The much-anticipated third book in Paolini's Inheritance Cycle continues to rely heavily on classic fantasy tropes. The novel launches with magician and Dragon Rider Eragon, his cousin Roran and the dragon Saphira on a quest to rescue Roran's betrothed. The cousins soon split up, and Roran undergoes his own series of heroic tests, culminating in a well-choreographed and intense fight against an Urgal (a ram-human hybrid). Eragon, at the same time, encounters treacherous dwarves, undergoes even more training with the elf Oromis and gains a magical sword suitable for a Dragon Rider. The silly revelations about Eragon's background in the previous book, Eldest, are given a new spin near the end, but the change is neither unexpected nor interesting. Predictably, the book concludes with even more character deaths and another battle, but those expecting a resolution will have to wait until the next novel. Ages 12-up.
Following the colossal battle against the Empire’s warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still there is more at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep.
Synopsis of Eragon and Eldest..
The Gates of Death
Around the Campfire
Assault on Helgrind
Divergence
Rider and Ra'zac
To Walk the Land Alone
The Trial of the Long Knives
Winged Tidings
Escape and Evasion
A Delicate Matter
Bloodwolf
Mercy, Dragon Rider
Shadows of the Past
Amid the Restless Crowd
To Answer a King
A Feast with Friends
Intersecting Sagas
Making Amends
Gifts of Gold
I Need a Sword!
Unexpected Guests
Fire in the Sky
Man and Wife
Whispers in the Night
Orders
Footprints of Shadow
Over Hill and Mountain
For My Love
A Forest of Stone
The Laughing Dead
Blood on the Rocks
A Matter of Perspective
Kiss Me Sweet
Glumra
Clanmeet
Insubordination
Message in a Mirror
Four Strokes upon the Drum
Reunion
Ascension
Words of Wisdom
The Whipping Post
Among the Clouds
Butting Heads
Genealogy
Two Lovers Doomed
Inheritance
Souls of Stone
Hands of a Warrior
The Tree of Life
Mind over Metal
A Rider in Full
Greaves and Bracers
Leave-taking
Flight
Brisingr!
Shadow of Doom
Sunrise
Pronunciation Guide and Glossary
Acknowledgments