Brisingr: 3 (The Inheritance Cycle) - Hardcover

Paolini, Christopher

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0385607911 ISBN 13: 9780385607919

Publisher: Doubleday Children's Books, 2008

Synopsis

Following the colossal battle against the Empire's warriors, Eragon and Saphira narrowly escaped with their lives. But, more awaits the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by promises he may not be able to keep, including his oath to cousin Roran to help rescue his beloved Katrina. When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes, Eragon must make choices that take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice. Conflict, action, adventure and one devastating death await readers as Eragon battles on behalf of the Varden while Galbatorix ruthlessly attempts to crush and twist him to his own purposes. Can he become a leader who can unite the rebel forces and defeat the King?

About this title

Review

The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini -- of which Brisingr is the latest -- shows every sign of becoming one of the most exuberant and entertaining fiction sequences in modern writing, with a scope and ambition that genuinely takes the breath away. This is a fantasy world which is cleverly designed to appeal to the widest possible range of readership; the inevitable echoes of JRR Tolkien are transformed into something rich and strange here, and the events of the earlier books are being drawn together in the later developments with masterly assurance.

After the massive, punishing battle against the Warriors of the Empire, Eragon and Saphira are licking their wounds, having barely survived. The Rider and his dragon have an oath to fulfil; they must aid Katrina in escaping the most terrible danger. What follows is an epic journey, quite as action-packed and vividly described as anything in fantasy fiction. As in all the best such literature, the odds are overwhelming, nothing can be taken at face value, and the evil forces ranged against the protagonists are as vile as one could wish.

Christopher Paolini clearly now feels that he has readers securely in his pocket, and is prepared to take his time to achieve some of his best effects -- a tactic that pays dividends. So often with fantasy fiction, outlandish situations are relied upon to carry the action, and there is no shortage of them here. But Paolini is canny enough to realise that the characterisation of an endangered protagonist is crucial to maintain our involvement, and (as in previous books), he always takes care of business in this regard. Don't be put off by the daunting length of this book -- Paolini justifies every word in Brisingr. You'll find yourself reading it as quickly as many a shorter book. --Barry Forshaw

Review

"A compelling and action-filled adventure . . . a galloping good example of its genre" (Daily Telegraph)

"This book is an achievement. Readers . . . will be transported" (The Sunday Times)

"A portrayal of true affection between boy and dragon . . . Paolini writes like someone gripped by his own story" (Guardian)

"A stirring fantasy of epic proportions" (The Bookseller)

"Bound for the bestsellers" (Publishing News)

Edition details

• Publisher: Doubleday Children's Books
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0385607911
• ISBN 13: 9780385607919
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 784