Scan barcode
manonastrid's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is definitely upper YA. The themes are on the heavy side. That being said, Murtagh grows so much in this book, I felt deeply for him and Thorne, their mental battles are some of the best written I've ever read. Both of them have different struggles born from the same experiences. I would highly recommend teens who have parents living with mental health diseases read this. It is possible to rise above and survive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
redhairedashreads's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars - I liked it
It’s been over a year since Galbatorix was defeated and Murtagh and Thorn finally achieved their freedom. They have been roaming Alagaësia avoiding everyone but when Murtagh discovers a darkness that might be a threat to this new peace he and Thorn decide to investigate.
After reading Eragon’s story I always wanted to know more about Murtagh and what happened to him afterwards, and now we finally get that. Murtagh and Thorn are not like Eragon and Saphira. They didn’t have a rider teacher or a healthy bonding while Thorn was newly hatched. They both struggle a lot with magic and the traumas of their past, and we see it cause problems multiple times in this book. It was heartbreaking learning about what they went through under Galbatorix and what again happens to them when they are captured by the witch Bachel in this.
Murtagh and Thorn investigate a new evil in Alagaësia that leads them to a witch called Bachel who is trying to bring about the destruction of the world and riders. The things revealed by her change the history of Galbatorix and the Fallen that has previously been presented. Bechel was an evil woman who has learned how to control anyone, including a dragon and a rider, with magic and vapors. It was heartbreaking seeing her control Murtagh and Thorn, especially since it was after days of being tortured. Bechel was a very interesting villain and I really enjoyed her downfall but what she started isn’t over, so I assume more books will be forthcoming.
This is a very heavy book, much like Inheritance was with all the death and battles, because we are constantly dealing with Murtagh and Thorn’s past and current trauma. I was not expecting him and Thorn to be tortured again and it really broke my heart that he can’t seem to catch a break. Murtagh and Thorn are so strong, especially compared to Eragon, and they still have a hard path ahead of them but hopefully their future will be a little easier since they decide to stay with Nasuada. I was very happy that the book ended on a happy note and we finally saw Nasuada and Murtagh reunited because he let himself have some happiness in life.
Overall, this was a good addition to this series and I am glad we finally got Murtagh and Thorn’s POV. I do hope we get more books with these two because they were great characters and I want to see what will happen next with this new evil.
TW: PTSD; Thorn is claustrophobic and Murtagh has arachnophobia; torture, imprisonment and being controlled by magic; graphic animal deaths; death of children; cult and human sacrifice;
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Animal death, Death, and Gore
v_neptune's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Death, Child abuse, Animal death, Bullying, Grief, Confinement, Murder, Animal cruelty, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Trafficking, Child death, and Domestic abuse
vavavoom's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was so obsessed with the Eragon books when I was a kid, it is so cool to be able to revisit the series with a new entry all these years later
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
jackiepreston's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Torture, Animal cruelty, Blood, and Child abuse
Moderate: Bullying, Classism, War, Death of parent, and Slavery
sting4780's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Grief, Confinement, Vomit, Torture, Self harm, Gore, and Slavery
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Classism
scrambledark's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, and Religious bigotry
nieva098's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
I liked it, it was fun and easy to read. The lead charachter made some very annoying choices. This book was really nostalgic and I hope more books in the universe comes out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Blood, and Grief
mothbiome's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love a good redemption story. Murtagh was always one of my favorite characters and I was so excited to read this! It DOES NOT disappoint.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Torture
almostqualified's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Animal death