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Eragon |
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Jun 12 2008, 4:15 AM
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Cosmix Fairy
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Joined: September 7 2007
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[rant]
The problem with the series is the author's obsessions about many things. For one, he's been home-schooled, and no doubt has more than a few fantasies in his life that were never shattered. Hence, he never learned how to pick up the pieces, nor deal with failure. Why else do you think he had his parents publish the story and QUIT THEIR JOBS rather than find someone who would actually edit it?
Second, the story just has too many echoes of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings without adding much of its own to it. One of the parts of the second book I actually liked was the stuff going on with Eragon's cousin and having to assume a leadership role... although how a villiage was able to handle a crack military force for that long is quite unrealistic. If you're going to have nods towards previous stories, make then just that: a brief acknowledgedment of what helped you get where you are and GET ON WITH YOUR OWN DAMN STORY!
Eragon himself also ends up being quite the goddamn Gary Stu. I mean, automatically healed of all those wonderful physical defects and able hard-pressed to beat in combat? Wonderful. How about giving him a lightsaber and making the transition to ultimate Wish Fullfilment complete.
Also, what the hell is up with the fact that when there's a tragic scene, someone is ALWAYS SHEDDING A SINGLE, SHIMMERING TEAR!
I read parts of the Belgariad, and liked it. The various groups of protagonists all had blatant flaws that everyone else pointed out, either being too headstrong, or too down-to-earth, or too closed-minded. Even Garion himself stumbled around on his own two feet enough that it was enjoyable Magic also was not treated as a cure-all, with inherit flaws and putting an emphasis on willpower. Eragon's started with an interesting flaw, but it gets swept away with "Yeah. Don't say 'Boulder, get off me.' Say 'Boulder, try to get off me, but don't overstress me'. Strips the usage of magic in the story of all vestiges of strategy and tension.
The Empire also tragically seems rather... unimpressive. Galbatorix has been letting second-rate subordinates do all his dirty work, the military faces problems from the required Noble and Incapable of Doing Any Wrong Resistance, and is incapable of expanding. Forget worrying about Eragon, I'm wondering how that damn kingdom hasn't crumbled away to nothingness due to the lack of any possible growth.
And don't get me STARTED on the goddamn elves! Oh, they're so pretty! They're so strong! They have magic! They live practically forever! They're always right in regards to every situation! Eragon has a "Will they or won't they" subplot going on with one! They live an idealistic lifestyle while being total douches to everyone else! How about I call in Dio Brando and kill you all with his awesome, time-freezing, steamroller-dropping powers of doom and cool? At least Tales of Symphonia's/Phantasia's elves were shown to be just as bigoted as humankind, the protagonists growing to loathe them for their douchiness, and eventually say "Screw you guys, I'm going to do something productive with my time!"
And lastly, I find myself staring straight at that dreaded prophesy Eragon got from That Darned Cat (the creature, not the movie). We know it's going to happen, and we know there's going to be a lot of unnecessary angsting along the way. Cry me a river, prettyboy.
This is MorriganAensland, local hate-monger... and I am... COMPLETELY JUSTIFIED!
[unrant]
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Jun 12 2008, 2:05 PM
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Cosmix Fairy
Group: Members
Posts: 3,850
Joined: September 7 2007
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Actually, I recall something in Time saying that Paolini's parents did quit their job before making the publishing company. Then again, that was like 3 years ago, and my memory in some regards is shot.
And Lovecraft and all those Cthulu things are great. However, I'll stick with remembering that moment in Getter Robo Armageddon where Ryoma killed a bunch of innocent civilians since they were trapped inside a giant monster and had already been assimilated. Everyone else refused to attack due to moral reasons, but Ryoma knew what had to be done since there was no way for those people to be saved... and promptly and remorselessly killed every single on.
Gory, emotionally depressing, downright disturbing for a character who was already known for going berserk, and at the same time you can't help but empathize with Ryoma because he's stuck doing the deed nobody else has the guts to.
And besides, Cthulu and all those Lovecraftian monsters lost all scare power over me once I started reading Hello Cthulu. In short, it's a webcomic where the Elder Gods go to Hello Kitty land as their staging point in world domination, only to realize they're powerless there. Dagon, for one, ends up opening a seafood shop.
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Jun 12 2008, 6:31 PM
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Butterflix Fairy
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From: The Depths
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that means you really haven't read them recently, or fully understood what HP was trying to convey. as for Hello Cthu LHU, I tried reading it but I prefer Goomi's Unspeakable Vault (of DOOM) keeps the idea, but adds some very good humor to it as well. and I know Goomi misspells the names, he's stated its a parody so he goes by the parody laws. Edit: on the Getter robo monster thing: ho-hum the whole assimilation thing has been done and gets old. Lovecraft's horrors are something that can't be seen. and since you're a troper (and I admit to being one as well) you might want to check the listings for Lovecraft and Cosmic Horrors. favorite one (at this moment) is "Did you just Punch Cthulhu?"
This post has been edited by Asher Omega: Jun 13 2008, 6:38 AM
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