I did not read book 1 - I saw the movie a few years ago before realizing it was a book series.  I enjoyed the movie so decided to read the books before the movies started coming out again.  This is a science-fiction/fantasy read, about 300+ pages.

 

I thought the name of the book referred to one of the 3 dragons in the story but was never quite sure because it never made a direct reference.  In the VERY end I was completely surprised by what "Eldest" referred to and now am intrigued to find out what happens in the 3rd series even more.

 

Eragon (the boy who found Saphira's dragon egg) has been fairly trained in the ways of magic now and as the only dragon rider alive (and brand new at that) it is his sworn destiny and duty to carry out the process of protecting the kingdom inhabitants and bringing down King Galbatorix and his cruel army.  With the lives of every type of inhabitant in the kingdom (dwarves, elves, humans, etc.) depending on him for their existance, he is feeling immense pressure & doubting his capabilities & abilities.  He is just a boy of perhaps 16 who's parents/village were destroyed by the king unbeknownst to him as of yet because he has traveled across the the land to the Dwarves and Elfen kingdoms for variuos reasons. 

 

Through the help of Arya, Nasuada, and many other leaders of the kindgom villages, he embarks on a tremendous journey with Saphira, his dragon (soul mate of sorts) learning of first love, betrayal, war and loss as well as how difficult it is to gain people's trust and admiration when they expected a man dragon rider to save them and only see a boy.  He has had to prove himself countless times along the way, sometimes feeling he hasn't received what should be due him but learning that that is life.

 

The final 4-5 chapters are edge-of-seat, page turning chapters full of surprise endings for several situations as Eragon finally must muster all the knowledge and strength of magic he has learned in training to battle the King's army and still protect his side of fighters from injury as well as destroy the enemy magicians.  Both Eragon and Saphira will learn the bittersweet taste first hand of how betrayal can hit close to home and the pain it brings at the same time of joyful reunitement and of course, endless possibilities to overcome!