Book Review

Cole Jolovich
May 10, 2009
English 2
Book Review
Brisingr

Christopher Paolini’s book Brisingr is a tale of a boy named Eragon whom continues his adventure as a Dragon Rider. This is the third book in his series of novels, which also include Eragon and Eldest, which are the only books that he has written, so far.

This book is about Eragon’s adventures with his dragon, and long term companion, Saphira. He also talks about Roran’s and Nasuada’s adventures and exploits throughout the course of the book. In the beginning, Eragon, Roran and Saphira venture to the Ra’zac’s lair and exterminate them and their mounts for good. When the deed was done Saphira, Roran and Katrina, the main reason they went to the Ra’zac’s lair, while Eragon stayed behind to search for useful things. Upon his return he paid some overdue duties and left with the Kull Nar Garzvog for the dwarves of Ingeitum’s city, Bregan Hold, to meet up with Orik. Once he arrives he is greeted warmly by the dwarves and children. While he is there he finds that his foster brother, Orik, had recently been married and that his people were still celebrating in the festivities. After a couple days of relaxing among the dwarves in Bregan Hold they depart and pass through the Forest of Stone while on their way to the capital, Tronjheim.

Meanwhile, Nasuada and Roran are still constantly fighting off the empire only to discover a newly trained warrior that Galbatorix has come up with, one’s who could feel no pain. With this newly innovated soldier the Varden was put back and started having heavy casualties.

Once Eragon reached Tronjheim he witnessed the clan meet of the Dwarves and helped enough to ensure that Orik won the position. As soon as it was evident that the clan meet had decided who the new king or queen was Eragon sent a message to Nasuada having her send Saphira on her way to also participate in the coronation of the new royal head of the dwarven nation. After this long process Saphira and Eragon left for Ellesméra to tie up some loose ends with their teachers.

Upon their arrival they discover that Brom, their old friend and trainer who died tragically, was Eragon’s father. Also while there they learn how Galbatorix has become so powerful and how he made Murtagh so close to his equal. After gaining this knowledge he ventures to Rhunön’s shop outside the city. Even through his much begging she will not forge him a new sword. Much to his dismay she found a way for it to be done but she needed the key additional element for her Dragon Rider swords. After hearing this he and Saphira travel to the Menoa a tree to see if it had some brightsteel, the missing element, beneath it. Much to their dismay they anger the great tree and almost lose their lives in the process. Finally she gives them the metal and they take it to Rhunön. With her guiding them through his mind, they make a new instrument of extinguishing lives. After they forged it he gave it the name Brisingr.

He takes his new weapon and travels to his teachers’ home and after greeting them finds that they also will depart and partake in the war. Along their flight they discuss many things that Eragon and Saphira know and may yet need to know along their journey. At the end of the forest they take separate ways to aid the different armies that formed on each side of Alegaësia. In a short couple of days they scoured the length of the Empire and reach their allies in the midst of a siege. With their help the siege was over with quickly.

This book to me was a very enjoyable read; I would recommend this novel to any reader who enjoys a good adventurous read. Also it was written very well by not giving away what will happen next. The main thing that stood out to me in this novel was the authors’ ability to maintain suspense with the reader but not boring them with tedious details. All in all, Christopher Paolini’s novel Brisingr is a great fictitious read that was written well.