Brisingr

Rating NR Genre fantasy Author Christopher Paolini Publisher Alfred A. Knopf

My friends were furious when they found out I was reading the third book in Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Series without having read more than half of the first book.  However, I can now say with confidence that Paolini’s third book, Brisngr, is a good read for any fantasy lover, even one who hasn’t read the first two books.  In fact, Paolini includes a synopsis of the first two books at the beginning of Brisngr, making it easy for any newcomer to understand what happens in the book.  He also includes two helpful sections at the back of the book: “On the Origin of Names” and “Pronunciation,” a guide to the languages used in the book.  Paolini provides plenty of surprising happenings; old fans will find their favorite characters in unexpected situations as the characters grow and learn.

Brisingr opens as Eragon, a dragon rider, avenges the death of his uncle and helps his cousin, Roran, rescue Katrina, Roran’s fiancée, from King Galbatorix’s dungeons.  As Eragon continues to fight for the Varden, rebels against the King, he has many more troubles to face, including his own brother, a dragon rider for the King. With his life always in danger, Eragon faces a new shade, a being comprised of multiple evil spirits; he helps the Varden take over a city with a ruler who has sworn loyalty to Galbatorix; and he helps elect a new dwarf king.

As Eragon fights for the kingdom’s freedom, he slowly learns more about his heritage.  He also struggles with his love for the elf, Arya.  She reveals more of her past to Eragon, but does not return his feelings.  Meanwhile, Roran is tested as a leader and struggles to find his place among the Varden.

Some tedious details and dialogue go on for too long and add little to the story, contributing to the book’s 748 page length, but Brisingr contains many beautiful images that bring the story alive and create a moving picture in the reader’s mind.  As Paolini has grown, so have his talents.  He fills his book with shocking plot twists, leaving Eragon with several gifts of new knowledge, including a precious gift from the dragon Glader.  However, new and old fans will have to wait to find out the ultimate fate of their favorite characters.  What many originally thought would become a trilogy has turned into a series of four books.  Paolini concludes, “Here ends the third book of the Inheritance Cycle.  The story will continue and conclude in book four.”