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. “An authentic work of great talent.”—The New York Times Book Review “Christopher Paolini make[s] literary magic with his precocious debut.”—People “Unusual, powerful, fresh, and fluid.”—Booklist, Starred “An auspicious beginning to both career and series.” —Publishers Weekly A New York Times Bestseller A USA Today Bestseller A Wall Street Journal Bestseller A Book Sense Bestseller From the Hardcover edition.