Eragon's Guide to Alagaesia by Christopher Paolini
Doubleday, 2009. ISBN
9780385617888.
Paolini,
together with illustrators; F. Gambino, L. McDougal, I. Miller, D.
Wyatt
and
designer J. Lambert have produced an album style guide to Alagaesia.
All
those
who have loved Eragon, Eldest and Brisingr will
enjoy the rich
illustrations
and attention to detail in this plush companion edition to Paolini's
books.
To
most Paolini fans, I'm sure the information for the most part, comes as
no
great surprise. But there is a useful time line showing the arrivals of
the
main groups of people to Alagaesia; the Dwarves, the Elves, Humans and
Urgals.
There is also background data on animals and plants; such as cave
bears,
feldunost, the Menoa Tree and fireweed. There are marvelous black and
white
illustrations showing great technical, and anatomical skill with close
attention to detail. Included are some little samples of Elven weaving,
samples
of language phrases from the three non-human groups and even a fur
sample from
the Feldunost. There are little booklets and flip over cards that will
fascinate the younger readers.
The
album has been designed to enable the reader to enter into Eragon's
world of
Alagaesia and understand what this 'otherworld' contains and gives some
major
do's and don'ts when visiting.
Coming
up to Christmas I'm sure there are many fans who would love this to be
part of
their festive celebrations.
Mark Knight