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Quick answer: If you loved Murtagh, read Christopher Paolini's Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr and Inheritance, then Dragonflight, His Majesty's Dragon and Fourth Wing. All pair riders and dragons in worlds of war and magic.
Christopher Paolini's 2023 novel continues the Inheritance Cycle, telling the story of Murtagh, the dragon rider and reluctant servant of a tyrant, after the events of Inheritance. It is a return to Alagaesia and a chance to see an older hero grow. The books below offer similar dragon-and-rider fantasy and epic adventures.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eragon | Christopher Paolini | Teen | the series start |
| Eldest | Christopher Paolini | Teen | the second book |
| Brisingr | Christopher Paolini | Teen | the third book |
| Inheritance | Christopher Paolini | Teen | the finale |
| The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm | Christopher Paolini | Teen | Alagaesia stories |
| Dragonflight | Anne McCaffrey | Adult | classic dragon riders |
| His Majesty's Dragon | Naomi Novik | Adult | Napoleonic dragons |
| Fourth Wing | Rebecca Yarros | Adult | dragon war college |
| The Hobbit | J.R.R. Tolkien | All ages | the adventure |
| The Name of the Wind | Patrick Rothfuss | Adult | lyrical coming of age |
| Mistborn: The Final Empire | Brandon Sanderson | Adult | magic and rebellion |
| The Eye of the World | Robert Jordan | Adult | epic series |
| Assassin's Apprentice | Robin Hobb | Adult | character-driven fantasy |
| A Wizard of Earthsea | Ursula K. Le Guin | Teen | thoughtful wizard school |
| To Sleep in a Sea of Stars | Christopher Paolini | Adult | space opera |
1. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
A farm boy finds a dragon egg and is thrown into war. The book that began the Inheritance Cycle.
Best for: the series start.
2. Eldest by Christopher Paolini
Eragon continues his training while his cousin Roran faces danger. Longer and deeper.
Best for: the second book.
3. Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
Eragon and Saphira keep fighting the Empire. Action-packed, with plenty of lore.
Best for: the third book.
4. Inheritance by Christopher Paolini
The war against Galbatorix reaches its climax. The end of the original cycle.
Best for: the finale.
5. The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm by Christopher Paolini
Short stories set in Alagaesia, including a new adventure. A bridge between the original series and Murtagh.
Best for: Alagaesia stories.
6. Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey
Lessa bonds with a dragon on Pern to fight deadly threads. A foundation of dragon fiction.
Best for: classic dragon riders.
7. His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
A British captain bonds with a dragon during the Napoleonic wars. Elegant and exciting.
Best for: Napoleonic dragons.
8. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Violet must survive a deadly college for dragon riders. Fast and romantic.
Best for: dragon war college.
9. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Bilbo Baggins joins dwarves on a quest. A foundation of modern fantasy.
Best for: the adventure.
10. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Kvothe tells the story of his life. Beautiful and slow.
Best for: lyrical coming of age.
11. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
A street thief joins a crew to topple an immortal ruler. Tight plot and clear magic rules.
Best for: magic and rebellion.
12. The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Villagers leave home and are drawn into a war. The start of a long saga.
Best for: epic series.
13. Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb
A royal bastard is trained as an assassin. Emotional and slow-burning.
Best for: character-driven fantasy.
14. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
A young wizard faces a shadow he has unleashed. Short and serious.
Best for: thoughtful wizard school.
15. To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini
A biologist discovers an alien relic and sparks a war. Paolini's science fiction debut.
Best for: space opera.
How to Choose
If you have not read the cycle, start with Eragon. For short follow-ups choose The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm. For other dragon riders pick Dragonflight, His Majesty's Dragon or Fourth Wing. For epic fantasy beyond dragons read Mistborn or The Eye of the World. Murtagh works best after Inheritance, because it assumes you know the main story. If you enjoy Paolini's world, his Alagaesia stories in The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm are a quick way to revisit the setting. If you want more Paolini, his space opera To Sleep in a Sea of Stars is long but gripping. If you want dragon riders in other worlds, Fourth Wing is the biggest recent hit and His Majesty's Dragon offers a historical twist. Younger readers may prefer to start with How to Train Your Dragon or Wings of Fire before moving to the Inheritance Cycle. Audiobooks of the cycle are widely loved.
Related: 15 Books Like Wings of Fire Kids Will Love: Dragons, Quests and Animal Adventures · 12 Dystopian Books Like the Hunger Games | Best Books to Read Like Hunger Games
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Murtagh about?
The story of Murtagh and his dragon Thorn after the Inheritance Cycle.
Who wrote it?
Christopher Paolini.
When was it published?
2023.
Do I need to read the Inheritance Cycle first?
Yes, it spoils the original series.
How many books are in the Inheritance Cycle?
Four.
Is Murtagh a standalone?
It is a new novel in the same world and follows the cycle.
Are there dragons?
Yes, Murtagh's dragon Thorn is central.
What should I read next?
Try Dragonflight or Fourth Wing.
Is Murtagh a sequel or a standalone?
It is a sequel set a year after Inheritance, so read the cycle first.
What age is it for?
Usually teens and adults.