The Inheritance Trilogy contains many examples of Paolini briefly toying with an idea, and then casting it aside when it turns out to introduce vast and complex ramifications that would require a great deal of effort to fit into the story. Sadly, his series is poorer for it, as he chooses cliché and deus ex machina over the difficult and intricate storytelling that his discarded ideas would force upon his story. Instead, they lead the reader into expecting more, only to be disappointed when there is no follow through.

Eragon:

• Brom's assertion of the moral ambiguity of the Varden: Politics and traitors notwithstanding, the Varden are clearly the good side.
  
• The 'struggle of minds' inherent in magical conflict: Rarely makes an appearance.
  
• Pragmatic Murtagh: Seemingly disposed of due to upstaging Eragon. What a waste.
  
• The choice between Galbatorix and the Varden: Saphira declares early on that she will never join him, so a difficult, character-building decision is averted. This would have the time for Eragon to try to figure out how fighting the Empire is right.
  

Eldest:

• Varden Politics: Infighting in the Varden would have made Eragon's life exceeding difficult. It could have tempted him to seize power himself, or try to choose the leaders, and definitely would have put him at odds with other characters, thus, again, allowing him to build character.
• The Durgimst Ingeitum offer: The idea of Eragon dealing with multiple conflicting oaths is an important one that should not have been used merely to reemphasize Eragon's importance.
• Orik's supervision of Eragon's training: This was a good idea, and would have led to a great deal of stress for Eragon as Oromis and Orik inevitably clashed over one educational issue after another.
• Philosophy of War: The logic given here is entirely spurious and will probably never again be referenced. No effort to reduce bloodshed is made by Eragon, despite his apparent change in beliefs and despite the logic that leads him to fight.
• Change of Religion: Eragon easily exchanges one set of beliefs for another, averting a character-building crisis of faith.
• Learning Magic: Studying ants and becoming aware of all around him is a good thing. Learning how to properly use the ancient tongue to warp water is also good. The only bits of magic Eragon gets much use of outside of training are killing people's minds and draining their life force. Had he manipulated air currents to give Saphira an advantage in battle, his training would have been more meaningful.
• Gift of the Dragons: On the one hand, Eragon does nothing to earn that magic that erases his crippling injury and makes him elf-like. On the other hand, he is the Last Dragonrider, and so the Sprits of Dragons Past are short on options if they want to stop Galbatorix. Some recognition on Eragon's part that he is unworthy and needs to improve would be excellent.
• The Sex Lives of Elves: The bacchanalian lifestyle of the Elves should completely and totally demolish Eragon's dreams of nuptial bliss. This should end either in Eragon changing his ways or giving up on Arya.
• Eragon and Urgals: Eragon does learn to respect the Urgals, but only after being ordered to accept them by Nasuada, his liege lord, thus undermining his decision to do so independently.
• Lace: While a good idea on the face of it, making lace magically and cheaply would ultimately lead to a crash in price, and a loss of Varden profits. Also, what are the magicians not doing now that they are making lace? Surely they were not sitting about before Nasuada found something for them to do.
• Invading the Empire: Attacking and catching the enemy off guard is a good idea. Charging head-on into a superior force on their own turf when they're prepared for it is not. In real life, she would have faced strong opposition from within her ranks for such failure of  intelligence. Ultimately, only Eragon and Roran save her from complete disaster at the hands of enemy magic users.

I won't cover Roran's section here. His was, by far, the better part, as Paolini had to think about how someone without magic and a dragon deals with difficulties and challenges. His solutions are by no means perfect, but at least they require effort on his part.

Some people in the previous thread issued complaints about the video not working in their browsers. Therefore I graciously undertook the task to write out a transcript as accurately as possible, down to whether Paolini's pauses sounded more like 'ah's or 'uh's.

( This amount of precision did, however, require me to watch the video many times more than was healthy for the brain. )

EDIT: As for Vroengard Academy, I expect to be kicked out any day now.

Current Mood: eardrums... hurt

Lisbon is very hot, but very very cool.

Having a great time in Portugal. The first event, last night, drew an overflow crowd. My apologies to all those who had to stand, but thanks for staying. The warmth and hospitality of my hosts and my Portuguese readers will be something I will long remember.

We have another Lisbon signing this evening, and have added a fourth event, for Thursday, this one in Porto.

Current Location: Lisbon
Current Mood: hot

housematehorror
Horror stories from the world of shared living spaces. EEK!

It's Alagaesia newsletter tiemes nao, yayz!

This one is titled: "OPEN THE DOORS TO VROENGARD ACADEMY". And there is also a video of Mr. Paolini as well.

( Kvetha Fricaya! Greetings, Friends! )

And the video.

Now, I've not even read the letter yet or watched the video. I'm just the messenger at this point. Carry on, carry on.

dwseason4
A journal where the alternative fourth season of the TV show Doctor Who is being written.

lol_comics
Keep youself smiling at the little things with some funny comics.

bikes
A community for everyone who loves bicycles, motorbikes, and more.

This official release date happened when I wasn't looking. I'm showing the Amazon page because I noticed a display at my local B Dalton's but couldn't get a picture of it because I fail at life. Although it would've been great because it was just above an advertisement for the newest Twilight book (wait, the series isn't over yet?).

Also, the price has been slashed by about ten dollars. I lol'ed.

Well, I've made it across the ocean safe and sound. Typing this from an internet cafe.

No, I didn't finish the novel, though not for want of trying. Nothing to be done about that but push on when I return.

Looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones in Spain and Portugal.

In my absence, all my email is being handled by my assistant, Ty.

Current Location: Ireland
Current Mood: tired