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The second book of a trilogy is often the hardest to pull off. The story begun in the first third must continue to develop while the ground is laid for the final installment. Yet the middle third cannot just be a space saver, something to fill the gap between here and there. Christopher Paolini has managed to give us a sequel to Eragon that lives up to this promise and more.

It is a pleasure to see that Paolini is developing as a writer along with his characters.

He shows mastery of the cliffhanger ending as he interweaves the stories of three characters, Nasuada, Ajihads's daughter and new leader of the Varden, Roran, Eragon's cousin who was left behind in Carvahall, and Eragon himself. The subplots are a vital part of Eldest, but they do not overshadow the story of Eragon and Saphira.

When the story opens, the first battle against Galbatorix has been won, but at a terrible cost. The rebel army has lost its leader, and Eragon, its greatest warrior, is injured. The troops are in disarray as varying factions threaten to split apart. Somehow Eragon, with Saphira's help, tiptoes along this tightrope without falling. New leaders are chosen, but the army must have time to regroup and rearm. While Nasuada sees to the needs of the Varden, Eragon travels with Arya to Ellesme'ra to complete his training. Meanwhile, Roran must find a way to protect himself and the people of Carvahall when the Shades and Galbatorix' army come searching for Eragon.

Eldest is the story of change and transformation.

Characters are put through the wringer mentally, physically and spiritually as they are forced to do the impossible. Not all the changes are positive however, and Paolini allows his characters to make questionable decisions. Roran often finds himself stuck between a rock and a hard place, with no clear right choice. The path he takes may lead to safety, but is the price he will pay to get there too high?

Nasuada also faces the difficult task of keeping an entire people safe. She also makes difficult choices, some of them also questionable. But she is more flexible and creative than Roran is which allows her to seek and find new ways of doing things.

As compelling as these stories are, they are no match for the transformations endured by Eragon and Saphira. Once in Ellesme'ra, Eragon finds some surprising allies-and a few potential enemies. Training is a constant mental and physical struggle. Eragon must face his relationships with other people, particularly Arya, for whom he has strong feelings. He must also understand who he is in his own heart and what his place in the world should be.

The strongest relationship in Eldest is the one between Eragon and Saphira. They share a depth of emotion not found in any other pairing, and the love and support they give each other saves them both.

Once again, Paolini gives us vivid descriptions of the people and places of Alagaesia. Some may find them a bit too long or distracting in places, but Paolini still has a neat turn of phrase that makes the descriptive passages sing.

Fans of Eragon will be pleased with this new chapter of the Inheritance trilogy. The heroes are flawed, which adds to their believability and heightens their achievements. The final pages will delight readers while teasing them with the identity of the mysterious Eldest.