theresa_glover 's review for:

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

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Series books are difficult to judge on their own merits, particularly when there’s a long gap between its predecessor and the release of the new volume. On the one hand, the volume should stand on its own, yet on the other, it should be an integral part of the series and there should be some feeling of “lack” when it is read on its own merits – but not so much that the reader is lost. I think that Inheritance finds that balance. I regret not making time to re-read the series again before tackling this one because of the interconnectedness of it all, however, it stands well on its own and I didn’t feel lost despite the year (plus) gap since I read Brisingr. From my memory of the other stories, this one was probably one of my favorites because Eragon shows a greater degree of maturity and felt less like the child from the original story. Paolini did a good job evolving and developing Eragon, but I was somewhat perturbed that the end was left so open. The door hangs open into the future and, as a reader, I wanted more closure not a tease of the potential that may or may not follow. I would be very much annoyed to hear that the Dragon Riders’ series will not make an eventual appearance…very…much…annoyed. More annoyed than if I hear of a dozen new books following the adventures of new Riders over the next few years (which I will have to find time to read from somewhere in my schedule….). This may not be more than a couple of “first world problems” but they are mine to mull over for now. I’m sure I’m not the only one.