The epic (length) fantasy begun in Eragon (2003) treads water for 58 chapters. As the Varden alliance, held together with difficulty by its hard-nosed leader, Nasuada, maneuvers toward a head-to-head confrontation with the dauntingly puissant king Galbatorix, Eragon and Roran, his cousin, engage both together and separately in a series of set piece raids, quests, rescues, sieges, and missions, including pursuit of Katrina, Roran's betrothed who was taken by the Ra'zac. Eragon emerges with a revelation about his origins and a new sword that has the sometimes-inconvenient habit of bursting into flames whenever its (titular) name is mentioned. As events move toward a large but not climactic battle, yet more matches--between Eragon and Murtagh, his dragon-riding sibling, and between Eragon and yet another magically created Shade--signal that the wells of authorial creativity may be running low. In any case, though too much of the prose runs to mannered lines like "from the Crags of Tel'naeír, Saphira flew low over the swaying forest until she arrived at the clearing wherein stood the Menoa tree," the standard for invective remains high--as with, "you failed to mention that those errant flesh-mongers, those gore-bellied, boggle-minded idiot-worshipers were cannibals"--and several women in the cast rival the men for strength of character as well as martial and magical skills. Let Galbatorix and his enslaved minions beware! A patchy, ponderous place holder--though a mighty fan base ensures no lack of readership. (map, pronunciation guide, glossary) (Heroic fantasy. 12-15) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

In most respects, this third chapter in Paolini's Inheritance Cycle feels like the calm before the storm; the majority of the more than 700 pages are dominated by storytelling, plotting, and preparations for battle. If there is a complaint from readers, it will be that Paolini revels too much in long conversations between his characters while action takes a backseat, but fans of the genre will bask in his generosity: the arcana of dwarf election rules, the manhood customs of the Kull, and the finer points on forging a Dragon Rider's sword are all part of what makes the world of Alagaësia so encompassing. The plot picks up as Eragon assists his cousin Roran in rescuing his beloved from the Ra'zac, but ultimately the story settles on the Varden's preparations for advancing upon the evil Galbatorix, their attempts to obtain the help of the dwarves, and the continued magic training of Eragon and the dragon Saphira. Most of the combat and it's brutal, gory stuff belongs to Roran as he becomes a legendary warrior; Eragon's struggles are more cerebral and involve magic, a difficult thing to dramatize but something Paolini pulls off admirably. In fact, clarity is the author's best asset: few could make such a Tolkienesque universe so manageable. Anyone who couldn't wait for this volume will be just as excited when the upcoming fourth and final chapter appears.--Kraus, Daniel Copyright 2008 Booklist

The much-anticipated third book in Paolini's Inheritance Cycle continues to rely heavily on classic fantasy tropes. The novel launches with magician and Dragon Rider Eragon, his cousin Roran and the dragon Saphira on a quest to rescue Roran's betrothed. The cousins soon split up, and Roran undergoes his own series of heroic tests, culminating in a well-choreographed and intense fight against an Urgal (a ram-human hybrid). Eragon, at the same time, encounters treacherous dwarves, undergoes even more training with the elf Oromis and gains a magical sword suitable for a Dragon Rider. The silly revelations about Eragon's background in the previous book, Eldest, are given a new spin near the end, but the change is neither unexpected nor interesting. Predictably, the book concludes with even more character deaths and another battle, but those expecting a resolution will have to wait until the next novel. The cliched journey may appeal to younger readers of genre fiction. Older teens, even those who might have first cut their teeth on Paolini's writing years ago, are less likely to be impressed. Ages 12-up. (Sept.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

(Middle School) Eragon the Dragon Rider and his dragon Saphira continue their quest to defeat the tyrant magician Galbatorix, who enslaved a human empire and threatens the elf and dwarf sovereignties of Alagaesia. So entranced is author Paolini with his creation, however, that Book Three spilled into two volumes, this first of which is episodic rather than plot-driven: a daring rescue of his cousin Roran's betrothed; a skirmish against Galbatorix's dragon-rider team Murtagh (Eragon's half-brother) and Thorn; ally Orik's ascension to the kingship of the dwarves; and the forging of Eragon's new sword Brisingr. At the end, Eragon bids farewell to his mentor and mentor dragon, who have joined the resistance. Ironically, the author's self-indulgence may also be his saving grace: if the book's 700-plus pages are packed with extraneous scenes and dialogue, Paolini's enthusiasm and transparent love of his own story keep the proceedings from bogging down completely, and readers who share his delight will enjoy the full-sense immersion in his world. Even they might cavil at the lightweight climax, but Paolini promises that the fourth and final projected volume is "going to be the most exciting installment in the series" -- hopeful words indeed. From HORN BOOK, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.