Brisingr (Inheritance, Book 3) (The Inheritance Cycle)
by Christopher Paolini
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Book Reviews of Brisingr (Inheritance, Book 3) (The Inheritance Cycle)
Book Review: Probably not so appealing to a younger crowd
Summary: 3 Stars
After Eragon and Eldest comes the 3rd book in the Inheritance Cycle, Brisingr. Originally designed to be the final book in the series, Paolini decided to go a little further and plan on a fourth book.
Named after the first word Eragon learns in the Ancient Language, which means "fire," Brisingr becomes a significant part of Eragon's arsenal (I won't spoil it, you'll have to read to find out.)
I question Paolini's decision to break into four novels. Why? Because Brisingr is very slow in places and sometimes seems to just drag on, particularly towards the middle. It could have easily been cut down by deleting a lot of the unnecessary political stuff-this was written for kids right? I can see them easily getting bored with those parts.
Story overview:
As mentioned in my review of the last book, Roran's fiancé, Katrina, was captured. Brisingr starts out with Eragon and Roran infiltrating the Ra'zac's fortress. After rescuing her and killing every last creature, Eragon is faced with determining the fate of Katrina's father, who had who betrayed Carvahall.
Arya eventually meets up with Eragon (who was separated from Saphira (his dragon)). They return to the Varden where he reunites with Saphira, attempts to restore the curse on Elva, and tries to locate a new sword. After fighting off Murtagh and his dragon, Thorn, the Varden learn that the enemy is using an army that does not feel pain-A trick of Galbatorix. After the wedding of Roran and Katrina, Nasuada (the Varden leader) sends Eragon off on a mission of diplomacy to assist in choosing a new dwarf king, who is hopefully sympathetic to the Varden's cause.
Eragon then goes with Saphira to Ellesméra to extend his training from Oromis and Glaedr. He learns the fate of his father, obtains a new sword, and rushes out to meet up with the Varden-whom Roran has been fighting with all this time-as they lay siege to a city that is under the control of Galbatorix. A new Shade arises in his path while his master fights a distant battle, and in the end, those left standing prepare to march to Belatona and from there the next city until they come to the fortress of Galbatorix.
My thoughts:
Where I lost some appeal for the series between Eragon and Eldest, I lost a bit more between Eldest and Brisingr, but not enough to dissuade me from reading the fourth book when it comes out. I actually liked some of the slow political stuff, but as I said, it's probably not so appealing to a younger crowd. There were times when I felt like giving up, and the beginning took me some time before I got into the story, but I forced my way through the thick waters just long enough for it to take shape. I liked seeing how the relationship between Arya and Eragon starts to take on a different shape, and how there still seems to be some redeeming hope for Murtagh.
James D. Maxon
Author of, "The Cat That Made Nothing Something Again"
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1440485275
Manga and speculative fiction reviewer:
http://booksforyouth.com/
Book Review: Amazing Young Adult Fantasy
Summary: 5 Stars
I suppose that coming into this book expecting it to be 750 more pages of 'Eldest' was not the most optimistic view to take.
Brisingr is far, FAR better than Eldest. In fact, it is difficult for me to believe that both Eldest and Brisingr were written by the same person. However, that's what it says on the cover, so I will assume it is true for the remainder of this review.
Now, this is just a short list of the improvements that this book makes over its immediate predecessor:
-Roran is (properly) relegated to a minor character's role.
-Eragon has given up on his adolescent infatuation with Arya, and even tells Roran at one point that he will no longer pursue her.
-The character of Eragon has grown. Along with abandoning his infatuation with Arya, he questions the need for killing so many men, and shows some feelings of mercy and compassion for (what seems like) the first time.
-There is no more obtrusive faux poetry.
-The Purple Prose has been cut significantly. No, it's not gone; but it's far less intrusive now.
-Paolini has apparently disposed of his thesaurus. We are no longer subjected to long, winding passages including weird words like: eyrie, fecund, diaphanous, machicolated, fey, bivouacked, variegated, alacrity, mephitic, turgid and widdershins
-The story actually moves in a forward direction. It slows down once or twice but never stops or goes into reverse.
-Eragon never talks to any ants. (Quite possibly the single greatest improvement.)
But Brisingr is not a 5-star book simply because it improves on Eldest. Even if Brisingr were a stand-alone book, it would still be absolutely stunning.
Please allow me to indulge in another list:
-The comedic scenes are authentically funny, and had me laughing aloud a few times.
-In this book, we are introduced to a few new viewpoint characters. One of these is Saphira. Saphira's chapters are nothing less than some of the best writing I have ever read.
-The action scenes are (with minor exceptions) amazingly well written, and give the reader a ring-side view. Nothing is glanced over or cut too short.
-The climax is one of the best I can recall ever reading.
-As mentioned before, the characters actually start acting like people, not the emotionless cardboard-cutouts that have inhabited the prior books.
-Though the story's flow slows down slightly a few times, it always picks up a few pages later. Aka, Paolini keeps your attention from front to back cover.
-Upon finishing this book, we know much more about every race that inhabits alegaesia. This is not pointless meandering, it is world-building in earnest.
Alright, then. Summary time.
Brisingr is an utterly amazing novel, and the proof that Paolini understands the intricacies of story writing, flow, characters and world building better than some 'professional' authors. I had some worries after reading Eldest, but those worries have been eradicated.
10/10
Book Review: Exhausting, but not Horrible
Summary: 3 Stars
I cannot tell you how happy I am to be done with Brisingr. For those of you that don't know, this book is the third book in the Inheritance Cycle, which begins with Eragon and Eldest. These books are written by Christopher Paolini, and these are his first major works. I read Eragon years ago when it first came out. I was a younger lad then with a different outlook on books, particularly the fantasy genre. Needless to say, I enjoyed the first book, and I was immensely satisfied with the sequel, too. Brisingr was to be the conclusion of the series, but the story grew too large and Paolini needed to add a fourth book to tell his tale, which, at the time, was fine by me. If you haven't read these books, particularly Brisingr, then be warned that there may be plot revealing statements below.
*****LOOKOUT FOR SPOILERS! THEY'RE LURKING BELOW*****
This book starts on the heels of Eldest. Eragon is learning to live with his family problems--Morzan, Murtagh--and also grappling with his role as Alagaesia's savior. In this book, Eragon and Roran must save Katrina from the vile Ra'zac, Eragon must travel to Farthen Dur to secure the Dwarve's position with the Varden, he must travel back to Ellesmera to learn more from Oromis & Glaedr, he must find a true Rider's sword. The novel also focuses on Roran Stronghammer, Eragon's cousin and friend, and his travels with the Varden.
There are points in the story that I really enjoyed. For example, I love the close relationship Eragon and Saphira share, and it makes me wish I could have that sort of close contact with someone or something. I liked the mini quest of searching for a Rider's sword, particularly under the Menoa tree. I like the nuances of the languages spoken in the land, but sometimes I feel they're a bit ridiculous.
A couple years ago I thought the Ancient Language mechanics to invoke magic was unique, but now I think it is a very complicated, complex, and messy system.
Honestly, the only reason I read this book was because I was (and still am) a little interested as to how Galbatorix will die and his reign end. He will most definitely die, of that I have no doubts. The story is too "young adult" and light for there to be a plot-twist where Galbatorix wins. I also hold the belief of starting a book means finishing a book, and in this case, starting a series means finishing a series.
*****END OF SPOILERS*****
Overall, I give Brisingr a 2.5/5.0, or a 50% positive review. The story did not have enough Realism for my liking. After reading Pat Rothfuss' brilliant work, The Name of the Wind, and George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire books, I enjoy the realistic approach to fantasy as opposed to the cliche fantasy. Don't misunderstand the previous statement: I enjoy some of the atypical books in the fantasy realm, but others are too akin to each other for my liking. I appreciate uniqueness and creativity, which Brisingr employs, but not enough for my satisfaction.
Book Review: A Boring Masterpiece; Eragon was bored most the time and so was I
Summary: 2 Stars
This is the third book in the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini. It was originally the Inheritance Trilogy. I was a bit disappointed when I heard there was going to be yet another book. I haven't been really ecstatic about this series and I can't understand the allure it has for people. Still, I figure I should probably finish what I started. I listened to this on audio book. The audio book was excellent in quality.
The book starts with Roran and Eragon storming Hellgrind to save Katrina. From there Eragon is stuck trying to please the Varden, finish his training with the elves, and consorting with the dwarves on their new choice for king.
Positive Things:
- This book is, in some ways, a work of art. It is very deliberately crafted, Paolini created his own languages for goodness sake.
- The politics in the novel are detailed and well (too well) thought out.
- The fight scenes are also fairly well written.
- Sephira; she is the best character and without her prescence I would have never finished the first book of the series.
- Paolini is trying to make a masterpiece; unfortunately sometimes a masterpiece isn't all that much fun to read.
Negative Things:
- The language. Where does he get his adjectives from? I felt like Paolini was deliberately trying to use the longest words possible to describe everything.
- The politics were boring, boring, boring. There is a huge reason why a lot of fantasy cuts the politics short...it is boring.
- Eragon as a character. Eragon either does what he wants or whines about what people tell him to do. Then after this immaturity, Eragon suddenly goes off for a chapter on the philosophy of good and evil. It is inconsistent.
- The whole epic scene with Sloan. This scene is silly and ridiculous. It only teaches us more about what we already know about Eragon; he is a pompous whiny hero.
- Inappropriate descriptions during fast-paced scenes. There is one scene where Roran is in the midst of a dire battle. Roran notices and thinks about a beautiful moth flying through the battle; while in battle. This is unrealistic and not the only case where something like this is done.
On a side note the audio book had a bonus interview with Paolini. In this interview he tried to explain the Sloan scene and also explain why all the politics were included. Apparently he thought them necessary. I guess I disagree, but it is his book after all.
If Paolini had shortened the Sloan thing and cut out the unnecessary politics he could have easily finished this "Cycle" in 3 books. Eragon was bored for large portions of the book, and guess what, so was I. I am bitter that I have to slog through, most likely, another 900 pages to finish this series. I am bitter that Paolini will be making money off of me doing that. Given all that I am not sure if I will read the last book. We will see.
[...]
Book Review: ...couldn't put it down!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was a little concerned after watching C. Paolini do his video reading of the book that it would be cheesy and a bit infantile, however, once i got into the story i was pleasantly surprised!
I liked the first books, despite all the negative reviews people gave them (especially for Eldest), and i've found the preliminary reviews of Brisingr much lower than i had guessed they would be! This book is 100% the best of the bunch! Its written much more professionally, its characters show greater depth and interest, and the interactions between them are much more clever and "human" (or realistic). Clearly, Paolini is growing as a writer and storyteller, and thats wonderful for the Inheritance cycle! I read this book during every spare second i've had the past three days and now that i've finished i feel legitimately sad! I can't wait for the 4th and final book to come out!!
Lastly, to respond to the general negative comments i quickly perused in the other reviews:
Its definitely a long book, but i never found myself wishing certain sections would be over.. this was the most shocking comment that i read. I've yet to read a 700+ page book where every single second was gripping and awe inspiring and i guess i dont understand why that type of perfection is expected.. here or otherwise. Some of the larger plotpoints, like Urgals, Humans, Dwarves, and Elves all working together, necessitated seeing the softer side of Urgals - and people are upset about ONE SCENE displaying this?? As readers we're supposed to begin feeling for these Urgals, and to become drawn into the turmoil of the difficulties in maintaining a multi-raced army. It's pretty clear that if the army was peachy and peaceful off-the-battlefield some people would complain that the book lacks realism, yet when Paolini takes the necessary steps to develop this realism-enhancing sub-plot people complain as well. Its unfortunate for Paolini that this book only has a 3 star rating so far, because its so much better than that. I'll gladly admit that the book isn't 5 star, its probably a 4 or 4.5, but i gave it 5 simply to counter the ridiculous 1 and 2 star ratings for this book.
I would completely ignore the 1 and 2 star ratings.. dont even bother to read their over-the-top reviews. You could fill a super wal-mart with all the books that are MUCH worse than Brisingr, so lets be realistic. The writing is good, the characters are developed, the story progresses, and it will literally keep you up all night long.
Lets not forget that each one of these reviewers apparently liked the book enough to not only finish it, but to finish it in 2 or 3 days... do you really continue reading 748 pages of a 1 or 2 star book? please. my shelf is littered with books with a rabbit ear on page 50, never to be opened again... if you get through a 750 page book in 3 days doesn't that pretty much require a baseline star rating of at least 3???? come on now!