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kellovelie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Torture, and Violence
amaranthine_dragon's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Really nice to be back in Alegasia [sic]. Like other reviews have said, there was a lot of introspection and some of the action felt like a zelda quest (here's a goal! But to get there you must do ____ and to do that you need to collect _____).
The third quarter of the book was my favorite in terms of character development and interactions, but while I liked the climax, I thought there were a few places where the resolution could have been stronger given the setup provided.namely: Murtagh's fear of spiders suddenly vanishing when he encounters a giant one why? And the new name of za'rok not really every being mentioned until the moment he renames the sword both sat odd with me.
There are also some lose ends despite it being a standalone, and a lot of buildup to a relatively short climax. I was impressed by how many elements played into what we already knew about the world, it made the story feel a lot tighter and kept the world interally consistent. That said, I wouldn't start with Paolini here as part of the fun of this book was the callbacks to the first series.
The third quarter of the book was my favorite in terms of character development and interactions, but while I liked the climax, I thought there were a few places where the resolution could have been stronger given the setup provided.
There are also some lose ends despite it being a standalone, and a lot of buildup to a relatively short climax. I was impressed by how many elements played into what we already knew about the world, it made the story feel a lot tighter and kept the world interally consistent. That said, I wouldn't start with Paolini here as part of the fun of this book was the callbacks to the first series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Slavery
Couldn't find a tag for cult / occult / ritual sacrifice but it's thereunmistakablyphoenix's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Murtagh is a character I have always had huge empathy for while reading the original 4 books in the Inheritance Cycle.
His actions have mostly been that of terrible circumstance to which he was born into, and while our original narrator, Eragon, had a harder time understanding Murtagh’s motivation and choices, or lack of, I could see beyond his comprehension to the reality of who Murtagh is- a lonely and stunted child trapped in an oppressive and abusive environment with a dictator taking special interest in his torture. I am so glad he got to continue his story in this installment and I especially loved the storyline.
There were some VERY difficult moments to read through and I felt real rage and profound sadness at Murtagh and Thorn’s plight and treatment, both past and present.
Paolini as always inspires with his writing, and I look forward to what he does next in the word of Alagaësia.
His actions have mostly been that of terrible circumstance to which he was born into, and while our original narrator, Eragon, had a harder time understanding Murtagh’s motivation and choices, or lack of, I could see beyond his comprehension to the reality of who Murtagh is- a lonely and stunted child trapped in an oppressive and abusive environment with a dictator taking special interest in his torture. I am so glad he got to continue his story in this installment and I especially loved the storyline.
There were some VERY difficult moments to read through and I felt real rage and profound sadness at Murtagh and Thorn’s plight and treatment, both past and present.
Paolini as always inspires with his writing, and I look forward to what he does next in the word of Alagaësia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Self harm, Slavery, and Torture
belady147's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
I love Murtagh as a character and I love this book. I honestly can’t think of anything I didn’t like about it. The writing, the pacing, the characters, the character growth, character relationships, the plot, everything was so so good. Obviously I’m biased as I already loved Murtagh as a character (like I already said) but I honestly believe that this is the best book of the Inheritance Cycle by far. It was also darker than any of the other books. I like darker, angsty things (which is another reason why I am biased towards this book) but pages 450-570 or so were rough even for me.
What a fantastic book. I’m super excited to see where the story goes from here. I hope that we continue to get Murtagh’s POV in future books.
What a fantastic book. I’m super excited to see where the story goes from here. I hope that we continue to get Murtagh’s POV in future books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Torture, Violence, and Blood
gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It took me many, many months to get through this, but my gosh it was a fantastic read. Murtagh has always been my favourite morally grey character and to have a whole 600+ page book dedicated to him and Thorn was everything I could have wanted (besides just being back in this world again).
Getting to learn more about Murtagh's character arc and see where life took him and Thorn after all the events that transpired throughout the Inheritance Cycle was fascinating. I felt as though we were really given a chance to get to know them as more than 'the vilains' and it was beautiful.
To see how their tortured past (especially with Galbatorix) triggers them still was heartbreaking and so realistic in a person. The empathy I felt was overwhelming at times - I just wanted to reach through the pages of the book and give them both a big hug. It warms my heart to know that they are least have comfort in each other.
The character growth from both of them in this novel was incredibly impressive, working through the torments of their memories and wanting and trying to get through the other side was so inspiring but what really drove that inspiration further was that it wasn't done overnight. With Thorn especially, we really got a deeper understanding of how his forced growth as a hatchling and cruel trials Galbatorix made him go through affected him still and how he struggled awfully with confined spaces because of that. It was was heartbreaking to see his frustration and fear, being stuck in the cruel moments of the past that brought the fear on.
A theme I really enjoyed in Murtagh was the significant role dreams played - I believe that was also a concept in TSIASOS, so I found it intriguing to see how differently Paolini explores that theme in his sci-fi and in his fantasy, respectively.
A little side note here, but I couldn't help but love the little notes of "mmm", or 'hrmph'.. It just felt so intrinsically human.
I loved getting to see more of the world and did get annoyed at Murtagh's endless curiosity always getting him into trouble, but the things we discovered about the goings on after what we hoped would be a long lasting peace was worrying and I'm so eager to find out what happens next!
What else is in store for Murtagh and Thorn?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
kirstencholewa's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Torture, and Forced institutionalization
daniber's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Torture, and Blood
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
sanctuary_in_the_pages's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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: Animal death, Gore, Torture, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse and War
Minor: Slavery
fuzzy_fairy's review
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Slavery, Torture, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, and War
jasonpatrickg's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
5.0
A long-awaited return to the world of Alagaesia details the adventures of Murtagh and the dragon Thorn after the events of Inheritance. Murtagh, ever the foil to Eragon, the titular hero of the first four books, is a refreshing take on all things high fantasy. This book explores complex themes of self, loss, mental and emotional trauma, change, religious zealotry, and more! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and only wish it could have had even more in it! (Darn you Paolini for your cliffhangers!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Child death