The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

Inheritance. Such a wonderful book, full of twists and turns that keeps the reader's heart pounding as every page is flipped, every word read. There are quite a number of interesting events in this book, but it would take an infinity to just describe them all, so for now, I'll just settle for this particular part.

What had once been a mere tip hidden in the first book, Eragon, the Rock of Kuthian plays a role of significant importance in the final book of the cycle, for it is the place where the secrets to defeating the tyrant king Galbatorix are hidden. Secrets that remain hidden for nearly a century were whispered into the ears of werecats, until one of them told Eragon to find it when all seems lost and his power is insufficient. The Dragon's source of power — their Eldunarí, the heart of hearts.

One of the interesting events written in this book is the discovery of the Eldunarí under Mount Erolas in Vroengard, the key to defeating the tyrant king. To discover it, one would have to first find the Rock of Kuthian, known to few, for its name holds a spell which ensure that the name cannot be remembered by anyone else except Eragon and Saphira.

Eragon and Saphira first heard of the name in Teirm after meeting the werecat Solembum. After the rebellion leader's kidnap by an enemy, Eragon was forced to find out the ways to defeat the king, which led to him remembering the Rock of Kuthian. He summoned the werecat once again and was told by an unseen force possessing the werecat the place he sought was hidden on Vroengard, one of the elven cities. The werecat did not have any memory of the conversation.

Next, Eragon told Arya and Glaer of the Rock of Kuthian. However, suspicion is aroused when both claim that the name echoed in the minds, like a long-forgotten memory . . . before promptly forgetting any mention of it before. Eragon deduced that the name held a spell which wipes any memory of it once uttered, save him and Saphira. After much consideration and discussion, Eragon finally manages to convince both elf and dragon that he was telling the truth. 

The trip to Vroengard proved to be a dangerous, but also with its advantages, for Eragon and Saphira discovered that the earth is round and the sky is hollow, unlike what they had previously believed. Even the dragon Glaedr seemed awed by the sight. They arrive on Vroengard, tired and exhausted. While we readers may seem to think that all they had to do was find a stone and discover it's importance, opening the gate was not easy. It required both Eragon's and Saphira's true names. 

The task of finding their true names was long and tedious. While time ticks away, and the days fall swiftly, Eragon and Saphira are no closer to finding their true name. Readers are anxious to know what happens next, for the battle was brewing back in the city and the pair had to quicken their pace, lest they miss the battle and lose victory. Finally, one day, Saphira found her true name. Eragon learned from her and sat still in a secluded area, finding learning his true name after sitting for hours and going through his own memories repeatedly. They unlock the Rock of Kuthian, which led to an area near the base of a volcano and discovered a hoard of Eldunarí and dragon eggs, hidden a century ago from Galbatorix to ensure that their race was not doomed to extinction. With the Eldunarí secured, both Rider and dragon set out to battle the dark king.

The king also had his own hoard of possessed Eldunarí, therefore equaling, if not exceeding, Eragon's own strength. Here, Christopher wrote on how victory was achieved when one of the traitorous riders, Murtagh, double-crosses the king and therefore securing the king's death. Without the Eldunarí, both Eragon and the king would've fallen long ago. Once again, I describe the discovery of the Eldunarí as an interesting event, because without it, the plot would've take a different, darker ending. For example, if Eragon hadn't found the Eldunarí, would he be able to defeat Galbatorix? Would he be able to restore his spiteful father-in-law's sight? Would he be able to heal the rift between races by making them Dragon Rider's as well? Surely not. (Although, given his resourcefulness, I wouldn't even doubt that he may find a way to kill the king without the Eldunarí.)

All the same, I think a little praise is appropriate here. Christopher has done a superb job in writing this book, particularly during that event, making it give out the air of importance that something big is about to happen. Something big. Something grand. Something that is the key to defeating the king who has been ruling for the past century and raging across the land. Brilliant job, Christopher. Simply brilliant.

Ho Jin Jonathan

4 Cergas

7th March 2014