A review by redhairedashreads
Murtagh by Christopher Paolini

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; 
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