Murtagh

Christopher Paolini's "Murtagh" exceeded my expectations. Beyond the impressive world building ( set in a world developed over four previous volumes ), populated with all sorts of fascinating creatures such as werecats, dragons and urgals, the story of Murtagh and his dragon mate, Thorn, progresses at a relentless pace. There are no wasted chapters or story arcs as which undermine so many other epic fantasy novels.

What I most liked about this novel was the character of Murtagh and his relationship, forged in suffering, with the dragon, Thorn. The bond between these two protagonists represents the highest form of friendship -- the mutual compassion and willingness to risk all for the well-being of the other. We also see Murtagh show more repeatedly confronted with the choice of self-preservation over "love for the neighbour" as he risks his life for innocent and helpless victims of evil. Ultimately, Murtagh presents a Christ figure when faced with the temptation to achieve supreme glory for himself if only he forsakes his own suffering by choosing to submit to the allegiance of evil incarnate. Readers familiar with Luke's account of the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness will recognise this parallel.

I look forward to future instalments of the Murtagh story and to see the resolution to the various story threads left unfinished in this novel. show less

Murtagh by Christopher Paolini is the comeback no fantasy fan knew they needed, but one we’ll never forget.

In this bold and emotionally rich continuation of the Inheritance Cycle, Paolini gives us a story forged in fire, guilt, and redemption. Murtagh, once a tragic figure burdened by bloodlines and betrayal, steps into the spotlight with a depth and maturity that makes this not just a sequel—but a transformation. This is his story now, and it’s nothing short of magnificent.

From the very first page, Paolini’s writing has matured alongside his characters. Gone is the black-and-white morality of the past—here, we walk through ash and ruin with a Dragon Rider struggling to redefine himself in the shadow of a tyrant’s fall. show more Thorn, fierce and loyal, is no longer just a weapon of war but a soul in search of peace. Their bond is tested like never before as whispers of dark magic and a haunting new evil pull them toward a witch shrouded in chilling mystery.

The pacing is masterful. Paolini doesn’t just throw Murtagh into battles—he throws him into choices, and the stakes feel intimate and colossal all at once. Every step of this journey feels earned. The worldbuilding is classic Paolini: lush, immersive, and teeming with secrets. Fans of Eragon will recognize the terrain, but the tone is darker, more reflective—perfect for readers ready to explore the cracks in Alagaësia’s facade.

But perhaps the greatest triumph of Murtagh is its heart. This isn’t just about dragons or spells—this is about reckoning with the past, confronting guilt, and choosing who you become when no one else believes in you. It’s for anyone who’s ever had to fight to reclaim their name.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to the series, Murtagh is a must-read. It’s a reminder that even in exile, heroes can rise—and sometimes, the ones with the most scars carry the brightest flames.

Long live Murtagh. Long live Thorn. And long live the magic of Alagaësia. show less

- "A man with a dragon was never truly alone."

I was so excited for this to arrive and boy, this book is a thicc and meaty girl! I don't want to spoil too much, but Murtagh was basically my favorite character in the world of Eragon (we love me some older brother anti-heroes) and it is such a treat to get a WHOLE book about him! His bond with Thorn felt like a fresh take on what we saw between Eragon and Saphira that I really enjoyed. Here's to hoping we get many, many more books about them!

DNF after 278 pages. Thank God for the 1- and 2-star reviews on this book.

I was really ... really ... bored for a lot of what I did read, and was debating at which point to just call it a day. Hence my reading the low-star reviews, especially the spoilery ones.

_Eragon_ and _Eldest_, in particular, even _Brisingr_, hold a lot of nostalgic feels for me; I picked up the first two while in England shortly after _Eldest_'s (hardcover!) release and toted them both around the UK for two weeks. :D (Very carefully, as I had also just sprained my ankle on the same trip.) I got my brother hooked on the series, and we went to a _Brisingr_ book signing together--so needless to say, I've got a lot of feels. And Murtagh was always a crazy-fascinating show more character to me (only enhanced by Garrett Hedlund being one of the only good things about the ill-fated _Eragon_ movie of old).

Alas, this book doesn't do Murtagh justice. At all. And I'm appalled at a lot of what Paolini puts him through in this book (least of all, bad writing - I'd hoped some of that had shaped up by now). Go read the spoilery reviews for more details on that front; I won't rehash, especially when the spoilery reviews are what helped me make my own "do I keep reading this or not?" decision.

I'd rather stop reading the book now and maintain my current feels about Murtagh, rather than keep reading and (no pun intended) be scarred myself. show less

This was an amazing read.

I had always enjoyed, during my Dragon obsession years, watching dragons. This is my first book with a deeply dragon infused storyline and I absolutely loved it.

Thorn had me smitten🐉💖, and this world is incredible!

This is a quest story. Murtagh, half-brother of Eragon, follows a path of clues that lead him to a witch who he must outwit.

Yet it is also a journey of healing. Murtagh's and Thorn's connection is beautiful. The traumas they experienced in their past is tragic, and their individual healing journeys are sweet.

I've never read the the Eragon books, and I was worried about being able to understand the characters and overall story. This was wonderful because it gave the info needed to be able to read show more as a standalone. It does hint at more books.

I will certainly never imagine a mushroom forest quite the same way again 😂🍄💝. show less

Christopher Paolini has returned to the world of Alagaesia with this book that recounts what happened to Murtagh after his participation in the last battle that defeated Galbatorix. I picked up this book due to my fond memories of reading Paolini’s Eragon-related novels with my son when he was young. It is necessary to have read The Inheritance Cycle in order to gain the context needed to appreciate this book. Murtagh is Eragon’s half-brother. This story provides a deeper insight into the Murtagh’s character and provides an explanation of why he was fighting for Galbatorix. We had earlier learned he was being manipulated but this book tells the extent to which Galbatorix mistreated him. We also gain a deeper understanding of the show more connection between Murtagh and his dragon, Thorn. I think this is a good move by the author. Paolini started writing these books at a young age, and it will be interesting to see what he can do with these characters from a more mature perspective. show less

This is an excellent story, highly recommended.

It is an impressive feat that each of Paolini's books has left me wanting to learn more about the worlds contained within. In this particular case, the loose ends that I was most curious about from the earlier books in the Inheritance Cycle were hinted at here as well, but once again left dangling.
It is a difficult balance for a book to have enough mystery for the world to feel expansive, exciting and real; while also sating the reader's thirst for knowledge about it. I don't think this book hit the balance as well as previous books in the series.