The 7 Promises of Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Bjartskular (Brisingr - Christopher Paolini)

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Brisingr - Christopher Paolini
Date:	26/09/09 (64 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Characters, the tale, the action, Paolini's care and attention

Disadvantages: It dragged a lot in parts

The third book in Christopher Paolini's Inheritance cycle was supposed to be the third and final installment of a trilogy. However, the author soon realised that to condense what was left of the tale into one book would not have been possible, and thus extended it to four books. Brisingr is the third chapter in the cycle, with the promise of the fourth being published just as soon as he's finished writing it.

If you are planning to read this, then I strongly suggest you read Eragon and Eldest, the first two books in the cycle. The books are best read as a series, as those I have spoken to who have read the books out of sequence have been rather unimpressed, and confused, with the whole thing. Brisingr does contain a good sized synopsis of the two previous books, but there's nothing like reading the whole thing.

This review may contain elements that could spoil the first two books for you, in a way, but for the sake of plot development and explanation, it must be so. Brisingr starts up the story where the second book left off, with Eragon and his cousin Roran reunited, the former reeling from the attack that Murtagh and Thorn subjected them to. The book certainly feels like filler as opposed to a thrilling read right from the off, as Paolini sets about answering some of the questions he has made us pose in the first two books.

Eragon is a Dragon Rider, the latest in a long string of historical tradition, supreme warriors and special 'chosen' ones. The heroes of the piece are the Varden, who strive to wrestle control of all lands from the evil tyrant, former Dragon Rider Kingh Galbatorix, who has slain all other dragons and their Riders and who is magically and physically virtually unassailable. Eragon must unite all races of man, dwarf, elf and Urgal (who I believe to be like trolls with a bit of sense), and in this respect, he is sent off on errands by the leader of the Varden, Nasuada, while Roran stays behind.

There is a huge array of characters involved in the tale, and if you haven't read the first two books, you would be forgiven for being confused as to who any of them are. It is important to understand the basics of the book, and that is the Varden are mounting an assault against Galbatorix's Empire, and that their main (and possibly only) hope lies in Eragon's ability to become the most powerful Dragon Rider ever.

Paolini manages to incorporate a lot of previous characters and develop them and their involvement even further. Eragon and his blue Dragon, Saphira, visit Oromis and Galedr once again. These two are Rider and Dragon respectively, kept hidden deep in Elven land, away from where Galbatorix's mind can reach them. They are Eragon and Saphira's masters and trainers, and this is one way that the saga takes on a bit of a Star Wars feel, with the whole Jedi training. In fact, the whole Varden vs the Empire has a bit of a Star Wars feel to it as welll, and coupled with some of the characterisation, I found there were a lot of similarities between the two.

There is also an element of Tolkien present here. I suppose it is hard for any fantasy writer to be able to create a mythical world full of dwarves and elves and magic without such comparisons being made, and in a way that I respect, Paolini has almost resigned himself to this and embraced some of the concepts that Tolkien used. The idea of uniting different races such as dwarves, elves and man to face a common foe, as well as Galbatorix being a far distant foe that is at the end of the quest (as was Sauron for Tolkien's Lord of the Rings), are just a couple of similarities, and while these comparisons will inevitably be made, I feel it's important to understand that the overlying concept is about Dragon Riders, and this is indeed a bit of a new theme. Sure, Tolkien had his villains flying around on great birds of evil, and Lucas has his stormtroopers on X-Wing and Tie Fighters, but Paolini's Dragon Riders are a different concept, and one that is lovingly explored by the author.

Paolini uses ancient languages for the speech of some of the elves, dwarves and other races that emerge in his saga. Some words, such as brisingr itself, are derived from the Norse language. Others are taken from fictional languages, but all are lovingly and carefully explained in the back of the book in a sort of glossary of terms to help us understand them. This is a nice littel addition to the end of the book.

The 'higher being' element of Dragons and elves is explored in a bit of detail in this book, as is the customary electing of a new Dwarf King to unite the various clans. While these elements can be very interesting at times, I did feel as if page upon page of endless description was coming out, and this was, at times, a turn off, something that made me put the book down. These customs and descriptions regarding Eragon's mission were thrilling as creations, but in fitting with the stories running alongside them in alternating chapters with Roran fighting his way around Paolini's Alagaesia to earn his ranks in the Varden's army, the click just wasn't there. Some may argue that this provides something for different types of fans of Paolini's work. Those interested more in the historical side and the customs are rewarded with clever and extensive descriptions, while those looking for gore and battle get it in a good chunk. However, it made the reading stuttery for me. I like a tale I don't want to put down, no matter the topic at the time.

In a way, I was confused and surprised at the decision to make a fourth book, especially considering how much time Paolini spends on drawing out customs and events. What could have been done in a few pages often becomes a few dozen, and the book still ends up beign 750 pages long. In his acknowledgements section, Paolini gives thanks to his editors, saying that the book was a LOT longer before they got their hands on it. All I can say is, 'Thanks!'

Who knows? Perhaps Paolini will finish the cycle and then continue to write about the land of Alagaesia, much as Tolkien did with Middle Earth. Then we may see books dedicated to the history of the land, specifically for the fans. This may be an idea, and could keep the tales themselves to a shorter and more enticing length.

Still, this is all personal opinion. I still rate the book as a very good read, and one I would definitely recommend. It is, I feel, essential to read Eragon and Eldest first, as despite the synopsis of the two at the beginning of Brisingr, you don't get a feel for the characters as much, and a lot of the writing is character specific. Paolini has done a good job, make no odds about it, but I would have preferred less descriptive areas and the book being kept a little shorter.

Either way, I eagerly await the release of his fourth book, whatever it may be named and whenever it may be released. I am completely caught up in the story, and ache for the knowledge of how it all ends. The characterisation has proven worth the time and effort, as you get a true feel for them all, and isually in my mind I found it easy to picture the characters, be it dragon, man or other. Those of you put off by the disappointment that was Eragon the film, cast it aside and pick up the books. They are a damn sight better, and well worth your time. Paolini is a good author, and has created a good world here. I suggest you enter it from the beginning. Happy reading!

Brisingr is currently available from amazon.co.uk for £7.81. No doubt you can pick it up for cheaper elsewhere. Either way, it's a nice one to have in your collection, especially if you already have Eragon and Eldest. Paolini is set to release an extended edition of the book at some point in October 2009, which would contain extended scenes (deep breath!) and some furtehr artwork. The artwork on the front cover and with the internal maps is excellent, particularly the attention to detail on the covers, each one of the cycle featuring a different Dragon. Eragon's cover features Saphira, Eldest's has Thorn (Murtagh's Dragon), and Brisingr has the golden hue of Glaedr as its cover artwork. Paolini himself doesn't know how artist John Jude Palencar can top his efforts for the fourth book. I'm interested in seeing how Paolini will....

Summary: The third installment in Paolini's Inheritance Cycle