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Reviewed by The Compulsive Reader for TeensReadToo.com
Eragon and Saphira have just barely survived the latest battle between the Empire and Varden, and learned the truth about Eragon's parentage. Their encounter with Murtagh and Thorn has made them realize that they desperately need to revisit their teachers in Ellesmera, but their multitudes of promises keep them from returning. They must help Roran recover Katrina from the Ra'zac, rally forces for the Varden, and find a way to thwart Murtagh. But along the way, they'll discover some dark secrets and learn the sickening methods behind their adversaries' strengths.
BRISINGR is a well executed follow-up to ERAGON and ELDEST. It moves at a brisk and almost businesslike pace, only dragging slightly near the center of the book, as Eragon and Saphira struggle to fulfill their promises. Readers will be glad to see that the duo, Eragon especially, has not been placed upon a lofty pedestal, and still admit ignorance at times, an element that adds just the right touch of plausibility to the book.
Paolini's descriptive writing is becoming easily recognizable, and his ability to draw similes and metaphors between the most unlikely objects only adds to his appeal, and contrary to what one might expect, will draw in reluctant readers. Like with the prequels, the author cleverly manages to sneak in colorful myths and historical stories into the book that only add to the reality and vividness of Alagaesia, and make for a more engaging read.
The plot of BRISINGR is a little less developed than its predecessors, and seems to serve more as a segue between the first two books and the conclusion of the lively series, although the revelation of certain secrets and the suspense and tension Paolini weaves into the pages go a long ways in making BRISINGR a quick read.
Seasoned Paolini fans will enjoy the story, and be eager to move on to the final book.
Eragon and Saphira have just barely survived the latest battle between the Empire and Varden, and learned the truth about Eragon's parentage. Their encounter with Murtagh and Thorn has made them realize that they desperately need to revisit their teachers in Ellesmera, but their multitudes of promises keep them from returning. They must help Roran recover Katrina from the Ra'zac, rally forces for the Varden, and find a way to thwart Murtagh. But along the way, they'll discover some dark secrets and learn the sickening methods behind their adversaries' strengths.
BRISINGR is a well executed follow-up to ERAGON and ELDEST. It moves at a brisk and almost businesslike pace, only dragging slightly near the center of the book, as Eragon and Saphira struggle to fulfill their promises. Readers will be glad to see that the duo, Eragon especially, has not been placed upon a lofty pedestal, and still admit ignorance at times, an element that adds just the right touch of plausibility to the book.
Paolini's descriptive writing is becoming easily recognizable, and his ability to draw similes and metaphors between the most unlikely objects only adds to his appeal, and contrary to what one might expect, will draw in reluctant readers. Like with the prequels, the author cleverly manages to sneak in colorful myths and historical stories into the book that only add to the reality and vividness of Alagaesia, and make for a more engaging read.
The plot of BRISINGR is a little less developed than its predecessors, and seems to serve more as a segue between the first two books and the conclusion of the lively series, although the revelation of certain secrets and the suspense and tension Paolini weaves into the pages go a long ways in making BRISINGR a quick read.
Seasoned Paolini fans will enjoy the story, and be eager to move on to the final book.
Once I start a series of books, I remain faithfully stubborn in my pursuit to see the series to its full conclusion. However, if The Inheritance Trilogy-turned-Cycle was any longer than the proposed four book length, I might have to break my own cycle and give it up.
This was an incredibly long book filled with a gratuitous amount of meaningless filler and pointless fluff. The story meanders a great deal. By the end of the book you realize that the story ends up not all that far from where it started.
One issue I have with this book is its identity crisis. I think that it is far too long and tedious for children to plow through, and yet not grown-up enough for adults to truly enjoy. Paolini's efforts to delve deeply into philosophy, morality, ethics, politics, and love mostly fall flat. I am normally not aware of an author as I read a book, but I kept being reminded of the author in this book. I kept thinking about how he was writing this story through the ignorance of observation and not from the wisdom of his own experiences. In short, I found most of the "deeper" parts relatively unbelievable.
I am also getting tired of Eragon. Instead of believing that he is this incredibly powerful warrior and magician that everyone claims him to be, I find him weak-willed and something of a prolific whiner. In this book I found Roran to be more of a true hero and more worthy of attention. He is also far less annoying.
The book is entertaining enough and did contain some interesting elements. I cannot say that I hated it, but I cannot in good conscience recommend it to anyone not yet invested in the series. This is not another Lord of the Rings. As long as everyone remembers that (Paolini most of all) then people should be able to enjoy it for what it actually is...a children's book playing dress-up as a sweeping epic of the ages for adults and connoisseurs of epic fantasy.
This was an incredibly long book filled with a gratuitous amount of meaningless filler and pointless fluff. The story meanders a great deal. By the end of the book you realize that the story ends up not all that far from where it started.
One issue I have with this book is its identity crisis. I think that it is far too long and tedious for children to plow through, and yet not grown-up enough for adults to truly enjoy. Paolini's efforts to delve deeply into philosophy, morality, ethics, politics, and love mostly fall flat. I am normally not aware of an author as I read a book, but I kept being reminded of the author in this book. I kept thinking about how he was writing this story through the ignorance of observation and not from the wisdom of his own experiences. In short, I found most of the "deeper" parts relatively unbelievable.
I am also getting tired of Eragon. Instead of believing that he is this incredibly powerful warrior and magician that everyone claims him to be, I find him weak-willed and something of a prolific whiner. In this book I found Roran to be more of a true hero and more worthy of attention. He is also far less annoying.
The book is entertaining enough and did contain some interesting elements. I cannot say that I hated it, but I cannot in good conscience recommend it to anyone not yet invested in the series. This is not another Lord of the Rings. As long as everyone remembers that (Paolini most of all) then people should be able to enjoy it for what it actually is...a children's book playing dress-up as a sweeping epic of the ages for adults and connoisseurs of epic fantasy.