A review by cherub__
Murtagh by Christopher Paolini

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.
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