Eragon

Saphira's Voice is Immersion Breaking

When Gerard Doyle voiced Saphira's first line ("Eragon.") in that deep, masculine, gravely voice, I thought, "oh this is just what baby Saphira sounds like. Strange choice, but I'll go with it. Maybe it'll change as Saphira matures." I was wrong. Doyle sounds like he's drunk doing an impression of the goblin/beast/thing Ludo from the movie Labyrinth (1986). Each time he reads a line for Saphira, I laugh a little, but I also cringe. It's hard to listen to and take seriously. The story overall is well written and has great momentum, but every time Saphira has anything to say, it breaks the immersion completely. I can't describe how disappointed I am.

53 people found this helpful

narrator ruined it

I couldn't even finish listening to the first chapter. I have read/listened to this whole series before a nd know that it's excellent...but the narrator simply read it...and too fast...and did not "tell the story"

46 people found this helpful

How to Tell If this Book is For You In 2 Easy Ques

To determine if you should read this series, answer these two questions. (1) Do you like traditional fantasy? The kind that might have a noble death but not the kind full of gang rapes and torture. This kind has farm boys with heroic destinies. (2) Are you bothered by books that borrow strongly off of books written before them? in this case most strongly The Lord of the Rings. That is, will it be unbearably annoying to you that a book that is not LotR has elves who sailed to our shores in silver ships, and powerful silver haired wizards blowing smokes rings, etc. Or can you overlook that and enjoy a different story with similar world building? If you like traditional fantasy and can handle the similarities, then you can enjoy this series. On a side note: I disagree with those who think the dragon's voice should be more feminine. I like it the way it is - after all, even Eragon himself assumed at first that Sapphira was male. The voices are dramatized but I think it is done well.

33 people found this helpful

Story so good reader so bad :/

The way he voices the dragon is god awful if its communicating with telepathy why did he feel its voice so had to be so gruff. I honestly wouldnt have got this if i had known the voice would be like that! Wont be finishing the series :/ wasted my credit for the month

24 people found this helpful

Narrator Ruins Phenomenal Story

This is one of my favorite series of all time. I almost stopped listening in the first chapter due to the terrible voice of Eragon but I powered through that due to my love of this story. However, the voice of Saphira is horrendously inaccurate. Saphira is a regal and female creature and should sound as such, not as a guttural and poor attempt at a powerful masculine voice more fitting of a Kull maybe in this story. I should have sampled before buying but it was the only option for a chance to listen to my favorite series and I was sorely mistaken in making this purchase. If you have read this story do not buy this the disappointment may even be greater than my disappointment in the movie if that gives you any scale to go off of. If you haven’t read this you may be able to stomach the performance. Good luck.

18 people found this helpful

The Narrator ruined it for me.

Ok the story is good! HOWEVER i had a real problem with the way the narrator made the female dragon sound just like Cookie Monster from Sesame Street.

it's a telepathic connection. No vocal cords are being used. The Dragon is not straining her throat to mimic human speach. ITS TELEPATHIC!!! Why on earth would you make her sound like that?
I can only imagine what the author reaction would be listening to this (face palm)!
I continued listening anyway because i like the story but the more i listened the more it grated on my nerves and i started thinking of the dragon as a sumo wrestler with laryngitis. I really hope the rest of the books in the series aren't like this. If so i may have to return them.

52 people found this helpful

Saphira's voice sounds like Yoda!

What did you love best about Eragon?

I love this book and how unique the story is. However, the reader's use of a growly voice (which sounds disconcertingly like Yoda from Star Wars) is very jarring. Saphira should have a more feminine and regal-sounding voice, in my opinion. I debated returning the book for that reason alone, but the rest of the reading is quite good.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Saphira is my favorite character. She's very witty.

124 people found this helpful

Delightful and Enjoyable

I don't hate to admit that I'm over 50 and absolutely loved this book. I didn't want to quit listening, I was saddened to hear it end -- and already started looking for the next part. This was, in my mind, not written for any particular age group - it far transcends that. I've already recommended it to several others and even thinking about listening to it again (and again). I'm sure that the second time around I'll pick up something that I missed or didn't find significant the first time around.
I've definitely formed my opinions on who I think the traitors might be - I'm on pins and needles until I find out.
I highly recommend this book to any that enjoy a good book - I don't even think that most would find the characters that unbelievable.

75 people found this helpful

The Dragon is a GIRL

this is a great book which is only hurt by the nararator's inablilty to create a female dragon's voice. if you think you can get through this though than you will enjoy the read. I would have given it 4 stars but the naration brought it down a notch IMO

47 people found this helpful

Utterly Awesome!

This was one of the rare books that so fully absorbed me that I forgot to worry or think of anything else. No "rewind because I've lost track" throughout the entire story. The author is very descriptive in creating the characters, enabling you to envision the events as they unfold. Equally as important, the narrator was more than excellent! While this type of fiction will never make a classic or provoke mind altering thought, if what you want is entertainment value, this is for you.

176 people found this helpful