Finishing Eldest.

Wow, I have finished Eldest. I am at a loss for words. Finishing such a marvelous, epic fantasy book like this just leaves me feeling pretty sad in a way. I love these books so much. Getting lost in a book like this feels like actual magic in a mundane world.

I'm reminded instantly of my own mortality as I finished this book. I have no idea how old I was the last time I finished Eldest. God knows when I will have the chance or time to read it again. It's a very eerie, bittersweet feeling.

Eragon just got done witnessing his entire childhood TOWN arrive by BOAT in the middle of a massive battle, and just a few minutes later, King Hrogthar gets murdered by a new Rider upon a red dragon named Thorn. Like, these final events are just flawless and exhilarating. Oh yeah, the Rider is his brother, who he thought to be DEAD. I mean, just pure pure raw epicness.

Their battle was vicious and intense. It's mildly annoying and predictable that Murtagh is more powerful than Eragon, but it does add layers. It makes it more challenging for Eragon and if Eragon was just mightier than his enemies, than the journey would be kinda unrealistic and probably boring. It does make Murtagh more interesting as well.

The amount of conflict facing Murtagh is pretty stunning. His whole life has been kind of just a massive tragedy. He has no control over anything really. He doesn't want to do evil, but he's being forced to. Even his freakishly powerful magic and abilities are seemingly thrust upon him without really having a choice in the matter. He is being used every step of the way, and practically all of society hates him for it. The guy can't catch a break.

Through it all, Murtagh and Eragon still have a bond. Their encounter and conversation is actually really well written, the whole scene was better than I remember, which was cool to experience. In a way, Murtagh did sort of save Eragon and kind of betray Galbatorix slightly. I mean, Murtagh is made of some interestingly tough stuff, and he seems rather intelligent as well. The whole battle was seriously intriguing.

Makes me want to get to Murtagh ASAP!!! I almost keep forgetting that there's a whole book for him!!! AHHHHHH. 🙂

Murtagh does seem a bit, edgy if you will and I really can't blame him. He seems to be irritable, with a bit of a dark sense of humor. I feel as though a weaker individual would have fallen all the way into evil, but he does seem to still have a fairly strong hold of his sanity and a bit of goodness. Admirable.

Murtagh reveals that Eragon and him are brothers, and well of course he is half correct. It is interesting to think that Saphira knew the whole time that this was false. I wonder if Galbatorix knew the truth or if he told Murtagh this to kind of manipulate everything.

When I read Inheritance and learned that Brom is actually Eragon's father, I thought this was a bit of hasty, perhaps even lazy addition to spice up the series or whatnot. But the way Spahira acts around this subject indicates that this was 'known' the whole time. Very cool indeed.

I am happy that Eragon and Roran made up and that Roran is getting the respect he deserves. I loved the ending with them talking in the tent. It's also great how Eragon accepts Garrow and Roran as father and brother, not simply uncle and cousin. Perfect.

Gosh. I am so happy. What a fantastic book. I'll always have a special place in my heart for Eldest.

Brisingr, here I come.