Eragon by Christopher Paolini

A young farmer boy discovers a dragon egg, which hatches and is mentally bonded with him, making him one of the Riders, a group of dragons and humans or elves that keeps peace in Alagaesia, a huge island. The Empire is controlled by Galbatorix, an evil Rider who decided to betray and slaughter the rest of the Riders. Eragon's home is attacked by the Ra'zac, monsters serving Galbatorix, and his guardian is killed. Brom, an old storyteller, finds out his secret and agrees to help Eragon hunt down the Ra'zac. During their hunt, Brom trains Eragon in the way of the Riders. They eventually catch up to them, but Brom is killed by the Ra'zac and Eragon is captured. Murtagh, an unusual stranger rescues him. They agree to travel together. Eragon is captured again by Urgals, a species enchanted to obey Durza, a Shade (a human body under the control of evil spirits), who serves Galbatorix. Murtagh rescues Eragon again, and they also r escue the elf Arya. Arya is poisoned, and the only cure close enough to heal her remain in the Varden, a society which rebels against the empire. At the gates of the Varden, Murtagh reveals that Morzan (an evil rider that served Galbatorix) was his father, but he hated him. The Varden accept them and heal Arya. The Urgals that are enchanted by Durza attack Farthen Dur, the base of the Varden. Eragon and his dragon, Saphira fight alongside Murtagh, Arya, the dwarves of Farthen Dur, and the Varden. Durza fights Eragon, who kills the Shade with the help of Saphira and Arya, although not before Durza scars his back .-ALBERT