Reviews

Brisingr by Christopher Paolini

theneurodivergentowl's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

notawitch's review against another edition

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5.0

I gave the 5 stars for the fast paced and emotional roller-coaster in the last 20% of the book. Brisingr was slow moving compared to Eragon and Eldest; with a lot more descriptions of battle scenes than plot. However some of the events that take place throughout the book, especially the end is worth reading it.

Spoilers ahead-
When Eragon goes back to Elleaméra and forges a new sword for himself with the help of Rhünon (the elf-woman who forges swords for Dragon Riders) from Brightsteel, fallen stars and names it Brisingr - the ancient name for fire, I squealed with happiness. I couldn't contain my joy when Eragon names his sword and it bursts into blue flames around the blade. The conversation between Eragon and Oromis-elda at the Crags of Tel'nair was bittersweet. And how overjoyed I was when Eragon discovers he is the son of Brom, and not the son of the traitor Morzan! Another moment that caused me anxiety was when Oromis and his dragon, Glaedr, finally decide its time to come out of hiding to fight alongside the Varden. I couldn't stop sobbing when Oromis was killed in battle by Galbatorix and oh, how Glaedr was in despair that he passed too but has to forever remain alone in his Eldunari, or the heart of hearts, that he gave to and is guarded by Eragon and his dragon Saphira. This book made me laugh with Saphira's wit and short temper and cry alongside Roran, Katrina, Eragon, Saphira, Oromis and Glaedr.

chickenlady's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful 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

4.0

brycehalda's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful fast-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? No

5.0

margaery's review against another edition

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3.0

I am very delighted that I made the right decision. I would not be able to finish this book if I read it. If you want to read this book, as well as the first two books, I suggest you listen to it in audio book format. It drags in most parts but the story in its entirety is good. It would be a shame if you won't be able to read it just because the physical copy is intimidating. The number of hours you need to listen to is also a lot but it's easier to push through.

klstogdill's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

alliebebbs9's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging hopeful mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

Well into the universe now, there were some twists I wasn’t expecting but I’m loving meeting all these characters and watching them flesh out. My favourite parts are the Dragon POV

abra3326's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-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

4.75

janeleng's review against another edition

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2.0

When starting my reread of this series, I was excited to get to this installment because it was the only one I couldn’t remember the plot of. And now I know why—it doesn’t have one.

Although bookended by action, Brisingr is weighed down by the 500 pages in the middle containing an extraordinary amount of detail about events that aren’t important. At one point we watch Eragon run errands for 100+ pages. Anytime a character speaks, it’s at least a paragraph of text if not a couple of pages. Every dialogue reads more like two monologues happening simultaneously.

Even more irritatingly, I also found Eragon’s character to be inconsistent compared to previous books. There’s one instance where he suggests solving a problem with brute force like Galbatorix and another where he expresses a desire to learn the same magic as Durza. It would be one thing if Paolini was using these scenes to explore Eragon’s potential for corruption, but the other characters react with a chuckling “Oh Eragon” before moving on.

The only parts in the middle that I found to be compelling were Roran’s chapters. Very interesting to watch someone who is exponentially more competent than everyone else have to fall in line.

Overall, Paolini seems to have done an extraordinary amount of research on swords and philosophy for this book and was unable to cut a single detail. I’m going to need a palate cleanser before book 4.

limbolambo's review against another edition

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3.0

Falls flat more than the first two but has a good enough world and aesthetic to keep me invested