All 5 Eragon books, ranked worst to best

3) Brisingr

The third book in The Inheritance Cycle almost earns this spot because of the epic sequence of Eragon crafting his sword alone; it’s a monumental moment within the series, and one which sticks in your mind for hours after reading.

In Brisingr, we see Eragon and his allies continue their fight against Galbatorix, determined to free Alagaësia from his tyrannical rule. The politics between the different races of humans, dwarves, elves, dragons and urgals deepen in this book, and while they all ultimately join forces, Paolini never makes these decisions simplistic. The difficulty characters have with putting aside centuries of hostility in order to unite against this one great evil is spelled out for us over and over again, reminding us that even in a war of good versus evil there are still many layers to explore and complications to overcome. Eragon traverses the breadth of Alagaësia, both to aid in politically sensitive matters, like electing a new dwarf king, and to achieve his own personal mission of bringing down Galbatorix.

Brisingr is a long book, but it flies by at breakneck speed. Elva, who I took issue with in Eldest, comes more into her own in Brisingr, and we see how crucial she is in the fight against Galbatorix; while also being reminded of how important it is to choose a side of your own free will. Eragon grows as a character in this book, truly becoming the leader he needs to be. And when he finally forges his sword, it is a moment of triumph, both because it is such a beautiful sequence and because it embodies the journey Eragon has taken. We learn more secrets about the dragons that makes us want Eragon to defeat Galbatorix even more badly than before.

Roran, who has my favorite storyline in Eldest, is also a joy in Brisingr. Now married to Katrina, he once again must choose between his duty to and love for his family versus the duty and responsibility he feels to the fight against Galbatorix. Roran’s growth as a character throughout these books is a joy to read, as he goes from being the farmer’s son to the leader and respected fighter amongst men and urgals alike.

Overall, Brisingr is a fast paced book which drives us ever closer to the conclusion of The Inheritance Cycle, with the characters and plot all woven together to create a story which keeps you satisfied from beginning to end.