Book One Project: Inheritance

Brisingr Glyph

Idea 1:

v We should create plush dragons. There could be collectible items that represent each main dragon from the books. One for Saphira, Glaedr, Thorn, etc. The plush dragons could come with the egg that they would “hatch” out of. When Eragon and Saphira first met another dragon this was how he was described,   Glaedr “appeared to be on fire as the brilliant dawn illuminated its golden scales…”

v It connects to the book because it represents many of the main characters in the book. Anyone who hadn’t read the books would understand the concept, but others probably wouldn’t appreciate them as much.

v It targets young children to older kids who like fantasy and would encourage them to read the book to find out the story of the dragons. These plush dragons would be a great way to encourage reading at a younger age.

Idea 2:

v We should create a video game where people could be immersed in the world of Alagaesia. People could play as  Eragon and Saphira and could learn from The Cripple Who Is Whole. You could fight in different battles and then eventually fight Galbatorix. For a different viewpoint people could play as Murtagh and experience growing up in Galbatorix’s court. OR for people who think that this would be too predictable, they could play as one of the new dragon Riders and have to decide whether to leave Alagaesia and train with Eragon and Saphira or to stay in a more familiar land and  train with Arya. “…Saphira and I have decided to leave Alagaesia.”

v The game would connect to the book by allowing fans to act out the entire plot and/or make their own story. It would allow the fans to be a part of the story and to make their mark on Alagaesia.

v I think that it would definitely target Inheritance fans, but would also appeal to other people because it sounds interesting by itself. Interactive games are really popular in general, so it would be a good medium to market the books through.

v I would want to read the series after playing the game because I would want to know more details about this new world. You can never just know part of the plot of a novel like this. People who haven’t read the Inheritance Cycle will be enticed to read it once they play this game.

Idea 3:

v We should create Brisingr replicas. I got this idea from the wands that are sold for the Harry Potter series. I was also inspired by the light sabers from Star Wars.

v Eragon’s sword is a magical item in the book which can emit blue flames, yet doesn’t burn. It could flash blue lights when the user said the word “brisingr”. Brisingr means “fire” in the ancient language.Eragon created his sword out of brightsteel with the help of an Elven master.

v  It connects to the book because it is one of the main items talked about during the entire series. "Now there is a fitting sword for a Rider and dragon! It breathes fire as easily as I do." (Saphira) It also has a lot of symbolic importance. Brisingr was the first spell Eragon ever cast and he also killed the Shade using this spell.

v I think that it would appeal to all who have read the Inheritance Cycle. It could also appeal to others who haven’t read the books because it would be a really cool toy that kids would want to learn more about.

What is a Book?

A book is an escape. I go there to escape my crazy life, hectic schedule filled with things I sometimes wonder why they really matter at all. In a book I forget all of that. I’m someone else, anyone else, except me. A book is always there. Dependable. It brings forth new ideas. Giving. It never judges. Allowing. It can be kind or extremely cruel. A book is a best friend that you can carry in your pocket. Do I think that a book must be physical? I don’t really know. Personally, I prefer regular, old books because it feels like it is more personal. I really like how Tom Piazza describes information given by eBooks “When everything has equal weight, everything is weightless.” I agree with this concept. When everything looks the same, feels the same it has no weight although it should and therefore no importance. Joe Meno said “A book, in whatever forms it takes—paperback, electronic version…—a book is actually a place, a place where we, as readers, still have the chance to engage in active imagining…” I disagree with Meno’s opinion here. A true book should be on paper. It tells the history of everything. People should want to read it how it was meant to be read and not search for a more modern way to do it. While I appreciate the convenience of a Kindle, iPad, etc., I still think that the physical presence of the book is important, too. However, overall, what is most important is that you read something somewhere no matter what form it comes in. Too many people don’t read for pleasure at all and I think that they are missing out on so much of what they could have if they would just turn a single page.

Why I Read

I originally began reading merely to keep myself from boredom. I don’t have any siblings and if my friends were busy, there was nothing else to do. As I got older, I loved it. It allowed me to escape from my regular, tedious, uninteresting life to a place when adventure was common. I could be anything I wanted, anything as long as I could dream it. I’m never afraid in my imagination because there is no one and nothing who can judge me and my ideas there.  I appreciate the difference of books vs. technology. Many people of my generation would say that new, high-tech things are the best entertainment. I disagree. Books will always be better because their nature allows them to go in depth to the human mind and emotions. Movies and other things can never reach that. Books are much more personal. Books are always there to distract you, fill your empty schedule, and they never disappear into cyberspace.  They “ensnare the senses, bottle glory, and (can) even put a stopper in death” (Severus Snape, Harry Potter, Book 1). Books hold all of these things and so much more. I love reading because it opens doors to new knowledge and excitement. Life would be much duller if there were no bedtime stories to put us to sleep and no pondering of the next page when you are forced to put away that twisted romance novel.

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

Quick Facts:

1. Palini was home-schooled by his parents in Paradise Valley, Montana. After he graduated at the age of 15, he began writing the first book in the Inheritance Cycle, Eragon.
2. The book was self-published and went unnoticed for a long time before it was discovered and became a movie. According to his website, http://www.alagaesia.com/ Paolini has sold about 25 million copies worldwide.

3. The nature around his hometown inspried Paolini the most. It is what gave his work such detailed descriptions.

Shelby Scoffield, of The Deseret News on Inheritance
"Though the ending of this beloved series is satisfying, Paolini takes his time getting there."