What a fitting 50th book for 2011. Not only have I completed my ‘set’ goal for 2011, but I completed a series that has spent eight years on my various bookshelves across the East Coast and Britain. As with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows a part of my childhood/adolescence has come to a close with the completion of the Inheritance cycle.
I first read Eragon as a first year at UNC Chapel Hill. I didn’t know what to expect, but I ended up enjoying it and was surprised someone my age had written the novel. Eight years later and I’m not sure how to feel about the end of the series. I have no doubts that Paolini will return to Alagaësia, he’s said as much himself, but I wonder if it will be worth it. Having reread all of the novels these past few weeks has highlighted that they’re still a great story, but that there is much that could’ve been done to make them better. But, on to my thoughts about this book in particular wish some musings on the series thrown in for good measure.
Click here to continue reading, I’ve tried to limit spoilers.
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.
With Paolini’s second novel, Eldest, I begin to understand and even agree with some of the critiques people have of the individual novels. However, I remain disappointed in the generic critiques of the writing and the author, with disregard to the merits of the story.
[To see an updated review of when I re-read it in 2013 before the release of the films 
[To see an updated review of when I re-read it in 2013 before the release of the films