BookBingeThe Inheritance Cycle Books in Order
The short answer
Christopher Paolini · 5 books
- How many books?
- There are 5 books in The Inheritance Cycle, published 2002–2023.
- Is it finished?
- No — it's ongoing, but the next book doesn't have a release date yet.
- Where to start
- Start with Eragon (2002).
About 3,600 pages — roughly 60 hours of reading
A farm boy finds a dragon egg and ignites a rebellion against an immortal king.
Here is the complete The Inheritance Cycle reading order — all 5 books by Christopher Paolini, in the order you should read them:
Reading order
- EragonEragon's discovery of a dragon egg forces him onto the path of a Dragon Rider.2002576 pages
- EldestEragon trains with the elves while his cousin Roran leads a village in exile.2005704 pages
- BrisingrEragon and Saphira strike blows against the Empire as the rebellion gathers.2008774 pages
- InheritanceThe final confrontation with Galbatorix and the fate of Alagaësia's Dragon Riders.2011833 pages
- MurtaghMurtagh and the dragon Thorn are hunted across Alagaesia by a witch determined to control them.2023
Good news: for this series, reading order and publication order are the same — just read straight down the list.
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Get BookBingeFrequently asked questions
How many Inheritance Cycle books are there?
There are 5 books in The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini, from Eragon (2002) to Murtagh (2023). Together they run to about 3,600 pages.
Is The Inheritance Cycle finished?
No, it's ongoing. The most recent book is Murtagh (2023), and Christopher Paolini hasn't dated the next one yet.
What is the first Inheritance Cycle book?
Eragon (2002) is book one, at 576 pages. Eragon's discovery of a dragon egg forces him onto the path of a Dragon Rider.
Should I read The Inheritance Cycle in publication order?
Yes. For The Inheritance Cycle, reading order and publication order are the same — Eragon (2002) through Murtagh (2023).
How long does it take to read all Inheritance Cycle books?
About 3,600 pages across 5 books — roughly 60 hours at a page a minute. The longest is Inheritance (833 pages); the shortest is Eragon (576 pages).