Week 46 Reviews: Eldest, Brisingr

From Goodreads:

Darkness falls…

Despair abounds…

Evil reigns.

Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesméra, land of the elves, for further training in magic and swordsmanship, the vital skills of the Dragon Rider. It is a journey of a lifetime, filled with awe-inspiring new places and people, each day a fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and Eragon isn't sure whom he can trust.

Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle back home in Carvahall–one that puts Eragon in even graver danger.

Will the king's dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life. . .

From Goodreads:

The Empire is at war and the stakes have never been higher in Book Three of the Inheritance Cycle, perfect for fans of Lord of the Rings! This New York Times bestselling series has sold over 40 million copies and is an international fantasy sensation. 

"Christopher Paolini is a true rarity." — The Washington Post

Oaths sworn . . . loyalties tested . . . forces collide... Eragon is the greatest hope to rid the land of tyranny. Can this once simple farm boy unite the rebel forces and defeat the king? Following the colossal battle against the Empire's warriors, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still, there is more adventure 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.

When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices-choices that will take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice.

My Review:
Reading these books again was really fantastic! It has been so long since I read these books for the first time, I think this has been my largest gap in rereading a book, so it almost perfectly was like reading them for the first time, knowing just a little bit of the story to come.

I remembered that Roran had a growing story from his persepective, back in Carvahall and onwards, and that Eragon was going to spend time with the Elves, and I was going to feel awful and embarassed on his behalf because of his feelings for Arya, and how I know they're not going to work.

Really, I haven't read most, if any, of the classic fantasy stories, but I went in rereading this series knowing that the first book really following along on the Hero's Journey story beats. It's in these books that the story diverged and became it's own thing, and I loved that, seeing where it was going!

A lot happens in these books, and it's building up to the big battle! Alongside learning more about this world and magic via Eragon and Saphira's training, events are having consequences and rippling outward. I'm so excited to read Inheritance again! 

Loved reading these books again, and I can't wait to continue on! 

Author: Christopher Paolini
Series: The Inheritance Cycle #2, 3
First Read: June 20th, September 23rd, 2009

Read: November 16th, 17th, 2023 
Source: Own
Reason Why: Rereading, and they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Books! 
Publisher: Doubleday, Knopf Books for Young Readers
Published: August 23rd 2005, September 20th 2008

Eldest:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Brisingr:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars