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peachjutsu's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
It was a wonderful stand-alone continuation of Paolini's Inheritance Cycle that focused on Murtagh and his dragon Thorn, and the hardships they faced following the downfall of Galbatorix and the Broddring Empire.
I loved this book so much. It's definitely a difficult read due to the nature of the material, focusing on trauma, healing, inner turmoil, failure, and depression, but Paolini does it so well. To witness it not only through Murtagh's perspective, but Thorn's as well, really helps us understand what they went through when they were under Galbatorix's control. I cried more times than I ever remember crying during a book but it was cathartic to experience those emotions through these beloved characters.
I loved this book so much. It's definitely a difficult read due to the nature of the material, focusing on trauma, healing, inner turmoil, failure, and depression, but Paolini does it so well. To witness it not only through Murtagh's perspective, but Thorn's as well, really helps us understand what they went through when they were under Galbatorix's control. I cried more times than I ever remember crying during a book but it was cathartic to experience those emotions through these beloved characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Torture, Kidnapping, and Panic attacks/disorders
v_neptune's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Death, Child abuse, Animal death, Bullying, Grief, Confinement, Murder, Animal cruelty, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Trafficking, Child death, and Domestic abuse
scrambledark's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, and Religious bigotry
signebrum's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
Mild spoilers in this review.
But guys, you should definitely read this!!! Check the trigger warnings though, because it’s a LOT darker than the inheritance cycle.
Revelations I had while reading this books
1) Murtagh’s education was VERY lacking compared to Eragon’s
2) It was fun to see how Murtagh handled situations
That said my heart WEEPS for Thorn and Murtagh. Their past? What happens in this book! And it just went to show why Murtagh is such a great character, and this book definitely lived up to the inheritance cycle. If only quite a lot bit darker
Also, finally I have to say, I love how Paolini plays with the language - especially when Uvek and Murtagh are both influenced by the Breath.
But guys, you should definitely read this!!! Check the trigger warnings though, because it’s a LOT darker than the inheritance cycle.
Revelations I had while reading this books
1) Murtagh’s education was VERY lacking compared to Eragon’s
2) It was fun to see how Murtagh handled situations
That said my heart WEEPS for Thorn and Murtagh. Their past? What happens in this book! And it just went to show why Murtagh is such a great character, and this book definitely lived up to the inheritance cycle. If only quite a lot bit darker
Also, finally I have to say, I love how Paolini plays with the language - especially when Uvek and Murtagh are both influenced by the Breath.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Blood
Moderate: Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Death, Violence, and Grief
aseel_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.5
I'm SO glad that the author is writing in this world again, this was my childhood and my adulthood.
I really liked getting murtagh's perspective and I love him and thorn so much, very keen to see what happens next
I really liked getting murtagh's perspective and I love him and thorn so much, very keen to see what happens next
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Confinement, Gore, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death of parent, Murder, Child abuse, Violence, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, and Torture
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
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
4.0
So, I had read that you can pretty much read this without having read the previous Eragon books, which I think is true for the most part. Since it's been 20 years since Eragon first came out, I figured I'd be okay because I definitely don't remember any of details from the first four books. There are references to events and characters that I definitely could not remember, but I could follow what was happening with Murtagh.
This book is very much about Murtagh dealing with his past trauma, not only when he was working for the evil king, but also just his unbringing in general. There are some tough moments in this book, both for Murtagh and for Thorn.
Also, I forgot how long winded Paolini is. I don't think this book necessarily needed to be this long, but it's not surprising that it is. There's some unresolved things, so I wouldn't be surprised if Paolini also revisited this world again in the future, either with Murtagh or with Eragon. I'm sure we'll be getting more books.
This book is very much about Murtagh dealing with his past trauma, not only when he was working for the evil king, but also just his unbringing in general. There are some tough moments in this book, both for Murtagh and for Thorn.
Also, I forgot how long winded Paolini is. I don't think this book necessarily needed to be this long, but it's not surprising that it is. There's some unresolved things, so I wouldn't be surprised if Paolini also revisited this world again in the future, either with Murtagh or with Eragon. I'm sure we'll be getting more books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Confinement, and Torture
Moderate: Kidnapping, Gore, and Slavery
Minor: Self harm and Animal cruelty
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I started reading The Inheritance Cycle when I was about 10 years old and have reread the quartet several times in my life so my opinion is incredibly tied up in nostalgia and thus very biased. But I really loved this return to Alagaesia and think it's an exciting plot with a promising end leading towards a new sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, War, Murder, Religious bigotry, Torture, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Xenophobia
cult indoctrinationwithloveandlights's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Returning to Alagaësia felt like another wonderful homecoming. Picking up this continuation, without going back and rereading the original quartet, didn’t leave me feeling like I was missing previously discussed topics. The concepts that were relevant were brought up subtly where necessary. The new characters introduced didn’t take away from the previously explored friendships and added more intricacies to the world building.
While I loved returning to these characters, the overall conflicts throughout the novel felt very repetitive and the character development felt insignificant. For several instances through the discovery of the evil and planning to thwart the witch’s efforts, Murtagh made little to no change with his tactics. It was disappointing to not see him grow and develop his skills as a rider as we had seen with Eragon’s development.
This novel contains the darkest concepts and plot points within the Inheritance Cycle by far; many scenes playing out more like a horror novel than a general YA fantasy. It brings a new perspective to Alagaësia, but may not be suitable for younger or more sensitive readers looking to jump into the series.
While I loved returning to these characters, the overall conflicts throughout the novel felt very repetitive and the character development felt insignificant. For several instances through the discovery of the evil and planning to thwart the witch’s efforts, Murtagh made little to no change with his tactics. It was disappointing to not see him grow and develop his skills as a rider as we had seen with Eragon’s development.
This novel contains the darkest concepts and plot points within the Inheritance Cycle by far; many scenes playing out more like a horror novel than a general YA fantasy. It brings a new perspective to Alagaësia, but may not be suitable for younger or more sensitive readers looking to jump into the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Death, Slavery, and Torture
Moderate: Blood and Kidnapping
Minor: Animal cruelty
cherub__'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Re-reading the Inheritance Cycle after so many years is an interesting experience. I could feel the prose changing as the author grew up -- after all, Paolini was only a teenager when Eragon was published. The prose grows with the characters, the plot becomes more complex (if just as derivative), motivations become more fraught, etc. Murtagh continues this trend, just fast-forwarded by a decade. While not a masterpiece, it's a step forward into a new phase for this series and it sets up some interesting conflict down the road.
My main complaint is that Murtagh feels somewhat rushed, or abbreviated. I can see where the author is coming from, because this is meant to be a bridge between Inheritance proper and a future "official" "Book 5", but at the same time, there are heavy issues touched on but not given proper time to marinate.
My main complaint is that Murtagh feels somewhat rushed, or abbreviated. I can see where the author is coming from, because this is meant to be a bridge between Inheritance proper and a future "official" "Book 5", but at the same time, there are heavy issues touched on but not given proper time to marinate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Gore, and War
Minor: Kidnapping and Slavery
bibliomania_express's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wow, this book. It starts a bit slow, but the slow build is necessary to balance all the wild emotions in the second half. Murtagh and Thorn face challenges beyond anything in the Inheritance Cycle, and I was so mad at this book for putting them through it, even as I was awed by the depth of feeling and complexity in thos book.
I cried. I yelled in anger. I paced my apartment, afraid to pick it back up but unable to resist because I needed to know what happened next.
I love that we got to see more of Murtagh's past, how the court of Galbatorix functioned and shaped him. Paolini gives shape to Murtagh's bond with Tornac, and it's so fundamental and beautiful, even with its tragic end.
There's a lot of triggers for this book beyond your general death and gore. Both Murtagh and Thorn are dealing with PTSD, and Thorn suffers from intense claustrophobia. There are scenes of torture, mass death, and intense isolation and captivity.
I obviously won't spoil the end, but I will say it was so necessary after everything this book put me through. Now I have to lament the years before Paolini write the next book in this world, as there are some loose ends yet to be tied off.
I cried. I yelled in anger. I paced my apartment, afraid to pick it back up but unable to resist because I needed to know what happened next.
I love that we got to see more of Murtagh's past, how the court of Galbatorix functioned and shaped him. Paolini gives shape to Murtagh's bond with Tornac, and it's so fundamental and beautiful, even with its tragic end.
There's a lot of triggers for this book beyond your general death and gore. Both Murtagh and Thorn are dealing with PTSD, and Thorn suffers from intense claustrophobia. There are scenes of torture, mass death, and intense isolation and captivity.
I obviously won't spoil the end, but I will say it was so necessary after everything this book put me through. Now I have to lament the years before Paolini write the next book in this world, as there are some loose ends yet to be tied off.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Violence, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Animal death, Religious bigotry, Torture, Panic attacks/disorders, and Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping, Gore, Blood, and Slavery
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