Spoilers.
Chapters read:
- Rider and Ra'zac
- To Walk the Land Alone
- The Trial of the Long Knives
- Winged Tidings
Well I have to say after eight chapters of Brisingr, I can barely put it down. I am appreciating this re-reading more than I appreciated the re-reading of Eragon or Eldest. Brisingr is significantly better than I remember.
Brisingr feels much more action packed and fast paced than the prior two books. It also feels substantially tougher and grittier. The last two books in the series set up so much plot and backstory that it is allowing Brisingr to really hit the ground running in a big way. The prior two set the stage and Paolini is taking full advantage in Brisingr!
Eragon and Saphira's character development is steady and fun to watch. It is much more noticeable this time around. They are becoming their own people and I love to see it. They just feel wiser and more direct in their actions. Saphira is really so likeable and intelligent and just a really amazing character. Eragon's confidence blooming is great.
It felt so good to see Eragon finally vanquish the Ra'zac. My goodness, the Ra'zac were such consistent problems throughout the series and now that they're gone it feels like a whole new phase of Eragon's life is here. Very fun stuff. The final conversation between Eragon and the Ra'zac was super interesting. I also properly appreciate what the Ra'zac meant by 'Galbatorix has more hearts than you' this time around! Super massive moment. I still am unsure what the Ra'zac was trying to say when it referenced Galbatorix nearly having 'a name', it will be intriguing to discover what that meant all over again.
The Trial of the Long Knives gave me absolute chills! What a scene that was. Nasuada is a tank!
I am glad Eragon is becoming more focused as an individual and I think it is awesome how he handled Sloan and honored his hometown finally. Sloan having such a role in the series is a lot more fascinating than I remembered. He's a very annoying and nasty, yet thought provoking character. Nasuada, Islanzadi and others may find it unwise Eragon took care of these past loose ends, but being that Eragon is so important I do believe it was important to address some of these core issues. Eragon's loyalty is amazing.
At the end of 'Winged Tidings' Nasuada mentions how Eragon may have got himself in trouble since he went off on his own and she hopes Arya can protect him. Meanwhile Nasuada herself just participated in the BONKERS Trial of the Long Knives herself. Yeah she's worried about Eragon but she should have some confidence in Eragon too. Nasuada is cool and admirable in many ways but she can be a bit inconsistent and even a bit arrogant at times.
Still, these characters' personalities make the story more interesting and realistic (yeah in a fantasy series I know LOL).
Gonna dive back into the world of Alagaesia ASAP!