Murtagh: Spoiler-Free & Spoiler Book Review // Dig It Or Bury It // Diggerdan Reads

[@k1988smith]

I really loved this book! I've been typing on other reviews that the book feels like the episode of ATLA, Zuko Alone, I got that vibe all the way through. I thought all the side quest were setup for issues to come and I was feeling it! It's so crazy I actually reread the portion of the Werecat rescue before continuing and you didn't like it at all - wild! For me one of the messages and themes is that Murtagh and Thorn are stuck, struggling to move forward, while feeling like they can't be around other people. Also, Murtagh has loss all the resources he had from Galbatorix, he's still clever but he's missing some of his cheat codes. The chapters with the Dreamers is the only portion that was slow for me but overall, I loved the book, it made me want to reread the Inheritance Cycle and made me excited for what is to come! All the books that I read have words I don't know, I pretty much just have my phone ready to Google words - I feel you on that one.

[@DiggerdanReads]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! That's actually a really good comparison. I always have to remind myself that different people have vastly different experiences than myself so they will relate to different things than I will. But like I said at the beginning of the video, I really wanted to like this book, I was so hyped up for it, so I am really happy that you did get to love it like I was excepting I would

[@joshuacoons9517]

The lance was to show how deep they infiltrated Nasuada kingdom. It also show that the drum probably already has the Belt of Belowth the Wise. This book was written to get Murtagh to deal with his trauma. Cause of his abandonment issues and not willing to accept help from anyone. All the same stuff happens. Now he is willing to work with other. Eragon always had help. Murtagh always refuses help. There are a lot of reason for this, but this has to change. Especially if he is going to be more effective in the nexts books coming up. Thorn has been tortured since the day he hatch and he has to deal with that. Thorn doesn’t act like a real dragon. He does what Murtagh says. Where as Sapphira will pin Eragon down and or just grab Eragon and fly away when Eragon doesn’t something she doesn’t agree with.

[@DiggerdanReads]

That's fair... but I still wish it was a different lance. In my opinion, a different lance would add to the world building. Using the SINGLE one we've been in contact with so far, I think is a crutch of, "Hey! Remember this very specific item? Well its back... Give me nostalgia points." I think the Draumar certainly could have the Belt of Beloth the Wise, but I think its more likely the cultists Dras-Leona have it. Idk if this book helped Murtagh deal with trauma, or just got tortured and now has more. Also idk if it is fair to say, "Thorn doesn't act like a real dragon." I agree, he and Saphira definitely tackle issues differently, but I think that comes more to personality differences than anything else. I like your thoughts Josh!

[@RuthMadisonAuthor]

Wow. I can’t believe he’s still going. That’s amazing and inspiring. I must admit I always felt a bit jealous of his success as a self-publishing teen

[@DiggerdanReads]

I'm glad he is still going, I just hope the next "World of Eragon" book is a bit better. I have to agree, it put ideas into my hear of wanting to be a writer myself when I first read Eragon as a teen

[@thewolfieshow]

I didnt find Murtagh out of character. He wanted the glory that eragon had, and the life he had. He knew saving alegesia was a way of getting that. Also i find Murtagh not wanting help from anyone perfect, especially when his efforts helping eragon against Galbatorix are unnoticed. Thorn well he just wanted to live, and live with Murtagh no matter what. I was also was disappointed in the Lance being the same, but it told me that the dreamers are amongst them, and always have been. Remember Galbatorix and his forsworn were influenced by the dreamers. Its very possible one of the dreamers were amoungst Galbatorix when he fell.

[@DiggerdanReads]

I don't know if Murtagh wanted the glory, so much as just to be accepted and not seen as the enemy but I see your point. I see that point too with the Dreamers basically being "the deep state" lol but I still think that impact could have been there with a different lance, or heck why not give them multiple lances? If they really are everywhere and in the shadows, you'd think they may have gathered more power in that way

[@thewolfieshow]

@DiggerdanReads 12 lances is not a lot of weapons for another to just be found scattered around the world. It's possible there are only a few in alegesia, and to own another is rare. The Lance that Rachel got, explains alot without sacrificing disbelief. My complaint that you had,I agree with 100 percent. How the f*** did Alin get all of his stuff. Okay I understand an item or two (A quick get up, pick up, and run) But that girl had all his stuff in her arms, on a frantic dragon trying to escape, with a mountain collapsing. Like you said, girl was OUT! even if Uvek healed her, that's a huge task. My other complaint you had as well was the torture chunk of it. I had to put it down to not feel depressed, and it felt like it was never gonna end. Also sort of that mini elder scrolls side quest with the mudmuck thing. Sure it may foreshadow Murtaghs lack of awareness and wisdom, and his willingness to go into danger by himself and relied on luck to save him. It was just boring. Book 6 out of 10. 2nd to worst in the series (Not counting the short stories book) Eldest being the worst of the bunch.

[@DiggerdanReads]

Yeah that's fair, maybe I'm hating too much lol Yes! That still bothers me months later whenever I think about it. Yeah, you're right. It slowed the story down and was just plain boring.

[@potatoshamcakes]

I think the main issue with the book is that I'm not 10 anymore. But I do agree a lot of decisions Murtagh makes would be fine in service of a character arc just doesn't have a payoff.

[@DiggerdanReads]

Haha, that's a good point. I'm happy someone agrees. There is so much potential with Murtagh and so much to explore.

[@teresam1840]

Great review!

[@DiggerdanReads]

Thank you!