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adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book could have been 100 pages shorter and would’ve been better off for it but overall it was enjoyable. Some moments dragged and entire fights could be skimmed through to get the point but other parts were entertaining to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, War
adventurous
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: Blood
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
The third book in the Inheritance Cycle continues the story of Eragon and his dragon Saphira.
I straight up did not like this book. I have been determined to finish this series this year (after starting and abandoning it MANY years ago when they first came out), but I have now remembered why I stopped after ELDEST last time and the reason is boredom. This book is 748 pages long (29.5 hours on audio) and it could probably have been, like, half of that for all the plot developments that actually occurred. I listened to this on audio at 3.2x speed and it still took me NINETEEN DAYS to finish it with near-daily listening. I have no problems with long books but I need the book to be long because so much happened that needed to be discussed, not because I had to read 800 pages worth of descriptions of mountain caverns or whatever.
I also cannot stand Eragon as a main character—he’s annoying and whiny and frankly not that smart. Maybe I’m being mean because he’s just a teenager thrust into peril against his will but I’ve read a LOT of “normal teen has to save the world” type YA stories and usually the protagonists are capable of more than half-assing spells and complaining about the pretty girl friend-zoning them, especially by the THIRD BOOK IN THE SERIES.
Anyway. I’ll stop this review now because I think my point is made—this series is just very much not for me. No hate for anyone who loves it, which clearly is a lot of people! And it’s still impressive that Paolini created this world when he was a teenager, even if I think that maturity issues might be part of the larger problem.
Also, the dragons are still cool and the chapters from Saphira’s POV are what earned this the extra 0.5 stars.
CW: Death/blood/violence/injury
The third book in the Inheritance Cycle continues the story of Eragon and his dragon Saphira.
I straight up did not like this book. I have been determined to finish this series this year (after starting and abandoning it MANY years ago when they first came out), but I have now remembered why I stopped after ELDEST last time and the reason is boredom. This book is 748 pages long (29.5 hours on audio) and it could probably have been, like, half of that for all the plot developments that actually occurred. I listened to this on audio at 3.2x speed and it still took me NINETEEN DAYS to finish it with near-daily listening. I have no problems with long books but I need the book to be long because so much happened that needed to be discussed, not because I had to read 800 pages worth of descriptions of mountain caverns or whatever.
I also cannot stand Eragon as a main character—he’s annoying and whiny and frankly not that smart. Maybe I’m being mean because he’s just a teenager thrust into peril against his will but I’ve read a LOT of “normal teen has to save the world” type YA stories and usually the protagonists are capable of more than half-assing spells and complaining about the pretty girl friend-zoning them, especially by the THIRD BOOK IN THE SERIES.
Anyway. I’ll stop this review now because I think my point is made—this series is just very much not for me. No hate for anyone who loves it, which clearly is a lot of people! And it’s still impressive that Paolini created this world when he was a teenager, even if I think that maturity issues might be part of the larger problem.
Also, the dragons are still cool and the chapters from Saphira’s POV are what earned this the extra 0.5 stars.
CW: Death/blood/violence/injury
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Torture, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Classism
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Racism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
About the same pace as the previous book, Eldest, but Brisingr was definitely more character-focused.
Eragon does a lot of learning in this book. He grows up more than he did in Eldest, and I was glad to see him becoming more adult and growing into his own power as well.
Some of the series' biggest reveals are in these pages.
Overall, another great installment to The Inheritance Cycle!
Eragon does a lot of learning in this book. He grows up more than he did in Eldest, and I was glad to see him becoming more adult and growing into his own power as well.
Some of the series' biggest reveals are in these pages.
Overall, another great installment to The Inheritance Cycle!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, War
Minor: Racism
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, War
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Ableism
The depictions of other cultures are painful and from a very white perspective. Depiction of disability is very ableist and treats any sort of disability as completely debilitating and "life ending" (PTSD, seizures, and limb loss for example)
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Grab your flaming sword and prepare for an adventure!
As a fan of the first two installments in this Christopher Paolini series, I was eager to continue the story of Eragon and Saphira. They set off immediately to help Roran save his betrothed, Katrina, who was taken away by the nasty Lethblarka and their foul spawn. The tale involves multiple battles, fights, and skirmishes. Eragon seeks a weapon now that Zarroc has been claimed by Murtagh. Eragon still faces the question of his lineage and what it says about his character. He finds out the truth, and it's not what you think. Eragon and Saphira return to their mentors and find out information that may turn the tides for the Varden.
I enjoyed the book. The action moved through the plot with admirable speed. Eragon remains my favorite character. His adventures in the Dwarven realm delighted me with lore from that interesting race. My absolute favorite moment occurs between Eragon and the elves as he seeks to find a weapon worthy of a rider, and I was awed in a chapter of beauty, creativity, and artistry.
The loss of a wonderful character left me saddened and sympathetic. I wish it could have been different. If you love adventure sagas, character growth, and plenty of fight sequences, this is the book for you
As a fan of the first two installments in this Christopher Paolini series, I was eager to continue the story of Eragon and Saphira. They set off immediately to help Roran save his betrothed, Katrina, who was taken away by the nasty Lethblarka and their foul spawn. The tale involves multiple battles, fights, and skirmishes. Eragon seeks a weapon now that Zarroc has been claimed by Murtagh. Eragon still faces the question of his lineage and what it says about his character. He finds out the truth, and it's not what you think. Eragon and Saphira return to their mentors and find out information that may turn the tides for the Varden.
I enjoyed the book. The action moved through the plot with admirable speed. Eragon remains my favorite character. His adventures in the Dwarven realm delighted me with lore from that interesting race. My absolute favorite moment occurs between Eragon and the elves as he seeks to find a weapon worthy of a rider, and I was awed in a chapter of beauty, creativity, and artistry.
The loss of a wonderful character left me saddened and sympathetic. I wish it could have been different. If you love adventure sagas, character growth, and plenty of fight sequences, this is the book for you
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Minor: Confinement, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief