I've seen a lot of people look at this book and think negatively about it. However, I must say I enjoyed it very much (although I did begin it when it came out in 2008 but put it down knowing I wouldn't be able to wait until Inheritance) - dense books I like; Brisingr focused more on the politics of the various races, especially the Dwarves and to a slight degree the Urgals, which you come to admire. I definitely liked how this book developed to lead onto the final book and what we learn about this world and about Eragon's lineage, because really, this is only half of the original book Christopher Paolini intended to write.