I really enjoyed this one. The world Paolini created becomes more developed and political in book 2 of the Inheritance Cycle. Paolini takes many a thread left in Eragon and develops them into themes of bias, emotional and cognitive growth, leadership, and strength. Again, I have to praise his writing because it reads with a mature weight that I’ve taken to. 

We are introduced to two new POVs. The main is Roran, Eragon’s cousin, where we see what happens in Carvahall once Eragon leaves the valley. I enjoyed the alternative perspective—now that Eragon is of elevated status—and seeing Roran develop from a miller’s assistant to leader in each hurtle the town is thrown into. You get to learn more of Alagaësia from the worm eye point of view. The other is Nasuada, daughter of Ajihad, as she has to navigate the inner and outer politics of the Varden. You really get the world building from all sides and species in this book. 

We spend a large portion of the book with Eragon, as he travels to the hidden cities of the Elves to continue his trainings. This is where the plot slows, which could be a deterrent to some. I alternated between audiobook (majority) and my physical copy so I didn’t personally mind. Eragon continues to make a number of blunders and mistakes, some that have large results, that he does learn from. You start to see him process and reflect on his words and actions before and after he speaks. 

I was aware of two big reveals from the start from a short lived attempted read in elementary school and the internet, but that didn’t inhibit my excitement for this book.