Brisingr

By: Christopher Paolini

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

Length: 29 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

Oaths sworn...loyalties tested...forces collide.

Following the colossal battle against the Empire's warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still, there is more 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.

First is Eragon's oath to his cousin Roran: to help rescue Roran's beloved, Katrina, from King Galbatorix's clutches. But Eragon owes his loyalty to others, too.

The Varden are in desperate need of his talents and strength - as are the elves and dwarves. When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices - choices that take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice.

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?

©2008 Christopher Paolini (P)2008 Listening Library

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.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

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.

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

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!

12 of 15 people found this review helpful

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.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Excellent story, stunningly bad writing

This is a high fantasy epic of the likes of "Lord of the Rings" or "Sword of Truth," and follows the same mythical path that all such stories do, so if you don't like the genre, you probably won't be interested in this.

Supposedly the writer is a prodigy who wrote much of this by 19, and it shows. The writing is atrocious. Even my teenage daughter laughed at some of his cliches. Worse, he chooses completely inappropriate verbs and adjectives. Things "slip" when they would more likely "rip," for instance. It is really a distraction throughout, although sometimes completely without discernible pattern he does slip into a skilled narrative tone for a scene or two.

That's the negative. On the other hand, the writer's imagination and thorough creation of his universe is worth slogging through the prose. His world of dragons and warriors and thieves and magic and prophecy is vivid and imaginative, and at times does reach the level of Tolkein--though never in writing ability. His characters are surprisingly insightful at times, given the writer's age, although at times they are simplistic.

And the story--the journey--is well created. The world is revealed slowly, and with great skill, and mysterious seeds are planted early that take time to bloom. Characters are introduced and left to mature and reappear later. Minor incidents come back to have major impacts. This is where the author is far beyond his years--in the telling of the story. This is where the book becomes worthwhile, despite the prose and the derivative storyline.

So, overall, if you like high fantasy of the Tolkein variety, you'll like, and maybe even love this one. It is safe for the kids, mostly, and can keep a family entertained on a long drive. This is some of the best of the high fantasy genre. That's how I rated it. If you don't like that genre, you may not like this. Buy it for the story, not for the writing.

10 of 13 people found this review helpful

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.

7 of 9 people found this review helpful

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.

9 of 12 people found this review helpful

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.

6 of 8 people found this review helpful

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.

15 of 21 people found this review helpful

After Elder, I was surprised how good this one is.

I had figured out all the revolutions in Elder about half way through the book so I wasn't expecting much from Brisingr. I was pleasantly surprised that this book was so good and am on pins and needles for the conclusion in the next book. Great listen or read!

5 of 7 people found this review helpful

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!

Another long and detailed book

Yet again I slogged through an Inheritance book, wishing I'd downloaded an abridged version. In places I just wanted to move the story along a bit faster. But overall still good, just be patient when listening to it.

Well spoken

Paolini has brought us a magical world, and Doyle has brought it to life. He has a good speaking voice and gives each of the characters individuality and strength however small their part.

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!