Inheritance (The Inheritance Cycle)

By: Christopher Paolini
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: November 2011
ISBN: 978-0-375-85611-2
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor 
Review Date: November 11, 2011

And it all comes to an end. There will be many a broken-hearted fan to see this one go away - the story has been beyond fantastic with memorable characters and locations that will live in everyone’s mind for all eternity. But the conclusion is mighty and stunning, proving that this young author - who was unknown when Eragon first appeared in readers’ lives - has carved out a name for himself in literary history.

All readers made sure to stand by the side of the poor farm boy, Eragon (The Dragon Rider) - and watched in wonder as his dragon - Saphira - became beloved, beginning as a simple blue stone. Now, after all the triumphs and tragedies, this remarkable team will face that evil king to bring about peace and justice to a civilization that, without Eragon, has no chance of survival.

Every single page of this novel is beyond thrilling. From the fights to the friendships, to the love that exists between the main characters, every word that the author has written will either inspire a quickly beating heart, a rapid pulse rate, or a waterfall of tears as people have to say “Goodbye” to one another - because nothing can be perfect.

This is one of the very few novels (such as Harry #7) that a reviewer can not bring justice to. A reviewer can sit for hours thinking about how to sum up in four hundred words or less the sheer magic that this series has brought. It’s like trying to get readers to understand how magnificent your wedding day was, or how there was nothing in the world like Grandma’s homemade pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. A castle will fall, a magician’s light will darken, friends will scramble to fight the war of all time, and a boy and his ‘best friend’ will do everything within their power to survive it all.

Eragon, Eldest and Brisinger have all led up to this monumental event, and readers everywhere will be standing in line to say their farewell to a true friend. The fourth and final volume in the cycle is here, and there will be more people reading this weekend than ever before! Good thing “Bella & Edward” are next week!

Quill Says: There’s nothing to say! Finish with Eragon the way you began - with eyes wide open to catch every thrill, chill, agony…and victory!