Brisingr

The Inheritance Cycle, Book 3

By: Christopher Paolini

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

Length: 29 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Empire is at war and the stakes have never been higher in the third book of the Inheritance Cycle, perfect for fans of Lord of the Rings! This New York Times best-selling series has sold over 35 million copies and is an international fantasy sensation.

Oaths sworn...loyalties tested...forces collide. Eragon is the greatest hope to rid the land of tyranny. Can this once simple farm boy unite the rebel forces and defeat the king? Following the colossal battle against the Empire's warriors, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still, there is more adventure at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep.

When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices-choices that will take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice.

Features interlocking art that reveals an image across the spines of all four books! And don’t miss the most recent book set in Eragon's world, The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm: Tales from Alagaësia!

©2008 Christopher Paolini (P)2008 Listening Library

Critic Reviews

"Christopher Paolini is a true rarity." (The Washington Post)

Hashtag (#) Redundancy

Sometimes when the author dumbs down their main character so that all the supporting characters assume the role of teacher because the author wants to impress his idealisms upon their young readership, what happens is that the main character just starts to look pretty dumb and that's it.
In the third book I expected Eragon to start acting independently and more spectacularly since he's facing a daunting challenge in King Galbatorix. Instead, he's still being led around by the nose by supporting characters, saying things that are shallow and barely considered which comes out sounding foolish and he's still shrinking away from the responsibility that has been thrusted upon him making him unworthy of leadership.
I find this book series tiresome and without progress. You can't squeeze an Eragon's entire character development into the last book because you have nothing else to write about in the middle two books. Several chapters in this series are simply wasted on rehearsing the same old facts passed conversationally from character to character. It kind of makes you wish that everybody in this book were connected on Facebook so that everybody received the same updates simultaneously.
I could say that this book is better than the average fantasy series which redeems it practically but I truly believe that a better author could have taken this idea and made a much better plot to this story. Let's just hope there isn't a sequel series because I would not waste my time on it.

Saphira sounds like Grover after puberty

This book is an absolute gem, a must-read for anyone who might enjoy the genre. It has everything, adventure, magic, romance, humor, suspense, surprise -- all of the elements that make this the kind of story you want to read over and over again. The narration is very good, except for one vital flaw. The interpretation of one of the lead characters, Saphira the dragon, is way off base, and it ruins the story. I thought I'd start this audio book from the end and work my way back since I've read the book many times, and thought this would be another way to enjoy it. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Read, read, read the book.

Brisingr

My favorite character in this book has to be the dragon, Saphira. She is portrayed as so caring for Eragon. The bond is immeasurable. I have enjoyed following the two of them through all of their adventures. I look forward to the next book series to see what happens.

Narrator completely destroyed ALL dragon dialogue

Any additional comments?

I read physical copies of the first two books and I loved them. (Haters gunna hate...) Prior to a long solitary road trip, I thought I might download the third and continue the story while I was driving. After a few hours I couldn't take it anymore. Gerard Doyle was a fantastic narrator... until ANY of the dragon voices came in. If you have read the other books, you know that the dragons are an incredibly intelligent and advanced race, meeting or surpassing the human race in many ways. WHY then, do they (especially Saphira) sound like Yoda and Christian Bale's Batman got together and birthed some freakish spawn from hell?!? Gerard Doyle makes them sound like dumb animals who can barely put their thoughts together before trying to speak and vomit simultaneously. I would have been completely happy to finish the series via audiobook, but the dragon's voices completely ruined it for me. Guess I'll be picking up the last two and physically reading them anyways...

Excellent as always

Great detail, great story lines. Can't wait for the next part. Plus I love Gerard Doyle's animation of the characters. His voice is the best ever!

truly enjoyable

I could have just read this book as I did with the first two, but decided to simply listen to it for a chance. I don't regret a minute of it. I couldn't wait to find a minute of peace to go sit and visit Alagaesia. The narrator did a wonderful job in pronouning the word I couldn't read at all. Of course Saphira's voice was not as feminine as I would have like it, but in overall, the narrator did a great job. I'm glad that the story will continue through another book that Christopher is creating. There are still questions to be answer and a war to finish. Christopher has a fantastic mind. I'm sure that his 4th book will be just as good as his last 3 ones.

Not a Bad Listen

I don't mind long books- in fact I generally enjoy them. I agree with some people that this book is one battle after another and that Eragon still seems a bit childish. However, I still like the book and think that if you've read the other two- this one should be read as well. I'm just wishing Mr. Paolini would hurry up and come out with the last book. I enjoy the narrator and think that this is a good- but not great book. I also appreciate the fact that I can listen to it with my young children around and not have to worry about vulgarity and bad language.

Get on with it!

Ok, so I'm actually really impressed with with the author. Sure it's obviously that he borrowed a little too much from LOTR and Star Wars but I can forgive that for a good story, which it is.

That being said. The major problem with this series is that instead of going into detail about the things that are very important to the story, the author seems to talk about everything forever just to prove that he can make this place real for you.

The major events of the book are great but they are interrupted by very long, seemingly unimportant plot lines that make the story drag on. In this book's case, it was forced into two books when it clearly should have been one. This is the first book I would ever say that I think I would have enjoyed an abridged version more. However, it is worth the read if you can take it.

Milking the long hull...

I literally counted down the days until this book came out. The first two had me on the edge of my seat for the 3rd. I have to say I finished this with much disappointment. Chapter after chapter of dwarf politics drug out this book an extra few hundred pages and even if that’s not exactly true it sure felt like it. I just felt like this book didn't follow the direction of excitement like the first two did. More than anything I am very frustrated that it will probably take another year or two for a forth book. Don't get me wrong Christopher is brilliant I just wish he would finish this story and write spin off books on the untold portions, sort of like Orson Scott Card.

Potential never realized

Emotionally flat, with the occasional anthill or small valley, this book leaves you with nothing. Unable to capitalize on his earlier success and grow, this installment by the author lacks the depth and range that make a good premise into a great novel.

Instead it is a tiresome plodding series of events that do not flow, and characters whose motivations lack the ring of authenticity. His world has elements that are interesting in and of themselves. It is a place of magic, and mystical creatures, love, war and strife, things that almost always make for a good escape.

That is why it got three stars.

That he took those elements and made a hash of it is disappointing to say the least. If you are interested in those sorts of worlds, Goodkind, R. Jordan (RIP), and George R.R. Martin are genuine masters, even if they have the occasional flaw.

If you read the first two novels of this series, you could take this one or leave it without gaining or missing out.

Very good series

I read the first two books of the series 6 years ago and liked them, but since the series was not complete then and I don't like reading a volume every 2-3 years, when I no longer remember the details, I waited for the last two to be out and then started again with the first volume. I'm just about to finish the last one and... no matter how it will end, I already know I love this series and I will read it again several times in years to come.



I love the way the dragons are portrayed, I love the world the author created, I wish I could visit and meet all the characters... Someone mentioned their child loved it. Well... I'm 35 and I loved it :) I would venture to say they are not for children, though. Teens, yes, but they are scenes of cruelty and torture and... that's not for children.



These are serious books, very well written. Wisely written, I would say, since they really contain lots of wisdom, in nuggets and... spread throughout. Buy and enjoy, they are well worth your credits!

Brilliant set of books.

Brilliant set of books, I loved every minute of them. Gérard Doyle is so emotive and engaging. I don't think I'll ever tire of listening to him read.
The story grips you and the promise of adventure keeps you hooked. I can't recommend this series strongly enough.

I can't get enough of this series!

This series had so far been fantastic! I never got around to finishing it when I read them the first time, so I can't wait to start the next book. Apart from the raspy voice of Saphira, Gerard Doyle does a fantastic job narrating. My best bits: Eragon's new sword, the final battle chapter and Orik's speech to the dwarves in Tronjheim.

Love this series

This book and the whole series narrated by Gerrard Doyle is beautifully written and narrated. These books are rich with detail and twisting turning plot. I almost didn’t read them because of people commenting about the annoying dragons voices, I found them appropriate myself. Definitely the sort of books that I will love to read again to absorb more and more detail. Superb work thank you!! What great value for money too!

Brilliant!

Another brilliant sequel. I've read all the books and the different voices of the characters brings it to life!

Great book

Would you listen to Brisingr again? Why?

This is the second time I have listened to the series, it is very well read so I find I a joy to listen to it while out and about. As the story unfolds before you, you feel like you are along side the characters in the plights as you are transported in to their world by Christopher Paolini's words

My review

My favourite book in the inheritance cycle. It is just as good as I remember. I well worth listen.

Faster please

You should listen to it at a faster speed than is set, Paolini writes a lot, some of which is a passing pleasure, and Doyle reads at a very slow pace, so you will get very bored very quickly.

brilliant<br />

its the best story every I want they to hurry up and make the films

Paolini- A Born Storyteller

Where does Brisingr rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very high! I found the story to be so captivating!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Safera. Easily! You can't beat a dragon.

Have you listened to any of Gerard Doyle’s other performances? How does this one compare?

He is a very good narrator. Would recommend him.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I would have yes, but it's obviously very long!