All avid series readers know the feeling: a book series has come to an end, and you are left wondering how you will ever go on. For those of us who became entranced with Alagaesia and all of its wonders, it was a spell which began with the publishing of Eragon in 2003, and ended Nov. 8 when Christopher Paolini's Inheritance, the last book in the Inheritance cycle, was released.
Inheritance was a long yet definite end to the cycle. Warfare and battles dominate a majority of the plot, which is to be expected considering the story centers around rebel group Varden as it wages war against Emperor Galbatorix, whom readers finally get to meet in this final installment. At the center of the rebellion's hopes is Eragon, the cycle's protagonist whom readers have to come to know and love.
Eragon's journey claims the most pages, and Inheritance changes him deeply - he is a different character than the Eragon at the beginning of the book. Because there are so many other supporting characters whose journeys shape the rest of the story, one can hardly touch on them all - there is a reason the book is a thick 860 pages. But one standout character is Murtagh, who figures hugely in this last book. Occupying the "shapeshifter" role in fantasy archetype, his character remains one of the most puzzling in the cycle. Readers, as well as characters, cannot help but feel sympathetic toward Murtagh, whose tortured struggle between good and evil stems from the fact that he is the son of Morzan, Galbatorix's righthand man. Paolini carefully crafts his story so that he, too, transforms in this book, a relief to all those wondering how his character would ever be resolved. Murtagh settles somewhat into his destiny, and while his end is not picture-perfect, it's acceptable to readers who have followed his journey through the four tomes.
The book's lengthy conclusion gives each character a proper amount of time to settle after the last grand battle and gives the readers a sense of closure. It is an appropriate ending and, while a bit draining, allows the story to wind down as it should. Exciting and engaging every step of the way, even when Paolini gets painfully long-winded, readers will inevitably be crushed when they have to close Inheritance for the final time.
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