A long-anticipated third fantasy novel
finally appears in print

Christopher Paolini's blockbuster first fantasy novel "Eragon," was published in 2003. (For a story on the author and a review of the book see Youngsaintlouis.com for December 2003.) The second in what was supposed to be a three book series was "Eldest" (reviewed in the October 2005 issue). Now in the fall of 2008 "Brisingr," the third book in the series has appeared.

To refresh the memory of those who are not already ardent Eragon fans, Christopher Paolini was only fifteen-years-old when he first outlined the plot for his books. A native of Montana, he was home schooled. His parents paid to publish the first version of "Eragon" in Montana. The son of an author from the east coast read the book while vacationing to fly-fish out west and, later, the boy's father showed the manuscript to his publisher. The major publishing house liked what they saw, offered Paolini a contract, and went on to market "Eragon" internationally. It was a smashing success and even made into a major motion picture. The second book in the series, published in 2005, was also a best-seller. And, now, "Brisingr," the third book in what was to be a trilogy has appeared. An 859 page book, it still isn't long enough to tell the story Paolini wants to tell. So a fourth book is promised for the near future that is expected to complete what is now called "The Inheritance Cycle," rather than "The Inheritance Trilogy."