Brisingr

Christopher Paolini’s Brisingr, published in 2008, is a work of YA Fantasy. It is the third volume in a series of four books, including Eragon, Eldest, and Inheritance, which together form the Inheritance Cycle. While Eragon is the protagonist of this series, the chapters are presented from several different points of view, all in third person. In this text, narrators include Eragon, Saphira, Roran, and Nasuada.

Plot Summary

Brisingr opens with Eragon, Saphira, and Roran hiding outside of Helgrind, watching Galbatorix’s priests perform a ritual on the mountain. After the ritual ends, they approach the mountain, discover an entry point, and begin to search for Katrina (Roran’s betrothed) and another prisoner held captive within the mountain. In order to save Katrina, they must fight two Lethrblakas and the final few Ra’zac. They free Katrina but Eragon stays behind to deal with her father Sloan and kill the remaining Ra’zac. After leaving Sloan in Mirnathor, he heads for the Varden. On the way, he finds Arya in the town of Eastcroft; together they return to the Varden. Soon after, Roran announces plans of his wedding with Katrina, which Eragon will officiate.

The morning of their wedding, a contingent of Galbatorix’s soldiers attack the Varden, with Murtagh and Thorn approaching in the sky. A land battle ensues while Eragon and Saphira face Murtagh and Thorn in the air. Saphira is able to wound Thorn, causing them to retreat. On the ground, Galbatorix has sent some of his new undead troops, the Men Without Pain. After the Varden successfully defeat Galbatorix’s troops, Roran and Katrina’s wedding goes as planned.

Nasuada requests that Eragon travel without Saphira to Farthen Dûr to participate in the clanmeet that will result in the dwarves choosing their next king. The Kull, Nar Garzhvog, accompanies Eragon as his guard as far as Orik’s stronghold in Bregan Hold. Together, Orik (Eragon’s foster brother) and he travel to the clanmeet in Tronjheim. Eragon sits in on daily clan meetings as the leaders work to determine who will become king. While exploring below the city, Eragon is assaulted by a group of masked dwarves belonging to a clan called Az Swelden rak Anhûin. After they are found guilty and banished from Farthen Dûr, the votes are cast and Orik becomes the next king. Eragon summons for Saphira to witness the coronation and put the star sapphire back together.

From there, the duo travels to Ellesméra in Du Weldenvarden to visit Oromis and Glaedr. Their elderly mentors reveal that Eragon’s father was Brom. During this trip, Eragon is able to procure a new blade from Rhunön. Oromis teaches Eragon a new spell that allows him to move objects far distances. Glaedr offers his Eldunarí to Eragon and Saphira for safe keeping and so that they will be able to continue communicating on the battlefield. Eragon and Saphira are headed to the siege of Feinster to help the Varden, whereas Oromis and Glaedr have decided to come out of hiding and travel to Gil’ead to help Queen Islanzadí.

Upon their arrival in Feinster, Eragon and Saphira are informed that Arya is trapped within a tower and needs help. After she is saved, the three find Lady Lorana in the keep with three spellcasters who are creating a Shade. Working together, the three are able to kill two of the spellcasters quickly but the third produces the Shade before they are able to kill her. However, with great concentration they are also able to kill the Shade. During their own battle, they receive word through Glaedr’s Eldunarí that Oromis and Glaedr have died. As a new dawn breaks, Eragon holds the Eldunarí above the castle wall. They feel hopeful about the future.