So, are you pondering what I'm pondering?

[kippurbird]

... Oh double balls: Paolini's considering writing a prequel and a stand alone sequel to the main series I guess I'm not going to be out of work any time soon.

In any case, theories and thoughts for book four?

I know you have them!

Here's a list of confirmed facts from the site

Looking at the list I'm thinking the following:



Book 4 will contain mysterious “red-eyed rabbits”.

It's not an ordinary rabbit! Is this like our not needing stinking barges and mysterious wandering lonely gods?

A gedwëy ignasia’s ability to sense danger before it happens – an ability referenced throughout Eragon – will again return in Book 4.

I'm sorry whut? When did this happen?

Murtagh and Thorn will both appear in Book 4 more than in previous novels.

You mean more than a few chapters?

Multiple new characters will be introduced in Book 4.

Why? We're not going to have time to learn to care about these characters at the climatic battle. Or should that be "climatic" battle.

We will finally meet Galbatorix, who will have a much bigger presence in Book 4.

You mean more than no presence?

Murtagh and Nasuada’s relationship will be addressed in Book 4, however Christopher has noted that “Murtagh’s actions toward the Varden would have invalidated any feelings she (Nasuada) may have had.”

What relationship? No. Seriously. What relationship? They met at the end of book one and they distrusted him for being the son of Morzan. At the beginning of book two which takes place a little while after book one - a few days I think - Murtagh is presumed dead. At the end of the book he returns with a dragon and tries to kill them all. Book three has him doing similar things. So, what relationship? We never had a single inkling of any sort of romantic or even friendly feelings between Murtagh and Nasuada. Though this makes it feel like such a thing is going to be shoe-horned in. Also it's not like Murtagh had a choice in the matter!

Pfft.

At one point in Book 4, Eragon finds himself tortured and chained within a dungeon (confirmed to not be Galbatorix’s dungeon).

...yay? Though of course he can't be captured by Galby. That would mean that Galby does something competent. I bet it's the people at the Evil Mountain City.

The two women Eragon blessed in Brisingr will return in some form in Book 4.

Who cares. Weren't we told that they had their own story to do?



And that's what I've got.

Comments

[jeriendhal.livejournal.com]

Book 4 will contain mysterious “red-eyed rabbits”.

Bunnicula?

[white-wolf03.livejournal.com]

It looked like a rabbit, but this was no rabbit. This was evil manifest.

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

That's no ordinary rabbit! It's evil manifest!

*shuffles off into a corner*

[ravenswept.livejournal.com]

So let's see if I've got all this "confirmed facts" down:

~ Things mentioned in previous books will be mentioned in this book

~ The designated villains will appear as they have previously

~ The Big Bad will appear in the final book of the series where he is to be defeated (wow, what a game changer)

~ New people will be met as the adventure continues, just like every other new book in any other series ever; just like previous characters will make appearances to show they weren't just one-offs, just like every other book series

Really, what's new here? "Red-eyed rabbits"? So a phrase that means nothing and hints at nothing is big news? The only things that make these "facts" different from any other random fantasy adventure series is the specific naming of the characters. "Eragon finds himself tortured"; yeah, well, if he'd stop fainting to make the chapter end and move time, he might've been able to do something about it. "Finds himself" like he's suddenly surprised to be tortured...

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

ayup. That sounds about right.

[dove-cg.livejournal.com]

I'm not at all surprised he intends to keep milking Algaesia for all it's worth. Most writers do when they "hit it big" in some way, regardless of the quality. The only good news is it sounds like he isn't chomping on the bit to get them done and, maybe it's just me, but it sounded like he might be interested in trying out something new or dropping writing until he feels like shelling out for more cash.

Book 4 will contain mysterious “red-eyed rabbits”.

... It's a RABBIT. Most white rabbits have red eyes. It's kind of rare to find white rabbits without red eyes, so unless it isn't albino, this is pretty normal (for a domesticated breed of rabbit anyway) but how would that be mysterious? For that matter, who gives a shit? I realize, it's probably the Monty Python reference but ignoring that this sentence means nothing. Fuck, it could be Usagi Yojimbo with an eye disease, it's so vague.

Murtagh and Nasuada’s relationship will be addressed in Book 4,

There's mention of a non-existent relationship with one of the good guys? I'm guessing Murtagh and Thorn will get some form of forgiveness before they die, in that case. They deserve better though. I mean, better treatment in general. Nasuada is okay, as far as cardboard characters go, but I think the insinuation here is that he's still gonna die for what he did. 9_9

At one point in Book 4, Eragon finds himself tortured and chained within a dungeon (confirmed to not be Galbatorix’s dungeon).

Ohhhh. I'm not sure why but this strikes me as being fetishist. The fact it isn't Galby makes me suspicious of who it is and I'm betting it's someone "hot" or whatever bullshit. I mean, he did the hairless groin and Arya not getting raped. Even if it isn't his intention to make this BDSM, I think Paolini's going to muck-up to where it becomes laughably close enough and nowhere near an actual threat to Eragon's life, sanity, or health in any respect.

The two women Eragon blessed in Brisingr will return in some form in Book 4.

I remember the little girl... who the hell else did he bless? o.O

But yeah, don't give a shit about either of them. Even though the little girl was cool for blowing Eragon off... if I remember correctly. XD

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

Most white rabbits have red eyes.

He never did say it was a white rabbit.

but I think the insinuation here is that he's still gonna die for what he did. 9_9

I think he was always doomed to die. He did evil and is Darth Vader's son, therefor the only way to redeem himself is to die.

I remember the little girl... who the hell else did he bless? o.O

There was a random encounter of two warrior women in the camp that Eragon blessed and Angela said that their story is not one that coincides with Eragon's. It's as if he was trying to make the world seem more complex by insinuating that other people and other things happen there that have nothing to do with Eragon. Of course by bringing them back it completely negates that.

[dove-cg.livejournal.com]

He never did say it was a white rabbit.

Sorry. My point was supposed to be "unless it's some color besides white, the red eyes aren't mysterious" and so I suppose it's probably mysterious for some other reason. But then why bring attention to their red eyes? Eh. :|

There was a random encounter of two warrior women in the camp that Eragon blessed and Angela said that their story is not one that coincides with Eragon's. It's as if he was trying to make the world seem more complex by insinuating that other people and other things happen there that have nothing to do with Eragon. Of course by bringing them back it completely negates that.

Oh, yeah, them. I guess he's going to use them in the spin-off and he's just trying to remind people they exist in this last book. I sure as hell forgot them. o.o

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

My point was supposed to be "unless it's some color besides white, the red eyes aren't mysterious

I know. I know.

Oh, yeah, them. I guess he's going to use them in the spin-off and he's just trying to remind people they exist in this last book. I sure as hell forgot them.

I bet they'll die and Eragon will angst over them.

[dove-cg.livejournal.com]

I know. I know.

Maybe the next book is all about rabbit genetics! Since dragons clearly aren't as interesting as the hype would suggest.

Or it has a Watership Down rip off! :D

(Or as Jeriendhal beat me to the punch on awhile ago, Bunnicula, which really was the perfect response.)

I bet they'll die and Eragon will angst over them.

But he can't angst over them! Their story doesn't coincide with his. Clearly he can only angst over what directly impacts him. *nods sagely*

I mean, he randomly blessed them. Clearly they have nothing to do with him. :3

[albijuli]

Book 4 will contain mysterious “red-eyed rabbits”.

Are you fucking serious?

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

That's what it says!

[kjtaylor.livejournal.com]

I already mentioned my one theory in your last post, but I'll reiterate it now anyway: werecats=ewoks.

Maybe the mysterious albino rabbits thing is a joke...?

A thought I've been having for a while now:
It seems like ever since some point in book two this series has been nothing but unconnected scenes of the characters doing stuff, and endless "negotiation" and politics and whatnot. I'm betting this was supposed to provide realism and help us learn more about the world and the characters, but if there's going to be a big battle at the end (and we know there will be), then the story should be focused on the buildup to that - both physical and emotional. As it is, it just feels like the plotline is spinning its wheels. It's as if the ending is being constantly delayed rather than built up to, and that's probably why the whole thing has lost much of the interest it may have had before.

At least, that's my impression. But here's one thing I do know: you're supposed to develop the world and characters while you're ramping up suspense toward the climax, not instead of it.

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

Maybe the mysterious albino rabbits thing is a joke...?

Maybe it's dinner? You're contractually required while writing a fantasy book to have at least one scene involving Stew.


At least, that's my impression. But here's one thing I do know: you're supposed to develop the world and characters while you're ramping up suspense toward the climax, not instead of it.

Sadly, I think he does think he's ramping up suspense by bringing in all these characters who have "motivations" against Galby so they can all join together in one big force to take out the Big Bad.

[foxypope.livejournal.com]

The prequel/sequel both sound terribly, awfully boring.

I'm much more interested to see Paolini attempt to branch out into other genres--whether he'll do better, worse or about the same, and how any of those may manifest themselves in the different genres. The idea of him attempting romance has me a bit gobsmacked, for instance.

I read a fan theory that the Menoa tree took one of Eragon's testes. Or just his Elundari, because apparently Eragon is half-dragon. Fan theories on the fourth book are very fun to read, just because many of his fans work on Paolini's level of Non-Logic and spend meticulous time sorting through Paolini's clever foreshadowing. I actually think the NasuadaxMurtagh thing comes from fan theory, so maybe Paolini just got that through fandom osmosis and came to believe it to be true--when fanon turns canon.

[kjtaylor.livejournal.com]

I'm a little surprised that he's planning to write them - a little bird told me that he's just about admitted to being completely bored with the story. Maybe he's just not bored with the world.

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

Sure. I bet that's possible. He always seemed to be more interested in showing off his world than telling the story. LOOK! I HAVE A LANGUAGE!! etc.

[dove-cg.livejournal.com]

He may very well have, since I could almost swear reading something where he actually said he doesn't keep very good tabs of his own details and relies on his fans to keep track of them. Also, it's possible he simply noticed the trend in fandom, thought about it, decided it was cool, and is going to integrate it the way he tried to integrate things other people complained were lacking in the prior books aka poorly and long after the fact.

The idea of him attempting romance has me a bit gobsmacked, for instance.

ಠ_ಠ

[angrboda]

Wow, red-eyed rabbits! How unusual and unheard of! ...oh wait.

Also Murtagh and Nasuada’s relationship will be addressed in Book

Good lord, he's playing fanfiction shipper with his own work! O.O

At first I thought it was their relationships with respective others, and wondered who those others might be. Then I realised that it was with each other, supposedly, and had to think hard to remember if they had even ever met. They've met once or twice, then, and apparently that's a relationship.

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

Good lord, he's playing fanfiction shipper with his own work!

Hey, I ship within my own work, but usually because I put something there.

They've met once or twice, then, and apparently that's a relationship.

If I had some sort of say in this, I would throw Nasuada and Murtagh together in some sort of Unlikely Circumstance (ie. Contrived) where they have to spend time with each other and during that time fall in love. Like in the movies!

[(Anonymous)]

I'm worried if what Paolini says is true about a sequel and a prequel that we may have condemned you to a wandering Jew-like existence, unable to die until you've snarked every last word of his overly long books.

I'd apologize for condemning you to such an existence, but I am eagerly awaiting your snarkings, so I'm afraid such an apology would ring false.

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

condemned you to a wandering Jew-like existence

... Considering I'm Jewish. *rim shot*


But I don't mind. It's fascinating. And then I shall bundle them up into an e-book and publish it on Amazon.

[jacedraccus.livejournal.com]

And then kick up a hissy-fit at the first person who doesn't absolutely love it?

[kippurbird.livejournal.com]

A huge internet hissy fit.