Inheritance

The Inheritance Cycle, Book 4

By: Christopher Paolini

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

Length: 31 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Best Teens Category, 2013

Not so very long ago, Eragon - Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider - was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.

Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chances.

The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?

This is the much-anticipated, astonishing conclusion to the worldwide bestselling Inheritance cycle.

©2011 Christopher Paolini (P)2011 Listening Library

Decent Finale

Decent finale, but has a major case of "Return of the King" syndrome. The book goes on for like four hours after the main plot is over. Overall it's a fine ending and ties up everything important to this story. I'd give the series a 6/10, but the first book is bringing down that average a lot.

All the reviews had me worried for nothing!

Seriously! after reading the reviews of this last book I almost decided not to read it. It was just as good as the previous three.

However, I do believe I understand now why everyone seem to slam it with a disappointing review.

Here is why:
I am sure you all have read many books in the past, and when you finally finish the series you start to imagine what would happen afterwards. Well in this last book it has that information. The book actually ended (In my opinion) about 3 quarters (or more) of the way through the book. In this audio version... at what I would have called the end of the book there is an addition 4.5 hours left, all of it about what happens afterwards.

Simply put about one (or two) chapters after the war with Galbatorix is over that is what I would call "The End:". The rest of it should have been called something else. The intensity of everything that had just happened can not be matched with the piddly administrative stuff that happens afterwards. It was interesting, and I enjoyed reading it. However if the book would have ended where I think it should have, they my last impressions of the book would have been "OMG! Wowness! Group Hug!". But if you are like so many others who have left those comments that are less then amazing, it is because they are judging their whole experience on the way the feel at the end of the book. Which like I said tapers off to Not so Amazing. In fact it went from "Group Hug" to just "ug"... :(

But I didn't let that ruin it for me. Because like I said the bug ended for me with "OMG! Wowness! Group Hug!" the rest was just the administrative stuff that happened afterwards.

Advice read until you find what you feel was the end, then close the book and say "OMG! Wowness!" Gloat on it a bit then when you ready to read about the administrative stuff afterwards open it up again and finish it.

I hope this helps. Group Hug!

Came up a little short.

Honestly, I think that he did a great job with book one and two. But, three and four felt forced and out of character for him, like he was trying to get to the end without actually taking the time to think of what the readers and fans would like to see happen. This is just my opinion mind you, but I think that the fifteen to twenty year old Paolini was a better author, don't get me wrong. I loved the book, but at the end. It was just a major let down to me, and I've been a fan since the first book and have been dying for this one to come out, it brought things to a close; albeit forced.

Stellar ending to the series!

Would you consider the audio edition of Inheritance to be better than the print version?

I love the narator for the series, he does such a great job with the voices, especially the dragons. I can't imagine the voices without his interpretation now.

What did you like best about this story?

The book started out feeling a little rushed, and it took some time to get into a rhythm. Once it did, it flowed so well that this huge book flew by. The dynamics between the characters is the author's strongest suite in the book.

Which scene was your favorite?

There are so many favorites, but the point where they final enter the vault of souls is great because of the descriptions and the meaningfulness of the scene.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I definately laugh throughout the books, and this one made me cry at the end. It was a heart-felt ending, visiting various places they had been throughout the series and then parting ways.

Any additional comments?

A must-read if you read any of the series.

great naration, slight change in style

great and long awaited end to a series. Gerard Doyle is the perfect narrator for this series and style of writing. I cannot put my finger on what has changed, probably just a more mature author, but it just didn't drum up the same excitement in me. It is still well written, and I still enjoyed it. It may have been better if it was edited down a bit more. Thank you Mr. Paolini for a great ride. I look forward to reading your next project.

Amazing ending for an amazing series.

While the end is bittersweet it is an epic ending for an even more epic series. I could not have imagine a better ending.

Wrote himself into a corner...

Good story, but Paolini wrote himself into a corner and had to rely pretty heavily on a magical cure-all that even contradicted things the other three books were very very clear on. I was disappointed that Angela's storyline was seemingly abandoned.

Not bad. Ending drags on a bit

Great story. The ending seems to go on for a bit but all and all not bad. Good little story.

No please don't go on!

Would you listen to Inheritance again? Why?

Maybe but only the abridged version

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Let any of the main characters be happy in the end. I realize this is a sci-fi but really no one could end up happliy together not even one couple. Eragon being twenty something has never even kissed a girl and couldn't even kiss Arya goodbye. Ending stunk.

Which scene was your favorite?

magicians getting their heads cut off on the way to galbatorix chamber

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

NO

Any additional comments?

Very wordy. You can tell it was written by a very talented young man. Enfaces on Young with no romantic Experience except between the dragons and then they were only mating.
I believe this was written more for boys who like history and fighting, no mushy stuff. lol

And so it has ended

One can tell that Mr. Paolini has matured a great deal as his imagination has waned a bit. However, it was a fitting ending to a long awaited book.