Red-Haired Ash Reads

This is an anthology of three stories that take place roughly a year after Eragon and Saphira leave Alagaesia. The first story, The Fork, focuses on Eragon and his struggle to deal with all the tasks he has to do to build the new dragonrider settlement. Saphira forces him to take a break from his duties and he ends up visiting the eldenari who show him what is happening in Alagaesia, specifically with Murtagh. It was great getting to see this little glimpse of Eragon setting into his new role and get this brief glimpse of Murtagh who has been MIA since Galbatorix was defeated. I really am interested in reading his book now to see what he has been up to. 

The Witch is the story I was very interested in reading because it is a brief glimpse of Angela the herbalist’s memoirs. Angela visits Eragon and has him read parts of her memoirs so we get to see a brief glimpse of how her mind works and how she left the Varden with Elva in tow. Angela is my favorite character from this series so I really love that we got this brief glimpse of her but I do really want more now because she is such a unique woman who has seen so much. 

The Worm is a story told by an Urgal to distract those at Mount Arngor, where Eragon resides now, after the unexpected deaths of two dwarves. It was a very long tale about a female Urgal who is determined to kill a dragon who is living near their village because it killed her father. It was a very interesting tale and I quite enjoyed it. I also really like that we are seeing the Urgals, dwarves,, elves, and humans actually working together outside of battle and becoming friends. Also this story ends with the surprise of the first dragon egg hatching from the Rock of Kuthian hatching, which was a nice surprise.

Overall, this was a great little anthology of stories. I enjoyed this collection since its the first time we are seeing these people outside of battle or the fear of battle and it was a different perspective. I would totally read more short stories set in this world, especially if they involved Angela. 

TW: death from mine cave in; grief; death of friends and family recounted in a story;

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Previous books and reviews for the series:

1. Eragon
2. Eldest
3. Brisingr
4. Inheritance