Book One (Illustrated Edition)

Eragon

Eragon thought he was just an ordinary farm boy, until one day he discovers his destiny; to be a Dragon Rider. He and his faithful dragon, Saphira, must protect the land from the evil king, Galbatorix, with a combination of magic, loyalty and swordsmanship. Set in the fantasy land of Alagaesia, these four books follow the pair through a series of epic battles as they fight to rid the land of evil and restore peace.

Return to the World of Eragon with master storyteller Christopher Paolini in this stunning illustrated edition packed with full-colour paintings. 
 
Celebrate the worldwide fantasy phenomenon Eragon, the first book in the Inheritance Cycle, which has sold more than 40 million copies across the series. 
 
Prepare for the flight of a lifetime with Eragon as you've never seen him before in this dazzling oversized edition with brand-new full-colour illustrations throughout. 
 
This is the perfect must-have gift for both new and long-time Inheritance fans. Soar high above the ground with Eragon on Saphira's majestic back. Experience narrow escapes from the gruesome Ra'zac. See the wonders of the dwarves' city-mountain, Tronjheim. Rich detail and painterly strokes make each piece by accomplished fantasy artist Sidharth Chaturvedi feel as if it's actually moving. 
 
Fifteen-year-old Eragon believes that he is merely a poor farm boy - until his destiny as a Dragon Rider is revealed. Gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his choices could save - or destroy - the Empire. In this extraordinary work of art, Paolini's fantasy masterpiece Eragon is brought to life in an entirely new way through Sidharth Chaturvedi's brilliant illustrations that accompany the complete original text. This is the ideal book to return to the World of Eragon - experience the thrill and exhilaration of becoming a Dragon Rider all over again! 
 
Published alongside the brand new hardback in the World of Eragon: MURTAGH.

Christopher Paolini was born in Southern California and lived most of his life in Paradise Valley, Montana. The tall, jagged Beartooth Mountains that rise on one side of Paradise Valley inspired the fantastic scenery in Eragon, the first novel in his Inheritance Cycle. 
 
Christopher's journey to becoming a globally beloved publishing phenomenon is as magical as the fantasy novels he writes. Christopher was homeschooled by his parents and often wrote short stories and poems, made frequent trips to the library, and read widely. He was fifteen when he wrote the first draft of Eragon and his family self-published the book in 2001. 
 
In August 2003, Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers published Eragon and it was an instant success, reaching a worldwide audience. Christopher's second novel Eldest was published in 2005, followed by Brisingr in 2008. Inheritance, the fourth and final book in the cycle released in November 2011. Additional titles in The World of Eragon include Eragon's Guide to Alagaesia and The Fork, The Witch, and the Worm. 
 
Today, the Inheritance Cycle is available in more than 50 countries, and together the four books in the series (Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, Inheritance) have sold more than 40 million copies worldwide.

Soar high above the ground with Eragon on Saphira's majestic back. 
 
Experience narrow escapes from the gruesome Ra'zac. 
 
See the wonders of the dwarves' city-mountain, Tronjheim. 
 
Rich detail and painterly strokes make each piece by accomplished fantasy artist Sidharth Chaturvedi feel as if it's actually moving. 
 
Fifteen-year-old Eragon believes that he is merely a poor farm boy - until his destiny as a Dragon Rider is revealed. Gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his choices could save - or destroy - the Empire. In this extraordinary work of art, Paolini's fantasy masterpiece Eragon is brought to life in an entirely new way through Sidharth Chaturvedi's brilliant illustrations that accompany the complete original text. This is the ideal book to return to the World of Eragon - experience the thrill and exhilaration of becoming a Dragon Rider all over again!

Book One

Master storyteller and internationally bestselling author Christopher Paolini returns to the World of Eragon with Murtagh. Murtagh, a stunning epic fantasy set a year after the events of the Inheritance Cycle, will publish in 2023. 
 
 
The first book in The Inheritance Cycle. 
 
When poor farm boy Eragon finds a polished stone in the forest, he thinks it's a lucky discovery. Perhaps, he will be able to buy his family food for the winter. 
 
But, when a baby dragon hatches out of the stone, Eragon realises he's stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. 
 
His simple life is shattered, and he's thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic and power. To navigate this dark terrain, and survive his cruel king's evil ways, he must take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders. 
 
Will he succeed? The fate of the Empire rests in his hands. . .

Christopher Paolini is the creator of the World of Eragon and the Fractalverse. His blockbuster The Inheritance Cycle (Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, Inheritance) has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. First published at nineteen, he is the holder of the Guinness World Record for youngest author of a bestselling series. Christopher makes his home in Paradise Valley, Montana, where he continues to write stories and ask questions. Find out more about Christopher and all things Inheritance Cycle on social media and at paolini.net.

Book Two

Eldest

Master storyteller and internationally bestselling author Christopher Paolini returns to the World of Eragon with Murtagh. Murtagh, a stunning epic fantasy set a year after the events of the Inheritance Cycle, will publish in 2023. 
 
 
The second book in The Inheritance Cycle 
 
Darkness falls . . . Despair abounds . . . Evil reigns . . . 
 
Fresh from their battle for the rebel state against King Galbatorix, Eragon has no time to rest. 
 
He and his dragon, Saphira, must travel to Ellesméra, the land of the elves for more training in magic and swordsmanship, the vital skills of a Dragon Rider. 
 
Even though he's heading off on the journey of a lifetime, chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and Eragon doesn't know who to trust. 
 
And while he's off on his own journey, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle back home in Carvahall - one that puts Eragon in even graver danger. 
 
Will the king's dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life . . .

Book Four

Inheritance

Master storyteller and internationally bestselling author Christopher Paolini returns to the World of Eragon with Murtagh. Murtagh, a stunning epic fantasy set a year after the events of the Inheritance Cycle, will publish in 2023. 
 
 
It began with Eragon . . . It ends with Inheritance, book four in The Inheritance Cycle. 
 
Not so very long ago, Eragon - Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider - was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now, the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders. 
 
Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still the real battle lies ahead: they must confront King Galbatorix. 
 
When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they can't, no one can. There will be no second chances. 
 
The Rider and his dragon have come farther than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost? 
 
Featuring spectacular artwork by cult artist John Jude Palencar, this stunning book brings the bestselling Inheritance cycle to a breathtaking conclusion.

Book Three

Brisingr

Master storyteller and internationally bestselling author Christopher Paolini returns to the World of Eragon with Murtagh. Murtagh, a stunning epic fantasy set a year after the events of the Inheritance Cycle, will publish in 2023. 
 
 
The third book in The Inheritance Cycle 
 
More awaits Eragon and Saphira following the colossal battle against the Empire's warriors. 
 
He's bound by promises he may not be able to keep, including his oath to his cousin Roran to rescue his beloved Katrina. 
 
When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes, Eragon must make choices that take him across the Empire and beyond. Choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice. 
 
Conflict, action, adventure and one devastating death await readers as Eragon battles on behalf of the Varden while Galbatorix ruthlessly attempts to crush and twist him to his own purposes. 
 
Can he become a leader who can unite the rebel forces and defeat the King?

Inheritance Book 4

The final stunning book in the Inheritance cycle featuring Eragon and his dragon Saphira.

Christopher Paolini is the creator of the World of Eragon and the Fractalverse. His blockbuster The 
 Inheritance Cycle (Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, Inheritance) has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. First published at nineteen, he is the holder of the Guinness World Record for youngest author of a bestselling series. Christopher makes his home in Paradise Valley, Montana, where he continues to write stories and ask questions.

It began with Eragon . . . 
It ends with Inheritance 
 
Not so very long ago, Eragon – Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider – was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now, the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders. 
 
The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to imagine. But can they topple the evil king, Galbatorix, and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?

Christopher Paolini

The World of Eragon

Master storyteller and internationally bestselling author Christopher Paolini returns to the World of Eragon in this stunning epic fantasy set a year after the events of the Inheritance Cycle. 
 
The world is no longer safe for the Dragon Rider Murtagh and his dragon, Thorn. An evil king has been toppled, and they are left to face the consequences of the reluctant role they played in his reign of terror. 
 
Now they are hated and alone, exiled to the outskirts of society. Throughout the land, hushed voices whisper of brittle ground and a faint scent of brimstone in the air - and Murtagh senses that something wicked lurks in the shadows of Alagaësia. So begins an epic journey into lands both familiar and untravelled, where Murtagh and Thorn must use every weapon in their arsenal, from brains to brawn, to find and outwit a mysterious witch. A witch who is much more than she seems. 
 
In this gripping novel starring one of the most popular characters from Christopher Paolini's blockbuster Inheritance Cycle, a Dragon Rider must discover what he stands for in a world that has abandoned him. Murtagh is the perfect book to enter the World of Eragon for the first time . . . or to joyfully return.

Christopher Paolini

Books by Christopher Paolini

Series by Christopher Paolini

The Inheritance Cycle

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter