Brisingr, Chapters 9-12

Spoilers!

Chapters read:

• Escape and Evasion
• A Delicate Matter
• Bloodwolf
• Mercy, Dragon Rider

These chapters are a bit slower than the first eight but of course it could not be action packed throughout the whole story.

Getting to know and learning about Tenga was still insanely random but entertaining. The mystery behind him seems very fun, he seems oddly powerful. I am pretty sure he's similar to Angela but I will have to keep re-reading to figure out a better hypothesis.

Throughout Eragon's return voyage to the Varden after dealing with Sloan, it's clear that Eragon is really powerful in magic and in sheer strength. Eragon was able to show off his skills for only a short time after being trained by Oromis and then heading straight into battle during 'Eldest'. Now though, he's had some rest and further experience in general. The way he can literally just sprint throughout Alagaesia with ease and fight packs of soldiers while being virtually weaponless, is pretty cool. Thinking about how slow Eragon and Brom traveled in book one to now in Brisingr, is simply crazy. His transformation from his life in Carvahall to now, is really night and day yet it was done smoothly. During this re-read I can sort of understand better how Paolini originally intended the series to be a trilogy. Eragon was in his normal life in book one leading to discovery of a new destiny and world, he learned and leveled up slowly in book two, and book three Eragon has really become a whole new being. Even several storylines make a bit more sense in a trilogy, as I think about it more and more. A powerfully simple, direct and beautiful vision. A deep idea that I believe I will ponder a lot going forward. I can sense the intentions for the trilogy and it's a very trippy thought, thinking about what could have been. I guess it's not rocket science though if you just look at book four as Brisingr part two. The series would have been done three years earlier. It's such an odd idea imagining the series as a trilogy because I remember really enjoying Inheritance. I'm glad this series became a tetralogy though.

The political happenings remain complex as Roran becomes more involved with the Varden and twelve elves arrive at the Varden to help protect Eragon and Spahira. The meeting of the Elves was mysterious and felt more important than I remember. Blödhgarm was particularly intense and unique.

Overall these were fun chapters, things are unfolding steadily and the series is feeling very urgent if that makes sense. I can sense the war intensifying!

I am so glad I'm reading these books again, I'm grateful.