Books Like Eragon To Read After The Inheritance Cycle

From one of the most well-known fantasy authors of all time, we have the legendary story of Bilbo Baggins, a simple Hobbit living a quiet life in his cozy Hobbit hole, who is reluctantly catapulted into the adventure of a lifetime when a wizard shows up unexpectedly at his home.

Through his adventures, Bilbo begins to see that he’s capable of more than he could have ever imagined when he starts to discover his courage while testing his wits and his will to continue, even when the journey grows dark and turning back would be easier.

Along the way, we meet dwarves, elves, trolls, and creatures of the dark. We also meet one of the best antagonists ever created, the great dragon, Smaug. Smaug is no mere monster but a character that is as haughty and condescending as he is dangerous, but above all has an all-too-human flaw—arrogance—that proves to be his downfall.

Tolkien’s narrative is masterfully descriptive as we wander through the epic world of Middle Earth. Indeed, few can build worlds with the breadth and imagination of Tolkien, who created new languages and an extensive mythology and history of Middle Earth. With these elements, the world of Middle Earth feels lived in and real.

Filled with unlikely friendships, adventure, and some of the best world-building ever written, you'll end up wanting to reread this book many times. Like in Eragon, there’s a dragon, elves, epic world-building, adventure, and characters you will fall in love with.

And if you end up loving The Hobbit and Middle Earth, there’s the  Lord of the Rings  series that continues the story that The Hobbit starts.  

Another classic fantasy book, Le Guin’s simple but beautiful coming-of-age story follows a reckless youth, Ged, and his journey from a naive and somewhat arrogant farm boy to becoming the greatest wizard of Earthsea.

Le Guin’s themes are compelling, and the vivid world-building is excellent as we accompany Ged on his voyages throughout the tiny islands of the archipelago. There are moments of great adventure, but the most impactful element is the journey of introspection of the main character.

While at wizarding school, Ged, in an impulsive and prideful act, unleashes a dangerous Shadow being that wreaks havoc in Earthsea and pursues him as he moves around trying to escape it. Ged spends years of his life attempting to rectify his mistakes and, in the process, has to confront and embrace his dark side to restore balance in the realm.

Like in Eragon, there’s magic, power in knowing and mastering the true name of things, taming dragons, and difficult choices and challenges leading to the maturation of the central protagonist.

What sets this book apart is its narration in the fairy tale tradition, lyrical imagery, and the focus on confronting and embracing the darker aspects of oneself. This book is sure to make you think about power and self-perception.

This is the first book in the Earthsea Cycle series, but it can be read as a standalone. If you find you can't get enough of this story, five more books are waiting for you.

If you’re searching for a new adult high fantasy book like Eragon about dragons and full of enemies-to-lovers romance, Fourth Wing is the book for you. Plus, it’s a series, so there’s plenty more to read after this one!

Fourth Wing follows the tale of cadet Violet Sorrengail, a twenty-year-old aspiring scribe whose dreams are pushed aside when she’s forced to join the war college and train to become a dragon rider by her mother, who's a military general.

In this fast-paced book, we see Violet navigating enemies, forging friendships, and blossoming a special bond between dragon and rider that grants great power to help Violet’s nation in the ongoing fight with the neighboring kingdom.

But the war college is competitive, as every cadet is desperate to join the dragon riders, an elite military force, and few cadets ever survive their first year. Everyone wants to graduate… or die trying.

The magic system differs from that of Eragon, with each rider and dragon pair possessing unique and specific magic, ranging from controlling elements to reading minds, adding depth to each character.

Similarly to Eragon, the dragons are unique characters who speak telepathically and form deep bonds with their riders, bringing that little bit of extra unpredictability. The world-building revolving around the dragons is well-written and engaging. You’re in for a wild ride if you pick this book/series up.

Christopher Paolini’s The Inheritance Cycle series was inspired by Dragonflight (and the rest of The Dragon Riders of Pern series). This high fantasy novel has more complex world-building, a strong female protagonist, and blends fantasy and science fiction.

Set in a beautiful world called Pern, Lessa, an outcast survivor dreaming of revenge, meets an ambitious young dragon rider, F'lar, who offers her the chance to lead Pern at his side. To do so, she must impress a golden dragon with whom she will share a telepathic bond more intimate than any human connection.

Lessa's fierceness and courage are put to the test when an ancient scourge returns to the land: a deadly silver spore that falls from the sky, destroying all it touches. Only dragons can fight this threat, and there are not enough dragons to protect all of Pern. Lessa and her dragon may hold the key to their world's salvation… but executing her daring plan may be costlier than she ever envisioned.

Eye of the Wheel is the first book in the epic Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Wheel of Time is an expansive, epic fantasy series with meticulously detailed world-building, a deep, intricate magic system, and a large cast of complex characters .

Moiraine Damodred arrives in Emond’s Field on a quest to find the one prophesized to stand against The Dark One, a malicious entity sowing the seeds of chaos and destruction. When a vicious band of Trollocs (half-men, half-beasts) invades the village seeking their master’s enemy, Moiraine persuades Rand al’Thor and his friends to leave their home and enter a larger, unimaginable world filled with magic and dangers waiting in the shadows and in the light.

If you enjoy rich lore, political intrigue, and impactful character arcs, then this series is for you, and it has a similar atmosphere to The Inheritance Cycle.