. I look forward to reading it!

6) The Kane Chronicles

As previously mentioned, all of Riordan's books have been on my TBR list for a while now, so The Kane Chronicles was one of the series that made it's way onto my Christmas wishlist for my family to choose presents from. Despite the fact I knew I could end up with the series as a present, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that they had found a nice hardback box-set of the trilogy.

7) The Copper Gauntlet by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

I really enjoyed the first of the Magisterium books so The Copper Gauntlet also made its way onto my wishlist this year. It was a good book, proven by the fact I've already read it. Find the review here!

8) The Enchanted Forest Postcards by Johanna Basford

At first I was sceptical of the new trend: adult colouring. Growing up, I found the task boring and repetitive, always preferring to do things more mentally active such as reading or doing puzzles or jigsaws. However, I did warm to the idea as I heard a lot of good things about how relaxing it is.

As some studying six A-levels whilst battling depression and anxiety, as you can imagine I find it quite hard to relax most of the time. My family took this into consideration, along with my occasional mention of these adult colouring books, and bought me one as a surprise Christmas present.

So far, I've only done a little, but I am really loving it! I've bought some new pens and pencils to keep with it, and I am thoroughly enjoying spending a few minutes here and there colouring to take a break from everything else. I really recommend it to anyone who finds it hard to relax for any reason, especially the postcard sets as they are much smaller and less daunting than a huge, blank page needing to be coloured. They can also fit in your bag so you can take it with you on the go. The only downside is that some bits are extremely tiny and fiddly, but that only makes it more fun!