Murtagh: The World of Eragon

Christopher Paolini

Nov 2023 · The Inheritance Cycle Book 5 · Sold by Knopf Books for Young Readers

About this ebook

INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Master storyteller and internationally bestselling author Christopher Paolini returns to the World of Eragon in this stunning epic fantasy set a year after the events of the Inheritance Cycle. Join Dragon Rider—and fan favorite—Murtagh and his dragon as they confront a perilous new enemy!
 
“Christopher Paolini is a true rarity.” —The Washington Post
 
The world is no longer safe for the Dragon Rider Murtagh and his dragon, Thorn. An evil king has been toppled, and they are left to face the consequences of the reluctant role they played in his reign of terror. Now they are hated and alone, exiled to the outskirts of society. 
 
Throughout the land, hushed voices whisper of brittle ground and a faint scent of brimstone in the air—and Murtagh senses that something wicked lurks in the shadows of Alagaësia. So begins an epic journey into lands both familiar and untraveled, where Murtagh and Thorn must use every weapon in their arsenal, from brains to brawn, to find and outwit a mysterious witch. A witch who is much more than she seems. 
 
In this gripping novel starring one of the most popular characters from Christopher Paolini’s blockbuster Inheritance Cycle, a Dragon Rider must discover what he stands for in a world that has abandoned him. Murtagh is the perfect book to enter the World of Eragon for the first time . . . or to joyfully return. 
 
Praise for Christopher Paolini:
“A spellbinding fantasy writer.” —The Boston Globe
“A breathtaking and unheard-of success.” —USA Today
“Make[s] literary magic.” —People

Ratings and reviews

Had potential but incredibly boring. It started out decently with Murtagh investigating an interesting line of deception but once he got to Nal Gorgoth it just got so unbelievably boring. I couldn't even finish. The way the author just kept dragging out the most mundane, uninteresting things trying to build up to a finale was so drawn out, I just lost interest. There was zero excitement, just an ungodly amount of pages of Murtagh being treated the same way Galbatorix treated him. The dream sequences were horribly bad and repetitive to the point I found myself skipping ahead. This book had so much potential, Paolini botched it by making Murtagh as uninteresting a character as I've ever read. If it's ever on sale go ahead and buy it if you feel the need to read it because of the series but you're not missing anything if you don't. I'm pretty upset I wasted 15 bucks on this garbage. He peaked with Eragon, all the books after were progressively less interesting.

I still remember the first time I cracked open the first book, Eragon back in middle school. Little did I know it would lead to a lifelong love for fantasy novels and this series, I'm 33 now. I was elated when I discovered Christopher released Murtagh, I had no clue he was making new books in the Inheritance series! It's been years since I finished Inheritance and the end of Galbatorix and now we get to see what Murtagh and Thorn have been up to since. If you've love the original Eragon series as much as I have then you'll definitely love this book!

Incredible storytelling, however the sequences near the end leave much to be wanted. Author had a lot of story to tell, and as a result fell into the trap of telling too much all at once, while ignoring what needed to be told. Completely understandable, but a bit disappointing that the dream sequences were not as palatable as they could be. Another review mentioned the darkness once he arrived to Nal Goroth, but I think it REALLY helped to display the absolute sense of despair, sadness, and oppressiveness of the area. The author made me feel like I was Murtagh, I felt the despair creeping in, and the fear from being controlled, and the fear I would never escape. Brilliant storytelling!

About the author

CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI. Author of the Inheritance Cycle (Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, Inheritance). Creator of the World of Eragon and the Fractalverse. Holder of the Guinness World Record for youngest author of a bestselling series. Qualified for marksman in the Australian army. Scottish laird. Dodged gunfire . . . more than once. As a child was chased by a moose in Alaska. Has his name inscribed on Mars. Firstborn of Kenneth and Talita. Husband. Father. Asker of questions and teller of stories.