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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
adventurous
slow-paced
I reread all 4 books of Inheritance + 1 with short stories before I started Murtagh. It's well written, but rather lengthy (comparing the actual plot). I didn't enjoy it as much as the Eragon story. When I think about it, it's probably because there aren't that many characters and therefore diversity. There's Murtagh and sometimes Thorn (but Saphira had more space in the books as an independent being), the werecat and then there's Bachel and for a long time nothing... And maybe it's also the mystery. With Eragon, we know about the evil king from the beginning. Here it was a little more complicated and maybe the waiting made me feel a bit groped and awaiting, especially in the first half of the book, to see what would happen and what it will be about. The middle is slow and last 200 pages were great.. But I read it reasonably within about 2-3 weeks, because it didn't absorb me so much that I had to read it in 3-4 days. I sincerely hope there will be a sequel. Even though I didn't enjoy it as much as Eragon (my favorite books), I'll still read it again as part of the series. Oh, and I first read Eragon when I was about 30, so it's not like it's a story from my childhood ;)
This book was a return to my childhood. The Inheritance Cycle is one of the first fantasy series I read, and the nostalgic feelings make this a biased review from the get-go.
Murtagh is a character that still had a lot to give. He played a vital role in the original series but there is still a lot more to know about him. His story gives depth to both him and Thorn, while simultaneously exploring Alagaësia. I loved reading more about one of the first fantasy worlds I was introduced to and to go on a new journey through this old world is great. The bond between dragon and rider is still 10/10 and the main reason I keep returning to this series. The way Paolini describes the bond and brings it to life is the cornerstone of this series and, I think, the reason for its success. Murtagh is also an interesting foil to Eragon, darker and more damaged. His perspective and history is interesting and distinctive, which I applaud Paolini for.
That being said, without my nostalgia glasses on, I can say that I did not enjoy every part of this book the same. Paolini is known to be quite long-winded and this book is no exception. He uses a lot (and I mean A LOT) of words and the simple nature of his prose makes the story slow, especially when the characters themselves are not moving. The parts where Murtagh and Thorn are physically confined to a place (like his stay and imprisonment in Nal Gorgoth) drag a little bit. The same problem plagues the action scenes. It is hard to focus on the fighting when every little detail is being described in painstakingly small detail. It takes a lot of the power out of the fights.
This is also true in the darker moments in the story. The story is overall grittier than the OG series, but when this is combined with darker scenes and a slow pace the entire story starts to feel bleak and depressing. The plot itself is interesting and makes you keep on turning the pages, but certain parts prevent it from truly being a masterpiece.
However, I knew Paolini's writing style from the beginning and don't regret reading Murtagh for a moment, especially when it came with the promise of more books.
Murtagh is a character that still had a lot to give. He played a vital role in the original series but there is still a lot more to know about him. His story gives depth to both him and Thorn, while simultaneously exploring Alagaësia. I loved reading more about one of the first fantasy worlds I was introduced to and to go on a new journey through this old world is great. The bond between dragon and rider is still 10/10 and the main reason I keep returning to this series. The way Paolini describes the bond and brings it to life is the cornerstone of this series and, I think, the reason for its success. Murtagh is also an interesting foil to Eragon, darker and more damaged. His perspective and history is interesting and distinctive, which I applaud Paolini for.
That being said, without my nostalgia glasses on, I can say that I did not enjoy every part of this book the same. Paolini is known to be quite long-winded and this book is no exception. He uses a lot (and I mean A LOT) of words and the simple nature of his prose makes the story slow, especially when the characters themselves are not moving. The parts where Murtagh and Thorn are physically confined to a place (like his stay and imprisonment in Nal Gorgoth) drag a little bit. The same problem plagues the action scenes. It is hard to focus on the fighting when every little detail is being described in painstakingly small detail. It takes a lot of the power out of the fights.
This is also true in the darker moments in the story. The story is overall grittier than the OG series, but when this is combined with darker scenes and a slow pace the entire story starts to feel bleak and depressing. The plot itself is interesting and makes you keep on turning the pages, but certain parts prevent it from truly being a masterpiece.
However, I knew Paolini's writing style from the beginning and don't regret reading Murtagh for a moment, especially when it came with the promise of more books.
It was a joy to return to Alagaesia. This is Paolini’s best work, in my opinion. I loved diving into Murtagh’s story and learning about his tortured past, and seeing his development as a character.
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Torture
I really really really wanted to love this book, the Inheritance cycle was one of my favorite things growing up and it always has brought me so much joy. I think I’ve read it four or five times by now.
Murtagh was interesting, but it didn’t get good until about halfway through. In the whole first half of the book. I was really dragging my feet to keep going. I committed because of how much I love Paolini but it didn’t get me the way the OG series did.
TSIASOS was amazing so I like Paolini’s new stuff! This one just took a while to warm up. Nal Gorgoth was
Murtagh was interesting, but it didn’t get good until about halfway through. In the whole first half of the book. I was really dragging my feet to keep going. I committed because of how much I love Paolini but it didn’t get me the way the OG series did.
TSIASOS was amazing so I like Paolini’s new stuff! This one just took a while to warm up. Nal Gorgoth was