Book Description

Darkness falls…despair abounds…evil reigns…

Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the Dragon Rider: magic and swordsmanship. Soon he is on the journey of a lifetime, his eyes open to awe-inspring new places and people, his days filled with fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and nothing is what it seems. Before long, Eragon doesn’t know whom he can trust.

Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle–one that might put Eragon in even graver danger.

Will the king’s dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life. . . .


Praise for Eragon:
“Unusual, powerful . . . fresh and fluid. An impressive start to a writing career that’s sure to flourish.” –Booklist, Starred
“Christopher Paolini make[s] literary magic with his precocious debut.” –People
“The new ‘It’ book of children’s lit.” –U.S. News & World Report
“An auspicious beginning to both career and series.” –Publishers Weekly

A #1 New York Times Bestseller
A #1 Publishers Weekly Bestseller
A USA Today Bestseller
A Wall Street Journal Bestseller
A Book Sense Book of the Year
A #1 Book Sense Selection


From the Hardcover edition.

Download Description

Darkness falls…despair abounds…evil reigns…
Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the Dragon Rider: magic and swordsmanship. Soon he is on the journey of a lifetime, his eyes open to awe-inspring new places and people, his days filled with fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and nothing is what it seems. Before long, Eragon doesn’t know whom he can trust.
Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle–one that might put Eragon in even graver danger.
Will the king’s dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life. . . .

Praise for Eragon:
“Unusual, powerful . . . fresh and fluid. An impressive start to a writing career that’s sure to flourish.” –Booklist, Starred
“Christopher Paolini make[s] literary magic with his precocious debut.” –People
“The new ‘It’ book of children’s lit.” –U.S. News & World Report
“An auspicious beginning to both career and series.” –Publishers Weekly

A #1 New York Times Bestseller
A #1 Publishers Weekly Bestseller
A USA Today Bestseller
A Wall Street Journal Bestseller
A Book Sense Book of the Year
A #1 Book Sense Selection


From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

Dull, Derivative, Didactic.......2007-09-27

In Eldest, Paolini carries over all his mistakes with Eragon. The stealing from LOTR and Star Wars is more blatant than before. The needless details and purple prose are still there. The dialogue and characters are dryer than ever.

In addition to these flaws, Paolini has added in another literary no-no. Preachiness. Though we saw hints of his amateur philosophy in Eragon, it's ten times worse in Eldest. He uses Oromis as a soapbox to inject random sermons on atheism and vegetarianism into his story. I have no problem with sermons in fiction if they are relevant to themes well-woven into the plot. Yet atheism, religion, and vegetarianism seem irrelevant to Eragon's fight with Galbatorix. So why are they there?

The worst part is that Eldest's religious debates are frightfully immature. Neither side is well articulated. Oromis is a superficial question-dodger (which embarrasses me as an atheist). The religious characters are stereotypical screaming, spitting, straw men (that last alliterative bit surpasses all Paolini's poetic ability by the way). I can only pray (pun intended) that Paolini will give up this sad adolescent attempt at depth.

Awesome Continuation of an Incredible Book.......2007-09-17

I had been waiting for years when this came out. After reading Eragon, the first of the Inheritance Trilogy, I was just left hanging with the abrupt ending. Well this one picks up just about as abruptly, and doesn't really let go or calm down throughout.

I had read some reviews which complained about the training which Eragon and Saphira go through - how it takes up so much time and how its so boring and all that. I'll admit I'm a bit of a nerd, but I thought Paolini did an excellent job keeping things moving through the training phase. He actually left me wanting more. He also utilizes that period in the book to explore a little more the history of the world he's created. You can see a very strong Tolkien emphasis there (not to mention with many of the names he's chosen for characters and places!).

And I think this book turns the tale more into a multi-character tale, with the return of Roran and the adventure he undertakes which eventually links him back to Eragon.

Overall, very well done. I pretty much inhaled the book - it definitely moved and kept the story rolling on. I had a really hard time putting it down every night. It's also neat to see Paolini's maturation as an author. And I just can't wait for the third book!

Amazing book!!!!.......2007-09-10

I was bored one day at my libary and so i picked Eragon, that was most likly one of the best desisions of my life. It started my on this world of adventure Eldest, the sequel takes off right where Eragon left off and while being much thicker in length is also much better in story and plot. The Author does a great job in creating a world that just bursts in creativity, while also involving some of the clasic elements of surprise, suspence, romance, and the thrill before a battle. Eldest also brings you deep into the culture of Alligasia, I personaly did an all nighter while reading this book, i just could not put it down. My only disappointnent was that it had such a cliff hanger at the end!!! You should not read this book before reading Eragon, but please do read this eventually because this is currently the best book ever written!

A Derivitave Cluster (Insert Expletive).......2007-09-05

Although some have commented on this previously I will try and put my own spin on this...(warning plot spoilers, what little plot there was are below)

1. Because Obi-Wan Kenobi/Brom's died before completing Luke/Eragon's training, he travels to Dagobah/Elven Lands, to complete his training with Master Yoda/Deebag Lord of Elves.

2. Hero trains for awhile in secluded location by last jedi master/dragonrider left.

3. Luke/Eragon gets a vison of his friends in trouble and travels to Cloud City/Battlefield where he meets a dark figure who he battles and loses his lightsabre/dragonsword in the process. The critical all shocking moment is when Darth Vader/Red Dragon Knight reveals that Luke/Eragon I am your father/brother. Of course if you could be blind as a bat reading the book in braile and seen that Murtag was the red dragon rider about a million miles away...so it wasn't much of a revelation.

4. This book is bad, not in the mildly gosh that's several hours of my life I'll never get back but in a jaw dropping, utterly shocked, the world is now dumber for having read this book way. I read a review that mentioned that the editor of this book did a dismal job. He was certainly accurate in that assessment. Abysmally written, unoriginal to a point of plot plagarism, and editing to shock the conscience.

5. I know that Amazon requires you be over the age of 13 to post a review but I have to sincerely believe that no one over the age of 12 could honestly get mild entertainment out of such a sloppy mess as Eldest. It makes me worry to see so many positive reviews of such utter tripe.

6. I have a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature which I earned departmental Honor's in as well as Juris Doctor degree. Not that it makes my point anymore valid or the book any worse. But I would recommend avoiding this book like a leper with a bad case of herpes.

Nice derivation for uses of magic and when it comes from.......2007-08-29

Very good effort, and with a few parts that I found myself reading 5 or six times at different dates. If your have read it or happen to be Christopher Paolini, all I have to say is "Good Lord" middle section "Eldest", that section was my favorite. I also noticed the werecat clue you dropped in Eragon which as not reared it's head as of 2 books. A very good read, even if you are tired of old style fantasy books. The charactors make all the diffence.
Looking forward to Book 3.

Average customer rating: A good book for any class. ONE OF THE BEST WIZARDS SUPPLEMENTS IN A LONG TIME! A DM's Crowd-Pleaser. Great Book I'm a sucker for options...

Magic Item Compendium (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying) Andy Collins , Mike Mearls , Stephen Schubert , Eytan Bernstein , Frank Brunner , John Snead , and Owen K. C. Stephens Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books General | Role Playing & Fantasy | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books General | Dungeons & Dragons | Gaming | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books Similar Items: Complete Scoundrel: A Player's Guide to Trickery and Ingenuity (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying) Complete Champion: A Player's Guide to Divine Heroes (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying) Dungeonscape: An Essential Guide to Dungeon Adventuring (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying) Complete Mage: A Player's Guide to All Things Arcane (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying) Monster Manual V (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying) ASIN: 0786943459 Release Date: 2007-03-13

Customer Reviews:

A good book for any class........2007-07-07

If it where just a collection of magic items, then this book would still probably be worth it, but it also introduces several new concepts in magic items that can allow DMs and players new avenues to explore.

The first is a new concept of charges-per-day. Magic items with charges, like wands, and use-per-day items, like virtually everything else, have existed since the beginning of DnD. Charges-per-day is an item that gets a specific number of charges per day for use with a special power. What makes it different is that spending more charges simultaneously increases the effect. This is great for little effects you wanted more than once a day, but sometimes wish where a little bit stronger.

Next up is the runestaff. The runestaff is a new must-have for any spell caster with a static spell list, such as sorcerers, warmages and divine souls. They allow these magic users to sacrifice their own spell slots to cast the spells imbedded in the staff, essentially expanding their spell list, almost exactly like a cleric spontaneously casting cure spells. Each spell can only be cast this way a limited number of times per day, but it allows a magic user to increase their flexibility in varying situations.

Augment crystals are next. The easiest way to think of augment crystals are like slotable equipment in video games like Diablo. These relatively cheap crystals give minor bonuses to your weapon or armor and are swappable, allowing you to change them when the situation does. Unfortunately, the requirements for the highest-level crystal are a little over the top, making them for more expensive than their little price tag indicates.

Finally introduced are item sets. If you have ever played World of Warcraft or Diablo, you know what an items set is. Each component of an item set is its own magic item, but if you own more than one piece of the system, you start acquiring extra bonuses as the items resonate with each other. Some of these bonuses are very powerful and useful, some not so much, but it is a nice option for DMs who give their player planned out loot.

Being a compendium, several items in it came form other sources, such as Eberron or Faruen. Many of these items where changed in the transition. Some of the items become more powerful, others cheaper. This makes some items that where nice concepts, but priced out of the range of players that could use them, possible. Monks and spell casters should check out the re-priced DR shirts!

Also included in the book are new options for stat booster placement, item synergies, good art, and a wonderful chart for all magic items from the compendium, and the DMG!

ONE OF THE BEST WIZARDS SUPPLEMENTS IN A LONG TIME!.......2007-07-06

Dunegons & Dragons players today just don't know how good they have it. Back in the ancient days of the late 70's and early 80's, we AD&D players had the DM's guide and that was about it. Sure, the Dragon Magazine always had new magic items or you could create your own but those were not "official". Today, however, Wizards of the Coast is putting out a veritable dragon's horde of new supplements regularly and among the best of the recent releases is The Magic Item Compendium. Over 100, magic items are packed into this gorgeous 286 page, hardcover tome. Everything from minor magical trinkets to artifacts and relics are included in a well organized, and wonderfully written book that is a must have for players and DM's alike.

The book is organized into six chapters on Armor, weapons, clothing, tools, magic item sets, and using magic items and is bolstered by two comprehensive appendices listing magic items by price and random treasure. One of the things that I really like about the new magic item system is the infusing of normal armor, shields, swords, with magical properties that don't necessarily make them unique, one-of-a-kind items.

For example, in the Armor/shield category, there are over sixty different magical properties that can be added to the item (as long as it is already at least a +1 item or better) to enhance its qualities. One such property is Healing. This property will heal 2d8+5 points of damage automatically when the wearer is brought down to -1 to -9 hit points...i.e., rescue from death! The Speed property allows the user to produce the effects of a haste spell 3 times per day. All of these properties can be added to armor or shields. Next, there are over 25 unique armors and shields.

The Weapons chapter is similar to armor in that it first lists all of the different properties that can be added to a +1 or better weapon, as well as the price, caster level, aura, and activation required. Again, there are dozens of different properties listed with their full effects leaving it to the DM to decide what they want to create. There are some great unique items in weapons as well. These all include full descriptions of the appearance and powers, and most of them have a drawing that accompanies the weapon as well.

The items in clothing are all unique items and run the gamut of everything from amulets and boots to gloves and rings and everything in between. Chapter four is really a hodgepodge of everything else not included in the first three chapters. Here you'll find items such as bags, orbs, musical instruments, rods, runestaffs, tomes, and more.

Chapter five's subject is magical item sets. These are groups of three to six unique magic items that provide extra bonuses and abilities when worn together. What I love about these is that they will make great items to set about on separate quests to find and locate. And it had better be pretty hard to do so because they will make for some pretty powerful characters should all the items be found.

Finally, chapter six covers the usage of magic items...where to buy them, how to craft them, where to place them in a dungeon, etc...

It felt like the good, old days again just browsing through page after page of this treasure trove. The art is fantastic as usual. One of the best Supplements to come out in a long time.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

A DM's Crowd-Pleaser........2007-07-06

I've been a DM in one capacity or another for 27 years. This product got me excited again to run a game. The pictures are outstanding and plentiful. The people at Wizards of the Coast should be proud of this one. It is obvious from page one that a true gamer oversaw ever aspect of the product. This book, along with the Spell Compendium are like a one-two punch for the same, boring, treasure trove. A few new spells on scrolls, a new item here and there with never before seen effects and the players catch the excitement as well. The only issue I had against was that the beautiful drawing of the item in question was rarely on the same page as the description, but in a way, it added to the experience of flipping through the book to get ideas. Highly recommended!

Great Book.......2007-06-30

As a long time DM I find the quick and dirty method of item levels to be a very nice tool. Plus the full reference to all the items towards the rear of the book is great for quick look ups. All and all a great book for a DM and a pretty decent book for players. The new skills that you can apply to weapons was a nice addition.

I'm a sucker for options..........2007-06-28

This book has more weapon and armor enchantments than you'll ever use! On top of that, they added relics, artifacts and armor sets. All of which are very useful. They have things for all levels of all power levels.

This is a very useful book, because it adds to every aspect of the magical or legendary equipment. If you game has a lot of magic items or even just one or two items, this book will help you expand that.

The only downside is that your next game will have way to many magic items!

Average customer rating: Unbelievable deal! Good Stuff Dungeons & Dragons Fantastic game for a fantastic price D&D Core Rulebook Review

Dungeons & Dragons Core Rulebook Set (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying, Three Book Slipcased Set) Jonathan Tweet , Skip Williams , and Monte Cook Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books General | Role Playing & Fantasy | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books General | Dungeons & Dragons | Gaming | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books Entertainment | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books Similar Items: Dungeons & Dragons Dice with Cloth Dice Bag (Dungeons & Dragons Accessory) Complete Adventurer: A Guide to Skillful Characters of All Classes (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying Supplement) Complete Warrior (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying) Dungeon Master's Guide II (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying Supplement) Complete Arcane: A Player's Guide to Arcane Magic for all Classes (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying) ASIN: 0786934107 Release Date: 2003-09-01

Book Description

Customer Reviews:

Unbelievable deal!.......2007-10-08

I have been looking for a deal on these three core rule books for a while. I didn't feel like paying full price for the books since D&D 4.0 is coming next summer. I had just about decided that I would have to get used copies when I happened upon the Borders website. I had no idea that Borders and Amazon worked together. All three books come in a single boxed set and together the cost is less than 2/3 what buying them seperately would be. in fact, it's less than buying the three used separately. The box is nice and sturdy and features some cool artwork. If you are just starting out with the 3.5 ruleset, I don't think you can find a better price.

Good Stuff.......2007-09-29

The core rule book set is a nice addition for any D&D gamer. They are nice books and the box holder is a nice addition. It keeps the books together so you can grab them quickly. I would suggest this pack for those of you who want to start gaming or need new books. The price was reasonable and we would recommend them to others happily.

The books are colorful and the paper highquality. These books last through years and years of reference and play. They are must have for all gamers.

Dungeons & Dragons.......2007-09-28

The book came on time and in good condidtion.
My son was thrilled with the books and could not wait for them to come. The minute they showed up he disappeared into his room and didn't come out for hours.

Fantastic game for a fantastic price.......2007-08-24

D&D is a fantastic game, and for this price, it would have been a sin to miss. This three book was design to be definitely enough if you do not want to be invest more into the game -- magnificent tips to the dungeon masters to desing your own monsters, magic items, adventures and worlds, tons of spells, weapons and everything you can imagine. I can hardly put them aside.

D&D Core Rulebook Review.......2007-08-24

These books were purchased for my son who is 17 and just got into D&D. He actually asked for only the first book. When realizing there were other core books and the great price on the 3 book set, I had to get it for him. He was thrilled receiving extra books and had indicated that this is a great started set for persons new to D&D as well as experienced players.

Average customer rating: Dragon Of The Red Dawn Magic Tree House 37 Merlin Misson Dragon of the Red Dawn great book! Mary Pope Osborne: Never A Disappointment. I recommend this book

Dragon of the Red Dawn (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) Mary Pope Osborne Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover General | Fiction | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Other | Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Osborne, Mary Pope | ( O ) | Authors & Illustrators, A-Z | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Other | Children's Books | Mythology | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books Similar Items: Blizzard of the Blue Moon (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) Magic Tree House #38: Monday with a Mad Genius (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) Night of the New Magicians (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) Summer of the Sea Serpent (Magic Tree House #31) Winter of the Ice Wizard (Magic Tree House 32) ASIN: 0375837272 Release Date: 2007-02-27

Book Description

Merlin the Magician will not eat or sleep or speak to anyone in Camelot. What can be done? The enchantress Morgan knows who to ask
for help: young Jack and Annie of Frog Creek, Pennsylvania! The brother-and-sister team quickly head off in the magic tree house on another magical and historical adventure.

Their mission: discover one of the four secrets of happiness.

Their journey: to a land of fierce samurai and great beauty, the capital city of Edo (now the city of Tokyo), in ancient Japan in the 1600s.

Their tools: a research book to guide them and a magic wand with three special rules.

In Dragon of the Red Dawn, Mary Pope Osborne transports readers back to the splendor, rich culture, and magic of traditional Japan.

Customer Reviews:

Dragon Of The Red Dawn.......2007-10-09

I liked this book because it s'
like I'm in the book.Also
it captures my attention.This book is about Jack and Annie going to
Japan and to doing something.

Magic Tree House 37 Merlin Misson Dragon of the Red Dawn.......2007-10-09

I like this book because it has great words and the author it good at writing. This book was about them go to Tokyo . I give this book 5 stars.

great book!.......2007-09-01

This book I loved when I was reading the pages, and how it gives you a little passport in the back of the book like it was actually a real passport. The books description of the garden when they first get out of the tree house in Japan just gives me a picture of what it looks like in real life. This book had a bit of humor and that adds coolness to the book. Buy this book!!!!!!!! I'm 11.

Mary Pope Osborne: Never A Disappointment........2007-07-23

Osborne forever captures history, folklore and imagination into the minds of many young and old alike. Her books are ever a delight to read to my son (even though he's able to read by himself) and more, a delight to hear when they come out on audiocassette!

I recommend this book.......2007-06-10

I liked it because Jack and Annie travel to Japan which is a really cool place and I think more people should read this book. It is better than any other book because it is the newest of the series.

Average customer rating: Barely stands out in the crowd. Eragon This kid can write! Great...dont judge the books by the movie Great!

Eragon / Eldest (Inheritance, Books 1 & 2) Christopher Paolini Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Dragons | Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Inheritance | Fantasy & Adventure | Series | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Paolini, Christopher | ( P ) | Authors & Illustrators, A-Z | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Adventure & Thrillers | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books Literature | Children's Books | Boxed Sets | Formats | Books Series | Children's Books | Boxed Sets | Formats | Books Teens | Boxed Sets | Formats | Books Similar Items: Inkspell Eragon (Widescreen Edition) Eragon (Inheritance, Book 1) Inkheart His Dark Materials Trilogy (The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; The Amber Spyglass) ASIN: 0375836586 Release Date: 2005-08-23

Book Description

In the #1 New York Times bestselling novels Eragon and Eldest, fifteen year-old Eragon discovers his destiny as a Dragon Rider. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and his dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. This beautiful boxed set includes books I and II in the Inheritance trilogy.

Customer Reviews:

Barely stands out in the crowd........2007-10-07

As I've said, these books are great, wonderful. When I was reading them first two years ago, I found myself dreaming about it at night and picking it up first thing in the morning. These are books that truly capture the imagination and brilliantly well written.
Unfortunately, it has a lot of competition. With so many other great fantasy books out there, it's really hard to stand out in the crowd. Consequently, they've slowly faded from my mind. True, when the third book finally does come out, odds are I will be at these books again with the same ferocity as I had with the Harry Potter books, but for now, they simply sit on the book shelf collecting dust.
On a happier note, I've read both of the Inheritance books at least three times each, and you simply can't help but get excited during some great moments, and the art work for the covers is simply fantastic.
Still, there are so many other stories out there just like this one...
Tell you what. Get these books, because Paolini is a truly talented writer and destined to go places, and you decide whether you like them or not. And who knows, maybe soon in the future, he will come out with an even more exciting, more original story.

Eragon.......2007-09-02

Ok, I'm not going to lie, this is probably the least original thing I've ever read. But if you look past that It is one great book."2 books, sorry I forgot I was righting about both. Well back on subject. The story will keep you intrested in till the end.

This kid can write!.......2007-09-01

A very well-written story. Paolini has a great vocabulary, and knows how to put the words together to create interesting and readable books that can be enjoyed by fantasy lovers of all ages. I anxiously await Book 3.

Great...dont judge the books by the movie.......2007-07-10

The movie was horrible...BUT...the books are MUCH better in comparison. the books are detailed and easy to read. Lots of action and interesting story (somewhat predictable). this is a great series and i am looking forward to the third book. the books are targeted for younger audiences but as said before very interesting and older readers should still enjoy the book.

Great!.......2007-06-08

Great Books. Happy to have found the set of hard backs at a resonable price

Average customer rating: Adults and Kids! What utter drek. Eragon Eragon Eragon Inheritance Book 1

Eragon (Inheritance, Book 1) Christopher Paolini Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Inheritance | Fantasy & Adventure | Series | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Paolini, Christopher | ( P ) | Authors & Illustrators, A-Z | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Adventure & Thrillers | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books Similar Items: Eldest (Inheritance, Book 2) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) Inkheart Inkspell The Amulet of Samarkand (The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 1) ASIN: 0375826696 Release Date: 2005-04-26

Amazon.com

Here's a great big fantasy that you can pull over your head like a comfy old sweater and disappear into for a whole weekend. Christopher Paolini began Eragon when he was just 15, and the book shows the influence of Tolkien, of course, but also Terry Brooks, Anne McCaffrey, and perhaps even Wagner in its traditional quest structure and the generally agreed-upon nature of dwarves, elves, dragons, and heroic warfare with magic swords.

Eragon, a young farm boy, finds a marvelous blue stone in a mystical mountain place. Before he can trade it for food to get his family through the hard winter, it hatches a beautiful sapphire-blue dragon, a race thought to be extinct. Eragon bonds with the dragon, and when his family is killed by the marauding Ra'zac, he discovers that he is the last of the Dragon Riders, fated to play a decisive part in the coming war between the human but hidden Varden, dwarves, elves, the diabolical Shades and their neanderthal Urgalls, all pitted against and allied with each other and the evil King Galbatorix. Eragon and his dragon Saphira set out to find their role, growing in magic power and understanding of the complex political situation as they endure perilous travels and sudden battles, dire wounds, capture and escape.

In spite of the engrossing action, this is not a book for the casual fantasy reader. There are 65 names of people, horses, and dragons to be remembered and lots of pseudo-Celtic places, magic words, and phrases in the Ancient Language as well as the speech of the dwarfs and the Urgalls. But the maps and glossaries help, and by the end, readers will be utterly dedicated and eager for the next book, Eldest. (Ages 10 to 14) --Patty Campbell

Book Description

Now in paperback! 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.

A New York Times Bestseller

A USA Today Bestseller

A Wall Street Journal Bestseller

A Book Sense Bestseller

Download Description

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A New York Times Bestseller
A USA Today Bestseller
A Wall Street Journal Bestseller
A Book Sense Bestseller

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One boy... one dragon... A world of adventure

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.

Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands.

Visit Alagaesia.com to find out more about Eragon and the Inheritance Trilogy.

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"Unusual, powerful, fresh, and fluid.... An impressive start to a writing career that's sure to flourish."
   BOOKLIST, STARRED REVIEW

"[A] solid, sweeping epic fantasy..."
   KIRKUS REVIEWS

"An auspicious beginning to both career and series."
   PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

"An authentic work of great talent."
   THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

"Christopher Paolini make[s] literary magic with his precocious debut."
   PEOPLE

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Customer Reviews:

Adults and Kids!.......2007-10-06

This is a marvelous book that my son and I read for one of his school projects. By the time we finished with the book, virtually the whole family was wrapped up in it. We watch as a small town boy finds himself the chosen one of a wonderful but very dangerous item. When this item turns into a "pet," things get really exciting... and Hazardous. Read as Eragons life is torn apart, and his very life is linked with a dragon. This book (an the next) are books that will have you reading well into the night with anticipation. The characters come alive in this wonderfully creative book. Best of all, if you have young writers in your home, this is especially a must read because if you check out the age on this writer, you will find he was quite young when he wrote it... proving our point that kids can do great things!

What utter drek........2007-10-03

I was excited to read this book, what with all of the praise I had heard for the 17-year-old that had written. How disappointed was I. This is, without an ounce of doubt, the most poorly written book I have ever regrettably paid money for. Shoddy characters, a splotchy story, and an over all plot that seems to pull from other fantasy writers that are much, much better than he is. Honestly, I cannot believe how many mistakes he made while writing his story. I just wanted to take a red pen and scribble out whole pieces of useless details.

If you want to read an adolescent fantasy novel, go read The Golden Compass, or a Wrinkle in Time. Don't even bother touching trash like this.

Eragon.......2007-09-27

The lazy, hazy, crazy days of Summer, a great time to lounge in the shade, sip a cold lemonade, and lose yourself in a good book-Ahh, so many books, so little time. Yep, it reminds me of those carefree days of youth. And for the young reader, or the child in you, I very much recommend Eragon , a first novel, and first in a new fantasy trilogy by young author Christopher Paolini.

Eragon is a classic coming of age story, with fresh writing, and new perspective. Yes, there is magic and dragons, and a young hero coming to terms with responsibility and adulthood, and an evil, corrupt king to trust his growing powers. All classic elements of the fantasy genre, but the story and the characters drive the tale, giving solid footing to well-worn foundations.

Eragon is a solid first novel, and there's great promise in Christopher Paolini. He was only sixteen when he penned this novel. If you are a reader of fantasy, you'll see influence from masters of the genre-such as Tolkien, and Ann McCaffrey, and even elements of the Star Wars saga. But I like to think good story telling transcends the boundaries of genre, and this is a book with sound plot, good character development, and an epic tale to lose yourself. I found Eragon to be one of those rare books I never wanted to end, but luckily the next book in the trilogy, Eldest, has been released. So, you know what I'm reading next!

Author "Hobo Finds A Home" and editor of "Of A Predatory Heart"

Eragon.......2007-09-25

This book was ok. The story was pretty good. I really liked the characters, but I wish there was more information about their personalities and backgrounds.

Eragon Inheritance Book 1.......2007-09-22

My 12 y/o son loves this book. He cannot put it down and has read it several times. He cannot wait for the next installment to be published!

Average customer rating: Great Book! Better than the movie... Not too shabby Too predictable. Rip off of JRR Tolkien

Eragon/Eldest Trade Paperback Boxed Set Christopher Paolini Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Paolini, Christopher | ( P ) | Authors & Illustrators, A-Z | Children's Books | Subjects | Books Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books All Children's Boxed Sets | Children's Books | Boxed Sets | Formats | Books Literature | Children's Books | Boxed Sets | Formats | Books Teens | Boxed Sets | Formats | Books Similar Items: Eragon (Widescreen Edition) The Ultimate Unauthorized Eragon Guide: The Hidden Facts Behind the World of Alagaesia (Inheritance Trilogy) Pendragon Book One: The Merchant of Death (Pendragon) His Dark Materials Trilogy (The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; The Amber Spyglass) Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-6) ASIN: 0375842403 Release Date: 2007-03-13

Customer Reviews:

Great Book!.......2007-08-06

Eragon is a great book. I was looking for something to read in between Harry Potter books and this was a great choice! I saw the movie and didn't even realize that it was based on these books.

Better than the movie..........2007-08-04

These two books really show off the author's talent a a writer. I was glued to the pages until I finished and then wanted more.

Not too shabby.......2007-08-01

For the price, the book set isn't bad. I've finished Eragon and am working on Eldest, and I've found the books to be entertaining (certainly much better than the movie). Still, they aren't on quite the same level of fantasy writing as some of the more popular authors. Despite this, the books are very understandable and easy to read for younger readers.

Too predictable........2007-06-22

While the first two novels of the Inheritance Trilogy, Eragon and Eldest, are a decent first attempt of a budding young author, they certainly cannot be considered masterpieces of fantasy and likely would never have been published had Paolini's parents not owned their own publishing company.

I found the tale predictable as the author adheres far too ridgedly to the classic hero's journey. Unlike with Tolkien's epic, which Paolini is obviously attempting to imitate, or the Star Wars Trilogy (Episodes IV-VI), there is no real sense of tension troughout these works. I was never surprised by anything that happened in the story, nor have I any real doubt about the ultimate outcome. Furthermore, though Paolini's world, Alagaesia, comes with it's own distinct races, cultures and liguistics, it lacks the profound sense of history that is one of the wonderful hallmarks of Tolkien's Middle Earth, leaving one with a gnawing impression of deficiency. Moreover, I found the characters rather two-dementional: lacking in depth and generally uninteresting upon the whole.

All this is understadable. Unlike Tolkien, who was a professor of ancient languages and mythology, as well as WWI combat veteran, when he wrote The Lord of the Rings, Paolini was still an adolescent at the time these books were written and his novels evidence inexperience throughout their length. Having yet to embark upon his own life's quest, Paolini's insights into the causes of human behavior and its effects on others are more theoretical than precise. Consequently, I have real doubts about his ability to develop Eragon into a grown man by the end of the third book, as he himself has yet to fully mature.

One might feel that my comparison of the Inheritance Trilogy to the Lord of the Rings is unfair, but since Paolini clearly set out to mimic Tolkien, I believe such treatment to be fully justified. That said, Paolini admittedly possesses raw literary talent, but reminds me of a minor league ball player who has advanced to the majors too soon. Wisdom would have waited another thirty or forty years before attempting to tackle the grand master of fantasy.

Rip off of JRR Tolkien.......2007-05-17

Tons of hype, NYT best seller and a movie; boy did I expect more! Its nothing more than a rip off of Lord of the Rings, without the cute little hobbits. Dwarves live underground, make elaborate cities in mountains, bond with stone. Graceful Elves have pointy ears, live a long time, are aloof and above mere mortals. Protagonist is a young male-on-a-mission. Long trek with protagonist at center, elf and dwarf in-tow ensues. Sound familiar? It should. Its a re-invention of the characters and even sub plots of the LofR trilogy, only not nearly as well written or clever. Tired, familiar, and predictable, I'd like a refund. Time better spent rereading the original Tolkien. Pass on this.

Average customer rating: The best for getting the theoretical foundation of compilers Warmed over ghost of past excellence The new cover is awesome! Long live the Purple Dragon! Useful book Great book but....

Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools Alfred V. Aho , Ravi Sethi , and Jeffrey D. Ullman Manufacturer: Addison Wesley ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Compiler Design | Languages & Tools | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books Compilers | Languages & Tools | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books General | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books Design Tools & Techniques | Software Engineering | Computer Science | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books Design & Architecture | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books General | Software | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books Mathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books | Applied | Chaos & Systems | Geometry & Topology | Mathematical Analysis | Mathematical Physics | Number Systems | Pure Mathematics | Transformations | Trigonometry Programming Languages | Computer Science & Information Systems | New & Used Textbooks | Stores | Books Software | Information Systems | Computer Science & Information Systems | New & Used Textbooks | Stores | Books All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books Computers & Internet | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books Similar Items: lex & yacc Programming Language Pragmatics, Second Edition Computer Architecture, Fourth Edition: A Quantitative Approach Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach (2nd Edition) Advanced Compiler Design and Implementation ASIN: 0201100886

Customer Reviews:

The best for getting the theoretical foundation of compilers.......2007-06-13

This is the classical reference book for compiler design. This is not an easy text because of its heavy use of mathematical notation and the algorithms are presented only in pseudo code but you will not find a more complete collection of compiler related algorithms than in this book.

Warmed over ghost of past excellence.......2007-05-19

I spent some serious quality time with the first edition (the "red dragon book"), in three main episodes over the past dozen years: 1) undergraduate compilers class, 2) industry project, and 3) parser generator implementation. During all three episodes, I was disappointed in various ways, though there is no denying that the book contains a wealth of information. As an undergraduate, I found the book somewhat impenetrable. When in industry, I found the book too abstract. When implementing a parser generator, I discovered that the book excludes important research results with regard to LR parser generation. It is the last disappointment that I will focus on.

The book presents parser generation in layers of increasing complexity, from SLR to LR to LALR, where LALR is presented as the penultimate algorithm, though LALR parsers can only handle a subset of the grammars that LR can handle. The justification for this is that the original Knuth LR algorithm is intractable for large grammars. However, an efficient, fully correct, approach for LR parser generation was published in 1977, and on top of that it appears easier to implement than efficient LALR parser generation! The red dragon book's original authors simply cannot have been unaware of this research result, but I suspect that they elected to warm over the "green dragon book" (published in 1977) rather than incorporate the state of the art as of 1986 into the "red dragon book". Now here we are another 20 years later, and as near as I can tell from reading through available online information, the "purple dragon book" is perpetuating this omission. The result of the red dragon book is that we have an entire generation of computer scientists who have been mislead to think that LALR is somehow superior to LR, and the purple dragon book is setting things up for yet another generation to be mislead.

The new cover is awesome! Long live the Purple Dragon!.......2007-05-04

The CGI cover looks great! I only wish it stretched along the spine of the book like in the previous editions.

Useful book.......2007-02-20

I'm a computer engineering student and I purchased the book for my programming languages and compilers course. At present I still haven't completed the course, but I've already found this book pretty useful so far. The concepts are clearly and well explained, so that I could better understand some points that I found rather obscure during the lessons. It's being of great help, so I'm very satisfied of this purchase.

Great book but...........2007-02-15

This is the numero uno among compiler books. But whoever designed the new cover out to be have their sketch pens stuffed down their throat. Why change the cover! The previous book was called the dragon book and was a red dragon. No one ever changed Feynman's lecture books by painting the cover blue, did they? Addison Wesley should take their new edition cover design and stuff it.

Average customer rating: Great Updated Game Player's Handbook If you play D&D, you need this book. Great revision The nuts and bolts for the nutz

Player's Handbook: Core Rulebook I (Dungeons & Dragons, Edition 3.5) Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books General | Role Playing & Fantasy | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books General | Dungeons & Dragons | Gaming | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books Similar Items: Dungeon Master's Guide: Core Rulebook II (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying) Monster Manual: Core Rulebook III (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying) Player's Handbook II (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying) Complete Adventurer: A Guide to Skillful Characters of All Classes (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying Supplement) Complete Warrior (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying) ASIN: 0786928867 Release Date: 2003-07-01

Amazon.com

This Revised Edition (also called 3.5) of one-third of the Dungeons & Dragons trinity of core rulebooks (the other two being The Dungeon Master's Guide and The Monster Manual) contains errata, rules updates, and outright changes to the already-published Third Edition rules. The majority of changes are made in a quest for the holy grail of game rules: balance. To prevent boredom and enable creative choices, no single ability, spell, character class, or weapon should have an overwhelming advantage over another. So what has changed?

• The spells Harm, Heal, and Haste have been toned down. Other spells have been adjusted or renamed.
• Weapons are classified by the Size of the intended wielder, not the size of the individual weapons. A noteworthy effect of this new weapon size system is that Small characters can wield small-size greatswords, longswords, longspears (with reach), and other two-handed weapons.
• Classes have been tweaked. Bards and rangers received the most changes.
• New feats have been added (some original, some from the builder books), and some feats have been altered (a Power Attack now gives double benefit for two-handed weapons).
• Redundant skills have been rolled into one (such as sense motive and read lips) while others have been renamed (such as "wilderness lore" becoming "survival"). Skill synergies have been expanded and knowledge skills now include appropriate monster lore.

In addition to outright rules changes and tweaks, much of the core rule content has been clarified and updated with 3E errata. The combat section, in particular, is organized much better. Even the dreaded grapple rules are now relatively clear. A much-appreciated import from the D&D Miniatures game are new and simple rules for cover and line of sight, as well as clear photographic illustrations of the concepts of facing, attacks of opportunity, and reach.

All in all, 3.5 is a welcome update. The typographical errors are forgivable, given the extent of the update. The new options available to players (in the form of new class features and feats) make the play experience more fun. Veterans will enjoy re-learning the game they love and exploring all the new character possibilities. Perhaps more importantly, they'll find that introducing new gamers to the admittedly formidable D&D ruleset is easier with 3.5 than it was with 3E--call it a +2 circumstance bonus. --Mike Fehlauer

Book Description

Customer Reviews:

Great Updated Game.......2007-08-07

Having played Dungeons & Dragons in all its incarnations back to Advanced D&D, I must say this is the best so far. I love all the updates.

Anyone who played AD&D for any length of time can tell you the biggest problem of the game was the SLOW level advancement. the group I'm in played the same characters for almost 9 years and struggled to get to 14th level. And the monsters were not hard enough once you got high level. But this issue has been addressed and solved in D&D 3.5.

Another pesky issue was that of Armor Class. I hated THACO, and the 1st ed. AD&D system was very limited plus you needed all those charts. In 3.5 there is no limit in sight. And it's easy as pie to deal with during combat. Just roll the dice and go.

My only drawback is that for a DM, it is harder to create complete NPC's, since character creation is so involved. But on the Player's side, I love that character creation is so involved. It helps me get a good feel of who my character is before we even play. Great to create role-playing opportunities.

All in all this is a really fun game that has been inproved in a wonderful way.

Player's Handbook.......2007-05-10

The structure and overall content more or less remained the same. This is still the main book necessary for making characters and running a game. The changes were, on the whole, in the details.

Pros

* They made some good tweaks on the barbarian, making him more playable. For instance, they now have a trap sense ability and the ability to go into an advanced form of rage at 20th level.

* They played with the bard, somewhat, too. Among other things, they now have more skill points, to give them a broader use in the game.

* The druid now has the ability to convert a spell slot to a summoning spell, much like the cleric's ability to convert a spell slot to a healing spell.

* The monk has a few minor tweaks as well, notably in the attacks per round department.

* The paladin now has their powers spread out a bit, to discourage multiclassing into paladin for one level, solely for the saving throw bonuses.

* The ranger has considerably more versatility. They almost made the ranger playable, but messed it up in the end.

* There are minor tweaks in the skill section. They cut the innuendo and scry skills for instance. No one used them anyway.

* Many feats were brought to the Player's Handbook from other books. This opens them up into open game content for the d20 companies out there.

* Weapons are now based on the character's size. For instance, a longsword comes in the medium variety, the small variety and the large variety. While a halfling's longsword may seem like a short sword to a human, the hilt is the wrong size for a human to wield properly.

* There are many tweaks to individual spells that for the most part, don't detract, and usually enhance things quite a bit. Some spells were too powerful in 3.0, some not powerful enough. You can tell that a lot of thought went into adjusting game balance in this section.


Cons

* The paladin is no more playable than the 3.0 version. The fighter is still much more powerful. WotC seems to be of the opinion that because the paladin gets played a lot, it isn't broken. They don't seem to realize that people would still play paladins if they had fur and barked like dogs. The paladin is too well ingrained in the D&D psyche for people to ignore it just because the class is broken.

* The ranger almost made it. On my first read, I thought the ranger was fixed, but then I saw that they shorted the ranger in the hit dice department, so the ranger is only a bit less broken than in 3.0.

* While I liked, overall, the combat section, I was annoyed that they didn't fix a few problems I had. For instance, I think mages should get a penalty for casting a spell in the same round that they are hit with a full attack (it seems surprising that a mage can get hit five times in six seconds and still cast a spell without anything more than the casting defensively penalty). They also didn't change the one rule in D&D which annoys me the most, the fact that attacking a collar on someone's neck or a pouch on their side provokes an attack or opportunity. I'll just never get that attacking any object on another person's person (I like the sound of that sentence), makes them so confident of their safety they get a free attack on you.

If you play D&D, you need this book........2007-05-08

Simple as that, if you play Dungeons and Dragons v3.5, you physically need this book. Doesn't matter if you're a PC or a DM, BUY IT.

Great revision.......2007-04-22

Any review of this book is, by necessity, a review of the 3rd edition book it replaces. Regular gamers had some common complaints about the way 3rd edition came out, and this revision addresses some of them. Before I get into the details, I'd like to make a general observation for any first time gamers. D&D is THE role playing game right now. If you're looking to get into an RPG, D&D is your best choice. The D20 engine (game mechanic) is intuitive, and with an experienced DM, any group of four or five friends can be up and running in no time. Now, on to the crunchy stuff (If you're a novice, you might want to stop reading now):
1. Ranger class revision. The ranger class was often maligned as either underpowered or only worthwhile for one level. The new ranger class isn't as front loaded, and turns the ranger from a poorly armored guy with two knives and a dog to the agile wilderness warrior I envisioned. I wish they had found a way to keep the d10 hit die, but I guess it was necessary to drop the ranger to a d8 to give the extra abilities (Evasion, woodland stride, etc). I'd hesitate to say that this is worth the price of admission, but as revisions go, it's heavy-handed enough that I'd consider it a new class.
2. Nerfed magic. There were certain spells or combinations of spells that could prove overpowered in battle. Haste was the most frequent offender, and now loses its effect if the target casts a spell. I don't play casters often, so others can speak to this better than I can, but wizards and sorcerers are brought slightly more in line with other classes in 3.5. That said, at higher levels, there's still far more sorcery than sword in this sword and sorcery game.
3. Fighter improvement. OK, there isn't much to speak of. I think a couple of new fighter feats from supplements were added to the core, but those who thought the fighter was underpowered before will likely still think so now. This shortcoming is probably enough reason on its own to keep this from being a 5 star rating. The new fighter feats are largely just another logical step from their prerequisites (greater weapon specialization, greater weapon focus, a few newer forms of toughness that grant more hp, etc). There's nothing in there that wouldn't immediately be house ruled in by any DM approached with the idea by a player playing a fighter. More importantly, anyone playing a fighter would likely already have thought of these. I'll move on now, but suffice it to say that this is the major shortcoming of this book. However, I still think fighters are great first characters, and yes, I still play them even though I've been playing since college.
4. Improved skill lists. I like adding Intimidate as a barbarian class skill, giving the bard and ranger six skill points/level, etc. Basicallly, the game has been made a little more skill-friendly for folks who don't play rogues. If the lack of creative upgrades for the fighter constitute the obvious shortcoming of the revision, then this is the total opposite, a much-needed revision that is subtle, but helps game play a lot in my opinion.
4. Altered races. Dwarves get a few upgrades to make them even more fighter-friendly. I like this, and feel it adds even greater flavor to the dwarves. I just wish that something would be done with/for half elves.
Final Verdict:
I consider 3.5 a step up from 3.0. I like it, and prefer playing 3.5 if given the option. Most people stepped up pretty much immediately, though, so I'm not sure that option really exists. If you want to play a role playing game, chances are you basically have to buy/borrow this book from someone because D&D is the universal RPG. It could be better, but I'd say this is an excellent system, and an excellent use of that system to create a set of classes/races that really gel.

The nuts and bolts for the nutz.......2007-01-16

anyone one of my friends and colleagues who ask me how to play DnD this is the first thing i hand them. i have a loaner copy that is in my house no more then 1 day out of the month. in short this is the best place to start.

Average customer rating: great buy Who *isn't* a scoundrel? I loved this book A 5 star, if you're more devious, than "Conan" ;) I'd rather be lucky than good.

Complete Scoundrel: A Player's Guide to Trickery and Ingenuity (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying) Mike Mcartor , and Wesley Schneider Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books General | Role Playing & Fantasy | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books General | Dungeons & Dragons | Gaming | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books Similar Items: Magic Item Compendium (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying) Complete Mage: A Player's Guide to All Things Arcane (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying) Complete Champion: A Player's Guide to Divine Heroes (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying) Dungeonscape: An Essential Guide to Dungeon Adventuring (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying) Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying) ASIN: 0786941529 Release Date: 2007-01-16

Customer Reviews:

great buy.......2007-08-14

This book is pretty good. It is unreasonable to expect that every person is going to use every bit of this book. No one has that much time, or that many characters. Unless of course your characters are suicidal and you roll up a new one every session. To me, if you can pick up a supplement book, pluck out a few classes, feats, and some other good information out of it, chances are its a good buy. Especially considering you can bring that to your gaming group and someone else there might like something that you didn't have a use for. The prestige classes are pretty interesting in terms of class abilities, but I wasn't crazy about them. The enrichment material at the front of the book is excellent though, just like the stuff in PHB2. Solid gold for helping you role-play or just concept a character. The feats and skill tricks presented in this book are also good. In my current campaign I play a Scout (from Complete Adventurer) and I like the character a lot. The problem was, I wasn't getting the full statistical output that my character's personality supports. With the feats in this book, I was able to customize my character by multiclassing in some things without losing some of the Scout class ability progression, which let me make the character into who I felt he should be. The book also has many other feats that make it a lot more appealing to multiclass with levels in a Scoundrel-type class. The skill tricks also add a lot of flavor to your character as well as giving them some cool abilities like some feats give, but with the limitation that they can be used once per day. The book isn't all for the Rogue type, though. It has a fair amount of prestige classes and feats and skill tricks for various casters. To name a few, this book contains the Grey Guard prestige class, sort of like a Paladin with less remorse and more freedom of action. It also has a skill trick that lets anyone with 5 ranks in the Heal skill heal some damage when they stabilize. All in all, I won't use everything in this book, but I will use a good amount of it and it is likely that some of my other players will, too.

Who *isn't* a scoundrel?.......2007-07-24

I was very excited about pre-ordering this book, as it sounded like just the thing for giving sneaky, underhanded spells/feats to sneaky, underhanded characters.

However, being a scoundrel has nothing to do with being sneaky or underhanded. Or clever. Or...well, anything at all. EVERYONE's a scoundrel, as illustrated by the book's "What is a scoundrel?" section. Darth Vader and Mario (yes, that Mario) are cited as examples.

This book is full of very similar feats (more often than not, they're just "Choose to re-roll" affairs).

I would not recommend it.

I loved this book.......2007-07-19

I really found this book helpful, as the skill tricks can be used for different classes and I tend to play a more tactical based character anyway. I've had an enjoyable time experimenting with many classes using the recommendations from this book and the luck feats are rather entertaining at times.

A 5 star, if you're more devious, than "Conan" ;).......2007-06-27

More a sort of explanation and thought provoking book to stir your adventures and characters, than just hard "crunch", it's a good one for those who play more devious, roguish characters or settings, than a "hack n' slash" one.
So, 5 star if you like that, but 3 or 4 star if not into such things.

It's less practical than "Complete Adventurer", but if you play a more roleplay focused, or gritty/personality type of campaign, it can be just the thing.
:)

I'd rather be lucky than good........2007-06-15

This book is an excellent addition to your D and D library, especially if you like to play a character who uses their wits in place of brawn.

If you are familiar with "The Complete X" line of books from WotC than the layout of this book is no surprise. Prestige classes, new feats, new equipment, etc... Either you need more feats to choose from or you don't, same with Prestige classes. However, please read on.

What is new in this book is what really makes this book stand out, in my opinion. Skill Tricks. These tricks are almost like mini feats. They are extremely useful and come in several varieties. Basically they add a bit more flavor to your already useful skill ranks to get a bit more milage out of a skill check. They aid in combat, movement, awareness checks and other sundry uses.

Face it, if you are attracted to this kind of character to begin with you are going to have a on of skill points, skill points gives you more options and uses for spending them.

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4. Fear No Evil: A Novel
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8. Geography of Nowhere: The Rise and Decline of America's Man-Made Landscape
9. Goodnight Moon
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