All 5 Eragon books, ranked worst to best

The Eragon series (also known as The Inheritance Cycle) by Christopher Paolini are beloved within the modern fantasy genre. Eregon is a sweeping story about good versus evil, with an eclectic and vibrant cast of characters. It follows the deep relationship between a boy and his dragon, and it ticks off all the boxes for what we look for in an epic fantasy tale.

Last year, we learned that Disney+ was adapting the series for Disney+. And more recently, we heard that Paolini will return to The Inheritance Cycle with a new book called Murtagh, which is out later this year). There’s never been a better time to dive into the world of Eragon. After rereading the books myself recently, not only did I have a fun time (and would encourage other people to pick up the books), I also had some thoughts about which books I enjoyed more, and for what reasons.

So on that note, here is my (personal) ranking of the five existing Eragon books, ranked from worst to best…

5) The Fork, The Witch and The Worm

Let’s start positive (even though this book comes last on my list). The Fork, The Witch and The Worm was published some time after the other Inheritance Cycle books. It’s a set of short stories that give us a little peek into what Eragon is up to after the events of the fourth book, Inheritance. Now that we know a new book in the saga, Murtagh, is coming out, this book now feels like a bridging book; we need to know where Eragon is and what he’s doing.

Upon first read of this book, my feeling was very much “Yes I enjoyed this, and it was fun to be back in the world for a bit but… why? What was the point?”

Now we know the answer is Murtagh. The Fork, The Witch and The Worm is a fun adventure that felt a bit unnecessary; now we can see that it bridges the gap between Inheritance and Murtagh. It is not crucial. You don’t need to read it, hence it comes in last place on my ranking. But it’s a fun read.

4) Eldest

The second book in the saga is interesting in good part thanks to the addition of Eragon’s cousin Roran as a new point of view character. In this book we see Eragon begin his training as a Dragon Rider, and while large parts of that are enjoyable (such as Eragon learning about Elvish culture and the history of the Dragon Riders), it can at times feel incredibly convoluted.

The character of Elva, a human baby whom Eragon blesses and accidentally gives the power to feel pain and suffering around her, is an interesting addition and ultimately becomes crucial to the overarching story, but I found the sections focused on Elva frustrating to read at times. It all adds up to this feeling that Eragon’s story is overly long. Although it’s worth noting that the relationships he has with Saphira — his dragon — and Arya — an elf — remain beautiful, and a final confrontation between Eragon, Saphira, Murtagh and the red dragon Thorn are ‘cannot put the book down’ levels of gripping.

As I said before, Roran is my favorite part of Eldest. Having another point of view widens the world, and in Roran’s case addresses an often forgotten question within the fantasy genre: while the protagonist is whisked off on an adventure, what happens to those left behind? How do they cope with the things the protagonist has fled from?

Roran’s arc in Eldest is fundamentally that of a boy becoming a man, driven by his love for Eragon, his father, and the girl he loves, Katrina. He has the classic adventure story but he is not magically gifted or chosen; he chooses to stand up and lead. Whilst Eldest comes in at fourth overall on my list, Roran’s story is the one thing which makes me go “Could this book be third instead of fourth?” It isn’t, for me it is very decidedly fourth, but that I considered it speaks volumes about how well crafted Roran’s storyline is.

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.

2) Eragon

The book that started it all, the first in the series, and named after our beloved protagonist: Eragon comes in at second on my list.

I have nostalgia for this book. The pure joy of a boy finding a dragon egg and slowly but surely raising and befriending this dragon, who then becomes as much a part of him as his bones; the simplicity of the adventure story, of our protagonist realizing he has been specially chosen and must now travel the breadth of his homeland to fulfill his destiny; the characters we meet along the way, both friend and foe, who aid Eragon in his task or force him to change tact in order to escape them; all of his gives me a warm feeling.

This book introduces us to Arya, and through her the entire elven race. Her mysteriousness for huge chunks of the book reminds us of how much magic in the world we have yet to understand, and Eragon’s fierce loyalty to her rubs off on us readers. This book locks into our brains how important the relationship between Eragon and Arya is.

The adventure across Alagaësia seems vast and exciting; just as we as readers are new to this world, so Eragon is discovering the breadth and variety of the continent where he lives. A boy from a farming family, in a small town way up in the Spine mountain range, Eragon has never ventured beyond the outer limits of his town, and now suddenly he is being drawn into a vast adventure which takes him across rivers, deserts, cities, and mountain ranges which make the Spine seem like hills.

Ultimately, the premise of the novel is quite simple, and it doesn’t do anything hugely shocking or extraordinary within the genre; but there is something so perfectly well done about this book, and something very satisfying about the story every time you read it. It deserves second place on this list. It is the perfect introduction to the world, and makes you want to stick around for the entire saga to follow.

1) Inheritance

In top place for me is the final book in the series – Inheritance.

Far too often in book series, the final book misses the mark, doesn’t give us a satisfying ending, or finishes the series in a way where you can almost feel the author buckling under the pressure to tie up all the loose ends. Paoloni somehow manages to avoid all of these problems with Inheritance, and not only creates a deeply satisfying ending to the story but does so while leaving questions open (hence he wrote The Fork, the Witch and the Worm and is now extending the world further with Murtagh).

Given that this is the final book in the series, I don’t want to go into too much detail so as not to spoil it for anyone who has yet to read it. But in Inheritance we finally get the battle against Galbatorix which we have been waiting for. Another Dragon Rider emerges, and more secrets are revealed. All of the different storylines throughout Eldest and Brisingr which could at times feel convoluted come together in Inheritance in spectacular fashion, perfectly woven together to show why we needed to see all of those events take place. The characters we have come to love all have separate arcs which we follow through to the end, and we see how they connect to each other. Paolini pulls off a magnificent balancing act.

It is rare for a final book in a series to retain the same warm feeling of familiarity from the first book while also tying up every storyline and leaving room for the world to continue to grow, but Paolini manages it with Inheritance. I could very happily have left the story here, as he closes the final chapter so fantastically; but enough gaps are left that it doesn’t annoy me he’s expanding the world either. It simply makes sense.

Inheritance is the Inheritance Cycle at its best: a story of magic, loyalty, good versus evil, and ultimately the fierce and endless love between a boy and his dragon.

The Inheritance Cycle is available to purchase now wherever you buy books. Murtagh, the next book in the series, is due out on November 7. The Eragon TV show is currently in production on Disney+.

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