Brisinger - Christopher Paolini

I finally finished Brisinger last night. I stayed up until almost 2 a.m. I was kind of surprised it took me a week to read. When I used to find a new book I was excited to read, I would read it all in one sitting in a few hours. I guess this is my new reading style -- reading after you have kids just takes longer.

Now for my review...I found this book, a great addition to the series. This is Book 3 in Paolini's Inheritance Cycle. The series is set in the fictional world of Alagaësia, and it follows Eragon and his dragon Saphira, one of the few remaining Dragon Riders, a legendary group who governed the land in times past but were almost completely destroyed by a Rider named Galbatorix and the Forsworn, who all betrayed their fellow Riders by being allied with Galbatorix. Eragon or Book 1 told the story of Eragon finding Saphira's egg and her hatching, his early training by Brom, one of the last free dragonriders who lost his dragon at the hands of Morzan, one of Galbatorix's forsworn dragonriders. Book 1 follows Eragon through his joining with the rebel forces, the Varden, their allies, the dwarves and the elves. The book ends with a mighty battle with Eragon triumphant but wounded.

Book 2 or Eldest follows Eragon and Saphira through continued training with an ancient elf and dragon, the tales of Eragon's cousin Roran, and the return of Eragon's friend Murtagh, son of Morzan, who has been given a dragon Thorn and forced to serve Galbatorix. Morzan defeats Eragon but ultimately let's him go only after revealing they are brothers, both sons of Morzan and Selena, Morzan's lover and "Black Hand."

Brisinger or Book 3 continues the story further. Eragon helps Roran find his beloved and they return to the Varden. We follow more of Roran's life as he fights for the Varden and marries his love. I don't want to spoil it but the author does a great job of showing Eragon's continued growth. We see and learn more of Eragon and his mother and father. Eragon and Saphira uncover more details about dragons and Galbatorix that may be helpful in the future. I found the book entertaining but it did feel more like a long set up for the final book with more disjointed travels and less drama in the final battle than usual. Don't get me wrong, I was still drawn to the story but it flowed less than the earlier books. However, there were some satisfying nuggets of information to add to the satisfaction including Eragon's parentage and his search for a sword. All in all, a good read, but more of an appetizer to the real meal of Book 4.

A side note: Although I loved the Harry Potter series even more than these books, I am always amazed Christopher Paolini created this world, these characters, these books, while still a teenager. This series is amazing for anyone to have created in their head much less a teen!