Young Adult Annotation

 Author: Christopher Paolini

Title: Brisinger

Genre: Young Adult

Publication: 2008

Number of Pages: 748 of the actual story, 763 with pronunciations, glossary, etc. 

Geographical Setting: Alagaesia, a large continent of various terrain

Time Period: It is late fall of 7999 when Eragon finds the egg. 

Series: Book 3 of the Inheritance Cycle

Plot Summary: 

     Dragon Riders were at one time known as the peacekeepers of the land. They ensured that elves, dragons, dwarves, and humans coexisted nicely. One Rider, Galbatorix, had a dragon who was killed in battle. When his elders said they were not able to give him a replacement dragon, he went crazy and vowed revenge on all Riders. He stole a dragon and forced him to serve him using black magic. He convinced thirteen others to become traitors, and together, calling themselves the Forsworn, overthrew the Riders. Galbatorix became the evil King of Alagaesia. Elves and Dwarves went into hiding and the land was in upheaval. 

    Eragon, a 15 year old farmboy, finds a polished blue stone in the Spine (a forbidden forest). The stone is actually a dragon's egg, which hatches for him. When he touches her, a silvery mark appears on his hand, fulfilling a prophecy that Dragon Riders would return. 

    Strangers arrive in town in search of the egg and destroy Eragon's home and murder his uncle. Eragon and Saphira escape and join the Varden (a rebel group hoping to overthrow Galbatorix). They journey to Ellesmera, land of the elves, to receive formal training before returning to lead the fight that would change their world. 

Subject headings: Prophecy, dragons, elves, and dwarves

Appeal factors: 

    Characterization: Eragon vs Galbatorix is the perfect embodiment of good vs. evil.

    Pace: Fast, action packed and full of sword fights. 

    Emotions: The story pulls at the heartstrings of the readers as it begins with the destruction of Eragon's village and murder of his Uncle. 

Terms that best describe the book: Intense, action-packed, suspenseful


Three Similar Non-fiction Titles: 

    The Complete Bladesmith: Forging Your Way to Perfection by Jim Hrisoulas. Rhunon was the elf-smith in charge of forging swords. Swords play a key part in the Inheritance Cycle. A Riders' sword was crafted out of a material called Brightsteel and its blade was the color of the dragon. It would never bend or rust. 

    The Green Witch: Your Complete Guide to the Natural Magic of Herbs, Flowers, Essential Oils, and More by Arin Murphy-Hiscock: One of the key characters in the Inheritance Cycle is Angela, a herbalist/witch. She was known to wander the forest, looking for herbs and flowers for her potions. 

    Dragon World by Tamara MacFarlane Slightly geared towards kids, this is a a non-fiction introduction to the concept of dragons, and how different cultures shape them into their heritage. 


Similar Fiction Titles: 

    Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien: Similar to the Inheritance Cycle, it had a variety of characters, including elves, dwarves, orcs, and magicians. Also, there is the matter of the swords. In the Hobbit, Thorin carried a sword that the Goblins feared from its prior reputation.

    Dungeon and Dragons by Jaleigh Johnson: The characters in the books are the ones created for the role playing game, and can add gnomes to the list of elves, dwarves, and humans. 

    Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan: Similar to the Inheritance Cycle, this book begins in a farming community on the edge of town and the main character is a young boy. 

    


Comments

  1. Erin CataldiApril 8, 2024 at 9:00 PM

    I've only ever read the first book in this series - I really need to read the rest of them! Great annotation!

    ReplyDelete

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