Inheritance (Inheritance Cycle, Book IV) [Hardcover]

I like most, don't know what to say but for an ending to it all in that it is disapointing. There is to many unanswered questions, I hope he does continue the books and answer some things. The book is good but so much more was needed to end it all.

I'll admit that after the drudgery ridden muckhole that was Brisingr I did not have high hopes for Inheritance. However, I wanted to see how the series ended so I picked it up and was pleasantly surprised. Paolini did not win me over quickly, however... Like Brisingr, the book is riddled with dead-end side plots that do little to nothing to advance the story. A perfect example is Eregon healing Horst's baby. This serves no purpose but to fill space and in an 850 page book this isn't needed. Paolini seems to suffer from literary diarrhea in that every inconsequential thought in his head comes out on the paper unbidden. The irony is that the things you really wish he expanded on he doesn't, but more on that later. Additionally ironic is the fact that the chapters starring Roran are some of the most entertaining, but argueably could have been greatly reduced. The fact that the book also takes over 100 pages to wind down after the climax is a little ridiculous. Despite Paolini's shortcomings, he has managed to pen a fitting end to his series. It is a good and satisfying climax, and the reader does feel a sense of completeness and closure when it comes to the main narrative. HOWEVER, I'm irritated by the fact that within all Paolini's loquacity he could not tell us who and what Angela is. He keeps it a mystery folks. I don't necessarily have a problem with mystery; Tolkien never explained who or what Tom Bombadil is, after all. However, Tolkien didn't spend four books dropping hints and strengthening the mystery of who he is either. If Paolini was attempting to leave Angela as a Bombadilesque mystery character he should have refrained from asking the question of, "who is she," so many times. Perhaps he intends to explore her origins in a future book, but who knows? There should have been either more answers regarding her origins or less questions. While on the subject, who the heck was the woman who rescued Roran near the end of the book? Ridiculous. Anyway, I tend to have a love-hate relationship with these books (except Brisingr which was mostly hate) but I do give credit where credit is due. Those who have endured the previous three books and want to see how it ends will be satisfied, and those who loved the series all the way through will love this.

As my son has the first 2 books of the series, having this one was a must, for him. He loved getting the package. and loved the book, too.