Tag: christopher paolini

Book Review: Murtagh (The Inheritance Cycle #5) by Christopher Paolini

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 688 pages
Author: Christopher Paolini
Publisher: Penguin Teen
Release Date: November 7th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Master storyteller and internationally bestselling author Christopher Paolini returns to the World of Eragon in this stunning epic fantasy set a year after the events of the Inheritance Cycle. Join Dragon Rider—and fan favorite—Murtagh and his dragon as they confront a perilous new enemy!

The world is no longer safe for the Dragon Rider Murtagh and his dragon, Thorn. An evil king has been toppled, and they are left to face the consequences of the reluctant role they played in his reign of terror. Now they are hated and alone, exiled to the outskirts of society.

Throughout the land, hushed voices whisper of brittle ground and a faint scent of brimstone in the air—and Murtagh senses that something wicked lurks in the shadows of Alagaësia. So begins an epic journey into lands both familiar and untraveled, where Murtagh and Thorn must use every weapon in their arsenal, from brains to brawn, to find and outwit a mysterious witch. A witch who is much more than she seems.

In this gripping novel starring one of the most popular characters from Christopher Paolini’s blockbuster Inheritance Cycle, a Dragon Rider must discover what he stands for in a world that has abandoned him. Murtagh is the perfect book to enter the World of Eragon for the first time . . . or to joyfully return.

Thank you to GetUnderlined for the free copy.

DID ANYTHING HAPPEN?

I was hoping that this spin-off would reignite something in this series for me. Instead I listened to 25 hours of Murtagh not quite doing anything. It felt like an adventure quest video game. He’d mosey from one place to the other and complete a task before moving to the next without the true larger plot showing up until somewhere till the end.

I like Murtagh, I think there’s a lot of potential there for him. He’s that morally gray, misunderstood guy. I kept waiting to really FEEL, and that just never occurred.

For a very long book I feel like I don’t have much of a review to give. I feel super meh about the whole experience.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: torture

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Book Review: Inheritance (The Inheritance Cycle #4) by Christopher Paolini

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 860 pages
Author: Christopher Paolini
Publisher: Knopf Books
Release Date: November 8th, 2011
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

It began with Eragon… It ends with Inheritance.

Not so very long ago, Eragon — Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider — was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.

Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chance.

The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?

This is the spellbinding conclusion to Christopher Paolini’s worldwide bestselling Inheritance cycle.

WHAT WAS THAT.

Yeah yeah yeah this book was a pretty good conclusion and wrapped up most of the plot lines and things ALMOST ended as they should, but I can’t help my romantic brain, why did the author have to do this to me? This didn’t even feel like an eventually matter, it’s just straight unrequited forever. Booooooo.

Anyways, I did love all of the dragon content, and the evolution of Eragon has been great. I liked the other POV’s we saw and that Murtaugh got some good moments as well because I do plan to read his book.

That’s about all I can dive into without fully spoiling everything at the end of this first era of the series. I’m not mad I read these, they’re verrrrry long winded though and I’m glad I did them on audio.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: unrequited nonsense
  • Violence: moderate-high

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Book Review: Brisingr (The Inheritance Cycle #3) by Christopher Paolini

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 748 pages
Author: Christopher Paolini
Publisher: Knopf
Release Date: September 20th, 2008
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Oaths sworn… loyalties tested… forces collide.

It’s been only months since Eragon first uttered “brisingr”, an ancient language term for fire. Since then, he’s not only learned to create magic with words — he’s been challenged to his very core. Following the colossal battle against the Empires warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still, there is more adventure at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep.

First is Eragon’s oath to his cousin, Roran: to help rescue Roran’s beloved from King Galbatorix’s clutches. But Eragon owes his loyalty to others, too. The Varden are in desperate need of his talents and strength — as are the elves and dwarves. When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices — choices that will take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice.

Eragon is the greatest hope to rid the land of tyranny. Can this once simple farm boy unite the rebel forces and defeat the king?

BEST SO FAR.

I felt like I was actually interested in what was happening finally. Book two was kind of a slog for me so I’m glad that this one picked up. I like what’s happening with Eragon. I absolutely adore Saphira and the story is really amping up to an intense finale.

I love having Roran’s POV too. It really adds to the story and getting more sides of everything. There were many intense moments and this had a lot of those hallmark older fantasy plot lines that feel nostalgic and enjoyable to read.

The audiobooks for this series are great and I can’t wait to continue the series!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: Eldest (The Inheritance Cycle #2) by Christopher Paolini

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 704 pages
Author: Christopher Paolini
Publisher: Knopf Books
Release Date: August 23rd, 2005
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Darkness falls…despair abounds…evil reigns…Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the Dragon Rider. Ages 12+.

Darkness falls…despair abounds…evil reigns…

Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the Dragon Rider: magic and swordsmanship. Soon he is on the journey of a lifetime, his eyes open to awe-inspring new places and people, his days filled with fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and nothing is what it seems. Before long, Eragon doesn’t know whom he can trust.

Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle–one that might put Eragon in even graver danger.

Will the king’s dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life. . . .

MONTAGE.

This book felt like one really long movie montage where you see the main character, aka the chosen one, go from being horrible at everything to finally knowing how to wield a sword and fly a dragon and hey, Eragon even got a glow up.

I think I would have liked this less if I was physically/digitally reading it. The audiobook (at 3x) kept things moving well and got me to the plot progression moments I needed. I do like Eragon and can see the growth of his character and his relationship with Saphira.

The ending had some good reveals and that makes me curious for the next book!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: bad flirting
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: war themes, loss of life

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