Book Review: "Brisingr"

By Alexander Mead | VOX Staff

Courtesy Knopf Books

"Brisingr" is the third book in Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance cycle. It has a much wider scope than either of the previous two books, "Eragon" and "Eldest." This latest book focuses on the struggle of the Varden, a small band of heroic rebels, against the Empire, a totalitarian regime that has conquered their land.

The Inheritance cycle is set in Alagaesia. Fire-breathing dragons used to roam the land, but have now become nearly extinct. Dragon Riders are an ancient order of humans and elves who worked with dragons to keep the peace throughout the land until they were overthrown by the Empire. Riders can use magic and communicate telepathically with their dragons, sensing what their dragons are feeling and reading their thoughts.

“Brisingr” gives readers their first opportunity to see a dragon’s thoughts directly instead of through a Rider. The book includes chapters told from the point of view of Eragon, the protaganist and first new Dragon Rider since the Riders’ fall; Eragon’s cousin Roran; Nasuada, leader of the Varden rebels; and Eragon’s dragon, Saphira.

The chapters told from Saphira’s point of view are especially interesting because they let the reader see exactly how different dragons are from the other sentient species in Alagaesia. "Brisingr" provides readers with a window into Saphira’s mind. As a dragon, she is used to being the biggest and most powerful creature in the world. As such, she initially divided the world into two categories — predators and prey. Through her bond with Eragon, however, she has come to see the world as divided into three categories: dragons, prey, and friends of Eragon who must not be killed or eaten. Readers will smile when Saphira refers to the horses of the Varden’s cavalry as “the horses-she-must-not-eat.”

All of the surviving characters from the previous books return in “Brisingr.” Angela, the somewhat unhinged witch/herbalist, continues to spout hilarious ravings and witty comments. Oromis and Glaedr, the Rider and dragon pair who trained Eragon and Saphira in “Eldest," fulfill their mentor roles admirably once again. And Eragon and Arya, the elf princess with whom Eragon is madly in love, continue their strange friendship. “Brisingr” also contains a few startling plot developments that I do not want to spoil.

All in all, “Brisingr” is a worthy addition to the Inheritance series and a must read for longtime fans. It will leave you eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.

Alexander is a homeschooled freshman, who is looking forward to the end of the school year.