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peachjutsu's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Torture, Kidnapping, and Panic attacks/disorders
v_neptune's review against another edition
- 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
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
- 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
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, and Religious bigotry
signebrum's review against another edition
- 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
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.
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
- 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 really liked getting murtagh's perspective and I love him and thorn so much, very keen to see what happens next
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
- 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
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.
Graphic: Death, Confinement, and Torture
Moderate: Kidnapping, Gore, and Slavery
Minor: Self harm and Animal cruelty
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
- 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
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
- 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
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.
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Death, Slavery, and Torture
Moderate: Blood and Kidnapping
Minor: Animal cruelty
cherub__'s review against another edition
- 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
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.
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
- 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
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.
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