Brisingr

The long-awaited third novel in Paolini's Inheritance Cycle will not disappoint devoted fans. Swords, sorcery, and plenty of "Chosen One" teenage angst await the listener. But wait, there's more--Gerard Doyle's performance takes the excitement and high fantasy of the story to dragon-soaring heights. He voices all the characters well but never overacts. Considering the length and breadth of the novel, the listener will be grateful. While the text does drag at points, Doyle is able to keep the listener mostly satisfied and engaged--Eragon's wallowing in fear and self-doubt might wear thin in print, without Doyle's energy to keep the emotions flowing. Doyle handles Paolini's fantasy language with ease and style, reminding the listener that some books improve when matched with a sympathetic, talented narrator. A.A. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

September 22, 2008
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. The clich\xE9d journey may appeal to younger readers of genre fiction. Older teens, even those who might have first cut their teeth on Paolini's writing years ago, are less likely to be impressed. Ages 12-up.