The much-anticipated third book in Paolini's Inheritance Cycle continues to rely heavily on classic fantasy tropes. The novel launches with magician and Dragon Rider Eragon, his cousin Roran and the dragon Saphira on a quest to rescue Roran's betrothed. The cousins soon split up, and Roran undergoes his own series of heroic tests, culminating in a well-choreographed and intense fight against an Urgal (a ram-human hybrid). Eragon, at the same time, encounters treacherous dwarves, undergoes even more training with the elf Oromis and gains a magical sword suitable for a Dragon Rider. The silly revelations about Eragon's background in the previous book, Eldest, are given a new spin near the end, but the change is neither unexpected nor interesting. Predictably, the book concludes with even more character deaths and another battle, but those expecting a resolution will have to wait until the next novel. Ages 12-up.

Following the colossal battle against the Empire’s warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still there is more at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep.

Synopsis of Eragon and Eldest..

The Gates of Death

Around the Campfire

Assault on Helgrind

Divergence

Rider and Ra'zac

To Walk the Land Alone

The Trial of the Long Knives

Winged Tidings

Escape and Evasion

A Delicate Matter

Bloodwolf

Mercy, Dragon Rider

Shadows of the Past

Amid the Restless Crowd

To Answer a King

A Feast with Friends

Intersecting Sagas

Making Amends

Gifts of Gold

I Need a Sword!

Unexpected Guests

Fire in the Sky

Man and Wife

Whispers in the Night

Orders

Footprints of Shadow

Over Hill and Mountain

For My Love

A Forest of Stone

The Laughing Dead

Blood on the Rocks

A Matter of Perspective

Kiss Me Sweet

Glumra

Clanmeet

Insubordination

Message in a Mirror

Four Strokes upon the Drum

Reunion

Ascension

Words of Wisdom

The Whipping Post

Among the Clouds

Butting Heads

Genealogy

Two Lovers Doomed

Inheritance

Souls of Stone

Hands of a Warrior

The Tree of Life

Mind over Metal

A Rider in Full

Greaves and Bracers

Leave-taking

Flight

Brisingr!

Shadow of Doom

Sunrise

Pronunciation Guide and Glossary

Acknowledgments