NL placed second in top 5 children's books

[Somewhat]

Northern Lights is in the second place in a list of the top 5 children's books drawn up by Angus and Robertson, a major Australian bookshop. First place was taken by Eragon and 3rd by Harry Potter 6, I think, but don't quote me on that.
And it is thankfully being called 'Northern Lights', not 'The Golden Compass'.

[Angel to follow]

And it is thankfully being called 'Northern Lights', not 'The Golden Compass'.

Thank god for that.Still second place is nothing to sneer at, probably should have been first but hey thats life.

[Jez]

Eragon was first? I've never read it. Is it really that good?

[Townie]

Not bad for a book that's only ten years old, eh?

Never heard of the others, but then I'm not a literary bloke.

[Jaya]

Eragon was good, although I don't particularly think it's better than Northern Lights though. It wasn't fantastically awesome, but it was extremely good.

[Ian]

I can't help but feel that this is like those lists where Pete Doherty is the 2nd the greatest rock star ever, or Brad Pitt the greatest American. Northern Lights has had more time to establish itself, but Eragon??!?!

[Diolmhain]

Eragon is good but it really does not deserve first.

Just out of curiosity what happened to the other two?

[furbaby]

I've never heard of Eragon. Who wrote it and what's it about?

[Jaya]

It's by Christopher Paolini and it was a big thing that he wrote it when he was 15 or something. It's about a boy and his dragon

[Somewhat]

Yes, One boy, One dragon, A world of adventure.

Sorry if this sounds harsh, but I actually hate it myself. I think it's the most pathetic imitation of LotR ever written, base, cliched and certainly not gripping. If books that are better than Eragon by far would be given a space on the market, we wouldn't have to search to find good fantasy.
The same goes for Harry Potter: although it is well-written and much more imaginative than Eragon, kids just read it because it's Harry Potter, not because it's a good book, and this blocks the market for other smaller books that aren't even given a chance.

Phewf. That was my rant for the day.
EDIT: And my 300th post!! W00T! I'm a Sraffie!!

[furbaby]

: kids just read it because it's Harry Potter, not because it's a good book, and this blocks the market for other smaller books that aren't even given a chance.

Ah well, only one more to come.

[bethanwy]

EDIT: And my 300th post!! W00T! I'm a Sraffie!!

*bethan huggles*

yay!

[Alewyn]

Yes, One boy, One dragon, A world of adventure.

Sorry if this sounds harsh, but I actually hate it myself. I think it's the most pathetic imitation of LotR ever written, base, cliched and certainly not gripping. If books that are better than Eragon by far would be given a space on the market, we wouldn't have to search to find good fantasy.
The same goes for Harry Potter: although it is well-written and much more imaginative than Eragon, kids just read it because it's Harry Potter, not because it's a good book, and this blocks the market for other smaller books that aren't even given a chance.

...hello new best friend.
And finally, let me quote Ms. Rowling in Book 6. This is one of her better...metaphors, is it?

"...he looked as if a giraffe had crossed the street."

Genius, complete genius.

[Mockingbird]

I've never read it either though I will now, not that it sounds particularly good. Dragon v. boy, really? Nontheless, it's going to be competition, the Eragon movie is coming out at the same time as HDM (or ealier)

[Soapy]

And finally, let me quote Ms. Rowling in Book 6. This is one of her better...metaphors, is it?

"...he looked as if a giraffe had crossed the street."

Genius, complete genius.

It's a simile.

[Somewhat]

Really? I thought it was a... I didn't actually think it was anything, me and grammar do not mix. I seem to get the hang of it when I'm not trying.
When I'm next in Angus and Robertson, I'll get the rest of the list.
As for Eragon, here is some prime proof of my claims:

Brom = Gandalf. Worryingly so.
Arya = Arwen. Both elves. Both beautiful. See below.
The Ra'zac = The Nine.
Eragon = Any number of LotR characters, notably Frodo and Aragorn.

Next, Arya is an elf. Eragon is a human. As one is an elf and the other is a human, they can't not fall in love. They fall in love. What a surprise.
CLICHE!
And again, this has uncanny similarities to the Aragorn/Arwen affair, except that while the latter is actually romantic this one is plain boring.
Then, the Ra'zac hunt Eragon. This is also a great surprise. Unfortunatley he does not have a magical amulet of invisibilty, because if he did I would have burnt the book.

Yes, sorry this is getting off-topic but I had to vent my fury.

[Jaya]

Next, Arya is an elf. Eragon is a human. As one is an elf and the other is a human, they can't not fall in love. They fall in love. What a surprise.
CLICHE!

Will and Lyra live in different worlds. They fall in love. What's that? They CAN'T be together??? Cliche?

There are lots of books in which people fall in love when it's impossible. There are lots of cliches. I quite liked Eragon - I don't think it was a wannabe LotR because if you say that there are a number of good books that could be said to be LotR wannabes. (Every book that has a little map in the front and involves the fight between good and evil.)

Hmm, on that, Harry Potter is supposed to be a LotR parallel, what with Dumbledore suspiciously like Gandalf and Harry's scar burning a warning like the Ring getting heavier, etc etc etc etc etc etc.

[Alewyn]

And finally, let me quote Ms. Rowling in Book 6. This is one of her better...metaphors, is it?

"...he looked as if a giraffe had crossed the street."

Genius, complete genius.

It's a simile.

i know, i couldn't remember which it was

[Somewhat]

Well, now that I've roundly dissed Eragon, I actually went and checked the list, and found out that Eragon is actually 4th, after Northern Lights.
Here is the complete list:

1. Tomorrow, When the War Began - John Marsden
2. Northern Lights - Phillip Pullman
3. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants - Ann Brashares
4. Eragon - Christopher Paolini
5. Chinese Cinderella - Adeline Yen Mah

And Harry Potter isn't even on that list. Oh well.

[Ian]

I have only read one of those books. Guess which. And I've not even heard of 1. and 3.