So, I finally finished reading Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance. All 849 pages of it. I’ve followed the journey of protagonist Eragon for five years now, ever since I heard about the books from a classmate who delivered a book review talk for English in Grade 8. The story piqued my interest back then, and I’ve become engrossed in the richly-imagined world created by Paolini ever since.

However, upon completing the fourth and final book of the Inheritance Cycle, I’m left with a bitter aftertaste. I won’t divulge any details (to avoid spoiling the story), but the last 100 or so pages just seemed to waffle, sputtering the story to a forced conclusion. It was quite obvious (and Paolini did mention it in the afterword) that there will be an inevitable return to the land of Alagäesia (and beyond…).

These characters’ stories have yet to conclude. Whilst I would’ve liked to have a proper, full conclusion, providing closure to the cycle, I am somewhat excited at the prospect, no matter how small it might be, that there will be a Book 5.

Overall, I do recommend Inheritance to all fans of the fantasy genre, and of the series.