Inheritance

While I think the third one is my favorite, this is a close second. It is a fitting end to a long journey.

I've read reviews that complain about the series's similarity to Lord of the Rings. I think the comparisons are most obvious in this book, and they are (sometimes annoyingly) apparent.

However, LOTR is one of the founding series of the genre and commonly draws on myth and fairytale. Therefore it has a lot in common with all fantasy. That said, there are some large differences (besides the dragons) between them. The one I appreciate most is how Paolini demonstrates a variety of perspectives throughout the series. Imagine how different LOTR would be if the Orcs, like the Urgals, had lives that mattered as much as humans' lives. There is not such an obvious difference between good and evil.

I have many comments about the end, but overall I get it and appreciate Paolini's choices as an author. I was sad for it to be over. On to the next great book...