The Fork, The Witch and the Worm by Christopher Paolini, fantasy, Alfred Knopf, 2018
If you liked The Inheritance Cycle, consisting of the four novels Eragon, Eldest, Brisinger and Inheritance, then this is for you. If you didn’t read those, or read them and didn’t care for them, you might as well skip this collection of three short stories (or two stories and a short novella), as it refers to and depends on understanding the characters and places from those four books.
I did read them, and liked them quite a bit, and was sorry when the last book was finished, so I was glad to see this, a surprise discovery at the book store.
“The Fork” features Murtaugh, Eragon’s brother. The next two stories take place in their new – yet to be completed – aerie, which will be the home of Eragon and his dragon Saphra and the humans and dragons as eggs hatch. “The Witch” refers to witch Angela. The third story, “The Worm” tells a tale of the Urgal, and “The Worm of Kulkas”.
All fine tales, though less than a fan of the Cycle would hope for. Still, quite enjoyable.
So how about you?
What have you been reading?
Tip the Wink 
Richard, though I enjoy reading fantasy and loved the Harry Potter series, I never considered reading “The Inheritance Cycle” from my daughter’s collection. I think I’ll give it a shot.
Christopher Paolini made a splash with his fantasy novels. He was a very young at the time ERAGON was published. Diane bought the first two. Maybe I’ll give them a try.
These are not the kind of fantasy I read.
I’m reading DESERT REMAINS by Steven Cooper, his first set in the Phoenix area, about police Sgt. Alex Mills hunting a vicious serial killer stabbing women to death. Mills gets help from Gus Parker, who has certain psychic insights. I know “psychic” is a red flag for some, but if it is done well it doesn’t bother me, and I like this so far (halfway through). I’m also enjoying Volume Two of BIBLIOMYSTERIES, edited by Otto Penzler, though perhaps not as much as the first volume.
Library download is non fiction, I CAN’T COMPLAIN: (ALL TOO) PERSONAL ESSAYS by Elinor Lipman.
I did get the first collection of Christopher Anvil stories you reviewed last time, from the library. Looks good.
PS – WordPress deleted my information, for some reason.
Have never read fantasy as I think you know. Probably have missed some good books. I am about to start THE LILAC GIRLS for my book group. More and more I don’t get much else read.
I do read fantasy now and then, but haven’t tried those books..
This last week I finished up DEAD WAKE: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson. I did not know much about the sinking of the Lusitania so I learned a lot and it was a good read.
I also read EVIL UNDER THE SUN by Agatha Christie, a very fast read. And my latest read was THE TIN FLUTE by Gabrielle Roy, published in 1945. Set in Canada in a very poor neighborhood, during World War II. Recommended to me by Brian Busby of The Dusty Bookcase. I loved it, got very involved in the story, but not a happy book.
Couldn’t get through Eragon. Thought it poorly written.
Reading Trigger by David Swinson and just finished The Library Book by Susan Orlean. Up next a new book about the making of Sam Peckinpah’s The Wild Bunch.