Brisingr (or The Seven Promises of Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Bjartskular) /brɪsɪŋər/[1][2] is the third novel in The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini.

[3] A deluxe edition of Brisingr, which includes removed scenes and previously unseen art, was released on October 13, 2009.

Brisingr focuses on the story of Eragon and his dragon Saphira as they continue their quest to overthrow the corrupt ruler of the Empire, Galbatorix.

Eragon is one of the last remaining Dragon Riders, a group that governed the fictional continent of Alagaësia, where the series takes place.

It continues the story of The Inheritance Cycle and takes place on the fictional continent of Alagaësia during a struggle for power as the small country Surda and a rebel group called the Varden attempts to overthrow the larger Broddring Empire, ruled by the evil King Galbatorix.

They are supported mainly by elves, dwarves, and Urgals, but the Empire is populated with large numbers of humans, who far outnumber Surda and its allies.

Many minor characters reprise their roles in Brisingr from previous installments of The Inheritance Cycle, including the elves Arya, Islanzadí, and Oromis; the dwarf Orik; the humans Angela, Katrina and Elva; and the dragon Glaedr.

Eragon also finds and condemns Sloan, Katrina's treacherous father, to never meet his daughter again, and arranges for him to travel to Ellesmera, the elven homeland.

Elven spell-casters aid Eragon and Saphira and cause Murtagh and Thorn to flee, winning the battle.

Saphira journeys to Farthen Dur for Orik's coronation and repairs Isidar Mithrim, the previously destroyed star rose.

Rhunön refuses to forge Eragon a new sword, having sworn to never create a weapon again, and having depleted her stocks of the required metal.

One mission against soldiers that can't feel pain results in many casualties, and in Roran being assigned to an incompetent commander.

As the siege begins, Eragon rescues Arya and departs to find the leader of the city, but discovers three magicians attempting to create a Shade.

While attempting to kill the magicians, Eragon has a vision through Glaedr's Eldunarí showing him and Oromis fighting Murtagh and Thorn in the sky.

Paolini said he tried not to let the expectations surrounding Brisingr affect him,[7][8] stating that "As an author, I found that I can't really allow myself to think about those things.

[12] When asked by Sci Fi Wire what kind of challenges he faced while writing the book, Paolini said it was trying to avoid any references to modern items or actions.

Brisingr takes place long before the Industrial Revolution, which Paolini said "limits not only the things my characters use and do, but it also informs their worldview.

According to its author, Brisingr features a complex story with "weighty moral dilemmas" and "a sheer number of events that gives it a rich narrative."

[9][15] Paolini revealed this decision in an October 2007 press release,[16] and stated that his development as a writer since Eragon is what caused the book to become so complex.

The point of view of Glaedr and Oromis' confrontation with Thorn and Murtagh was combined with the Shade battle to further keep the reader interested.

Paolini revealed it in a newsletter at his official website, in which he said that it was added "because I felt it suited the story, and also because, in a way, I still view Brisingr and Book Four as two halves of the same volume; the subtitle is merely the name of the first of these two sections.

[15] In order to help Doyle with this, Paolini recorded the pronunciation of every invented name and word in Brisingr from a list over nine pages long.

But if a creature’s anatomical features are described, I try to imagine, for example, how the jaw might work...and then try and adapt that and attach it to something that sounds okay to the ear and is still slightly stranger than normal.

"[26] In March 2008, a spoiler about the book was released on the Inheritance Cycle's official website, stating that "In Brisingr, Eragon will meet a god.

"[28] In May 2008, Paolini posted a video message on his website stating that in the book, Eragon will meet "a new, rather terrifying enemy" that "likes to laugh, but not in a good way.

[20][34] Nancy Hinkel, publishing director of Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, said the company received "an outpouring of requests from booksellers hoping to host midnight launch parties.

[36][37][38] A deluxe edition of Brisingr was released on October 13, 2009, including deleted scenes, foldout posters, never-before-seen art by the author, and a guide to dwarf runes.

[50] Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) reviewer Kathleen Beck criticized the length of the book, accusing Paolini of "plainly [enjoying] wandering around in his fantasy world" and urging him to provide a cleaner finish to the series.

"[51] Haley Keeley of The Buffalo News, however, commented that with alternating points of views every few chapters, Paolini "manages to convey the complexity of the situation while offering refreshing new perspectives.

"[52] Children's Literature writer Jamie Hain gave the book a positive review, praising the action scenes, as well as the appeal to both male and female readers.