Final Brisingr Post

            I'm reading the book Brisingr, the third book of the Inheritance Cycle. Christopher Paolini is so incredibly talented. Of course, I've read his first two books of the Inheritance Cycle: Eragon and Eldest. Paolini wrote the first book, Eragon when he was only 15. Even though his books come out around 3 years after one another, they get better and better. Brisingr was the best book from this series. It has a lot more action and a lot more going on compared to the other ones.

"As gently as he could, Eragon asked, 'Was it Faolin?' 'Yes.' she said, releasing the confirmation almost as a gasp. 'Did you love him?' Casting back her head, Arya gazed up at the twinkling sky, her long neck gold with firelight, her face pale with the radiance of the heavens...'It does matter, because I regret it, and I shall not tolerate it. Did I love Faolin? How would you define love? Fore over twenty years, we traveled together, the only immortals to walk among the short-lived races. We were companions...and friends.' A pang of jealousy afflicted Eragon. He wrestled with it, subdued it and tried to eliminate it but was not altogether successful." (197)

     At the end of the first book, Eragon, the main character, Eragon, shows his feelings for Arya. Arya is an elf who was the carrier of Eragon's dragon (Sapphira)'s egg. She was in search of the egg and because she was captured, transported the egg to where Eargon lived. Needless to say, the egg hatched for Eragon. All throughout the second book, Eragon fights the love he feels for Arya. One time, when Eragon confessed his love for Arya, Arya simply shot him down saying that they each had their duties and Eragon especially had to concentrate on training his magic in order to defeat Galbatrorix. In this book, Eragon still shows his love through jealousy. When Eragon and Arya are on a scouting trip, Eragon asks if Arya ever had anyone she's loved before. Here, I feel sorry for Eragon. Eragon shows a sense of jealousy that clearly he does not want Arya to recognize. Arya on the other hand, realizes Eragon's feelings, but does not want to return them. Further on in the book, she does express her care and her lover for Eragon, but it is only through the small gestures of worry she shows for him when he is going to battle or recovering from wounds.

In Brisingr, Christopher Paolini uses many characters and mythical creatures used very often today in teen books. He uses dwarves, elves, dragons, and magic. It's amazing that he is able to captivate a teen's attention through his writing because as a frequent reader, I always read books that have similar themes or characters. Really, there is nothing special added into Paolini's books. Still, Paolini has a way of drawing a reader's attention with the intricate plot he sets up and his writing style.
    In this book, there are many conflicts. All these things happen simultaneously in Brisingr. There are separate types of language being used constantly: English, the ancient language, and dwarf language. Still, I never get lost reading it, not even with the three made up languages that are included in the dialogue and spells.

"…as they did wherever he went- nor the dwarves he passed in the hall, who greeted him with variations of “Argetlam.” The worst one is Iorunn, Eargon decided. The dwarf woman was the grimstborith of Durgrimst, a powerful, warlike clan, and she had made it clear, from the very beginning of the deliberations, that she intended to have the throne for herself." (435) 

     Brisingr was written in a unique way. It was written sometimes in a more precise way of speech and then in other times, a more casual way. Paolini uses casual speaking to describe while using precise speech for when characters talk. The characters are especially enticing and of course, Eragon, the main character is the most enticing of all. One major conflict that Paolini builds up to but doesn't really address in this book is Eragon's struggle with not being able to kill. Eragon learns that everything has life. In the midst of battle, he feels sympathy for Thorn, the dragon, or the soldiers he is fighting. He can come in contact with their "being" or their conscious and can feel what they feel. He refuses to take a life unless absolutely necessary which had already caused issues for him. I'm curious to know what will happen with that.

            There are around 60 chapters in Brisingr and each chapter is around 10 to 15 pages long and the chapters switch from Eragon to his cousin Roran and occasionally, back to the Varden and Arya. But because of how organized the sequence of events are, the chapters seem to flow together smoothly.

            All in all, this book has captured my attention and I look forward to the next book. The chapters are well organized and the different plots ultimately converge into one large one which makes the book all the more interesting. I really look forward to reading the next book.