For all inheritance fans this is a book we (yours truly included) have been waiting for a long time.It starts off from where Eldest left off i.e Eragon and Roran leaving the Varden to find Katrina Roran's fiancee who has been kidnapped by the Razac.In this book we also learn more about Eragon's father, Morzan, Brom and his mother. The reason why Murtagh is working for Galbatorix is also revealed. How Galbatorix has increased of power is also revealed as well as that of Murtagh.Arya's past is also recollected by her. What Brom told Saphira is also revealed. Eragon gets a new proper Dragon Rider's sword in the latter half of the book. Though Nasuada had already been mature in the last book but in this she rises to the occassion and we see that she is aas good a leader as her father Aijihad was. She even a risks her own life in once scene to make sure that there are no breaks in the rank of the Varden.But the only disappointment is that Orik is mostly ignored. Even he has become more mature.On the brighter side Saphira is shown to be mentally communicating with almost everybody of importance.
Angela the herbalist and her cat Solembum are still as mysterious as ever and mayhap we will get to know in the next book how and why they know so much.
The only criticism that i can make about this book is that it lags in quite a few places and makes you feel as if Paolini was still thinking ahead.
I will rate the book as being better than Eldest but a little less than Eragon.
Happy Reading.
May your swords stay sharp.