Brisingr by Christopher Paolini

Brisingr, by Christopher Paolini, is the third novel in the Inheritance Cycle, which is more commonly known as the Eragon Series. The Inheritance Cycle follows the story of Eragon, a boy in the fictional world of Alaglesia. It is a colorful world of many races and peoples, all struggling against the horrible regime of their almost omnipotent king, Galbotorix. Eragon, in the previous novels, became one of the Dragon Riders, an elite group of warriors who fight upon dragons and are able to use magic. They were almost completely destroyed by Galbotorix and he has ruled with an iron fist since, and will continue to, as being a Dragon Rider makes you immortal to disease and age. He is one of only four, known to still survive, that include him, an elf named Oromis, Murtagh, his half-brother whom he encounters in the first novel, and Galbotorix. They all ride a specifically named dragon, and they are the only known ones to live: Eragon’s Saphira, Oromis’s Glaedr, Murtagh’s Thorn, and Galbotorix’s Shruikan.

Eragon has been through many trials in the past two novels, and will face countless more in Brisingr. During the novel, Eragon and the Varden, a group of dwarvish and human rebels, begin their attack upon Galbotorix’s empire. Eragon also undergoes a search for a way to beat Galbotorix’s seemingly unlimited supply of power. Eragon’s cousin, named Roran, helps lead the Varden into battle as well, after Eragon saves Roran’s fiancé, who was taken by Galbotorix’s henchmen earlier in the series. The Varden have become very powerful, and, after a series of defeats from Galbotorix’s army’s attacks, strike into the Empire. Galbotorix’s army, led by Murtagh, who has been forced by magic to serve Galbotorix, is even enchanted to feel no pain, so as to do as much damage to the Varden’s soldiers as possible.

Eragon also searches for a new sword. Riders used special swords that never broke nor dulled, and Eragon’s was taken by Murtagh in their last encounter. Eragon finally is able to get a sword, which he names Brisingr, the name of the spell he uses, which creates fire. The only problem with the otherwise perfect sword is the fact that every time he says the sword’s name, it bursts into flames.

While searching for a way to get a sword, Eragon and Oromis try to figure out the way Galbotorix acquired enough power to topple the power of the chivalrous Dragon Riders. Eventually, they discover that it is from the Eldunari, a part of a dragon in which a dragon can store his entire being, excluding his physical form. They are very powerful, and Galbotorix had captured hundreds in his attack against the Riders. Oromis’s dragon decides to give Eragon his Eldunari, as to give Eragon an advantage he needs. Unfortunately, Oromis and Glaedr are killed by Murtagh, at an elven attack upon Galbotorix’s city of Gil’ead. The novel ends on a sad note, but Eragon and the Varden have discovered not only that Galbotorix isn’t invincible, but they have a way to fight back.

I highly recommend the book to anyone who has read the series. It continues right where the second book left off. It is full of action around every corner, and goes into every part of what is going on around Eragon. I also recommend reading the previous two novels first, to know what is going on. Once I started reading the book, I couldn’t put it down until it was done.

-Jake Menges