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: Yet another astounding work of innovation and imagination from Mr. Paolini
Summary: 5 Stars
I am sure that by now I am well known as the foremost reviewer of the Inheritance Cycle books (well, actually person is well known as that but they won't allow him to post reviews anymore so I am posting them for him). And, though I spoke exceptionally highly of Mr. Paolini's first two novels, I feel that this novel binds the other two together in a way which I had not expected and find extremely profound. Such is the fine craftsmanship and hard work that went into this novel that I believe it should be used as a reference point for all trilogies to come. This novel, embodying the true spirit of adventure and greatness, sports a gold dragon. But not just a gold dragon, a strikingly beautiful gold dragon with funny glossy eyes and a beard that's kind of twisty. But the truly remarkable thing about this novel is not merely the cover art but the way in which the cover art works harmoniously with the other two books. The first book had a blue dragon, the second had a red dragon, and now, the third, Brisinger, has a gold dragon! The colors of the dragons are exactly the same as the colors of the different shirts worn in Star Trek! Blue for science, Red for engineering, and gold for command! The subtlety and impact of this unity within the series is brilliant and astonishing! Mr. Paolini has boldly gone where no man has gone before in his intentional effort to make his books reflect the colors of Star Trek. And he has pulled it off with flying colors (pun not intended).
This trilogy will undoubtedly stand as the most unified and well crafted trilogy ever written and will be the benchmark on which all other trilogies are judged. Mr. Paolini, you have earned your crown in heaven, and William Shatner will greet thee with open arms.
Book Review: A worthy addition!
Summary: 5 Stars
First, I have to admit that I got a headstart on this book. A good friend works in publishing and she got me an early copy of the book for my son. I thumbed through it while riding home on the subway, and before I knew it I was so engrossed that I read the whole thing before I gave it to him. I've since read the other two, and let me tell you some things about Brisingr without being a spoiler...
First, I read it in about the same amount of time as Eldest (Inheritance). You may have heard that Brisingr means "fire" in the language of Alagaesia, and let's just say that has great significance for this book.
The book begins with Eragon, Roran and Saphira on their way to Helgrind. Helgrind is where Katrina is behind held prisoner. At one point, Arya goes looking for Eragon, after sensing that he was in great danger. Let's see...Eragon is reunited with Orik in this book, but I won't tell you under what circumstances as that will give too much away.
I can also say that if you loved book one, you will also love this one. Though the ending might not be described as story book perfect, it is comforting and hopeful and just really great. I can't wait until more people have finished this book so that I can discuss with them!
In the meantime, I'm back to reading run-of-the-mill "adult" books, though I did bump into (and devour) a couple great ones recently that are worth mentioning, The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book and The Impulse Factor: Why Some of Us Play It Safe and Others Risk It All
Book Review: fire!
Summary: 5 Stars
wasnt expecting it to be so great!
so, i got the book just cause i hate not having finished a series i have started. it will irk me to no end. but oh my, what a surprise, the first chapter had me and for the rest of the week i read it eagerly. i was especially loving the morbid parts for some reason, especially that first chapter, it really hooked me.
... shame on me, i had forgotten how much i had enjoyed eragon and eldest.
i am very pleased with 'brisingr'. paolini does not dissapoint.
i loved reading nasuadas and rorans storys, i was very surprised to see that the book did have more than eragons perspective, i dont recall if the other books did that or not?... and i enjoyed the snippets of a dragons view!
hmm, i do believe that harry potter 7 has somewhat wounded me. when i found out that roran had his own storys throughout the book 'brisingr' i pleaded with each of his storys 'please dont kill him. please dont kill him. NOT LIKE FRED, DONT DO IT PAOLINI!'
well, youll just have to read to find out if roran lives or not.
Oh, yes! probally like many of you, i watch 'the seeker' on sundays. and yes, it does remind of eragon very much, there are similarities. but im not nettled by it. their just influences. eragon is great and original in its own right.
and i enjoyed the authors note at the end. very endearing. and the dictionary was a bonus!
oh, and i thought eragon the movie was ok. no, i admit it, i liked it alot! but, yes, it left parts out that play out in the second and third book, but i believe they can still make the second movie...
i hope they do.
anyways, enjoy brisingr!
Book Review: The best yet, and the best is yet to come.
Summary: 5 Stars
Christopher Paolini writes lists. These lists are things that Eragon has done, and things Eragon needs to do. The first two novels felt like I was reading these lists, and although the lists were interesting to read, especially how Paolini's mind makes connections, they were definitely lists. While reading through Brisingr, I was looking for lists. I was dumbfounded as near the end of the book, I hadn't found any remnants of a list. I continued reading, and by the end of the book, there were no lists. Then I sat back and thought about it. There were lists! Throughout the entire book. However, this time, I couldn't see the lists. Paolini started out young, and while his skill at the art of creatively pulling together information, albeit not very original information, is dazzling, his writing hasn't always been very mature. Brisingr changes this. Brisingr's stories of honor, obligation, love, betrayal, and personal introspection have evolved beyond those of its predecessors, and Brisingr is amazing because of it.
Brisingr brings together (almost) all of the questions brought forth in the first two novels, and throughout the course of the book, answers them faithfully. Some of the answers are surprising, yet deep down, a careful reader knows that the answers were always there. Then, in a fashion true to the mythology of Alagaesia, presents new questions out of the old, and moves characters in new ways, all to set up the final march to Uru'baen, where Eragon and the Varden will face off against Galbatorix in an epic battle worthy of any of the Inheritance Cycle's influences.
Book Review: Finally, a Dragon Rider with Moral Intelligence
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, finally an author has had the courage to bring morality into the blood and guts of the fantasy fiction genre. Other writers from Tolkien (LOTR) to MacAffrey(sp?) (Pern) to Rowling (Harry Potter) have given only lip service to the moral intelligence and values that fantasy heroes could have. Of course, war is not pretty, but haven't we had enough of the blood and sweat. Now isn't it time for the tears? Congratulations to Paolini for making Eragon one who seriously questions the moral issues of war, killing, torture, etc. And I agree with including the dwarf politics, too. Politics is the necessary foundation for democracy as Jefferson, Franklin and Adams fortunately understood. I also like that the author has greatly expanded the concept of magic far beyond the shallow cleverness in Harry Potter.
As Lewis Bernstein, the Producer of Sesame Street said once: "Life doesn't exist in most places like it does on Sesame Street, but if we don't model it, it will never exist." Why can't the fantasy genre model the moral values that we are hoping to instill in our future generations.
I am enjoying this series as Paolini matures in his writing and hopefully will continue to include moral intelligence in his character development.
Note: I agree that Paolini uses far too many obscure, multi-syllable, long, uncommon, and unnecessary adjectives, but at least he gives us some context with which to understand their meaning. Try The Scarlet Letter if you want even more picturesque writing.