The Inheritance Cycle

Inheritance Cycle

The covers of the first three books.
Eragon Eldest Brisingr Untitled fourth book
Author	Christopher Paolini
Cover artist	John Jude Palencar
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre	Young adult, High fantasy
Publisher	Paolini LLC (early edition of Eragon) 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 (Template:Pron-en), 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 destroyed by a Rider named Galbatorix and the Forsworn, a group of thirteen Riders who betrayed their fellow Riders by swearing fealty to Galbatorix. After the Fall, when most of the Riders were slain, Galbatorix claimed the throne of Alagaësia. The tyrant king'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 group, the Varden, and their leader/founder, Brom (in collusion with Jeod and Hefring) a dragon egg is stolen from Galbatorix, and by a whim of fate, is thrust upon a young farmboy in Palancar Valley named 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 decided that the story was too complex to conclude in one book.

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 year 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 (otherwise known asThe Seven Promises of Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Bjartskular) - a word meaning 'bright scales' 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 of Elder Riders, Galbatorix blamed the Council for the death of his dragon and sought to destroy the Dragon Riders. He made and alliance with a young rider, and with his help slew an elder rider, after which he slew his ally. Then, with the help of Morzan, the first of the thirteen Forsworn, he stole a black dragon, named Shruikan (possibly a reference to Japanese "throwing stars" shuriken). He forced Shruikan to do his bidding, and later destroyed the Riders and their dragons. Since then, he has ruled Alagaësia as a tyrannical King.

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

Eragon

Main article: Eragon

Eragon, a 15-year-old farm boy, finds a dragon's egg, which he mistakes for a polished stone, while hunting. He takes the "stone" to his native village Carvahall and fails to sell it for food to the village butcher, whereupon he brings it back to his uncle Garrow's farm and leaves it aside as a curiousity. 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. He is stunned when the egg hatches to reveal a baby dragon, Saphira, who quickly grows to adulthood.

Eragon's home is attacked by creatures called Ra'zac. His uncle, Garrow, dies as a result of wounds, whereupon Eragon and a mysterious 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. Murtagh shot a Shade in the head and he just disappears. They soon realize that you can only kill a shade by stabbing it in the heart. 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 calls himself "The Cripple Who is Whole". He advises Eragon 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 chief magicians) are thought to disappear during the attack, but later in the book, Eragon realizes that they were the traitors who planned the ambush to capture Murtagh and kill Ajihad. After swearing fealty to Nasuada, Ajihad's daughter and the new leader of the Varden, Eragon travels to Ellesméra, accompanied by the dwarf Orik. Much of the book is devoted to Eragon's training with the ancient Dragon Rider Oromis, known as Togira Ikanoka (The cripple who is whole), and his unsuccessful attempts at wooing Arya, who is dedicated to her mission and considers his feelings misplaced. It is later revealed that, as a result of a spell placed on the child Elva, 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, but is again refused, and she returns to Surda the next day.

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. 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. The next day, Roran convinces most of the villagers to follow him in an attempt to reach sanctuary in Surda. Roran and company cross the treacherous Spine Mountains and join up with Jeod (an old friend of Brom's) at the city of Teirm. They set sail in 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. Arya forgives him, and their friendship is renewed. The timely arrival of Roran, Jeod, and the villagers makes the battle a victory for the Varden.

During the battle the Twins kill many of the Varden before being killed by Roran. A new Rider, revealed to be Murtagh, appears during the battle, riding a red dragon named Thorn. After killing Hrothgar, king of the dwarves, he reveals that he is now Galbatorix's second-in-command, that the last dragon egg (in Galbatorix's possession) is a male, and that he has orders to capture Eragon and Saphira so that Saphira may mate with the last dragon and conceive the next generation. Murtagh and Eragon begin to fight; Eragon is defeated, but he convinces Murtagh to free him. Murtagh then 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

otherwise known asThe Seven Promises of Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Bjartskular

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 killing one Ra'zac; but Eragon secretly finds Sloan, who was taken and tortured for information, resulting in the loss of his eyes. Eragon remains in Helgrind to kill the remaining Ra'zac, while Saphira goes 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, while debating his course of action, discovers Sloan's true name and therefore forces Sloan to go to the elves instead of killing him as punishment for his betrayal.

Arya meets Eragon in the town of Eastcroft and accompanies him to the Varden, where Roran and the villagers of Carvahall who had not settled in Surda have joined the war. 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 discover that its soldiers are immune to pain. Roran and Katrina's marriage is then completed.

Nasuada orders Eragon to attend the election of the new dwarf king as a member of Durgrimst Ingeitum, Saphira remaining behind in case Murtagh attempts to attack. 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 he is elected the new king. Saphira then comes to Tronjeim, where she and Eragon are reunited.

Eragon and Saphira return to Ellesmera to complete their training. There, Eragon learns that Brom, his former mentor, was his mother's paramour Eragon's true father. The next day, Eragon is told the source of Galbatorix's power: many "heart of hearts", or Eldunari, a gemlike organ which can contain a dragon's consciousness if separated from the body. Glaedr explains that Galbatorix controls hundreds of these, taken from dragons he slew during the Fall, and these are the source of his power and presumably that of Murtagh. Eragon makes himself a new sword, being directed by the smith Rhunôn. Eragon names the sword "Brisingr", with the result that it emanates fire, its namesake, every time Eragon says its name.

Eragon leaves to help the Varden's siege on Feinster, one of the Empire's cities. Oromis and Glaedr join the elves in Gil'ead. Glaedr gives his heart of hearts to Eragon and Saphira.

Eragon and Saphira join the siege, where they are reunited with Arya. They find the leader of the Feinster's forces, who informs them that magicians have set about trying to create a Shade. Arya kills the Shade with some assistance from Eragon. Glaedr's heart of hearts sends his experiences to Eragon: Oromis is killed and Glaedr, also dying, exists thereafter only in the detached organ. After the battle, Nasuada tells Eragon that the Varden plan to march to Belatona, then to Dras-Leona, then to Uru'baen, where they will slay the king. Eragon feels lost in the absence of a mentor, but is comforted by the fact that Galbatorix has at least one weakness: by the separation of himself from the dragons' Eldunari, he will lose most of his power.

Geography

• Alagaësia - The 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. The mountains average 10 miles in height and are supposedly the tallest in the world.
• Carvahall - The small village where Eragon was raised by his Uncle Garrow. The village is destroyed when Roran and the majority of the villagers have fled.
• Dras-Leona - A large city on the eastern shore of Leona Lake, located near the rock formation known as 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 the ancient Dwarf King Korgan while tunneling for gold.
• Gil'ead - A major city and the barracks for Galbatorix's troops. Also Arya's prison during the first book.
• 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. It was formerly a 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 formation of jet black rock, close to a mile in height with four jagged peaks, jutting out of a vast plain close to the city of Dras-Leona, it serves as lair and hideout 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 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 and was eventually exiled, but whose bloodline is said to continue to present day, in Eragon, and maybe others.
• 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 home of the Urgals. It was 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, Shruikan, reside. Known as Ilirea, capital of the Broddring Kingdom, until Galbatorix seized power.
• Teirm - It is 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.
• Ceris - An Elven outpost on the Edda River.
• Ellesméra - The hidden capital city of the elves, it stands in the heart of Du Weldenvarden. Like most elf cities, it blends seamlessly into the forest, the homes grown out of ancient trees through magic. The elf queen, Islanzadí, mother of Arya, and most of her court of nobles reside here. Other notable inhabitants include Oromis and Glaedr, Rhunön the smith, Blagden the raven, Gilderien the Wise, Maud the werecat and the only two elf children currently alive, among others. Sloan, the former butcher of Carvahall, is sent here by Eragon to live in solitude.
• Gaena River - The river that flows from Du Weldenvarden.
• Sílthrim - A city within Du Weldenvarden.
• Dauth - A port city in Surda.
• Elves - The elves take cover in Du Weldenvaden and are the most magical race in the land other than dragons and spirits. The elves migrated to the land of dwarves and dragons apparently fleeing danger from across the sea. The elves formed a pact with the dragons, following the war between the elves and the dragons, in which Eragon I found a white dragon egg and raised it as a companion. In this pact the Dragon Riders were formed and magic began to take its effect on the elven race, giving them greater speed, strength, and magical abilities. Elves cannot grow beards or have any body hair, unless they choose to change their form. The elves are often referred to as "fair folk" and speak in the ancient language, the language of magic.
• Dragons - The dragons are a species of enormous reptiles with magical properties. After their pact with the elves, and later humans, dragon eggs set aside for the Riders would only hatch for their chosen riders. The wild dragons would only be born under the right conditions to satisfy their growth. Once dragons reach a few months of age they can breathe fire. Dragons rely on magic in order to fly and never stop growing. If a dragon dies it can transfer its consciousness to its Elundari a gemlike organ found in the chest. The only dragons still alive are Saphira, Shruikan, Thorn, and one unhatched egg in the possession of Galbatorix.
• Dwarves - A race older than the Elves, and of no small power. They are master smiths and builders, having constructed some of Alagaësia's most imposing structures, among them Tronjheim, the crown jewel of their achievement, a city in the shape of an artificial mountain of white marble one mile tall, hidden in the gargantuan crater of the dormant volcano, Farthen-Dur, in the Beor Mountains. The Dwarves are sheltered in the Beor Mountains where Orik has become their king, following Hrothgar's death. Orik is a friend and foster brother of Eragon, who was the first human to be adopted into a dwarf clan. The dwarves use their own language, in which they are called knurlagn.
• Ra'zac - The anthropophagous pupae of a race of dragonlike predators known as the Lethrblaka. The Ra'zac are hunted to near extinction during the age of the Riders; two Ra'zac, along with their full-grown parents, survive, and are then employed as Galbatorix's elite hunters. The Ra'zac are unable to use magic, cannot swim, have a putrid breath which immobilizes humans, weakens dwarves, but has no effect on elves, and have greater speed and strength than a human. When Eragon and Roran invade Helgrind, one Ra'zac is killed by Roran, and one is killed by Eragon, rendering their species extinct, their parents the Lethrblaka having been slain in the same battle by the dragon, Saphira.
  • Lethrblaka - The adult Ra'zac. Once a Ra'zac enters adulthood, they shed their beetle-like exterior and grow leathery skin, wings, and a longer beak. Two survive the Riders' attempt to render the species extinct, and serve as the mounts for the Ra'zac, their offspring. Both of the Lethrblaka are killed by Saphira.
• Urgals - A tribal race of creatures having orc or troll-like qualities; fought against other races for many years, serving 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". Urgals are generally seen as little more than beasts by the other races of Alagaësia, due mainly to their society being based around defeating as many opponents as possible, regardless of their race or intent, an unfortunate trait that has led to centuries of Urgals raiding humans and the humans raiding them in return, creating a deeply rooted bitterness.
  • Kull - Elite Urgal warriors, used as shock troops and bodyguards to chieftains (who themselves are Kull, too). An Urgal is considered Kull when it grows over eight feet tall (which is large even by Urgal standards).
• Spirits - Strange and mysterious beings without physical bodies, who exist as concentrations of unknown energies. Although fundamentally different from the other races of Alagaesia to the point of being unfathomable to them, most spirits are not dangerous or evil, and none heed the mortal world on their own. Sorcerers strive to control spirits to do their bidding because of the spirits' great potential of raw power and close link to magic; sometimes, they summon too strong a spirit and it overwhelms them. If this spirit has an evil disposition, it will possess the sorcerer and a Shade is created. Spirits in Alagaesia are not in linked to the souls of deceased mortals.
• Shades - Creatures of twisted magic, who are created when sorcerers summon spirits too powerful for them to control. The sorcerers are then possessed by the spirits, becoming essentially immortal, exceptionally strong in magic, and inherently evil. Shades can only be slain by a thrust through the heart, upon which the Shade disintegrates, freeing the spirits. Four warriors have killed a Shade and survived: Laetri the Elf, Irnstad the Rider, Eragon the Rider, and Arya the Elf (the last two now twice, both times in cooperation).
• Grey Folk - Possibly the oldest civilized race in Alagaesia, and the most powerful, the Grey Folk created the Ancient Language and connected it to magic to prevent accidental discharges of magical energy; an effort that supposedly drained the vitality of their race. They then "faded" - most likely died out or intermingled with the other races. Little record of their time survived in Alagaësia.

Characters

Main article: Characters in the Inheritance cycle

• Ajihad - Leader of the Varden until his death in the first chapter of Eldest. Father of Nasuada and partially a mentor to Eragon.
• Angela - A mysterious witch/herbalist who helps Eragon, implied to be as old as the king. She also serves under Tenega, and may have carved his animal figures. The character is said to be an image of the author's sister (probably less the age aspect, though). Solembum (see below) is a constant companion of Angela.
• Arya - The Elven princess rescued by Eragon, with whom he falls in love. 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. She refuses to be with Eragon due to their duties, but warms to him at the end of Brisingr.
• Blagden - A raven that once saved Arya's father's life. Now blessed with long life and knowledge, the bird has become white and gained a limited ability to see into the future. He speaks in cryptic riddles. He is also mentioned to have a habit of eavesdropping.
• Brom - Former Dragon Rider and Eragon's mentor. Has defeated three of the Forsworn personally, including Morzan, and was responsible for the death of five others. He was Oromis's pupil as a Dragon Rider and later pronounced 'Elf Friend'. He was killed by the Ra'zac. He was the founder of the Varden and was revealed to be Eragon's father.
• Durza - A "Shade"; a sorcerer subject to demonic possession as a result of having summoned three spirits too powerful for him to control. He was 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 until the third book.
• 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. Shares the name of the first Dragon Rider, and is known as "Shadeslayer", "Argetlam" ("silver hand"), and "Firesword".
• Evandar - Islanzadí's deceased mate and the father of Arya. Was King of the Elves for 500 years until his death at the Battle of Illirea. He was succeeded by Islanzadí.
• Galbatorix - Antagonist of the story. Intitiator of the rebellion responsible for the Fall of the Riders. Now the king of the Empire, he has amassed unparallelled (and unnatural) power due to enslaving the dragons, resulting in no one being able to dethrone him for the last 100-odd years. Is described as cruel and merciless, with little regard for human life (or any other life, for that matter).
• Garrow - uncle of Eragon, father of Roran, and brother of Selena. Killed by Ra'zac.
• Glaedr - Oromis's golden dragon. Has lost one of his forelegs, and is eventually killed, reducing him to existence only inside his detached Eldunari.
• Haeg - A nomad sorcerer who found the boy named Carsaib and taught him sorcery. He was killed by bandits, which provoked Carsaib to summon spirits he could not control, becoming the Shade, Durza.
• Helen - Jeod's wife, who accompanies him to Surda. Daughter of a wealthy merchant. Often Angry. Receives a golden ball from Eragon as a repayment for when Jeod stole Saphira's egg.
• Hrothgar - Dwarf king, named after a legendary Danish ruler. A wise and proud figure. 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. He is also a member of the Council of Elders.
• Katrina - Roran's loyal sweetheart and wife. Daughter of Sloan and Ismira.
• Marian - Roran's mother, Garrow's wife, Eragon's aunt, and Selena's sister-in-law. Died before the events of the novels.
• 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 disproven in the third book. Original owner of Zar'roc, which was stolen by Brom when the latter killed him. Brom later gives Zar'roc to Eragon, who eventually loses it to Murtagh.
• Murtagh - The son of Morzan, and Eragon's older half-brother. Rescues Eragon and goes with him to Farthen Dûr. Later becomes a Rider who is forced to pledge allegiance to Galbatorix. 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 and foster brother. He is married to a dwarf-maid called Hverdra. He becomes the dwarf king in the third book.
• 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 an unexplained handicap which separates him from all but the smallest forms of magic. He is killed by Murtagh. Has a dragon named Glaedr.
• Orrin - The king of Surda, aids the Varden.
• Roran - Eragon's cousin, and (now) revolutionary leader of Carvahall. Meets Eragon again in Surda. Also known as Stronghammer for his ability to bash in next to anything with his trusted war hammer (which is really just an ordinary hammer, but nonetheless). He is married to Katrina in the third book.
• Saphira - Eragon's blue dragon, sharing the name of Brom's former dragon, she is the last female dragon and the only dragon free from Galbatorix's control, other than Glaedr. Also known as "Bjartskular", "Irontooth", and "Flametongue".
• Selena - Mother of Murtagh and Eragon, sister of Garrow, wife of Morzan, and Brom's lover. Also known as the "Black Hand" when married to Morzan.
• 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. Sloan has lost both eyes to Ra'zac. Later, he comes to live with the elves.
• Solembum - The werecat that chooses to travel with the herbalist Angela.
• Thorn - Murtagh's red dragon.
• Trianna - Leader, in the second and third books, of Du Vrangr Gata, the organization of magicians working for the Varden.
• 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 - Human leader of the Riders before the Fall. He was the last person who could defeat Galbatorix, but hesitated, allowing Galbatorix to wound and later kill him.

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