How many of you had difficulties reading Eldest?

I quite enjoyed Eragon, even though Id watched the movie first, but reading Eldest, the sequel, was like working on a very long school project and felt more like a chore than anything else. I only got halfway through, and felt that alot of the middle part of the book could easily been cut out....it wasnt helping the story to get anywhere. Seems like Paollini just enjoyed writing it for the pure fact that he felt like god himself, creating a whole world with histories and its own language. But why would I give a damn. I just want to hear the story, not be impressed that youve pulled another Tolkien.