Author guide

Christopher Paolini Books in Order

Christopher Paolini is an American author whose major works include the Inheritance Cycle fantasy novels Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, and Inheritance; the companion story collection The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm; the World of Eragon novel Murtagh; and the Fractalverse novels To Sleep in a Sea of Stars and Fractal Noise. He also created the interactive Fractalverse story Unity and wrote Eragon's Guide to Alagaësia.

fantasyscience fictionyoung adult

Catalog record updated August 25, 2026.

Christopher Paolini's Newest Book

Fractal Noise

novel · First published 2023

July 25th, 2234: The crew of the Adamura discovers the Anomaly. On the seemingly uninhabited planet Talos VII: a circular pit, 50 kilometers wide. Its curve not of nature, but design. Now, a small team must land and journey on foot across the surface to learn who built the hole and why. But they all carry the burdens of lives carved out on disparate colonies in the cruel cold of space. For some the mission is the dream of the lifetime, for others a risk not worth taking, and for one it is a desperate attempt to find meaning in an uncaring universe. Each step they take toward the mysterious abyss is more punishing than the last. And the ghosts of their past follow.

Not sure where to begin?

Start with one of these

Eragon

The first novel in the Inheritance Cycle and the primary entry point to the World of Eragon.

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars

The first published novel in the Fractalverse.

Read in order

Books by series

shared-universe · ongoing

World of Eragon

Christopher Paolini's fantasy works set in Alagaësia, including the Inheritance Cycle and related companion works.

Series guide →

1
Eragon
Book 1 · novel · 2001

When fifteen-year-old Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old…
2
Eldest
Book 2 · novel · 2005

Darkness falls… despair abounds… evil reigns… Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix. Now Eragon must travel to Ellésmera, land of the elves, for further…
3
Brisingr
Book 3 · novel · 2008

OATHS SWORN . . . loyalties tested . . . forces collide.Following the colossal battle against the Empire's warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still there is more at hand…
4
Eragon's Guide to Alagaësia
Book companion · nonfiction · 2009 Optional

Greetings, Dragon Rider. It is a great honour to be chosen as a Rider. I have compiled these papers for you as an introduction to the most important peoples, places and things within Alagaësia. Study them most carefully, for some day your…
5
Inheritance
Book 4 · novel · 2011

A special enhanced ebook edition of Inheritance, featuring 17 videos of Christopher Paolini's behind-the-scenes commentary embedded throughout the text, never-before-seen artwork by the author, a letter to the fans and a new scene within…
6
The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm
Book 5 · short-story-collection · 2018

*A wanderer and a cursed child. Spells and magic. And dragons, of course. Welcome back to the word of Alagaesia.* It's been a year since Eragon departed Alagaesia in search of the perfect home to train a new generation of Dragon Riders.…
7
Murtagh
Book 6 · novel · 2023

The world is no longer safe for the Dragon Rider Murtagh and his dragon, Thorn. An evil king has been toppled, and they are left to face the consequences of the reluctant role they played in his reign of terror. Now they are hated and…

series · complete

The Inheritance Cycle

The four-book fantasy cycle chronicling Eragon and Saphira's struggle against the Empire of Alagaësia.

Series guide →

1
Eragon
Book 1 · novel · 2001

When fifteen-year-old Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old…
2
Eldest
Book 2 · novel · 2005

Darkness falls… despair abounds… evil reigns… Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix. Now Eragon must travel to Ellésmera, land of the elves, for further…
3
Brisingr
Book 3 · novel · 2008

OATHS SWORN . . . loyalties tested . . . forces collide.Following the colossal battle against the Empire's warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still there is more at hand…
4
Inheritance
Book 4 · novel · 2011

A special enhanced ebook edition of Inheritance, featuring 17 videos of Christopher Paolini's behind-the-scenes commentary embedded throughout the text, never-before-seen artwork by the author, a letter to the fans and a new scene within…

shared-universe · ongoing

Fractalverse

Christopher Paolini's science-fiction universe spanning novels and interactive stories.

Series guide →

1
To Sleep in a Sea of Stars
Book 1 · novel · 2020

Now a New York Times and USA Today bestseller! Winner of Best Science Fiction in the 2020 Goodreads Choice Awards! To Sleep in a Sea of Stars is a brand new epic novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author of Eragon, Christopher…
2
Unity
Book 2 · interactive-story · 2021 Optional
3
Fractal Noise
Book 3 · novel · 2023

July 25th, 2234: The crew of the Adamura discovers the Anomaly. On the seemingly uninhabited planet Talos VII: a circular pit, 50 kilometers wide. Its curve not of nature, but design. Now, a small team must land and journey on foot across…

Frequently asked questions about Christopher Paolini

Who is Christopher Paolini?

Christopher Paolini is an American author best known for fantasy and science-fiction writing. He was homeschooled by his parents and lived most of his life in Paradise Valley, Montana.

Sources: paolini.net (opens in a new tab)penguin.co.in (opens in a new tab)

How did Christopher Paolini become an author?

Paolini wrote the first draft of Eragon at age fifteen. His family self-published it in 2001, after which Knopf published a revised edition in 2003 following its discovery by author Carl Hiaasen’s stepson.

Source: paolini.net (opens in a new tab)

What influenced Christopher Paolini’s writing?

His writing was shaped by Montana’s landscape and his experiences there, as well as folklore and works including Beowulf, Nordic sagas, Dune, and books by authors such as Anne McCaffrey and Ursula K. Le Guin.

Source: paolini.net (opens in a new tab)

What award or record is Christopher Paolini known for?

In 2011, Guinness World Records recognized Paolini as the youngest author of a bestselling book series. Guinness reported that his series had sold more than 20 million copies by May 2011.

Source: guinnessworldrecords.com (opens in a new tab)

What is Christopher Paolini’s lasting impact as an author?

Paolini is notable for turning a novel begun as a teenager and initially self-published by his family into a global publishing success. Penguin Random House reports that the four books of the Inheritance Cycle have sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and are available in over 50 countries.

Sources: paolini.net (opens in a new tab)penguin.co.in (opens in a new tab)