SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
Chapters Read:
Part IV: OTH ORUM
- III. To Hold the Center
- IV. Islingr
Part V: REUNION
- I. Acceptance
Reading "Murtagh", and many of the other books I read, in chunks and then writing about them has just been really fun. It's simply a record of my feelings throughout my favorite books. Why not, ya know?
I do plan on re-reading many other books I've read, as well as reading books I haven't read going forward, but I'm covering my absolute favorites first.
Well, this was my first read of "Murtagh" and I knew I was going to like it. I'll always happily return to Alagaësia.
Reading "Murtagh" in chunks, and finishing with these final three chapters was simply epic and elegant at the same time. Just really well written, intense chapters.
Murtagh ends up finally finding Bachel and twelve other Dreamers, and the fight was really excellent. They also held Alín hostage. Down in the bottom of a mountain, in a room of natural crystals, and a wicked evil being lurking down in a hole... Bachel was a very sinister lady and she was extremely difficult to kill, Murtagh barely survived the ordeal himself. Eventually Murtagh finally got rid of the witch in the most intense fashion. He crushed her with a massive crystal, and the finishing touch was Ithring straight to her skull. Gnarly.
The battle left him critically wounded, and I was really wondering if he'd survive. I mean, I didn't think Christopher Paolini was gonna actually have Murtagh die, but man I was wondering for awhile. Bachel had sliced him in the upper gut, and punctured his lung, and their fantastic magic duel left him utterly exhausted.
He was trapped in this awful environment with little hope. Thorn was petrified to enter the tunnels due to his extreme fear....
But epically, Uvek ended up convincing Thorn!! He pretty much treated Thorn with a mixture of tough love and genuine kindness. Plus the situation was dire, so Thorn had to choose to get over his fear or Murtagh was simply going to die. This was such a cool moment in general, these two dudes are legends. His dragon and his blood brother came to save Murtagh and Alín as well. Heroes indeed.
It was a mad dash but they got it done! Murtagh was so out of it that he was unaware Alín was saved and I was personally about to be very upset if she was abandoned. Alín showed a lot of courage throughout and was instrumental in helping Murtagh and Thorn escape the clutches of Bachel.
Eventually, while Murtagh was unconscious, Thorn traveled back to Ilirea where he recovers with much thanks to Nasuada and surprisingly enough Alín as well.
Murtagh shares with Nasuada all that happened, and clearly they both are still in love with each other. I've never personally felt like Nasuada is a great match but what do I know LOL. Nasuada asks Murtagh to stay, and eventually he says he will. One thing that I'll give props to Nasuada for is when she told Murtagh that she'd publicly say he approves of Murtagh. That was surprising. Also, I imagined she'd play the whole 'I'm so wise and you're simply some idiot who keeps screwing up' card but she was pretty relaxed and understanding, at least for her standards.
Also honestly, I can't finish this blog series without bringing this up at least once. While reading Murtagh, I personally started to feel that Alín might have more potential as a future partner for Murtagh than Nasuada, mostly because their interactions felt gentler and less strained. Perhaps in time. Nasuada herself even seems to show mild but noticeable signs of jealousy... Hmm.
But knowing Murtagh's luck, Alín is playing some long 4-D chess game and she's still a loyal Dreamer HA. That would be unfortunate.
I'm glad that Murtagh is staying with Nasuada though, he needs to be involved and feel like he matters. It's really good for him. I'm very happy for him. Nasuada seems a bit more chill than she did in the past and so if Murtagh does end up with her in the end, that'd be solid.
Anyway, it seems that the person Murtagh recognized in Nal Gorgoth was a member of Nasuada's inner circle. Murtagh doesn't know his name, but says he'd probably recognize him.
Nasuada says she'll basically make sure he can view one of her meetings, that way they can figure this out and find the snake.
Clearly, this story is not over with the Dreamers and Azlagûr.
My theory is that Azlagûr is a supermassive Dragon. Godzilla-like in size. Bigger. Perhaps with this new generation of dragons, they will fight Azlagûr together in some mega battle.
That'd be glorious, and scary.
There's obviously going to be a sequel here.
This point is proven when in Paolini's Afterword and Acknowledgements he literally says that he's got more in store!!! Tales in Alagaësia shall return! Even more mysteriously, he mentioned that he does not consider this truly as Book V. But says he does plan on writing one. Implying an Eragon-Saphira Book V? He also blatantly says he'll have a second volume of 'Tales from Alagaësia'!! I also know for a fact that he's going to have another 'Murtagh' book!
Maaaaan Christopher Paolini is a GOAT!!! He has plans!! Seemingly lots of them!
My final thoughts are that this book was just fantastic. Really gritty, action packed and satisfying on so many levels. I was truly transported to another world. Murtagh and Thorn are awesome.
Books are infinitely better than movies. No question. I'm immensely grateful.
Apparently there's this SNEAK PEAK OF THE UNTITLED MURTAGH 2. Oh my God what is life for real. 🥹😲🤯
This is just bonkers. I shall read this ASAP!!!
What a life.
One day I hope I have enough money for a mega library.
Cirque Du Freak will be my next re-read blog series.... 😁💪😎
