The Inheritance Cycle

Inheritance Cycle

The covers of the first three books.
Eragon Eldest Brisingr Untitled fourth book
Author	Christopher Paolini
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre	Young adult, High fantasy
Publisher	Alfred A. Knopf
Published	2002 – present
Media type	Print (Hardcover,paperback) and Audio (Compact Disc)

The Inheritance Cycle is a series of young-adult fantasy novels by Christopher Paolini. It was titled the Inheritance Trilogy until Paolini's announcement on October 30, 2007 that there would be a fourth book. Set in the fictional world of Alagaësia, the novels focus on a teenage boy named Eragon and his dragon Saphira as he becomes one of the few remaining Dragon Riders, a legendary group who governed the land in times past but were almost completely destroyed by a Rider named Galbatorix and the Forsworn, who all betrayed their fellow Riders by being allied with Galbatorix. After the Fall, when many of the Riders were killed, Galbatorix claimed the throne of Alagaësia. Galbatorix's greatest fear is that a new Rider will rise up and usurp his position as king of the Empire. Through the efforts of the rebel army, the Varden, a dragon egg is stolen from Galbatorix, and by a whim of fate, is thrust upon a young farmboy in Palancar Valley. The boy's name is Eragon. As Galbatorix attempts to capture Eragon and his dragon, Eragon begins a journey into the past and the future of Alagaësia.

The first book in the series, Eragon, was self-published by Paolini's family in 2002 and re-published in 2003 by Knopf; it was followed by Eldest in 2005. Both were New York Times bestsellers and together have sold more than 12.5 million copies worldwide. The third book in the series, Brisingr, was published on September 20, 2008, and publication details for the as-yet un-named fourth book have not been set. The series was intended to be a trilogy, but this changed as Paolini wanted to add more to the story.

In 2006, Eragon was adapted into a feature film of the same name, starring Edward Speleers in the title role of Eragon, as well as Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Sienna Guillory, and Rachel Weisz.

Publication history

Homeschooled by his parents, Christopher Paolini graduated from high school at the age of fifteen, but felt he was not yet mature enough for college, so he wrote Eragon in his spare time. After writing the first draft for a year, he spent a second rewriting it and fleshing out the story and characters, and then presented it to his parents. They had it self-published by the family publishing company, Paolini International, and Paolini then traveled around to various schools advertising his novel. By chance, the book was discovered by Alfred A. Knopf and was republished under Knopf in 2003.

Eldest was released as a hardcover edition in August 2005. A limited edition, featuring extras such as a brief history of Alagaësia, a double-sided poster featuring Brom's ring & Glaedr, and a sneak peek of Brisingr was released in September 2006. A paperback edition was released in March 2007. The deluxe edition of Eldest had an excerpt from the third chapter of the third book.

Brisingr - a word meaning 'fire' in the fictional ancient language - was published on September 20 2008, as announced on October 30th, 2007 on Christopher Paolini's website, [1]. Also included in the announcement, both by Random House and in an internet video by Paolini himself, was the revelation that the Inheritance Trilogy would now contain four books instead of three, thus resulting in the renaming of the series to the Inheritance Cycle. Paolini also announced that he would end the third book with the death of a major character.

Synopsis

In the fictional land of Alagaësia, there was once an organization of people who governed the country and brought peace to the world. This group was known as the Dragon Riders for they rode Dragons, with which they had long since made a great bond. One Dragon Rider named Galbatorix had his dragon slain by the Urgals which drove him mad. Denied another Dragon by the council, Galbatorix was driven into madness blaming the council for the death of his dragon and sought to destroy the Dragon Riders. With the help of Morzan, the first of the thirteen Forsworn, he stole a black dragon, whom he named Shruikan. He forced Shruikan to do his bidding, and, finally, with his dragon and the Thirteen Forsworn, he destroyed the Riders and their dragons. Since then, he has ruled Alagaësia as Emperor.

While an accurate time-line of various events is as yet unavailable, Paolini has hinted on an interview that based on Elain's pregnancy, we may infer the events from Eragon to Brisingr to have happened within a span of months.

Eragon

Main article: Eragon

Eragon, a 15-year-old farm boy, finds a polished blue and white streaked stone while hunting. He takes the stone back to his uncle Garrow's farm in hopes of selling it for food. Very little is known of his parentage, save that his mother was named Selena, and has not been seen since shortly after Eragon's birth when she begged Garrow to take care of him. After finding none who will buy the stone his family forgets about it. He is stunned when the stone turns out to be an egg, hatching to reveal a baby dragon, Saphira, who quickly grows in size and mental ability.

Eragon's home is attacked by creatures called Ra'zac. His uncle, Garrow, dies as a result of wounds while Eragon and a mysterious old storyteller named Brom escape with Saphira to find the Ra'zac and avenge Garrow's death. Eragon and Brom are ambushed by the Ra'zac. A young man named Murtagh, later revealed to be the son of Morzan, rescues them, becoming Eragon's ally. Brom is fatally wounded in the attack by the Ra'zac; in his final words, he reveals that he was a Dragon Rider before the Fall and that he is an agent for the Varden. Days later, Eragon is captured and taken to prison in Gil'ead and Murtagh comes to his rescue. While escaping, the duo rescue a female elf named Arya, about whom Eragon has been having disturbing nightmares.

Because Arya has been poisoned, they search for an antidote. They travel across the vast Hadarac Desert constantly pursued by slavers and an army of Urgals. They discover the lair of the Varden inside the hollow mountain known as Farthen Dûr. Galbatorix's forces attack, and during the battle that follows, Eragon kills a Shade named Durza, but acquires a terrible scar. Whilst he is immersed in a healing sleep, he converses with a being who advises him to complete his training in the elven capital, Ellesméra.

Eldest

Main article: Eldest

Following the battle of Farthen Dûr, Ajihad, leader of the Varden, is killed in a sudden surprise attack by Urgals. Murtagh and the Twins (the Varden's best spell-weavers) disappear during the attack, and are presumed dead. After swearing fealty to Nasuada, Ajihad's daughter and new leader of the Varden, Eragon sets out on his journey to Ellesméra, accompanied by Orik (a dwarf). Much of the book is devoted to Eragon's training with the ancient Dragon Rider Oromis, known as the Mourning Sage, and his unsuccessful attempts at wooing Arya, who is dedicated to her mission and considers his feelings misplaced. Eragon finds out that Arya is the daughter of Queen Islanzadí, which makes her a princess. He also discovers that when he thought he blessed a baby in Farthen Dûr, he really cursed her. She has unnatural powers, and is compelled to put herself in the place of others who are about to be hurt.

The spirits of the dragons heal Eragon's scar in a ceremony called the Agaetí Blödhren. Eragon wakes up the next day with elven qualities that make him much stronger and more agile. It is after the transformations that Eragon pursues Arya once more, only to leave Arya no choice but to cease their friendship, no matter how much she explains to him that they cannot be together. This leaves Eragon truly devastated.

While this is going on, Roran (Eragon's cousin and son of Garrow) returns to Carvahall after learning of his father's death, and discovers that he is wanted by Galbatorix. His presence is endangering the entire town, which has come under attack by the Ra'zac. He convinces most of the villagers to follow him in an attempt to reach sanctuary in Surda. Before they can make good their escape, however, Sloan (Roran's fiancée Katrina's father) betrays the town to the Ra'zac, resulting in the kidnapping of Katrina and the near death of Roran. Forced to leave without her, Roran and company cross the treacherous Spine and join up with Jeod (an old friend of Brom's) at Teirm. They set sail in the a pirated ship for the southern coast, evading the Ra'zac and Empire.

Eragon returns to the Varden to help them in the approaching battle against Galbatorix's army. Upon returning to the Varden, Eragon tells Arya that he cannot diminish his feelings, but he can tame himself and promises to not moon after Arya. Arya forgives him, and their friendship is once again strong. Thanks to the timely arrival of Roran, Jeod, and the villagers, the battle is a victory for the Varden.

During the battle the Twins re-appear, killing many Varden before being killed by Roran. A new Rider appears during the battle, who turns out to be Murtagh, riding a dragon named Thorn. He reveals that he is now Galbatorix's second-in-command. Murtagh and Eragon begin to fight; Eragon is defeated, but he manages to convince Murtagh to let him go. Murtagh reveals that they are brothers, Selena being their mother, and Morzan being their father. The book ends with Eragon promising to accompany Roran and free Katrina.

Brisingr

Main article: Brisingr

Eragon, Roran, and Saphira travel towards Helgrind, the mountain dwelling of the Ra'zac where Katrina is being held. They infiltrate the mountain, rescuing Katrina and kill one Ra'zac, but Eragon also finds Sloan. Eragon decides to remain in Helgrind to kill the remaining Ra'zac, while Saphira goes back to the Varden with Roran and Katrina. The last Ra'zac attempts to strike a deal with Eragon, informing him that Galbatorix has almost found "the name". Eragon refuses the deal and kills it. Eragon forces Sloan to go to the elves with the permission of Islanzadi to keep him from seeing Katrina.

Arya and Eragon meet up in Eastcroft, and together they return to the Varden, where Roran and the villagers of Carvahall who had not settled in Surda have joined the Varden. Eragon's love and longing to be with her has not ceased; if anything, it has grown stronger. Roran informs Eragon that he and Katrina wish to marry, and that Katrina is pregnant. The day of the wedding, a small unit of soldiers from the Empire, including Murtagh and Thorn, attack the Varden. Murtagh is driven away and the Varden manage to destroy the enemy army, but with high casualties. Despite the skirmish, Roran and Katrina's marriage goes ahead.

Nasuada orders Eragon to attend the election of the new dwarf king as a member of Durgrimst Ingeitum. She tells them that Saphira must remain behind, for if she didn't and Murtagh learned of it, he would crush the defenseless Varden. Eragon is reunited with Orik, the new clan-chief of Durgrimst Ingeitum. An attempt is made on Eragon's life by a clan who have shown hostility towards Eragon and Saphira. Orik has the whole clan banished, and in Tronjheim is elected the new king. Eragon and Saphira are then reunited.

Eragon and Saphira return to Ellesmera to complete their training. Glaedr tells Eragon that, despite what Murtagh said, Morzan was never his father: Brom was. The next day, Eragon is told the source of Galbatorix's power: a "heart of hearts", or Eldunari, is a dragon's heart, which can contain their consciousness if separated from their body, and exist forever. Glaedr explains that Galbatorix controls hundreds of these, and these are the source of his power. Eragon makes himself a new sword after losing his previous weapon at the end of Eldest. Eragon names the blade "Brisingr".

Eragon leaves to help the Varden's siege on one of the Empire's cities. Oromis and Glaedr join the fight. Glaedr gifts his heart of hearts to Eragon and Saphira before they go their separate ways.

Eragon and Saphira join the siege, where they are reunited with Arya. They find the leader of the Empire's forces, who informs them that magicians have set about trying to create a Shade. Eragon and Arya attempt to stop the magicians, but are too late. Eragon and Arya kill the Shade. Glaedr's heart of hearts sends his experiences to Eragon: Oromis was killed and Glaedr, after being struck in the head, is returned to his Eldunari while fighting Murtagh and Thorn. After the battle Nasuada tells Eragon that the Varden plan to march to Belatona, then to Dras-Leona, then on to Uru'baen, where they will slay the king. Eragon feels lost, but is comforted by the fact that Galbatorix has one weakness: by separating him from the dragons' heart of hearts he will lose most of his power.

Geography

• Alagaësia - Fictional continent where the story takes place.
• Du Weldenvarden - A vast forest in Northern Alagaesia. Home to the elves. The name means "The Guarding Forest" in the Ancient Language.
• The Empire - The country ruled by the evil King Galbatorix.
• Surda - The land of the resistance to The Empire; it lies far to the south.

Alagaësia

• Beor Mountains - The mountains, underneath which the dwarven cities and tunnels lie. Many times higher than the Spine, they lie along the southern edge of the Empire. According to the author, the mountains average 10 miles in height.
• Carvahall - The small village where Eragon was raised by his Uncle Garrow.
• Dras-Leona - A large city on the eastern shore of Leona Lake, located near Helgrind.
• Farthen Dûr - A huge, hollow, almost impregnable mountain where the dwarf city Tronjheim is located, and where the Varden hid from the Empire. Found by an ancient Dwarf king while tunneling for gold.
• Gil'ead - The barracks for Galbatorix's troops. Also where Arya was sent when the shade Durza captured her.
• Hadarac Desert - The vast desert stretching from the centre of Alagaësia up to the eastern edge that Eragon and Murtagh crossed to reach the Beor Mountains. It is almost impossible to cross. Was formerly fertile land in which the dwarves lived, but slowly dried up, forcing them to move. It is therefore similar to the Sahara Desert.
• Helgrind - A strange mountain formation consisting of four pinnacles found next to the city of Dras-Leona that is home to the Ra'zac. It is worshiped by the people of Dras-Leona, who ritually sever body parts and sacrifice blood to the mountain. If anything against this religion is heard by a member of that religion, the one who said it will quickly lose a significant body part in 'penance'.
• Palancar Valley - Location of Carvahall and Therinsford. Located in northwestern Alagaësia, it is surrounded by the Spine to the west, and the Anora River to the east. Named after the first human king of the land, who was considered mad as a hatter and was eventually exiled to that valley.
• The Spine - A mountain range that runs most of the vertical span of the Empire along the western coast. It is a mysterious place that many people fear and may be the Urgals' current home. It was also the hiding place Eragon chooses for Saphira in the first book.
• Urû'baen - The capital city of the Empire and where Galbatorix and his dragon resides. It is considered the final goal of the Varden's invasion from Surda into the empire.
• Teirm - A seaside city and port in which Eragon and Brom meet Jeod, a member of the Varden. It is heavily fortified with the houses near the wall low and getting higher the further from the wall with the tallest building being the citadel in the centre. This is supposed to be because if enemy forces captured the lower houses and stationed archers on top, then Teirm's archers who are higher up can easily kill them.

Du Weldenvarden

• Ceris - An elven outpost on the Edda River.
• Ellesméra - The hidden capital city of the elves.
• Gaena River - The river that flows from Du Weldenvarden
• Sílthrim - A city within Du Weldenvarden, the first place where Eragon first hears the Dagshelgr Invocation.

Surda

• Aberon - The capital city of Surda
• Dauth - The port city which Roran and his crew stayed after escaping the Empire.

Races

• Humans - The most numerous of the races in Alagaesia, included in the pact with the Dragons.
• Elves - The Elves take cover in Du Weldenvaden and the majority have not stepped from its protective barriers until Brisingr.
• Dragons - Also known as Skulblaka (meaning "scale-flapper"), dragons are a species of enormous reptiles with magical properties, including the ability to breathe fire. Present-day dragons now only hatch for their chosen riders. The wild ones would only be born under the right conditions to satisfy their growth.
• Dwarves - The Dwarves sheltered the Varden from the Empire before the Second Battle of the Burning Plains and then came to aid them, until their King, Hrothgar, died. Orik, a friend and foster brother of Eragon's, has since been elected king and re-pledged the dwarves' service to the Varden.
• Ra'zac - Creatures who prey exclusively on humans. They are the immature form of the large, pterosaur-like predators known as Lethrblaka. Killed by Eragon and Roran in the third book.
  • Lethrblaka ("Leather-flapper") - An adult Ra'zac. These are the parents and steeds of the two Ra'zac employed as bounty hunters by Galbatorix. Killed by Saphira.
• Urgals - A tribal race of creatures having orc or troll-like qualities; fought against other races for many years, later to be betrayed and enslaved by Galbatorix and Durza. Released when Eragon killed Durza. At the battle on the Burning Plains in 'Eldest', one tribe of Urgals allied with the Varden. The name is said to be derived from their own term for themselves, "Urgralgra", which means "horned ones".
  • Kull - Elite warrior Urgals, stronger and taller than their compatriots.
• Shade - A sorcerer who has become subject to demonic possession. A Shade is much stronger than any other magic-user and can only be killed by a thrust through the heart.

Characters

Main article: Characters in the Inheritance cycle

• Ajihad - Leader of the Varden until his death in the first chapter of Eldest. Also father of Nasuada.
• Angela - Witch/herbalist who helps Eragon. Solembum (see below) is a constant companion of Angela.
• Arya - The Elven princess rescued by Eragon, with whom he falls in love. Arya, however, refuses Eragon's love because she is older than him and of a different race. Until she was ambushed and captured by Durza, she acted as a courier for Saphira's egg, carrying it between the elves and the Varden.
• Blagden - A raven that once saved Arya's father's (King Evandar) life. Now blessed with long life and knowledge, the bird turned white and gained the limited ability to see into the future. He speaks in cryptic riddles. He is also mentioned to have an annoying habit of eavesdropping.
• Brom - Former Dragon Rider and Eragon's mentor. Has defeated 3 of the Forsworn personally including Morzan and was responsible for the death of 5 others. He was Oromis's pupil as a Dragon Rider and later pronounced Elf Friend. Killed by the Ra'zac.
• Durza - A "Shade", Durza was a normal person until he was introduced to sorcery and summoned three spirits too powerful for him to control, leading to his subversion. Killed by Eragon.
• Elva - A little girl that Eragon accidentally curses. Her forehead is marked by Saphira. She is able to "shield" others from danger by foreseeing and taking it herself. She becomes Nasuada's protector.
• Eragon - The protagonist. His quest begins when he finds a dragon egg during a hunting trip. He gradually learns how to fight, use magic, and read. Also the name of the very first Dragon Rider.
• Evandar - Islanzadí's deceased sexual partner and the father of Arya. Was King until his death at the Battle of Illirea. He was succeeded by Islanzadí.
• Galbatorix - Antagonist of the story. Leader of the Forsworn and the Rider who is responsible for the Fall of the Riders. Now the king of the empire.
• Garrow - uncle of Eragon and father of Roran, brother of Selena. Killed in first part by Ra'zac.
• Glaedr - Oromis's golden dragon. One of the last dragons of the old Dragon Riders. Has lost one of his forelegs.
• Helen - Jeod's wife, who accompanies him to Surda.
• Hrothgar - Dwarf king killed by Murtagh on the Burning Plains.
• Islanzadí - Queen of the elves of Du Weldenvarden. Arya's mother.
• Jeod - Brom's old friend in Teirm who helped Brom steal Saphira's egg. He helps Roran flee to Surda with the others from Carvahall.
• Jörmundur - Second in command to Ajihad during his rule and to Nasuada in her rule. Also a member of the Council of Elders.
• Katrina - Roran's loyal wife.
• Maud - A white werecat who lives amongst the elves. Also known as The Watcher, Quickpaw, and The Dream Dancer.
• Morzan - One of the Dragon Riders who betrayed the order and helped Galbatorix make himself king. Father of Murtagh and believed to be father of Eragon, though the latter is doubted in the third book. Former owner of Zar'roc, which was stolen by Brom, who also killed Morzan. Brom later gives Zar'roc to Eragon, who eventually loses it to Murtagh.
• Murtagh - The son of Morzan, and Eragon's older brother. Rescues Eragon and goes with him to Farthen Dûr. Later becomes a Rider who is forced to pledge allegiance to Galbatorix, in the ancient language. Has a dragon named Thorn.
• Nasuada - Daughter of Ajihad and leader of the Varden after Ajihad dies.
• Orik - Nephew of Hrothgar and Eragon's companion/personal guide in Farthen Dûr. He becomes the new dwarf king.
• Oromis - The last of the Dragon Riders of old. He is an elf, hiding in Du Weldenvarden, and is Eragon's second teacher. He has a deep wound inside of him which separates him from all but the smallest forms of magic, and is very sick so he cannot fight. He is killed by Murtagh when he has a seizure fighting with the elves
• Orrin - The king of Surda, aides the Varden.
• Roran - Eragon's cousin, and (now) revolutionary leader of Carvahall. Meets Eragon again in Surda at the end of Eldest. Also known as Stronghammer.
• Saphira - Eragon's blue dragon, also the name of Brom's former dragon.
• Selena - Mother of Murtagh and Eragon, sister of Garrow.
• Shruikan - Galbatorix's black dragon. Shruikan was originally the dragon of another Rider, but was made to serve Galbatorix by use of black magic.
• Sloan - Carvahall's butcher, and father of Katrina. Betrayed Carvahall and Roran by assisting the Ra'zac. This later results in the kidnapping of Katrina. Lost both eyes to Ra'zac.
• Solembum - The werecat that chooses to travel with the herbalist, Angela.
• Thorn - Murtagh's red dragon.
• Trianna - Leader of Du Vrangr Gata.
• The Twins - Magicians presumably working for the Varden. They were found to be traitors working for Galbatorix. Their names are never mentioned and they are not referenced separately, though the dwarves address either one as "Egraz Carn", meaning "bald one", for their lack of hair. Later killed at the end of Eldest.
• Vrael - Leader of the Riders before the Fall.

Criticism

The books have been criticized for their derivative nature. The two most commonly discussed sources are Star Wars (due to numerous similarities in the plots) and The Lord of the Rings (due to the setting, elven and dwarven races, the language and character and place names). Even many positive reviews note that the work pulls strongly from the conventions of fantasy, in character, dialogue and concepts.

The reviews of Eldest were similar. Paolini was cited as having developed as a writer from Eragon, but also noted were strong use of The Empire Strikes Back as source material, as well as The Two Towers and Dune. USAToday also cited strong echoes of Star Wars in Eragon's plot, while Entertainment Weekly writes that the plot closely resembles that of the The Lord of the Rings.

Film adaptations

On December 15, 2006, a film adaptation of Eragon was released. The movie, starring Ed Speleers, Jeremy Irons, and John Malkovich, was produced by 20th Century Fox. Stefen Fangmeier, a first time director, made his directing debut by directing Eragon. The screenplay was written by Peter Buchman. Principal photography for the film took place in Hungary and Slovakia. A DVD of the movie was released March 20, 2007. The film performed modestly at the US Box Office, but received overwhelmingly bad reviews, thus throwing the possibility of future films into hiatus.

Reviews

• Video clip from Amazon.com
• Recorded audio of interview with Christopher Paolini, from "Bill Thompson's Eye On Books"
• Recorded audio of interview with Christopher Paolini, from Homeschool.com
• "Philip Pullman, Tamora Pierce, and Christopher Paolini Talk Fantasy Fiction", from Powell's books

External links

Inheritance Cycle, an external wiki

• Official Inheritance Cycle website
• Official Australian Brisingr website
• Eragon page, from Random House
• Shurtugal.com, Leading Inheritance Cycle website
• Unofficial Fan Outlet