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Title: Too many rip-offs
Review: As noted so many times, but perhaps not adequately emphasized, Paolini has obviously received influences from Tolkein, Eddings, Brooks, and many others; although influenece may be an understatement. This could easily be an uneducated rip-off of the Lord of the Rings. The book reads very much like it, from fantasy languages, to the naming of contrived species, to a hero who seems on the path to "an epic romance" with the most beutiful woman in the world (who also happens to be an elf). The epic romance bit is a direct quote from the book and shows clearly the 15-year-old mind behind all this. The only bright side is that in making the main character 15, Paolini has at least created one believable character. While there is definate potential here, Paoplini needs to start writing his own story instead of butchering his predicessors'.
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