"Murtagh" - Part II: GIL'EAD (IV-VII) - My Thoughts
Likely SPOILERS!!!
Chapters Read:
Part II: GIL'EAD
- IV. Fish Tales
- V. Muckmaw
- VI. Heave and Toil
- VII. In Defense of Lies
'Murtagh' the book has really set itself apart from the original 'The Inheritance Cycle' books while still mildly resembling them so that it's of course not totally alien. Murtagh is clearly not just a copy of Eragon whatsoever. This has just been so fun.
As a Rider, Murtagh is less skilled in some aspects compared to Eragon, but more skilled in other aspects. I've already pointed out that, compared to Eragon, Murtagh is, at this point in time, less skilled magically. But Murtagh seems to be more clever and street smart and just a lot more savvy. He seems to understand politics and people slightly better than Eragon. I mean Murtagh has effortlessly played characters to gather information and it's been impressive, he is like a spy at times. They had different upbringings of course so these differences aren't entirely shocking. Eragon grew up on a farm in a small town, while Murtagh grew up in bigger more important cities, around important people etc. They had their own variety of struggles and advantages.
I think that Murtagh may also be a slightly better natural swordsman as well. Although with Eragon's enhanced elf-like abilities they may be pretty evenly matched. This is not to say Eragon is incapable of beating Murtagh, not at all. I just think like if they were to fight 100 times maybe Murtagh wins 53 times if that makes sense. But again, with Eragon's enhanced speed and whatnot who knows. If all things equal, yeah I think maybe Murtagh is a shade better. I won't argue or be mad if someone disagrees though. Both of them are way better than the average man or dwarf of course.
Eragon does seem to be the better survivalist, prepper, and hunter though. I don't want to just shower Murtagh with praise here, he's definitely got flaws too.
It's just fun to experience their strengths and weaknesses and personality differences.
Murtagh has his natural determination of course and is a bit more intense and angry than Eragon. Which could be a good or bad thing in certain moments for either person.
It's been said in the book that Murtagh and Thorn don't always get along as smoothly as Eragon and Saphira but I think they care for each other just the same. I actually think that Murtagh and Thorn are extremely similar in personality whereas Eragon and Saphira sort of are a Yin and Yang type of duo.
It's easy to assume that a Yin and Yang relationship might be more beneficial but I think Murtagh and Thorn are like a proper traditional team on identical wavelengths and when they're in sync, focused on the same task they feel seriously formidable.
Of course I'm still fairly early in the book so yeah. There's still a lot to learn about Murtagh and Thorn.
My prediction about Muckmaw was wrong, he was not a Nïdhwal but essentially a giant, bewitched, intelligent sturgeon. Bummer in a way, but the battle over the lake in the middle of the night was really excellent and exciting!!! Too fun!
The fish was bewitched by Durza and that was wild, this Shade was way more problematic than I realized and it was cool to get a genuine important call back from 'Eragon' the original book published 21 years prior to 'Murtagh'.
Now Murtagh is off to infiltrate this squad and find this trapped werecat. There's SO many unanswered questions still and I'm dying to get some answers. A lot has happened and I feel as if I'm only 1/3 of the way through the book!
I'm sad that I'm kinda trucking through this book so fast but oh well!! I'll always have this book!
Books don't need Wi-Fi!! Excellent.
