Hey Jared,
Even having endured three previous books, and basically zero expectations, I’m still surprisingly disappointed.
Title: Inheritance
Series: The Inheritance Cycle; Book 4
Author: Christopher Paolini
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth/Teen
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval/Renaissance, Dragons, Magic, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Not so very long ago, Eragon — Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider — was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders. Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chance. The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost
Recommendation: I recommend this series (not really) for pre- and early teens.
It’s too much of the same. The plot of the book and the entire series are just too much the same that we’ve already seen in the previous books. Got a problem? Go on a trip somewhere. Got another problem, another trip. Wrote yourself into a corner? TRIP! Eragon doesn’t do anything, simply goes to different places.
The author’s lack of experience and limited skills are easy to see as he attempted to bring the series to a close. Everything was either too little or too late and sometimes both.
Though I really did enjoy the added world building and specifics on dragons and world history….But why was it all “saved” for the last book!?! Most of this info was needed in the second or third book and the “plot twist” elements felt like he was trying to write himself out of the corner.
And the very end and resolution was odd and very unfulfilling. I saw no reason for it and it didn’t fit at all.
I can’t write anymore without it coming out as gibberish. It’s the second best book in the series and it’s clear the author has learned a lot in the process, but it’s faults are plain to see and not many redeeming qualities.
Robert
Reading Over The Shoulder 