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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
This was a great ending to The Inheritance Cycle. I would say this book is definitely more mature than the other books in the series. There is a lot more violence and it does get quite graphic at times. But the story all wrapped up quite nicely. Although I will say the romantic in me was a bit unsatisfied with one part in the ending. But overall, a nice wrap up to a great series.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
This novel did its job of completing The Inheritance Cycle. It brought some closure for Eragon and Saphira and all of their trials and tribulations. I don't know if I would say I was delighted with the conclusion though. I didn't hate it but it felt a little forced and uncomfortable. I'm a fan of a happy ending so this could just be me feeling contrary. Perhaps this is the more literary way to complete this story but it just felt a little open ended still.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
You can tell that the author is more mature when he wrote this book as opposed to the others. It is definitely better written. But it is LONG! I have heard criticism that the war ends about 200 pages before the book ends. Even though I think the book is a bit too long, I liked this aspect. I always want to know what happens to all of the characters and he covered everyone:)ALthough I don't agree with what he did with everyone. I wanted a tad more romance in there.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
FINALLY the series comes to a close, but it is STILL taking it's time in doing so! Don't get me wrong, the story and the concept for this series has been incredibly fun, if not that original. Also, the final reveal of Galbatorix and the direct interactions with him really do make him more of a conflicted villain. Actually, so conflicted that I'm not totally sure I agree with Eragon and his team still being set on killing him.
That is just one example of the many things that point to Christopher Paolini's inexperience as a writer. From pilfering the plot of book 1 from Star Wars (which pilfered it from how many other places) to the sad attempts to attain the same high fantasy language and style of the Lord of the Rings, you can read his newness on every page.
My biggest issue with this book is the pacing. It's bad enough that he added a 4th book to the series, pushing the end back by years for the publication of the final book, but then we get it and you have page after page of preparation and unnecessary descriptions that just sound forced and out of place. My one constant thought during this book was "Get to the point, already!" followed in a close second by "Why did I need to know that?" There is a fine line between adding detail because it adds value to the narrative and adding detail for the sake of your ego. Paolini falls very far to one side of that line.
Even at the end of the book, when the plot is finally "over" (or at least as over as you're going to get in this case, which still gives absolutely no closure), the book goes on for what seems like ages as every single loose end is wrapped up. Except it's not every loose end. There are still questions much more interesting that go unanswered. Many things, such as Angela's history, are left open ended in what seems to be an attempt at allowing readers to use their imagination. To me, it comes across as pretentious. What is even worse is the tendency to cast Eragon as an incredibly imperfect individual who is left to cast judgment over others. Nearly every speech given by Eragon or his cousin Roran sounded awkward and like I would have scoffed at it if heard in person. Not to mention the position which Eragon is in at the end of the series. I do not trust him to be there after these 4 books, and I feel like that should have been their only purpose.
Overall, the series was worth reading. The world and the lore is interesting and has a lot of potential. What holds all of this back is the author and his actual execution of the whole thing. In another person's hands this could have been one of my all time favorite books. As it is, I merely slogged my way through it.
That is just one example of the many things that point to Christopher Paolini's inexperience as a writer. From pilfering the plot of book 1 from Star Wars (which pilfered it from how many other places) to the sad attempts to attain the same high fantasy language and style of the Lord of the Rings, you can read his newness on every page.
My biggest issue with this book is the pacing. It's bad enough that he added a 4th book to the series, pushing the end back by years for the publication of the final book, but then we get it and you have page after page of preparation and unnecessary descriptions that just sound forced and out of place. My one constant thought during this book was "Get to the point, already!" followed in a close second by "Why did I need to know that?" There is a fine line between adding detail because it adds value to the narrative and adding detail for the sake of your ego. Paolini falls very far to one side of that line.
Even at the end of the book, when the plot is finally "over" (or at least as over as you're going to get in this case, which still gives absolutely no closure), the book goes on for what seems like ages as every single loose end is wrapped up. Except it's not every loose end. There are still questions much more interesting that go unanswered. Many things, such as Angela's history, are left open ended in what seems to be an attempt at allowing readers to use their imagination. To me, it comes across as pretentious. What is even worse is the tendency to cast Eragon as an incredibly imperfect individual who is left to cast judgment over others. Nearly every speech given by Eragon or his cousin Roran sounded awkward and like I would have scoffed at it if heard in person. Not to mention the position which Eragon is in at the end of the series. I do not trust him to be there after these 4 books, and I feel like that should have been their only purpose.
Overall, the series was worth reading. The world and the lore is interesting and has a lot of potential. What holds all of this back is the author and his actual execution of the whole thing. In another person's hands this could have been one of my all time favorite books. As it is, I merely slogged my way through it.
good ending to the series. i enjoyed it without feeling like i was wanting more. i liked it that things were wrapped up - but not everything was wrapped happiliy.