The Inheritance Cycle (Eragon) Books in Order By Christopher Paolini
You can’t break something and mend it a moment later with pretty words. Broken things stay broken. Wounds heal into scars, not skin.
― Christopher Paolini, The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm: Eragon
- Eragon (2002)
- Eldest (2005)
- Brisingr (2008)
- Inheritance (2011)
- Murtagh (exp. 2023)
- The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm: Eragon (Book World – Tales from Alagaësia Series) (2018)
What is the Inheritance Cycle about?
Set in the fictional land of Alagaësia, filled with mythical creatures and beings. Dragon Riders, a group created to oversee the countries and bring peace to the world. Having a special bond formed with their dragons in accordance with a pact that had been made a millennia before between elves and dragons.
The first book of the series Eragon was adapted into film in 2006 starring Ed Speelers, Jeremy Irons and John Malkovich. It has been announced that Disney+ will be adapting this into a series.
Who is Christopher Paolini?
Christopher Paolini was born 17th November 1983 in Los Angeles, California, he is an American author and screenwriter. He is most known for his Inheritance Cycle Series and his “love-letter to Sci-Fi”, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars (2020). He was home schooled throughout the duration of his education and actually graduated at the age of 15.
Not feeling mature enough to go to college, he began working on a fantasy book he had thought of, Eragon (2002), and self-published through his parent’s publishing company – Paolini International LLC. Christopher Paolini then went on to promote his book, touring over 135 schools and libraries, dressed up in a medieval inspired costume, consisting of a red shirt, billowy black pants, lace-up boots and a jaunty black cap. He discussed reading and writing with the audience while there.
Alfred A. Knopf, the publisher of the rest of the series, was made aware of the book series by the stepson of Carl Hiaasen (author of Hoot (2002) and his detective series Skink (1987-2020)).
Paolini takes a lot of inspiration from the author J. R. R. Tolkien and E. R. Eddison. Other author inspirations Paolini took from include; Brian Jacques, Anne McCaffrey, Raymond E. Fiest, Ursula K. Le Guin, Frank Herbert and Philip Pullman among others. Paolini also holds the Guinness World Records as the “youngest author of a bestselling book series” on 5th January 2011.
Books are my friends, my companions. They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life.
― Christopher Paolini, Eragon
The Best Reading Order for The Inheritance Cycle
Below you will find all the books included in and the best reading order for The Inheritance Cycle series. Also included will be the spin-off book series, Tales from Alagaësia Series.
Eragon (2002)
The Inheritance Cycle #1
157,220 words, 528 pages, 60 chapters, 10hrs 30mins to read.
2,620 average words per chapter, 8.8 average pages per chapter
Published by Paolini International LLC
3.94 out of 5 on Goodreads
One boy…
One dragon…
A world of adventure.
When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.
Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds.
Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands.
Eldest (2005)
The Inheritance Cycle #2
213,515 words, 704 pages, 71 chapters, 14hrs 15mins to read.
3,007 average words per chapter, 9.9 average pages per chapter
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
4.02 out of 5 on Goodreads
Darkness falls…despair abounds…evil reigns…Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the Dragon Rider. Ages 12+.
Darkness falls…despair abounds…evil reigns…
Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the Dragon Rider: magic and swordsmanship. Soon he is on the journey of a lifetime, his eyes open to awe-inspring new places and people, his days filled with fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and nothing is what it seems. Before long, Eragon doesn’t know whom he can trust.
Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle–one that might put Eragon in even graver danger.
Will the king’s dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life. . . .
Brisingr (2008)
The Inheritance Cycle #3
254,630 words, 784 pages, 58 chapters, 17hrs to read.
4,390 average words per chapter, 13.5 average pages per chapter
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
4.08 out of 5 on Goodreads
Oaths sworn… loyalties tested… forces collide.
It’s been only months since Eragon first uttered “brisingr”, an ancient language term for fire. Since then, he’s not only learned to create magic with words — he’s been challenged to his very core. Following the colossal battle against the Empires warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still, there is more adventure at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep.
First is Eragon’s oath to his cousin, Roran: to help rescue Roran’s beloved from King Galbatorix’s clutches. But Eragon owes his loyalty to others, too. The Varden are in desperate need of his talents and strength — as are the elves and dwarves. When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices — choices that will take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice.
Eragon is the greatest hope to rid the land of tyranny. Can this once simple farm boy unite the rebel forces and defeat the king?
Inheritance (2005)
The Inheritance Cycle #4
280,715 words, 839 pages, 78 chapters, 18hrs 45mins to read.
3,598 average words per chapter, 10.7 average pages per chapter
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
4.13 out of 5 on Goodreads
It began with Eragon… It ends with Inheritance.
Not so very long ago, Eragon — Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider — was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.
Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chance.
The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?
Murtagh (Exp. 2023)
The Inheritance Cycle #5
156,000 (est.) words, 656 pages, 10hrs 25mins to read.
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
4.60 out of 5 on Goodreads
Expected release date is 7th November 2023.
The world is no longer safe for the Dragon Rider Murtagh and his dragon, Thorn. An evil king has been toppled, and they are left to face the consequences of the reluctant role they played in his reign of terror. Now they are hated and alone, exiled to the outskirts of society.
Throughout the land, hushed voices whisper of brittle ground and a faint scent of brimstone in the air—and Murtagh senses that something wicked lurks in the shadows of Alagaësia. So begins an epic journey into lands both familiar and untraveled, where Murtagh and Thorn must use every weapon in their arsenal, from brains to brawn, to find and outwit a mysterious witch. A witch who is much more than she seems.
In this gripping novel starring one of the most popular characters from Christopher Paolini’s blockbuster Inheritance Cycle, a Dragon Rider must discover what he stands for in a world that has abandoned him. Murtagh is the perfect book to enter the World of Eragon for the first time . . . or to joyfully return.
Spin-off Series
The Fork, the WItch, and the Worm: Eragon (2018)
Tales from Alagaësia #1, The Inheritance Cycle #World
72,000 words, 281 pages, 9 chapters, 4hrs 50mins to read.
8,000 average words per chapter, 31.2 average pages per chapter
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
3.80 out of 5 on Goodreads
It’s been a year since Eragon departed Alagaësia in search of the perfect home to train a new generation of Dragon Riders.
Now he is struggling with an endless sea of tasks: constructing a vast dragonhold, wrangling with suppliers, guarding dragon eggs and dealing with belligerent Urgals and haughty elves. Then a vision from the Eldunarí, unexpected visitors and an exciting Urgal legend offer a much-needed distraction and a new perspective.
This volume features three original stories set in Alagaësia, interspersed with scenes from Eragon’s own unfolding adventure. Included is an excerpt from the memoir of the unforgettable witch and fortune-teller Angela the herbalist, penned by Angela Paolini, the inspiration for the character, herself!
Live in the present, remember the past, and fear not the future, for it doesn’t exist and never shall. There is only now.
― Christopher Paolini, Eldest
Overall
If you have not yet read these books, whether you are basing the books on the film then you need to think again. These books are a great fantasy series chock full of fantastical creatures and characters. An impressive feat from an author who started writing this at the age of just 15!
If you have enjoyed any of Christopher Paolini’s work and want to learn more about his or any other of his work, then feel free to check out his website.
Which one is your favourite or most looking forward to picking up next?
Let us know!
Happy reading!
People have an annoying habit of remembering things they shouldn’t.
― Christopher Paolini, Eragon
Total Word Count for the Inheritance Cycle Series and more!
- Total words: 906,080 words
- Total pages: 2,855 pages
- Total chapters: 267 chapters
- Total reading time: 60hrs 25mins
Altogether
- Total words: 1,134,080 words
- Total pages: 3,792 pages
- Total chapters: 276 chapters (Excl. Murtagh)
- Total reading time: 75hrs 35mins
More of the same, but different:
Things to Note:
- Word count is an approximation.
- Amount of pages may differ due to different publications, font style and/or size etc.
- Time spent reading is generally an approximation based on the word count and the average reading time. The average reader will read 250 WPM (Words Per Minute).
- This is the original publisher of the books.
- The current Goodreads score at the time of writing.
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