Beginning Brisingr! Chapters 1-4

I read Eragon and Eldest a few weeks back and the amazing Inheritance Cycle adventure continues! The pure happiness and sense of comfort these books give me is really special. Life has been incredibly stressful and at times pretty depressing. These books are a wonderfully peaceful distraction.

I read it before owning it of course but, I have owned this copy of 'Brisingr' for nearly fifteen years. The last time I paged through and truly read this copy, I may as well have been in a different universe they way life has changed so much. That's the sheer magic of books I feel, life may be a rollercoaster but, I can always return to Alagaesia. I have moved around so much over the years and lost a lot of my stuff in the shuffle, I'm glad I made sure to never lose some of these favorites.

I think I have read 'Brisingr' only twice ever as it is and I only read 'Inheritance' once. Then of course I have never read 'The Fork, The Witch, and the Worm' or 'Murtagh' so I'm really looking forward to this.

My copy has this scratch unfortunately from who knows what but hey it adds character and makes it uniquely mine I suppose. I also applied this plastic contact paper on it years ago, and many of my other paperback books, for added protection. So despite the scratch I believe the contact paper will help increase longevity. After 15 years I'd say it's doing a pretty good job.

Chapters read:

• The Gates of Death
• Around the Campfire
• Assault on Helgrind
• Divergence

Spoilers.

These first four chapters may be my favorite four chapters of the series so far. Maybe I'm just biased because they are fresh in my mind, but they felt so magical and effortless. These chapters start off the book, but they feel oddly sentimental and precious, like an ending to a book rather than a beginning. At this point 'Brisingr' feels like a direct sequel to 'Eragon' more so than a sequel to 'Eldest' in a strange way.

These chapters feature three of perhaps the most important and coolest characters of the series. It feels as if Eragon, Saphira and Roran have all leveled up big time since the last time they were together. I mean, Saphira was an egg last time these three were together, Eragon didn't know squat about magic, and Roran was just eager to get his life started. They've all been through so much but they do still feel like family.

I'm glad Saphira eventually helped stand up against Nasuada and Arya and convinced them to let the trio take on the Ra'zac. Nasuada is cool and everything, but she can be pushy at times with how she deals with Eragon and Saphira.

But yeah, these chapters were just so fun and I'm glad that the trio have gotten a huge portion of revenge against the Ra'zac. Roran FINALLY saving Katrina was so amazing. The entire sequence was just so fun and an excellent read.

Eragon, Saphira and Roran just feel a lot more mature in so many ways and it's great. They seem smarter and stronger and just more focused. I'm kind of happy Eragon is choosing to deal with Sloan his own way and even to decide to split up with Saphira for a time. I'm just pretty proud of him I guess. Eragon and Saphira will always be connected but I think it's good for Eragon to take on a side quest here and sort of just take some time to himself.

Eragon and Roran spending time together was such a treat to read, them getting some real bro time and sharing each other's wisdom was just fantastic. I really like their brotherhood a lot. I am really appreciating their respect for each other way more in this read than whenever the last time I read Brisingr.

These four chapters were really just wholesome and satisfying. 'Around the Campfire' is a chapter that I could read again just for fun I feel. I am so glad these three got a chance to spend time together and accomplish such an important mission.

Anyway, more adventures await in 'Brisingr'! If I had to guess I believe I remember about forty percent of this book, and so I can't wait to re-experience it!