(In English)
Attention!
This is a spin-off in the series of The Inheritance Cycle.
Although not book nº 5 in, it would be better to read previous books first..
You can read thoise reviews here: Eragon, Eldest and Brisingr.
You can also review the entire series entries at this link.
It contains spoilers.
Although it has only been a few books ago that I reread about this world, I found myself longing to discover more about these characters and their new adventures.
This book shows some maturity in the writing, with fun prose and humour. For example, when describing the itchiness of a “recently grown beard” that the author himself has. I laughed imagining him writing while scratching his chin.
Murtagh
Published: Nov 09, 2023
Editorial: Knopf Books for Young Readers
The story follows the male Rider Murtagh and his male dragon, Thorn, a year after the events of “The Inheritance Cycle”. We discover the ill-fated couple as they try to recover from their existential suffering in solitude. However, their reputation precedes them, and they have to change locations every so often.
By happenstance, Murtagh discovers shady-looking scheme that seems to threaten the new queendom, and starts investigating, which leads them on a road trip through different adventures and, finally, to the north. There they discover an opponent (supposedly) worthy of a Rider and his dragon.
Starting with Murtagh, he is a very likable character, he has always been. Troubled, yes. But what a background he has! The connection with the dragon, Thorn, and with their own world are also very well introduced – without the overexposition that could be problematic in the first chapters of this kind of novel. Descriptions, thoughts, and characters have depth and are likable from the very beginning.
About Saphira, I said in previous reviews that she was too proud of herself, not empathetic– Thorn is just the opposite. He has suffered so much in his short life that he’s a very traumatized creature. Thorn’s fear makes him more relatable than Saphira, and gives him room to grow and to overcome as a being.
Fun fact: when in Nal Gorgoth, the story almost reminded me of a
cozy mystery, with a slow-paced development, a thousand questions and mysteries, until they uncover all the pieces to complete the puzzle.
Once they “awaken”, the action takes over again and the narrative becomes more interesting and exciting, a page-turner that kept me reading until late hours – something that didn’t happen in some of the previous chapters.
It IS long (688 pages), so the occasional recaps are quite welcome, as they come in the right places and with the right length and depth, not overexposing nor tiring the reader.
However, it is also sometimes slow and arguably a bit “boring” (an I biased as an Eragon fan and don’t want to admit it? True).
As I kept reading, I enjoyed most subplots, but Nal Gorgoth was too heavy, slow, and not as interesting as it should’ve been. For this kind of fantasy book, it lacked something, but I cannot pinpoint it exactly.
The story is very well constructed, interestingly presented and definitely well written. However, there was something in the passage in Nal Gorgoth… Maybe too passive? Yeah, I think that could be it.
It recovers, though, and I enjoyed the ending. A bit rushed (after all I said? Yes, read it and you’ll understand).
It is presented as a stand-alone but it’s not, it can’t be!
I’m looking forward to finding out what comes next.
Interesting quotes or descriptions (careful, possible spoilers):
«Well, far as I see it, there’s no putting a price on pain, if’n you follow. Everyone’s entitled to their own.» (Page 128).
(…) Turn around. I have an idea.
Why do I have a feeling in my belly that your idea will be dangerous?
Because you can read my mind, that’s why. And it won’t be that dangerous. Not if I’m clever.
Try not to be too clever. Clever fails more often than simple. (Page 136).
You cannot force the world to be as you will.
«Can’t I?» Murtagh lifted his head to look at Thorn. «If you want something badly enough–»
Want is not always enough. Thorn nuzzled the top of his head. The means must be there also. You know this. (Page 167).
(…) the interior [of the cavern] was a mysterious black depth, swimming with impenetrable shadows and unquiet with ominous sounds: the click of a falling stone, a heavy influx and outflux of heated air–as if the mountains themselves were breathing, slow and labored–the high-pitched squeaks of fluttering bats, and even, Murtagh imagined, the low, nearly inaudible groans of the earth’s massive weight as it settled and shifted, constantly seeking to further collapse into the tumbled ruins time made of all things. (Page 367).
I quite enjoyed returning to Alagaësia with an extra twelve years of life and writing experience under my belt. And as with The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm, revisiting these characters felt like coming home after a long absence. It was good for the soul is what I’m trying to say. To have this book released in the twentieth anniversary year of Eragon only sweetens the experience. (Addendum-Afterword&Ackknowledgments, C. Paolini, Pag 684). I completely agree with you, Christopher!!
