Clarke

I would best describe this book as islands of brilliance surrounded by a sea of mediocrity. I look forward to a revised addition in a few years once the author has had time to rest and review his work.

I am not giving anything away by saying the interview between Paolini, and his editor after the ending was enlightening as to what went wrong. He was having personal problems, and the publishers put him under strict deadlines he could not meet. The pressure got to him, and this killed his creativity. He does not say this but when you read or hear the book it is easy to see that is what happened.

I agree with many of the reviewers that you are not left with a good feeling when the book ends. But then again the book should have ended many chapters before it did. The main event had happened but that is not where the story ends. The cleanup chapters go on chapter after chapter, and the characters are being driven by oppressive duty rather than honor, love, and passion for life. Sort of like an author being forced to write when he does not have the passion to do it.

Happily enough Saphira seems to be immune to this melancholy situation, and continues to do what come naturally.

Books 1 & 2 are 5 star, Book 3 was 4 star, but this book is a 2 & ½ star

Hopefully a revision will come out in a few year to correct this issue.