Jump to content

Brisingr: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Undid revision 260933653 by 72.56.210.112 (talk)
Line 18: Line 18:
| isbn =
| isbn =
| preceded_by = [[Eldest]]
| preceded_by = [[Eldest]]
| followed_by = [[Book 4 (Inheritance Cycle)|Book 4]] (Finael: The Seven Stones of Oromis)
| followed_by = [[Book 4 (Inheritance Cycle)|Book 4]] (Unknown title)
}}
}}


'''''Brisingr''''' or '''''The Six-hundred Promises of Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Bjartskular''''' is the third book of the ''[[Inheritance Cycle]]'' by [[Christopher Paolini]], following the books ''[[Eragon]]'' and ''[[Eldest]]''. It was released on September 20, 2008. The title means "fire" in the fictional Ancient Language of [[Alagaësia]].
'''''Brisingr''''' or '''''The Seven Promises of Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Bjartskular''''' is the third book of the ''[[Inheritance Cycle]]'' by [[Christopher Paolini]], following the books ''[[Eragon]]'' and ''[[Eldest]]''. It was released on September 20, 2008. The title means "fire" in the fictional Ancient Language of [[Alagaësia]].


The book sold 550,000 copies on its first day of sale, the most ever for a [[Random House]] Children's Book,<ref name=pw0908>Diane Roback (September 23, 2008). [http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6598359.html?desc=topstory ‘Brisingr’ Breaks Random House Children’s Record]. ''Publisher's Weekly''. Accessed 2008-09-23.</ref> and debuted at #1 on ''[[USA Today]]'''s top 150 bestsellers list.<ref>[http://content.usatoday.com/life/books/booksdatabase/default.aspx Bestsellers List] (September 25, 2008) ''USA Today''. Accessed 2008-10-06.</ref>
The book sold 550,000 copies on its first day of sale, the most ever for a [[Random House]] Children's Book,<ref name=pw0908>Diane Roback (September 23, 2008). [http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6598359.html?desc=topstory ‘Brisingr’ Breaks Random House Children’s Record]. ''Publisher's Weekly''. Accessed 2008-09-23.</ref> and debuted at #1 on ''[[USA Today]]'''s top 150 bestsellers list.<ref>[http://content.usatoday.com/life/books/booksdatabase/default.aspx Bestsellers List] (September 25, 2008) ''USA Today''. Accessed 2008-10-06.</ref>

Revision as of 19:27, 30 December 2008

Brisingr
AuthorChristopher Paolini
IllustratorJohn Jude Palencar
Cover artistJohn Jude Palencar
LanguageEnglish
SeriesInheritance Cycle
GenreYoung adult literature, High Fantasy
PublisherAlfred A. Knopf
Publication date
September 20, 2008[1]
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (Hardcover and Paperback) and audio-CD
Pages748
Preceded byEldest 
Followed byBook 4 (Unknown title) 

Brisingr or The Seven Promises of Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Bjartskular is the third book of the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini, following the books Eragon and Eldest. It was released on September 20, 2008. The title means "fire" in the fictional Ancient Language of Alagaësia.

The book sold 550,000 copies on its first day of sale, the most ever for a Random House Children's Book,[2] and debuted at #1 on USA Today's top 150 bestsellers list.[3]

Development

The Inheritance Cycle was initially planned to be a trilogy. In an October 2007 press release, Paolini revealed that the third book would have been so large that it would need to be published in two volumes.[4] An April 11, 2008 newsletter sent out by Paolini said that this book was longer than either Eragon or Eldest.[5]

Paolini began providing hints about the plot with a March 2005 interview with Shurtugal.com. He suggested the next book would include whether Saphira ever finds a mate, and find the Varden shifting favor away from Nasuada as leader.[6][7] Paolini answered some questions for his fans on his official site in July and August 2006[8] and gave a video interview in December 2006 to promote the movie.[9] Paolini said the coming book would explain how Thorn, Murtagh's dragon, matured to rival Saphira despite their age difference, and the nature of the spirits that sorcerers summon. In February 2007, Paolini answered a letter from the Czech fan site Alagaesia.net and Eragon1.net, in which he hinted that the rest of the Inheritance Cycle would reveal information about Arya's background, about dwarf culture, and about Brom's lover.[10]

Title and cover

Paolini said about the title: "'Brisingr' is one of the first words I thought of for this title, and it's always felt right to me." As it is the first word in the Ancient Language that Eragon learns, it holds a particular significance for him.[1] "Brisingr" is the Ancient Language's word for "fire", used to summon and control fire by magic-users in the series, and it ends up being the name for Eragon's sword. Paolini revealed the subtitle, "The Seven Promises of Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Bjartskular", in a July 1, 2008 newsletter from Alagaesia.com.

John Jude Palencar illustrated the cover featuring the golden dragon Glaedr. The content of the cover was one of the few things initially confirmed by Paolini. The cover was first to feature an emerald-green dragon looking to the right.[11] Paolini later indicated that this was affected by the expansion of the series to a four-book cycle, but did not explain the change at the time.[12]

Promotion

In March 2008, a spoiler was released on the cycle's homepage, Alagaësia.com, stating that "In Brisingr, Eragon will meet a god."[13] A second spoiler was released in May saying that, "Eragon will meet a terrifying new enemy; one who likes to laugh a lot, but not in a good way."[14] In July 2008, a third and final spoiler was released on Alagaesia.com, stating that "In Brisingr, one of the characters becomes pregnant."

An excerpt from the third chapter of Brisingr, "Light and Shadow" (now renamed "Assault on Helgrind"), was included in the Eldest deluxe edition and later released on the Fricaya network.[15] This excerpt features Eragon and Roran traveling to Helgrind, in an effort to save Katrina (Roran's betrothed) from the Ra'zac's lair.

Brisingr was released in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom on September 20, 2008,[1] with later releases in other countries.[16] More than 2,500 midnight party events were held for the September 20 release.[17]

The book sold 550,000 copies on its first day of an initial print run of 2.5 million copies. Both the initial print run and first-day sales were the largest ever for the Random House Children's Book division.[2]

During promotion of the book, at Seattle Town Hall, Christopher Paolini stated that his favorite line from the novel is "Die, puny human!",[18] which is said by the Urgal Yarbog who challenges Roran for leadership of his group.

Plot summary

Eragon

Eragon, Roran, and Saphira are traveling towards Helgrind, the dwelling place of the Ra'zac, where Roran's betrothed, Katrina, is being held prisoner. As they infiltrate the fortress, Saphira kills the two parent Lethrblaka, while Roran kills one of the two Ra'zac and rescues Katrina. Eragon, having found an imprisoned Sloan, Katrina's father and a traitor to Carvahall, stays to decide the traitor's verdict and kill the remaining Ra'zac, while Saphira, Roran and Katrina return to the Varden. Eragon slays the remaining Ra'zac, and then leaves Helgrind with Sloan and, using Sloan's true name, commands him to travel towards the elves' domain before returning to the Varden himself. Meanwhile, Arya sets off to help Eragon travel back to the Varden. Arya finds Eragon in a town named Eastcroft, and together, they return to the Varden. At the Varden's camp, Eragon reverses the curse he accidentally set upon Elva and repays small debts, and settles other minor affairs.

Murtagh and his dragon, Thorn, attack the Varden shortly after Eragon's return. Elven spell-casters aid Eragon in his fight against Murtagh, forcing the latter to flee. After the fight, Eragon marries together Roran and Katrina. Nasuada then orders Eragon to attend the election of the new dwarf king, insisting Saphira stay behind. Among the dwarves, Eragon is reunited with Orik, who is now the clan chief of Dûrgrimst Ingeitum. An unsuccessful attempt to kill Eragon is found to be the work of the clan Az Sweldn rak Anhûin, who are hostile toward Eragon. Orik successfully forces Az Sweldn rak Anhûin into exile because of their crimes. Having won the trust of the dwarves, Orik is elected the new dwarf king. At Orik's coronation, Saphira mends Isidar Mithrim, which Arya had shattered while rescuing Eragon from Durza.

Eragon and Saphira decide to return to Ellesméra to continue their training. Eragon is told by Oromis and Glaedr that Brom, not Morzan, is his father. Oromis reveals the source of Galbatorix's power: Galbatorix controls hundreds of Eldunarí, or dragon hearts, which preserve dragons' consciousnesses until destroyed. Though a dragon cannot physically exist through its Eldunarí, a dragon could still channel its energy into the bearer of the heart, and also impart its knowledge and wisdom. Eragon then visits an Elven blacksmith, Rhunön, who helps forge Eragon a new sword, which he names Brisingr, using brightsteel from under the Menoa Tree. Before leaving, Eragon pays a visit to Sloan who had made his way to Ellesmera due to Eragon's spell. When Eragon and Saphira set off to return to the Varden, they find that Oromis and Glaedr are departing as well. Oromis explains that the time has come to openly oppose Galbatorix alongside Islanzadí. Glaedr gives his Eldunarí to Eragon and Saphira before they part.

Eragon and Saphira return to the Varden in the midst of a siege on the city of Feinster. Eragon and Arya find the leader of the city, Lady Lorana, but discover that her three magicians are attempting to create a Shade. Eragon and Arya race to kill the magicians as they transform a man into a Shade. However, Eragon passes out as Glaedr's Eldunarí shows Oromis and Murtagh fighting near the city of Gil'ead. Galbatorix takes control over Murtagh as Oromis suffers a seizure, and Eragon watches as Oromis is slain by Murtagh. Glaedr charges at Thorn, who evades and kills Glaedr. As Eragon regains consciousness, he and Arya kill the Shade. After the successful siege, Eragon tells Nasuada about Oromis and Glaedr and also to Arya of his learnings with them. Nasuada then informs Eragon that the Varden plan to march to Belatona, then to Dras-Leona, and finally to Uru'baen, where they plan to kill Galbatorix.

Roran

Roran has set about training for upcoming battles. Nasuada calls him to her pavilion, and asks him to serve in the Varden's military forces, to which he agrees. However, he requests to be married to Katrina first, insisting Eragon perform the ceremony. Having his request accepted, Roran prepares for the wedding. On the wedding day, the Varden is attacked by Murtagh and Thorn, but the ceremony still takes place four hours later, after Murtagh and Thorn flee. After that, Roran is sent on his first mission as an official part of the Varden's military; he is to ambush a convoy of the empire's supply wagons.

Almost immediately after successfully completing his mission, Roran is sent on another; to ambush yet another of the Empire's convoys. This one, however, was guarded by soldiers who feel no pain, so Roran's unit suffer extreme casualties, and only nine return to the Varden, with the commander unable to serve after losing a limb, causing a new commander to take lead. After shortly returning home, and being encouraged by Katrina, Roran is sent on a mission to take back one of the Surdan cities that the empire conquered. The new commander's plan almost drives the soldiers to death, but Roran takes command when all seems lost, giving new orders. Despite saving the operation, and killing one hundred and ninety-three men on his own, Roran is charged with insubordination, and is relieved temporarily of his duties.

When they arrive back at the Varden, Roran is whipped for the charges against him. After many hours, Roran awakes to Nasuada entering his tent, who gives him new orders. She promotes him to commander and orders him to ambush another convoy, which is accomplished successfully. However, some Urgals under Roran were torturing a soldier, which Roran disapproved of. An Urgal challenges Roran for leadership, and Roran wins. Roran then returns to the Varden's campsite, and aids in the siege of Feinster, which is successful.

Reception

David Durham of the Washington Post praises Paolini for his streamlined prose, but says the novel drags a lot in the middle. He says Paolini shows greater maturity during some of the quiet moments of the novel, although he notes these parts could bore younger readers. Durham finds that Paolini's new characters are original, and that he adds depth to characters from the previous novels.[19] In contrast, Sheena McFarland of the The Salt Lake Tribune says Paolini "hasn't learned how to create characters that readers can relate to," although she praises him for strong female characters in the book such as Arya and Nasuada. McFarland calls the last 50 pages "riveting", but says they are a "paltry reward for trudging through the 700 preceding pages".[20] The reception from readers has been somewhat more positive, however. With the continuing story, those who read Eragon and Eldest and enjoyed them, find it hard not to fall in love with the latest book, due to it's writing style, story line, and a loyalty to the Inheritance Cycle in general.

References

  1. ^ a b c Press release (January 16, 2008). Random House Accessed 2008-01-16.
  2. ^ a b Diane Roback (September 23, 2008). ‘Brisingr’ Breaks Random House Children’s Record. Publisher's Weekly. Accessed 2008-09-23.
  3. ^ Bestsellers List (September 25, 2008) USA Today. Accessed 2008-10-06.
  4. ^ Press release (October 30, 2007). Random House Accessed 2007-10-30.
  5. ^ Alagaesia News. (April 2008) Alagaesia.com. Accessed 2008-04-13.
  6. ^ Interview with Christopher Paolini. Shurtugal.com. Accessed 2006-12-19.
  7. ^ Highlights from the CP Phone Chat with Mike. Shur'tugal. Accessed 2007-06-30.
  8. ^ Talking Trilogy with Christopher Paolini Alagaesia.com. Accessed 2006-12-19.
  9. ^ Christopher Paolini. "Eragon Red Carpet Interviews" (video). Shurtugal.com, London.
  10. ^ Open Letter to Christopher Paolini Alagaesia.net. Accessed 2007-03-14.
  11. ^ Highlights from the CP Phone Chat). (May 19, 2004) Shurtugal.com. Accessed 2008-03-30.
  12. ^ Christopher Paolini (December 19, 2007). Alagaesia Newsletter. Shurtugal.com. Accessed 2007-12-23.
  13. ^ Spoiler for Book Three. Alagaesia.com. Accessed 2008-03-19.
  14. ^ Brisingr Spoiler Video. Shurtugal.com. Accessed 2008-09-23.
  15. ^ Fricaya - Excerpt. Alagaesia.com. Accessed 2008-09-09.
  16. ^ "Brisingr International Release Dates" (February 2, 2008) Shurtugal.com. Accessed 2008-02-09.
  17. ^ Judith Rosen (July 14, 2008). 'Breaking Dawn' and 'Brisingr' in a Post-Harry World Publisher's Weekly. Accessed 2008-09-23.
  18. ^ http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/books/382170_paolini08.html
  19. ^ David Anthony Durham (September 25, 2008). For Fantasy Fans, the Dragons Fly Again. Washington Post. Accessed 2008-10-10.
  20. ^ Sheena McFarland (October 4, 2008). Books: 'Brisingr' bores with its meandering. Salt Lake Tribune. Accessed 2008-10-10.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brisingr&oldid=260935339"