The Inheritance Cycle – A review

Kvetha fricaya! (Greetings, friends!)

The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini is by far one of the best series I have ever read. One that seems to transcend age barriers, making it an amazing read for those of several age categories.

The writing itself is exemplary with such vivid descriptions and such intricate details combined with a brilliant storyline. Making it feel unlikely that it is only fiction. It makes you feel as though you yourself are riding on Saphira’s back, as though you too are swinging Roran’s hammer in the battle of Aroughs, struggling with Eragon as he tries to magically lift a stone.

The land our hero, Eragon is born into is called Alagaësia, known as the Empire, under the control and shadow of the dark Dragon Rider turned King, Galbatorix who rules with his black Dragon Shruikan at his side and his most trusted warriors, the Forsworn guarding his back. The dragons have all but been eradicated, the rebel group The Varden struggles to kill the king and gain freedom while most of the Empire’s subjects lay in dread fear of the dark king and his servants. It is into this difficult and tense situation that Eragon is thrust into, with his discovery of a blue stone in the forest….

Paolini’s gift with words brings to life a world filled with magical creatures ranging from the cunning elves to urgals to dwarves, humans, shades, werecats, and of course, Dragons! The concept of magic in this mystical land is not the run of the mill kind with pointy hats and wands but something deeper, woven into the fabric of life itself. And the Ancient Language he has created is that with which the magic, and thus life itself, can be manipulated and controlled. The concept of true names grants absolute power over the object or the person, vows are binding and no lie can be uttered in the language of the Grey Folk (elves) and of magic, the Ancient Language. Which when written is known as the Liduen Kvaedhi.

To me, the series is very personal and dear because I feel as though I too have truly travelled the length and breadth of Alagaësia with Eragon, Arya and Orik. I feel as though I too have watched Eragon grow from an illiterate farm boy to a well-read scholar Rider, from a boy who struggled to lift a pebble with magic to a ShadeSlayer!

Other than the exemplary style of writing and a gift for words, the ideas and concepts behind the whole series itself is admirable.

Personally, I feel the Eragon blockbuster movie was a good movie on its own right but when compared to the book series by Paolini, especially for someone like me who is so enthralled, the movie did not begin to cover even 10 percent of my expectations for Alagaësia with all the characters come to life. The book gives you such spectacular imagery that your imagination takes it beyond what any movie could offer.

Kudos to Christopher Paolini for enthralling 35 million readers with his stunning style of writing and his brilliant descriptions. Thank You for introducing us to the wonderful world of dragons, Riders, and magic through the inimitable Inheritance Cycle!!

To anyone who has not read this series, I urge you to give it a shot. The first book is Eragon, followed by Eldest, Brisingr and the final, Inheritance.

Atra esterní ono thelduin. Mor’ranr lifa unin hjarta onr. Un atra du evarínya ono varda. (May good fortune rule over you. Peace live in your heart. And the stars watch over you.)