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.

Comments on Blogposts

Leon Liang:
I think that this is a really good blog post because of how organized it is. But maybe you can go into more depth about the plot twists that you mention earlier.
"Another thing that Brisingr was better than the first two books was that it’s plot was more complete than the Eragon and Eldest. Unlike the first two books, this book had double the length compare to Eldest nearly triple compared to Eragon." Also, you don't talk about a lot of the points you mention. You touch on a lot of subjects. but never really talk much about them. 


Kaila:
I think that this blog post is good because of how concise you put your points. Maybe put some more ideas in your body paragraphs rather than just in your introductions. I especially liked this part of your essay: " Its random and weak. basically this book has weaknesses because the author was writing it to sund like an autistic kid, and he did a good job, except most people do not think like autistic people, so there are going to be weaknesses regardless. His style of writing is a weaknesses in itself depending on what your taste in writing is."
It showed that you really did look into how the writer's style is built up within the book.


Phuong:
This is a good book review. Sometimes you look too much into one specific thing and don't cover many of the other ideas you bring up. When you talk about the chapters being an issue, you kind of become repetitive in your response to it's format. You should also put some transitions between your ideas and your points because it seems really abrupt when you switch off ideas. The book seems really interesting! I want to read it now too. Overall this is a good book review though :D

roughdraft

 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: Eargon and Eldest. Paolini wrote the first book, Eargon 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. In this book there is romance and the enemy's weakness as well as Eargon's weakness are shown throughout. 

     In the following quote, Arya, an elf who guided Eargon in the second book, and Eargon are talking about Arya's love life. Eargon loves Arya, but because of many conflicts, including the situation they are facing with the evil king, they cannot be together. This passage shows incredible tension between them, but Arya opening up to Eargon.

"As gently as he could, Eargon 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 Eargon. He wrestled with it, subdued it and tried to eliminate it but was not altogether successful." (197)

     At the end of the second book, Eargon, the main character, Eargon, shows his feelings for Arya. Arya is an elf who was the carrier of Eargon'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 Eargon. All throughout  the second book, Eargon fights the love he feels for Arya. One time, when Eargon confessed his love for Arya, Arya simply shot him down saying that they each had their duties and Eargon especially had to concentrate on training his magic in order to defeat Galbatrorix. In this book, Eargon still shows his love through jealousy. When Eargon and Arya are on a scouting trip, Eargon asks if Arya ever had anyone she's loved before. Here, I feel sorry for Eargon. Eargon shows a sense of jealousy that clearly he does not want Arya to recognize. Arya on the other hand, realizes Eargon's feelings, but does not want to return them. Further on in the book, she does express her care and her lover for Eargon, 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. Still, I never get lost reading it, not even with the three made up languages that are included in the dialogue and spells.

"’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 heaven.’ Do you ask out of friendly concern or your own self-interest?’ She gave an abrupt, choked laugh, the sound of water falling over cold rocks. ‘Never mind. The night air has addled me. It has undone my sense of courtesy and left me free to say the most spiteful things that occur to me.’  ‘No matter.’ ‘It does matter, because I regret it, and I shall not tolerate it. Did I love Faolin? How would you define love? For over twenty years, we traveled together, the only immortals to walk among the short-lived races. We were companions...and friends." 

     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, Eargon, 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 Eargon's struggle with not being able to kill. Eargon 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.

2nd post for Brisingr

     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. Still, I never get lost reading it, not even with the three made up languages that are included in the dialogue and spells.

""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 heavenx. "Do you ask out of friendly concern or your own self-interest?" She gave an abrupt, choked laugh, the sound of water falling over cold rocks. "Never mind. The night air has addled me. It has undone my sense of courtesy and left me free to say the most spiteful things that occur to me."  "No matter."  "It does matter, because I regret it, and I shall not tolerate it. Did I love Faolin? How would you define love? For over twenty years, we traveled together, the only immortals to walk among the short-lived races. We were companions...and friends." 

     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, Eargon, 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 Eargon's struggle with not being able to kill. Eargon learns that everything has life. In the midst of battle, he feels sympathy for either Thorn, the dragon, or the soliders 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.

BRISINGR

    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: Eargon and Eldest. Paloni wrote the first book, Eargon when he was only 15. Even though his books come out around 3 years after one another, the 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, Eargon 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 Eargon. He wrestled with it, subdued it and tried to eliminate it but was not altogether successful." (197)

     At the end of the first book, Eargon, the main character, Eargon, shows his feelings for Arya. Arya is an elf who was the carrier of Eargon'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 Eargon. All throughout  the second book, Eargon fights the love he feels for Arya. One time, when Eargon confessed his love for Arya, Arya simply shot him down saying that they each had their duties and Eargon especially had to concentrate on training his magic in order to defeat Galbatrorix. In this book, Eargon still shows his love through jealousy. When Eargon and Arya are on a scouting trip, Eargon asks if Arya ever had anyone she's loved before. Here, I feel sorry for Eargon. Eargon shows a sense of jealousy that he does not want Arya to recognize. Arya on the other hand, realizes Eargon's feelings, but does not want to return them. Further on in the book, she does express her care and her lover for Eargon, 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 my family history story, Jay's story, and Crystal's story, there are similar in that all our families faced troubles and had to overcome them. Although all these troubles are different in big ways, I realized that in nearly every family story, a parent or a family member had to withstand many hardships.
     In Jay's story, his mother is very successful, but in some ways, she realizes that she has to work hard and the despite all her work, she has to work even harder in order to reach the 1st place she wants to get.

"One day, there was a competition or a test between all of the people in her school district. It was somewhat like an Advanced Placement test, as it was only for people that had a certain class placement, which were the “high achievers” at the school, and the test had everyone in the Chinese equivalent of a school district taking it. "

 Jay's mother is successful in that she was able to place so high and was honored with opportunity, but when she takes the test, she only scores 60 percent, still gaining 2nd place. This score serves as an obstacle she must overcome. Even though she was able to get 2nd place with this low percentage, she knows she could do better.
    Crystal's story is much different from Jay's. In her story, her grandparents took a huge risk in trying to help others in their family and their lives were put on the line for this cause.

"She had been to preoccupied with hiding the food that she did not notice a Japanese soldier, or as they called it a soldier of the Imperial Army, had seen her grandmother's attempt to hide the food. As to why she had to hide the food, it was because Japanese soldiers were looting and stealing supplies and food where ever they saw it available. It was part of the policy that the Japanese government decided to implement upon all the nations that it invaded."

Crystal's great great grandma and grandma took a huge risk in trying to to save themselves from starvation. Her great great grandmother was abused by a Japanese solider and took the risk of hiding food for the sake of the survival of her family.
     My mother was forced to overcome her parents and their unwillingness to help her to a better future. She was forced to do things on her own and become more independent than ever.

Joy Luck Club FINISHED!

     Finally, we've finished the Joy Luck Club!
Throughout this book, Amy Tan uses a lot of "cycles" and repeats many of the things that she wants to emphasize. One thing that stood out to me was the used of jewelry.In the first chapter/last, The Joy Luck Club, the Red Candle, Two Kinds, and in Magpies, jewelry plays a role in the story.
     In the first chapter by Jing-Mei Woo, she talks about her mother's story of what had happened to her in China and why she had come to America. Jing-Mei's mother, Suyuan Woo, had had two daughters who she was forced to leave behind. In the last chapter, when Jing-Mei decides to go back to China to find her sisters, her father tells her the story of what her mother experienced. It turns out that Suyuan had left a family picture, a letter, jewelry and clothes to bundle the two babies all on the side of the road when she was fleeing form the Japanese. These were the only things that she had to offer and she gave them up in order for her children to have a slight chance of living. The jewelry was especially significant because it was the thing that her mother hoped would be enough money to allow her children to live under the care of others. The jewelry was the thing that represented Suyuan's willingness to sacrifice all she had for her children.
     In the Red Candle, again, a piece of jewelry expressed a mother's love and a mother's sacrifice. When Lindo's home was flooded, Lindo was sent to go live at her future husband's house (her arranged marriage). When her family left, they left Lindo. Her mother gave Lindo her jade and expressed her sadness to give her daughter up to another family. Her father did not let her mother show pain or sadness, but the only form of love her mother was able to show her was by giving her a jade pendent for luck and as a memento of love from her family.
     In Two Kinds, Jing Mei's mother wanted her to be a prodigy of some kind and her mother decided on her being a piano prodigy. Jing- Mei did not take her lessons seriously and when her mother pushed her to do a competition, she still felt confident she would do well. As a token of luck from her mother, Suyuan gave Jing-mei her jade. Again, the jade represented the pride an the luck from a mother.
     In the last section's first chapter, Magpies, An-mei's mother brings her back to her husband's house where she is a concubine. At their first meeting, the 2nd wife gave An-mei a pearl necklace. An-mei was overjoyed, but soon, her mother proved to her that it was in fact fake and the An-mei had been shallow to be won over by cheap means. Her mother gives her a sapphire ring and An-mei treasures it as a truth. The fake pearl necklace represents lies and deception, but the ring represented trust and truth. An-mei's mother proved that she should be trusted by An-mei because she did not want her child to be deceived by underhand means.
     All the jewelry in the Joy Luck Club represented a mother's love and caring for her daughter. This cyclical object meant a lot to the context of the stories.