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What a fitting 50th book for 2011. Not only have I completed my ‘set’ goal for 2011, but I completed

In what was originally touted as the final book in the trilogy, Brisingr neither disappoints nor impresses and serves primarily as a place-holder in the series. There are some significant plot moments and a plethora of new characters, but all-in-all the novel serves only to highlight the atrocities the Empire has committed and is willing to commit to remain in power.

It is in Brisingr more so than any of the other novels that readers see what Paolini is trying to do (whether he is successful or not I will leave to each reader). He has created a world and he now has to fill it.  Not only is he writing the story of what is happening in the world, but he is attempting to enumerate the myths, legends, and histories of the various inhabitants of Alagaësia.  Whereas in Eldest we learn of the elves, in Brisingr we learn of the Dwarves and Urgals (bipedal creatures with huge horns growing out of their heads, think minotaur, but less bull like).

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With Paolini’s second novel, Eldest, I begin to understand and even empathize with some of the critiques people have of the individual novels. However, I remain disappointed in the generic critiques and the disregard for the environment of the writer (no that doesn’t excuse all of the complaints). Yes I know there is a lot to overlook, the sometimes rambling masked as description, or the occasionally lost characters, but the story itself is still a moving and fast paced (for the most part) story.

Where I’ve realized Paolini is weakest and truly lets the readers down is the last quarter of each book. Perhaps he will make it up to us with a masterful closing of the series, but I won’t hold my breath. So far, the events that take place in the last quarter of the novels are the most important and most revealing and by far given the least amount of space. It’s as if Paolini believes the climax has to occur in the last 50-100 pages and although it’s frustrating it’s worked well to place the next book, but how will the series end? As cliff hangers, yes they work, all you want to do is pick up the next book, but the revelations and the actions have such an impact the lack of dedicated space is worrisome.

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