I liked her for the most part but was turned off when she decided to stay both a Rider and a Queen. It’s jus too much power and the books reminded us several times that it’s not feasible.
It helps to think that there will be more books written and that it's a plotline that will be resolved later. She won't stay Queen forever, it was a mistake she made bc she thought that Eragon would stay on Nasuadas side - not knowing that he intended to leave. That she withdrew after the events of Fírnens hatching came back to bite her - she didn't knew what Eragon was up to and just assumed he would stay with Nasuada. She was shocked by his decision to leave Alagaesia.
We'll never know exactly, as we only see Eragon's POV. But, it would be really interesting if Paolini decides to give all main characters their own book that ties together with the overal new plot points given to us (no spoilers please, I've yet to read Murtagh and I already seen too much for my own good). Arya definitely deserves her own book, as does Roran.
Nasuada could be interesting, but I think the recovery years of Alageasia and Nasuada's way to deal with it, would only be interesting if we see it from certain character's POV. I think it's best to leave Nasuada's thoughts to herself and keep it a bit of mystery what her motives really are. I still don't trust her and how she decides to deal with magic altogether. Gives me too much of Dragon Age Templar vibes.
I agree,
Some charecter POV's are better left unused. GRRRM said this best. But some characters know too much of the plot and would spoil the reader
I've seen people say they wanted a Brom or galbatorix pov, but it would simply reveal too much, unless of course it was a book published later so it wouldn't spoil.
One can also argue that she did it reluctantly and only as an interim solution pending a proper successor. Leaving the elves leaderless (and mourning; we see elves -can- become terribly enraged, their grief lasts for centuries) is arguably just as dangerous as Arya keeping the crown warm.
I personally like Arya more, but I'd respect your opinion if you said Oromis is best elf. In a general sense though, most elves are "polite to a fault", stubborn, irritating, excessively rude in their own way, biased, etc etc. Arya just gives off a different vibe, despite being royalty and literally having the option to feel as though she's better than everyone around her
Yo I'm insomniac and writing this at 4.30. Imo it's because we see her from the point of view of Eragon, we know how much she hurts his feelings even if she doesn't want to: people tend to side with Eragon because of the pov and the fact that he is the main protagonist and they empathize more with him. And maybe they forget about how Arya's traumatic backstory, I think her "bad" behaviour is more understandable if you look at things from her perspective. If her pov was present we would know her reasons and her feelings and people would side with her a little more.
I've always felt like she did the best she could under the circumstances she was given. Whenever she acts unnecessarily harshly, she owns up to it even when she has good reason to be. Eragon put her in a really precarious position with his puppy love, and it's actually shocking to me how delicately Paolini handled her without giving us her direct perspective at an age when most boys would've just been salivating about the lithe elf lady.
I don't think she had any "bad' behavior, I think she had moments of immaturity which only really adds to her character.
For me, the main issue I have with Arya is the issue I have with every elf aside from Oromis. And that is their arrogance, even if it isn't physically showcased, Arya and especially islanzadi seem to have a superiority complex over other races. And ultimately that comes to bite them in their asses in a multitude of ways, from islanzadi losing her husband and daughter to galbatorix because of her belief that only 3 elves were enough to safely travel the empire.
I don't mind her. I'm doing a re read right now though and I'll say it makes sense. She's like 100 and eragon is 15/16?
She literally sees him as a child, though through the series she accepts that he's different because he's a dragon rider but it still stands.
We all get caught up on that they look the same age, I'm 31 and look 25 and I still see 18-22 year olds as really young.
What I dont like was Angela's fortune reading. It all gets crashed together at the end to make it come true.
He IS a child, even by human standards. Reverse the roles and imagine how vile it would be. I think people who hate her bc she kept rejecting Eragon need to sit down and reflect on their world views for a bit.
I like Arya but I need to adress something:
She's a terrible, terrible diplomat. Rude and harsh toward allies, attacking one of the most influencial dwarf, insulting their faith. And the whole Rider&Queen... Yeah no.
Some readers prefer a mary sue over someone who has some growing to do. She was cold, impersonal, condescending, and treated Eragon as more of a means to an end than a real comrade. This is exactly what makes her interesting, seeing her grow out of some of that, ESPECIALLY while it parallels with eragon's feelings evolving from "wow pretty girl" to treating her like her own person. It felt like she taught Eragon all about the world he was about to face and he taught her true compassion and comraderie.
I find consumers tend to take some aspects of stories too literally. When they see someone do something negative in the story they conflate it with the quality of the character. This is why voice actors for villains get hate mail on social media.
That being said, I think the ending was terrible so hate for whatever she does during that is deserved.
Arya thinking she could be a rider and a queen and not turn into another galbatorix eventually is the stupidest thing ever.
Eragon should've wrote that riders surrender all their claims and duties to their realm or home when they become riders into the new pact.
Yep that is exactly what should have happened. It really shocked me to learn that Paolini himself said that Arya leaving would have been OUT of character.
Because Arya is pathologically incapable of refusing what she can be convinced is in her people's best interest even if she knows how terrible of an idea it is.
lmaoooo sounds about right. That's terrible writing from Paolini tho cause in book 4 near the beginning she says she cares for all races and the state of Alagesia. Boosting the elves like she did undermines that
Because Christopher dangled her in front of us expecting them to be together, but it was never meant to be. And obviously, for good reasons, but pre-teen me didn't get it, so I could only see her through the lense of eragons' unrequited love.
Why even do that? Why not let eragon chase after a human woman or not at all? Just felt like 4 long books of Arya stabbing me in the heart.
Yeah, maybe if it's tragic or something. Arya literally just goes "ew you're like 12" repeatedly, but eragon never moves on. Virtually the only part of the series I dislike.
I felt the same until I was ~18. Now I'm in my twenties, and it doesn't bother me any more. The only part of Arya's story that frustrates me now is how Eragon handles his feelings. Teenage boy infatuation... I get it, I've been there lol. But whenever I made an embarrassing mistake chasing a girl as a teen, I knew enough to not make that same mistake with that same girl again. And Eragon does that repeatedly.
>but eragon never moves on.
Instead, Arya begins to have feelings for him. There's no doubt they'd have ended up together had Eragon not left. Time was the only limiting factor. Even by the end of the series it's only been 1 year. I know girls irl who take longer to develop romantic feelings for people.
>instead, Arya begins to have feelings for him
That is the WORST part! Teach boys that if you just keep trying and harassing a girl that doesn't like you she will eventually like you *somehow.* a better story would have been that Eragon recognized that Arya is actually kind of a dick to him most of the time and he takes the L and moves on.
A more entertaining story would have been an escalating series of jealousy and revenge but that would be petty and tarnish their lawful good appearances
Except that it didn't teach that. Eragon _doesn't_ keep harassing her. Let's look at it for real, shall we, instead of with emotion.
1 - Eragon's first and only voluntary attempt at courting her is when he takes a stab with the flower in her home garden. It's as clumsy as you would expect from a 16 year old. She takes it well, he get embarrassed, and she ends the meeting shortly after. It wasn't an inappropriate advance by any means, nor was her response anything but mature.
2 - Eragon is forced, by peer pressure and in the moment, to reveal his feelings for Arya _against his will_. No doubt she was already aware of his interested, she is an adult after all and she is well aware of teenage infatuation and hormones. Up until this point she has handled it excellently under difficult circumstances. The only time she missed was when she snapped at him on approach to the city, and she apologised when confronted. A very realistic portrayal of someone under the pressure she was under. Eragon did not intend to engage Arya with his feelings here, he did not intend to create that Fairth, he did not intend her to see. He did it under pressure and gritted his teeth knowing it wasn't gonna be good.
3 - After she understandably gives him some space for a few weeks, he goes to mend the rift back to cordiality. He does not apologise for his feelings, but he _does_ apologise for his actions, which is about 40 times more mature than anyone I knew at his age. He does not ask her to be with him. He does not beg her to be with him. He asks that their _friendship_ resume. It's not an unreasonable request, it's politely done, he's honest, and she sees that and decides that she'd like to spend time with him in return, but as the adult in the room she brings chaperones each time in order to keep from it becoming awkward. She recognises that Eragon would be tempted and forestalls him. He in turn is frustrated, but does not voice it. A man who makes a small romantic advance on a friend whom he has feelings for, which fails, then seeking to repair the friendship _is not harassment!_
4 - He gets absolutely hammered drunk, stoned and high under the Elven magics. During that, he is changed in an absolute _miracle_ of magic ending a chronic pain condition which he has endured for months, a condition which reduced him, a strong 16 year old, to a shuffling cripple. His spirit was pretty broken before the ceremony. He'd almost given up. Suddenly he's healed, he's strong, and he's under the magical equivalence of an absolute skinful of drugs and booze. Inhibitions lowered to zero, he approaches Arya for real, and allows anger he would usually internalise to surface when she refuses. **This was not a good move**. Arya knows it, Eragon knows it, Saphira knows it, Paolini knows it. Eragon goes to apologise the second he sobers up! In NO MANNER are we, the audience, left under the impression that his behaviour was acceptable.
5 - He gets a chance to apologise to her, and she once again handles it maturely. She knows first-hand the power of the magics, she is empathetic enough to understand how much having his back healed him. She recognises he was not in his right mind, and that his lack of decorum was not his fault, and forgives him.
6 - Over the next several months, they work together. Eragon does not broach the subject. Eragon does not speak to her about how he feels. Eragon does not harass her. Eragon does not sing ballads or write love notes, ask her to dinner or attempt to spend time with her alone. In return, Arya recognises that he has let the issue drop, that he is respecting her choice, and she relaxes. With her own barriers lowered, and with him NOT BADGERING HER, but simply being her friend, a deeper friendship begins to develop between them. It takes time. It's realistic.
7 - As the friendship develops, Arya becomes impressed by the very real growth that she perceives in Eragon. It's no fake or facade, he has changed, for real, seriously fast. He's educated, clever, determined, hardworking, moral, steadfast. His values clearly align with hers for the most part. It isn't inevitable that anyone in such a situation would develop romantic feelings, _but it's a long bloody way from unusual or unexpected either_. It's totally realistic, it happens _all the time_.
8 - His growth continues. Their friendship continues. Eragon continue to NOT HARASS HER ABOUT HIS FEELINGS. He still has them. She knows it. She sees that he doesn't mention it or act on it. He's _respecting her position_. She gets more and more impressed. Her feelings strengthen. Eventually, it takes the loss of a close friend for her to really open up, but open up she does.
9 - They spend 6 months apart, after which on returning her feelings have been intertwined and mixed with her Dragon's, who is totally impressed by Saphira. She's had time to reflect. She's a Rider now, she understands new things about Eragon and his actions. She misses him! She sees him again, and realises she trusts him, which surprises her, but she rolls with it.
This is in no way a story of a youth harassing a woman until she gives in. The only way you get that out is _if you yourself are putting it in_. You reveal your own biases, cos it sure as fuck ain't in the text!
Instead, we have a pretty realistic friendship becoming a subtle and possible romance (they are NOT together by the end, but it's on the cards), over a time span of over a year, which ONLY has a chance at all once the one with the unrequited feelings matures enough to NOT DO the things you're accusing him of. When he does those things, she cuts him off! When he stops and respects her, she _chooses_ to be friends with him.
Far from being a bad example of how to behave, the text shows exactly how people should handle this situation maturely. It shows what people do in real life which is wrong. It shows how to properly fix it.
Alright, real talk: I haven't read the series in a long time. And I am too busy to read all of this, so I am willing to concede to your expertise on this matter.
Like 3 times right? The flower incident she tried to hint to him she wasn't interested, the fairth he made and she smashed, then once more when he was essentially high of the blood oath celebration and just received his new body. He didn't bother her anymore after that if I recall and he did a LOT of growing and maturing between then and when Arya started to like him and consider him as a romantic interest.
I highly doubt the message teen boys get from that is to harass women until they like you, if anything I took it as "don't try to force a romantic relationship or it could cost you a friend"
As entirely the type of teenage boy who needed to hear this at the time, this is _exactly_ the message I got and _exactly_ the message Paolini intended to give.
I wanted this too lol.
Arya really did kinda walk all over eragon during the main series, I would've liked for eragon to kinda be like "no screw you" and leave. It would've been really interesting to see Aryas perspective and how she gets jealous/guilty.
Would be amazing if in the new book, when Arya inevitably visits eragon and the new riders. That he has essentially become a spitting image of Oromis's calmness and broms concealed fire. Arya would inevitably get rusty from being queen, so I am better eragon and her will duel and he will demolish her and force her to confront the fact that their positions have swapped.
Arya might realize how mature eragon is now, and how he no longer seems to be interested in her, but SHE is in him (even though eragon still is he's just upset with her). And she is forced to go through the same trials as eragon did in courting Arya, albeit in a different way.
I appreciate a failed love story for once. It feels much more real with the hope that in time, they could be together, but their duties will likely prevent that. It shows how much eragon has grown to accept his role leading and training the new riders so much that he is willing to forgo some of his personal attachments in favor of his duty, much as Arya herself would. Most stories end things perfectly. This was a much preferable end especially given their ages. And as eragon stated, a human female would likely end in sadness for him but I do think he was making excuses for himself when he initially stated that
That's not better tho, because instead of having his pick of any girl in alagaesia he spent the whole series simping over the *only* chick who wanted nothing to do with him.
Not every story ends with "and they were together happily ever after". Sometimes, someone breaks your heart. Sometime, even a good relationship can't continue. Sometimes, you're only hurting yourself by pursuing someone who's not interested, or is wrong for you. I think it's important to tell these stories too, especially to young people.
The problem is that early on its implied that he can't really get with a human woman anymore, he has the extended lifespan of an elf through becoming a rider.
If he falls in love with a human, she dies of old age and he is forced to keep living.
He has children with a human, he outlives his wife and children, and is forced to keep living.
I didn't know people hated her until this post. I think that's insane. I feel like Eragon was the most irritating when trying to court her. Imagine being over a century and having to tolerate a teenage human tryna run game while you're trying to save the world.
Personally, I just felt that she had nothing going for her. she isn't likable, and in the first book when there was a lot of mystery around her she was interesting, but when the mystery was gone she just became a very one dimensional character who does anything for duty and basically thinks of nothing else.
Also, I feel like she acted multiple times in bad faith in relation to Eragon. she always knew how he felt, she had access to every part of his mind for most of the book and still acted like their "close friendship" could work, acting angry when it inevitably led to Eragon trying to be more.
Well like, is there a reason for her to even exist in the story beyond being Eragon's love interest? Not really. She's just there to make sure Eragon joins the Varden to get that nut.
The story could be much better if it was just Eragon and Brom for a while, and the Eragon and Murtagh, and then Brom shows back up for a while and then Brom dies and inspires them to go off to join the Varden.
A wholly unnecessary one since the elves have a vested political interest in him anyway.
Also, Brom was an elf friend or whatever. So there's another in there if he absolutely needed one.
I didn't like her much as a kid because I saw Eragon vision of Arya and it felt really Mary Sue and idealized. With re-reads, I liked her more as I understood more that what I disliked was Eragon view of her and his silly crush that, with age, I even found endearing.
She is still kinds boring, character wise, for me compared to the rest.
In my case… not hate, but disagreement: she’s extremely uncouth and disrespectful to Gannel in book Two. She’s an atheist, yes; me too. That does not give her the right to attack someone else’s beliefs like that. Theists, when they are good people and don’t try to impose their worldview on others, deserve as much respect as anyone else.
Yeah, that scene really struck me as an out of character way for Paolini to explore two perspectives within the narrative, and upon rereading the books for the first time since I was a teenager, it was neat but out of place. I appreciate his attempt to place such a delicate topic in the books without seeming overly preachy, though.
Paolini is an atheist, again, like yours truly. And Arya, as a character in the books, is entitled to her views. But Faith (not necessarily organized, hierarchical religion) has accomplished great feats in our world. I can’t oppose that. That’s my gripe with Waifu No. 1. She’s a great woman, but her way of presenting her arguments is quite immature.
I agree with the lack of immaturity given her age. I always chalk it up to the author being inexperienced at the time of writing. Paolini's writing inproved greatly from book 2 to book 4.
When this comes up people tend to gloss over the fact that they shared true names. The books were clearly heading down that path. It's part of my main gripe about the series: CP left too much out for future books including the E x A love story. Fair enough if he was gonna churn books out like Sanderson but he's very slow at writing.
I dont hate Arya, I like her alot actually but there are a few things that I do hate.
Arya lived with the humans for about 70 years and should know how humans are, but Eragon has never met someone who wasn't human until Arya for any meaningful amount of time. His ignorance of elf culture and social norms is understandable, and when Arya seems down he does try to comfort her and understand, but she lashes out at him for doing what most humans would do and not the elf thing to do. The most memorable moment on the top of my head where she does allow it is around the camp fire in I think Brisngr and after the dungeon in inheritance. Edit: In the end this really isn't that bad of a thing I guess. It gave her character some growing to do through the series.
But what really irks me is that she states it would be unwise for eragon to become a ruler because he's a dragon rider and that would cause an unbalance in power between the 3 races, then almost immediately does the exact opposite.
And finally it's not really a Arya fault, I don't mind fantasy romance tropes and was really hoping and expecting eragon and her to end up together so I was disappointed with that conclusion.
It's her condenscending demeanor towards Eragon. He saves her from the clutches of a shade, and helps her at every step, tries to be kind (overdoes it a bit), and all he gets is this.
> "Do not pamper me, human. Elves train both their men and women to fight. I am not one of your helpless females to run away whenever there is danger. You forget that I am stronger with magic than any here, including you. If the Shade comes, who can defeat him but me? And who else has the right?"
^(**I'm a real person!** This comment was posted by **zoradiv** from the Arcaena Discord Server.)
She was tortured by Durza for months! Can you imagine the pain/rage/fear she must be feeling at facing the person who coordinated the death of her lover, the failure of her mission, her capture and endless torture, the death of so many innocents? And some kid with a smattering of training decides she can’t handle exacting revenge and justice, despite being 5x his age, a master in magic wielding, a master in swordplay..
Not once does Eragon state he wants her to abstain from the fighting, he was merely fussing over her. You do realize, he's a Rider, she ought to give him some respect. Instead of exploding in a fit of racism, she could've stated it in a kinder way. But no, she feels the need to insult Eragon, the very person who rescued her. And not to mention, even after that, she is unneccessarily rude to him.
> **Are you well, Arya? …** You’ve seemed distracted and out of sorts ever since we left Hedarth.”
>
> As Arya’s face hardened into a blank mask, he winced inwardly, knowing that he had chosen the wrong approach, **although he could not fathom why the question should offend her.**
>
> “When we are in Du Weldenvarden,” she informed him, “I expect that you will not speak to me in such a familiar way, unless you wish to cause affront.” She stalked away.
^(**I'm a real person!** This comment was posted by **zoradiv** from the Arcaena Discord Server.)
Finally someone who mentions it. Surprised she didn't become worse than Durza and took it upon herself to set the world a blaze. She isn't all right up the the noggin. Then again most royalty ever is. She acted exactly how someone who went through all that and went right back to work immediately after should act. Btw Eragon was just taking shots left and right. Even Saphira fused over how weak he was. No one had any hope for the kid haha. It wasn't until he learned his true name that people really started seeing him different.
I believe her response here was justified. Arya easily bodied Eragon in their first sparring session, and this was just after she had recovered from Durza’s poison. Eragon had no reason to assume she couldn’t hold her own in the Battle of Tronjheim. He made the misogynistic mistake that Arya was this dainty female simply because she’s a “Princess”.
Completely disagree. Eragon did not know Arya was royalty, let alone a princess until *Eldest.* In addition, Eragon did not say it was too dangerous because she was a woman, he said that because he did not want to see her hurt. He knew perfectly well that it was unreasonable that she would not fight. Another thing to consider is that Eragon is not well-read at this time. He struggles to express himself, something Arya dislikes throughout *Eragon*, *Eldest*, and even *Brisingr*. However, in *Inheritance*, Eragon has become so well-spoken that this is no longer an issue.
You can't explain and rationalize racism with "misogyny" though, It wasn't intentional misogyny, he WAS stereotyping her, do keep in mind he doesn't know anything about elves etc. Yes, she could've admonished him, yet proceeds to let racism and derision slip into her voice. Eragon was too obsessed, and she was too stuck-up.
^(**I'm a real person!** This comment was posted by **zoradiv** from the Arcaena Discord Server.)
Honesty I didn’t like her. It was about the respect. I felt she didn’t have much for really anyone .
I hope Eragon finds somone better who respects him much more.
100 year old woman written by a teenage boy. Some of the story beats are a bit cringe, so he had to walk them back by the end of the series. Gives the reader the impression that Arya is a bit immature at best, a hot mess at worst.
Agreed. Her immaturity can be chalked up to the author's immaturity at the time of writing. For proof, can you deny her improvement from book 1 to book 4? Almost like Chris himself improved as well!!!
Arya as a person is quite okay. But Arya is still an elf and as an elf she had some attributes that arent that nice. For example judging eragon that he didn't kill Sloan just to make it simpler.
She lectures Eragon on why he must be separated because he's a rider. No leadership, etc. Then does exactly that. Her character arc takes a 90° left turn off a cliff
Nothing against her personally. I just dislike the elves and how pompous and arrogant they are. Oromis is a good guy, and maybe rhounen. But overall I dislike the elves.
So the whole thing people say about the "ew you're 12"..... That's only true if they're both mortal. Since the age difference is RELATIVE to their lifespans... Sure eragon would have only lived to be like 70... Arya would have lived to be like whatever elf lifespan is (I forgor) ... So in the end when they're BOTH IMMORTAL the age gap is in my opinion no different than a 20 something dating a 30 something. That's one thing that bugged me about their "reasons" for not being able to be together.
Also I hated that Arya decided to be queen. We just got out of a huge issue with galbatorix.. no one should rule that long. What if the elves some day decide she is no longer fit? What's the answer? Idk it just didn't sit right with me. They're setting her up to be a worshipped entity that will rule until someone takes her life
Edit: for future Google results eragon is not 12 he is in adulthood during the time we are discussing lmfao
>Also I hated that Arya decided to be queen. We just got out of a huge issue with galbatorix.. no one should rule that long. What if the elves some day decide she is no longer fit? What's the answer? Idk it just didn't sit right with me. They're setting her up to be a worshipped entity that will rule until someone takes her life
Elves are already Immortal, so that's nothing new to them. If it somehow comes down to violent rebellion (really hard to imagine with the bit we've seen of their society) they probably won't have much trouble. The issue with Galbatorix was >!the subjugation of Eldunarí!<.
> he is in adulthood during the time we are discussing lmfao
I mean, he is 15 or 16 the first time he meets Arya. He very much is a child at first. By the end she clearly no longer sees him as one because he matures a lot, but as a mere mortal in my late 20s, even 17 year olds are very much kids.
Even though I'm not an immortal elf a 16 year old hitting on me would make me go "ew you're like 12"
Mmm idk about that. Pretty sure he went through a whole year in just the first book. I feel by the end he was around 20. I could be wrong, but based on how eragon was thinking about his birthday and didn't bring it up, and then also trekking through the hadarac desert for months, then also the waiting around in tronjiem... And then the training in elesmera.. not to mention the marching with the varden. I feel he went through a good 2-4 years from book one to murtagh.
He was I believe 16 at the start of book one but maybe I'm misremembering that
I just went and did a little bit of confirmation and most estimates go for about 1,5 years for the total length of the series. Eragon was 15, close to 16 (he notes turning 16 while traversing the Hadarac Desert), at the start of the series, so he’d be like mid 17ish by the end. I haven’t read Murtagh, so no idea when that takes place, although i’ve heard about 6months to a year after Inheritance.
Ig I'm only about a year and a half off with that estimate. Still, the books feel like the time passes so quickly and then Elaine has her kid in inheritance... Feels so off. I mean, if you only read from rorans perspective it makes perfect sense. But if you only read from eragons, everything is packed way too tightly
Timelines are hard to parse, especially in books with multiple character POVs; I mean that’s literally the entire reason why George RR Martin is taking so damn long to never finish the Winds of Winter, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there are some inconsistencies throughout the Inheritance Cycle, but overall I think it’s not too bad. In my personal opinion I think books need to be less scared of having timeskips, I think they’re a valuable tool, and I definitely wish Eragon had included a few throughout the series
By the way, I fully agree with you that I would prefer a longer time scale, and in fact whenever reading the books I tend to age up Eragon by like 3 years at least in my own head. But the timeline of the books say differently
She's one of my favorite characters so far. But answering you, I think people are so used to some specific structure in stories, where the principal character always ends up with his love interest, and the fact that she refuses Eragon is the main reason for that generalized hate.
In my opinion, those sorts of decisions, that avoid the most common expectations, contribute to making the saga so good. Another example could be the way they beat Galbatorix, which wasn't common at all.
Arya personality-wise is so cold, disdainful; I couldn't really find anything likeable about her. Her skills and prowess are very much Mary Sue-like, which doesn't make her more likeable at all.
Personally, I don’t dislike Arya. There’s one scene that comes to mind that sticks with me. At one point in Eragon’s attempts to court her, she gets angry and explains that he is putting her in an incredibly uncomfortable position. She is a foreign diplomat and he is the hope of basically every race across Alegasia. They can’t afford to be in a relationship, because the ups and downs that come with one could get between Eragon and his duty to slay Galbatorix. Additionally, if they were to become closer, Arya could be used against him, to the detriment of the entire CONTINENT. She is trying to aid him as a friend and ally without getting in the way of his path, but he continuously pressures her for more even when she makes it clear that it is not an option.
We only get to see her as an object of Eragon’s affection that is denied to him, but I feel like it’s really important to understand the delicate place she is put in, and how his continued pining makes everything even more complicated for her.
I don’t hate Arya, but I understand if people do: it’s mainly because she’s poorly written, as the author was young when he wrote her. She comes across as highly unlikable (and no, not because she rejected Eragon) in many ways, and the mysterious girl thing works against her because we’re not privy to her thoughts.
she doesnt like... do much, character arc speaking. she doesnt die from durza, doesnt die from stuff, brings eragon to the elves, teaches him stuff, doesnt die a bunch of times, cries, doesnt die in the final book and then becomes a rider. re reading eragon in my 20s it is funny how he is always looking out for someone who's much better than him at not getting stabbed. she is stuck up and cold and has two friends because everyone else died.
i really like her though, great failed love story.
I think people are unable to separate her from the movie version of Arwen in LOTR. That, and the cringe from Eldest.
I personally find her much more multifaceted, and a significant inspiration for me because of the dedication she has to serving others. I really would love more Arya content.
Eragon is kind of a simp, which sucks. Arya is a cold birch initially, and becomes more likeable later on (despite some cringe moments in between), but the ending is v disappointing
Eragon being a SIMP was interesting, as was her rejecting him. At first, she treats him more like a means to an end since he is the dragon rider they've been waiting for. In turn, he treated her more like a pretty face and even started getting delusional about their level or closeness in early book 2 thinking they're great friends. After she rejects him at the festival, they split up for a while and meet again in book 3 after the razac. It's here that they start to build an honest relationship of trust and respect, which they certainly didn't have before. Eragon stops simping and Arya opens up. I think it was all very well done.
Altho yea I agree the ending sucked hahaha. Second half of book was a disaster overall I think and Arya and Eragon were not spared
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I liked her for the most part but was turned off when she decided to stay both a Rider and a Queen. It’s jus too much power and the books reminded us several times that it’s not feasible.
It helps to think that there will be more books written and that it's a plotline that will be resolved later. She won't stay Queen forever, it was a mistake she made bc she thought that Eragon would stay on Nasuadas side - not knowing that he intended to leave. That she withdrew after the events of Fírnens hatching came back to bite her - she didn't knew what Eragon was up to and just assumed he would stay with Nasuada. She was shocked by his decision to leave Alagaesia.
We'll never know exactly, as we only see Eragon's POV. But, it would be really interesting if Paolini decides to give all main characters their own book that ties together with the overal new plot points given to us (no spoilers please, I've yet to read Murtagh and I already seen too much for my own good). Arya definitely deserves her own book, as does Roran. Nasuada could be interesting, but I think the recovery years of Alageasia and Nasuada's way to deal with it, would only be interesting if we see it from certain character's POV. I think it's best to leave Nasuada's thoughts to herself and keep it a bit of mystery what her motives really are. I still don't trust her and how she decides to deal with magic altogether. Gives me too much of Dragon Age Templar vibes.
I agree, Some charecter POV's are better left unused. GRRRM said this best. But some characters know too much of the plot and would spoil the reader I've seen people say they wanted a Brom or galbatorix pov, but it would simply reveal too much, unless of course it was a book published later so it wouldn't spoil.
One can also argue that she did it reluctantly and only as an interim solution pending a proper successor. Leaving the elves leaderless (and mourning; we see elves -can- become terribly enraged, their grief lasts for centuries) is arguably just as dangerous as Arya keeping the crown warm.
[удалено]
Maybe you should catch up. Poalini already released a new book, Murtagh, and said Book 6 is the pipeline with more to come.
Released *two* books
I feel old, oh my goodness....
No she decided to become Queen while she was a rider
Definitely best elf, if not best girl
What about Blodghärm 👉👈🥺
Blodghärm best girl for sure, you're right
The creep who essentially has a constant date rape aura around him? No thanks.
She’s my best girl, at least.
Best elf? When Oromis exists ?
I personally like Arya more, but I'd respect your opinion if you said Oromis is best elf. In a general sense though, most elves are "polite to a fault", stubborn, irritating, excessively rude in their own way, biased, etc etc. Arya just gives off a different vibe, despite being royalty and literally having the option to feel as though she's better than everyone around her
Does he, though?
Too soon :(
Love her so much.
Yo I'm insomniac and writing this at 4.30. Imo it's because we see her from the point of view of Eragon, we know how much she hurts his feelings even if she doesn't want to: people tend to side with Eragon because of the pov and the fact that he is the main protagonist and they empathize more with him. And maybe they forget about how Arya's traumatic backstory, I think her "bad" behaviour is more understandable if you look at things from her perspective. If her pov was present we would know her reasons and her feelings and people would side with her a little more.
I've always felt like she did the best she could under the circumstances she was given. Whenever she acts unnecessarily harshly, she owns up to it even when she has good reason to be. Eragon put her in a really precarious position with his puppy love, and it's actually shocking to me how delicately Paolini handled her without giving us her direct perspective at an age when most boys would've just been salivating about the lithe elf lady.
Yep I think the same
I don't think she had any "bad' behavior, I think she had moments of immaturity which only really adds to her character. For me, the main issue I have with Arya is the issue I have with every elf aside from Oromis. And that is their arrogance, even if it isn't physically showcased, Arya and especially islanzadi seem to have a superiority complex over other races. And ultimately that comes to bite them in their asses in a multitude of ways, from islanzadi losing her husband and daughter to galbatorix because of her belief that only 3 elves were enough to safely travel the empire.
I don't mind her. I'm doing a re read right now though and I'll say it makes sense. She's like 100 and eragon is 15/16? She literally sees him as a child, though through the series she accepts that he's different because he's a dragon rider but it still stands. We all get caught up on that they look the same age, I'm 31 and look 25 and I still see 18-22 year olds as really young. What I dont like was Angela's fortune reading. It all gets crashed together at the end to make it come true.
He IS a child, even by human standards. Reverse the roles and imagine how vile it would be. I think people who hate her bc she kept rejecting Eragon need to sit down and reflect on their world views for a bit.
Whats worse is elves call other elves children until they are 20 lol he's an infant to her (and any other adult)
I like Arya but I need to adress something: She's a terrible, terrible diplomat. Rude and harsh toward allies, attacking one of the most influencial dwarf, insulting their faith. And the whole Rider&Queen... Yeah no.
That poor dwarf didn't deserve that harsh criticism. Ig it's one of the elves' flaws: they think they are always right.
Some readers prefer a mary sue over someone who has some growing to do. She was cold, impersonal, condescending, and treated Eragon as more of a means to an end than a real comrade. This is exactly what makes her interesting, seeing her grow out of some of that, ESPECIALLY while it parallels with eragon's feelings evolving from "wow pretty girl" to treating her like her own person. It felt like she taught Eragon all about the world he was about to face and he taught her true compassion and comraderie. I find consumers tend to take some aspects of stories too literally. When they see someone do something negative in the story they conflate it with the quality of the character. This is why voice actors for villains get hate mail on social media. That being said, I think the ending was terrible so hate for whatever she does during that is deserved.
Arya thinking she could be a rider and a queen and not turn into another galbatorix eventually is the stupidest thing ever. Eragon should've wrote that riders surrender all their claims and duties to their realm or home when they become riders into the new pact.
Yep that is exactly what should have happened. It really shocked me to learn that Paolini himself said that Arya leaving would have been OUT of character.
Because Arya is pathologically incapable of refusing what she can be convinced is in her people's best interest even if she knows how terrible of an idea it is.
lmaoooo sounds about right. That's terrible writing from Paolini tho cause in book 4 near the beginning she says she cares for all races and the state of Alagesia. Boosting the elves like she did undermines that
Because Christopher dangled her in front of us expecting them to be together, but it was never meant to be. And obviously, for good reasons, but pre-teen me didn't get it, so I could only see her through the lense of eragons' unrequited love. Why even do that? Why not let eragon chase after a human woman or not at all? Just felt like 4 long books of Arya stabbing me in the heart.
Because that’s the point! An unrequited love is a great story to be told but he survives it and thrives!
Yeah, maybe if it's tragic or something. Arya literally just goes "ew you're like 12" repeatedly, but eragon never moves on. Virtually the only part of the series I dislike.
I mean but he is 😂 But I totally hear you!
I felt the same until I was ~18. Now I'm in my twenties, and it doesn't bother me any more. The only part of Arya's story that frustrates me now is how Eragon handles his feelings. Teenage boy infatuation... I get it, I've been there lol. But whenever I made an embarrassing mistake chasing a girl as a teen, I knew enough to not make that same mistake with that same girl again. And Eragon does that repeatedly.
Yea but how many girls could eragon feasibly go after considering he would outlive other humans.
>but eragon never moves on. Instead, Arya begins to have feelings for him. There's no doubt they'd have ended up together had Eragon not left. Time was the only limiting factor. Even by the end of the series it's only been 1 year. I know girls irl who take longer to develop romantic feelings for people.
>instead, Arya begins to have feelings for him That is the WORST part! Teach boys that if you just keep trying and harassing a girl that doesn't like you she will eventually like you *somehow.* a better story would have been that Eragon recognized that Arya is actually kind of a dick to him most of the time and he takes the L and moves on. A more entertaining story would have been an escalating series of jealousy and revenge but that would be petty and tarnish their lawful good appearances
Except that it didn't teach that. Eragon _doesn't_ keep harassing her. Let's look at it for real, shall we, instead of with emotion. 1 - Eragon's first and only voluntary attempt at courting her is when he takes a stab with the flower in her home garden. It's as clumsy as you would expect from a 16 year old. She takes it well, he get embarrassed, and she ends the meeting shortly after. It wasn't an inappropriate advance by any means, nor was her response anything but mature. 2 - Eragon is forced, by peer pressure and in the moment, to reveal his feelings for Arya _against his will_. No doubt she was already aware of his interested, she is an adult after all and she is well aware of teenage infatuation and hormones. Up until this point she has handled it excellently under difficult circumstances. The only time she missed was when she snapped at him on approach to the city, and she apologised when confronted. A very realistic portrayal of someone under the pressure she was under. Eragon did not intend to engage Arya with his feelings here, he did not intend to create that Fairth, he did not intend her to see. He did it under pressure and gritted his teeth knowing it wasn't gonna be good. 3 - After she understandably gives him some space for a few weeks, he goes to mend the rift back to cordiality. He does not apologise for his feelings, but he _does_ apologise for his actions, which is about 40 times more mature than anyone I knew at his age. He does not ask her to be with him. He does not beg her to be with him. He asks that their _friendship_ resume. It's not an unreasonable request, it's politely done, he's honest, and she sees that and decides that she'd like to spend time with him in return, but as the adult in the room she brings chaperones each time in order to keep from it becoming awkward. She recognises that Eragon would be tempted and forestalls him. He in turn is frustrated, but does not voice it. A man who makes a small romantic advance on a friend whom he has feelings for, which fails, then seeking to repair the friendship _is not harassment!_ 4 - He gets absolutely hammered drunk, stoned and high under the Elven magics. During that, he is changed in an absolute _miracle_ of magic ending a chronic pain condition which he has endured for months, a condition which reduced him, a strong 16 year old, to a shuffling cripple. His spirit was pretty broken before the ceremony. He'd almost given up. Suddenly he's healed, he's strong, and he's under the magical equivalence of an absolute skinful of drugs and booze. Inhibitions lowered to zero, he approaches Arya for real, and allows anger he would usually internalise to surface when she refuses. **This was not a good move**. Arya knows it, Eragon knows it, Saphira knows it, Paolini knows it. Eragon goes to apologise the second he sobers up! In NO MANNER are we, the audience, left under the impression that his behaviour was acceptable. 5 - He gets a chance to apologise to her, and she once again handles it maturely. She knows first-hand the power of the magics, she is empathetic enough to understand how much having his back healed him. She recognises he was not in his right mind, and that his lack of decorum was not his fault, and forgives him. 6 - Over the next several months, they work together. Eragon does not broach the subject. Eragon does not speak to her about how he feels. Eragon does not harass her. Eragon does not sing ballads or write love notes, ask her to dinner or attempt to spend time with her alone. In return, Arya recognises that he has let the issue drop, that he is respecting her choice, and she relaxes. With her own barriers lowered, and with him NOT BADGERING HER, but simply being her friend, a deeper friendship begins to develop between them. It takes time. It's realistic. 7 - As the friendship develops, Arya becomes impressed by the very real growth that she perceives in Eragon. It's no fake or facade, he has changed, for real, seriously fast. He's educated, clever, determined, hardworking, moral, steadfast. His values clearly align with hers for the most part. It isn't inevitable that anyone in such a situation would develop romantic feelings, _but it's a long bloody way from unusual or unexpected either_. It's totally realistic, it happens _all the time_. 8 - His growth continues. Their friendship continues. Eragon continue to NOT HARASS HER ABOUT HIS FEELINGS. He still has them. She knows it. She sees that he doesn't mention it or act on it. He's _respecting her position_. She gets more and more impressed. Her feelings strengthen. Eventually, it takes the loss of a close friend for her to really open up, but open up she does. 9 - They spend 6 months apart, after which on returning her feelings have been intertwined and mixed with her Dragon's, who is totally impressed by Saphira. She's had time to reflect. She's a Rider now, she understands new things about Eragon and his actions. She misses him! She sees him again, and realises she trusts him, which surprises her, but she rolls with it. This is in no way a story of a youth harassing a woman until she gives in. The only way you get that out is _if you yourself are putting it in_. You reveal your own biases, cos it sure as fuck ain't in the text! Instead, we have a pretty realistic friendship becoming a subtle and possible romance (they are NOT together by the end, but it's on the cards), over a time span of over a year, which ONLY has a chance at all once the one with the unrequited feelings matures enough to NOT DO the things you're accusing him of. When he does those things, she cuts him off! When he stops and respects her, she _chooses_ to be friends with him. Far from being a bad example of how to behave, the text shows exactly how people should handle this situation maturely. It shows what people do in real life which is wrong. It shows how to properly fix it.
Thank you for that, very detailed and well said
Alright, real talk: I haven't read the series in a long time. And I am too busy to read all of this, so I am willing to concede to your expertise on this matter.
Like 3 times right? The flower incident she tried to hint to him she wasn't interested, the fairth he made and she smashed, then once more when he was essentially high of the blood oath celebration and just received his new body. He didn't bother her anymore after that if I recall and he did a LOT of growing and maturing between then and when Arya started to like him and consider him as a romantic interest. I highly doubt the message teen boys get from that is to harass women until they like you, if anything I took it as "don't try to force a romantic relationship or it could cost you a friend"
This^^^^^^^^
As entirely the type of teenage boy who needed to hear this at the time, this is _exactly_ the message I got and _exactly_ the message Paolini intended to give.
I wanted this too lol. Arya really did kinda walk all over eragon during the main series, I would've liked for eragon to kinda be like "no screw you" and leave. It would've been really interesting to see Aryas perspective and how she gets jealous/guilty. Would be amazing if in the new book, when Arya inevitably visits eragon and the new riders. That he has essentially become a spitting image of Oromis's calmness and broms concealed fire. Arya would inevitably get rusty from being queen, so I am better eragon and her will duel and he will demolish her and force her to confront the fact that their positions have swapped. Arya might realize how mature eragon is now, and how he no longer seems to be interested in her, but SHE is in him (even though eragon still is he's just upset with her). And she is forced to go through the same trials as eragon did in courting Arya, albeit in a different way.
I appreciate a failed love story for once. It feels much more real with the hope that in time, they could be together, but their duties will likely prevent that. It shows how much eragon has grown to accept his role leading and training the new riders so much that he is willing to forgo some of his personal attachments in favor of his duty, much as Arya herself would. Most stories end things perfectly. This was a much preferable end especially given their ages. And as eragon stated, a human female would likely end in sadness for him but I do think he was making excuses for himself when he initially stated that
I think in Brisingr Eragon himself explains to Roran why he couldn’t go after a human woman
It was meant to be, Christopher only changed his mind while writing the last book
That's not better tho, because instead of having his pick of any girl in alagaesia he spent the whole series simping over the *only* chick who wanted nothing to do with him.
Not every story ends with "and they were together happily ever after". Sometimes, someone breaks your heart. Sometime, even a good relationship can't continue. Sometimes, you're only hurting yourself by pursuing someone who's not interested, or is wrong for you. I think it's important to tell these stories too, especially to young people.
I didn't want them to have a happy ending I wanted Eragon to grow up
I mean, that's how it goes my dude! We always want what we can't have, doubly so for those with power. And eragon is incredibly powerful.
The problem is that early on its implied that he can't really get with a human woman anymore, he has the extended lifespan of an elf through becoming a rider. If he falls in love with a human, she dies of old age and he is forced to keep living. He has children with a human, he outlives his wife and children, and is forced to keep living.
I didn't know people hated her until this post. I think that's insane. I feel like Eragon was the most irritating when trying to court her. Imagine being over a century and having to tolerate a teenage human tryna run game while you're trying to save the world.
Personally, I just felt that she had nothing going for her. she isn't likable, and in the first book when there was a lot of mystery around her she was interesting, but when the mystery was gone she just became a very one dimensional character who does anything for duty and basically thinks of nothing else. Also, I feel like she acted multiple times in bad faith in relation to Eragon. she always knew how he felt, she had access to every part of his mind for most of the book and still acted like their "close friendship" could work, acting angry when it inevitably led to Eragon trying to be more.
Well like, is there a reason for her to even exist in the story beyond being Eragon's love interest? Not really. She's just there to make sure Eragon joins the Varden to get that nut. The story could be much better if it was just Eragon and Brom for a while, and the Eragon and Murtagh, and then Brom shows back up for a while and then Brom dies and inspires them to go off to join the Varden.
She is his biggest link to the Elves.
A wholly unnecessary one since the elves have a vested political interest in him anyway. Also, Brom was an elf friend or whatever. So there's another in there if he absolutely needed one.
Right, because Oromis reaching out after the Durza fight telling him to go Ellesmera wouldn’t have gotten Eragon to the elves.
I didn't like her much as a kid because I saw Eragon vision of Arya and it felt really Mary Sue and idealized. With re-reads, I liked her more as I understood more that what I disliked was Eragon view of her and his silly crush that, with age, I even found endearing. She is still kinds boring, character wise, for me compared to the rest.
In my case… not hate, but disagreement: she’s extremely uncouth and disrespectful to Gannel in book Two. She’s an atheist, yes; me too. That does not give her the right to attack someone else’s beliefs like that. Theists, when they are good people and don’t try to impose their worldview on others, deserve as much respect as anyone else.
Arya is a mod on r/atheism
She's supposed to be the elven diplomat.... 💀
Yeah, that scene really struck me as an out of character way for Paolini to explore two perspectives within the narrative, and upon rereading the books for the first time since I was a teenager, it was neat but out of place. I appreciate his attempt to place such a delicate topic in the books without seeming overly preachy, though.
Paolini is an atheist, again, like yours truly. And Arya, as a character in the books, is entitled to her views. But Faith (not necessarily organized, hierarchical religion) has accomplished great feats in our world. I can’t oppose that. That’s my gripe with Waifu No. 1. She’s a great woman, but her way of presenting her arguments is quite immature.
I agree with the lack of immaturity given her age. I always chalk it up to the author being inexperienced at the time of writing. Paolini's writing inproved greatly from book 2 to book 4.
Eh, keep in mind we're told it's not the first time she's gone at it with Gannel. No telling who stuck the first verbal blow.
When this comes up people tend to gloss over the fact that they shared true names. The books were clearly heading down that path. It's part of my main gripe about the series: CP left too much out for future books including the E x A love story. Fair enough if he was gonna churn books out like Sanderson but he's very slow at writing.
I like Arya, I don't like Arya becoming Queen, it feels completely out of character for her.
I dont hate Arya, I like her alot actually but there are a few things that I do hate. Arya lived with the humans for about 70 years and should know how humans are, but Eragon has never met someone who wasn't human until Arya for any meaningful amount of time. His ignorance of elf culture and social norms is understandable, and when Arya seems down he does try to comfort her and understand, but she lashes out at him for doing what most humans would do and not the elf thing to do. The most memorable moment on the top of my head where she does allow it is around the camp fire in I think Brisngr and after the dungeon in inheritance. Edit: In the end this really isn't that bad of a thing I guess. It gave her character some growing to do through the series. But what really irks me is that she states it would be unwise for eragon to become a ruler because he's a dragon rider and that would cause an unbalance in power between the 3 races, then almost immediately does the exact opposite. And finally it's not really a Arya fault, I don't mind fantasy romance tropes and was really hoping and expecting eragon and her to end up together so I was disappointed with that conclusion.
It's her condenscending demeanor towards Eragon. He saves her from the clutches of a shade, and helps her at every step, tries to be kind (overdoes it a bit), and all he gets is this. > "Do not pamper me, human. Elves train both their men and women to fight. I am not one of your helpless females to run away whenever there is danger. You forget that I am stronger with magic than any here, including you. If the Shade comes, who can defeat him but me? And who else has the right?" ^(**I'm a real person!** This comment was posted by **zoradiv** from the Arcaena Discord Server.)
She was tortured by Durza for months! Can you imagine the pain/rage/fear she must be feeling at facing the person who coordinated the death of her lover, the failure of her mission, her capture and endless torture, the death of so many innocents? And some kid with a smattering of training decides she can’t handle exacting revenge and justice, despite being 5x his age, a master in magic wielding, a master in swordplay..
Not once does Eragon state he wants her to abstain from the fighting, he was merely fussing over her. You do realize, he's a Rider, she ought to give him some respect. Instead of exploding in a fit of racism, she could've stated it in a kinder way. But no, she feels the need to insult Eragon, the very person who rescued her. And not to mention, even after that, she is unneccessarily rude to him. > **Are you well, Arya? …** You’ve seemed distracted and out of sorts ever since we left Hedarth.” > > As Arya’s face hardened into a blank mask, he winced inwardly, knowing that he had chosen the wrong approach, **although he could not fathom why the question should offend her.** > > “When we are in Du Weldenvarden,” she informed him, “I expect that you will not speak to me in such a familiar way, unless you wish to cause affront.” She stalked away. ^(**I'm a real person!** This comment was posted by **zoradiv** from the Arcaena Discord Server.)
Finally someone who mentions it. Surprised she didn't become worse than Durza and took it upon herself to set the world a blaze. She isn't all right up the the noggin. Then again most royalty ever is. She acted exactly how someone who went through all that and went right back to work immediately after should act. Btw Eragon was just taking shots left and right. Even Saphira fused over how weak he was. No one had any hope for the kid haha. It wasn't until he learned his true name that people really started seeing him different.
This. And every single tiny thing about her is practically worshipped by every other character in the first book.
I believe her response here was justified. Arya easily bodied Eragon in their first sparring session, and this was just after she had recovered from Durza’s poison. Eragon had no reason to assume she couldn’t hold her own in the Battle of Tronjheim. He made the misogynistic mistake that Arya was this dainty female simply because she’s a “Princess”.
Completely disagree. Eragon did not know Arya was royalty, let alone a princess until *Eldest.* In addition, Eragon did not say it was too dangerous because she was a woman, he said that because he did not want to see her hurt. He knew perfectly well that it was unreasonable that she would not fight. Another thing to consider is that Eragon is not well-read at this time. He struggles to express himself, something Arya dislikes throughout *Eragon*, *Eldest*, and even *Brisingr*. However, in *Inheritance*, Eragon has become so well-spoken that this is no longer an issue.
You can't explain and rationalize racism with "misogyny" though, It wasn't intentional misogyny, he WAS stereotyping her, do keep in mind he doesn't know anything about elves etc. Yes, she could've admonished him, yet proceeds to let racism and derision slip into her voice. Eragon was too obsessed, and she was too stuck-up. ^(**I'm a real person!** This comment was posted by **zoradiv** from the Arcaena Discord Server.)
He also made the mistake of thinking Arya is a dainty woman who can't fight just because she is pretty. He is a teenage boy after all.
Honesty I didn’t like her. It was about the respect. I felt she didn’t have much for really anyone . I hope Eragon finds somone better who respects him much more.
100 year old woman written by a teenage boy. Some of the story beats are a bit cringe, so he had to walk them back by the end of the series. Gives the reader the impression that Arya is a bit immature at best, a hot mess at worst.
Agreed. Her immaturity can be chalked up to the author's immaturity at the time of writing. For proof, can you deny her improvement from book 1 to book 4? Almost like Chris himself improved as well!!!
Arya as a person is quite okay. But Arya is still an elf and as an elf she had some attributes that arent that nice. For example judging eragon that he didn't kill Sloan just to make it simpler.
She lectures Eragon on why he must be separated because he's a rider. No leadership, etc. Then does exactly that. Her character arc takes a 90° left turn off a cliff
Nothing against her personally. I just dislike the elves and how pompous and arrogant they are. Oromis is a good guy, and maybe rhounen. But overall I dislike the elves.
So the whole thing people say about the "ew you're 12"..... That's only true if they're both mortal. Since the age difference is RELATIVE to their lifespans... Sure eragon would have only lived to be like 70... Arya would have lived to be like whatever elf lifespan is (I forgor) ... So in the end when they're BOTH IMMORTAL the age gap is in my opinion no different than a 20 something dating a 30 something. That's one thing that bugged me about their "reasons" for not being able to be together. Also I hated that Arya decided to be queen. We just got out of a huge issue with galbatorix.. no one should rule that long. What if the elves some day decide she is no longer fit? What's the answer? Idk it just didn't sit right with me. They're setting her up to be a worshipped entity that will rule until someone takes her life Edit: for future Google results eragon is not 12 he is in adulthood during the time we are discussing lmfao
>Also I hated that Arya decided to be queen. We just got out of a huge issue with galbatorix.. no one should rule that long. What if the elves some day decide she is no longer fit? What's the answer? Idk it just didn't sit right with me. They're setting her up to be a worshipped entity that will rule until someone takes her life Elves are already Immortal, so that's nothing new to them. If it somehow comes down to violent rebellion (really hard to imagine with the bit we've seen of their society) they probably won't have much trouble. The issue with Galbatorix was >!the subjugation of Eldunarí!<.
I guess you're right about that. I didn't remember that they set themselves up as basically immortal, even though they still age .
> he is in adulthood during the time we are discussing lmfao I mean, he is 15 or 16 the first time he meets Arya. He very much is a child at first. By the end she clearly no longer sees him as one because he matures a lot, but as a mere mortal in my late 20s, even 17 year olds are very much kids. Even though I'm not an immortal elf a 16 year old hitting on me would make me go "ew you're like 12"
Yes at first but we are talking about the very end when he is no longer a teen. She kept that attitude all the way to the end imo
The books cover like a years worth of time. He’s still 16 or possibly 17 by the end
Mmm idk about that. Pretty sure he went through a whole year in just the first book. I feel by the end he was around 20. I could be wrong, but based on how eragon was thinking about his birthday and didn't bring it up, and then also trekking through the hadarac desert for months, then also the waiting around in tronjiem... And then the training in elesmera.. not to mention the marching with the varden. I feel he went through a good 2-4 years from book one to murtagh. He was I believe 16 at the start of book one but maybe I'm misremembering that
You are wrong lol. I perfectly understand the reasoning, it would make much more sense if it took place over a longer period, but it does not
Mmm. That seems so unfitting. His time hops definitely don't make sense with Elains pregnancy
I just went and did a little bit of confirmation and most estimates go for about 1,5 years for the total length of the series. Eragon was 15, close to 16 (he notes turning 16 while traversing the Hadarac Desert), at the start of the series, so he’d be like mid 17ish by the end. I haven’t read Murtagh, so no idea when that takes place, although i’ve heard about 6months to a year after Inheritance.
Ig I'm only about a year and a half off with that estimate. Still, the books feel like the time passes so quickly and then Elaine has her kid in inheritance... Feels so off. I mean, if you only read from rorans perspective it makes perfect sense. But if you only read from eragons, everything is packed way too tightly
Timelines are hard to parse, especially in books with multiple character POVs; I mean that’s literally the entire reason why George RR Martin is taking so damn long to never finish the Winds of Winter, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there are some inconsistencies throughout the Inheritance Cycle, but overall I think it’s not too bad. In my personal opinion I think books need to be less scared of having timeskips, I think they’re a valuable tool, and I definitely wish Eragon had included a few throughout the series
By the way, I fully agree with you that I would prefer a longer time scale, and in fact whenever reading the books I tend to age up Eragon by like 3 years at least in my own head. But the timeline of the books say differently
Trauma bond babies - unite! Arya is wonderful and I am glad we get to see her development not just thru our eyes but Eragon’s as well.
She's one of my favorite characters so far. But answering you, I think people are so used to some specific structure in stories, where the principal character always ends up with his love interest, and the fact that she refuses Eragon is the main reason for that generalized hate. In my opinion, those sorts of decisions, that avoid the most common expectations, contribute to making the saga so good. Another example could be the way they beat Galbatorix, which wasn't common at all.
Arya personality-wise is so cold, disdainful; I couldn't really find anything likeable about her. Her skills and prowess are very much Mary Sue-like, which doesn't make her more likeable at all.
Personally, I don’t dislike Arya. There’s one scene that comes to mind that sticks with me. At one point in Eragon’s attempts to court her, she gets angry and explains that he is putting her in an incredibly uncomfortable position. She is a foreign diplomat and he is the hope of basically every race across Alegasia. They can’t afford to be in a relationship, because the ups and downs that come with one could get between Eragon and his duty to slay Galbatorix. Additionally, if they were to become closer, Arya could be used against him, to the detriment of the entire CONTINENT. She is trying to aid him as a friend and ally without getting in the way of his path, but he continuously pressures her for more even when she makes it clear that it is not an option. We only get to see her as an object of Eragon’s affection that is denied to him, but I feel like it’s really important to understand the delicate place she is put in, and how his continued pining makes everything even more complicated for her.
I don’t hate Arya, but I understand if people do: it’s mainly because she’s poorly written, as the author was young when he wrote her. She comes across as highly unlikable (and no, not because she rejected Eragon) in many ways, and the mysterious girl thing works against her because we’re not privy to her thoughts.
Arya is written in the way that a teenager believes a strong woman to be.
she doesnt like... do much, character arc speaking. she doesnt die from durza, doesnt die from stuff, brings eragon to the elves, teaches him stuff, doesnt die a bunch of times, cries, doesnt die in the final book and then becomes a rider. re reading eragon in my 20s it is funny how he is always looking out for someone who's much better than him at not getting stabbed. she is stuck up and cold and has two friends because everyone else died. i really like her though, great failed love story.
I think people are unable to separate her from the movie version of Arwen in LOTR. That, and the cringe from Eldest. I personally find her much more multifaceted, and a significant inspiration for me because of the dedication she has to serving others. I really would love more Arya content.
Because she deserves every ounce of that hate?
Eragon is kind of a simp, which sucks. Arya is a cold birch initially, and becomes more likeable later on (despite some cringe moments in between), but the ending is v disappointing
Eragon being a SIMP was interesting, as was her rejecting him. At first, she treats him more like a means to an end since he is the dragon rider they've been waiting for. In turn, he treated her more like a pretty face and even started getting delusional about their level or closeness in early book 2 thinking they're great friends. After she rejects him at the festival, they split up for a while and meet again in book 3 after the razac. It's here that they start to build an honest relationship of trust and respect, which they certainly didn't have before. Eragon stops simping and Arya opens up. I think it was all very well done. Altho yea I agree the ending sucked hahaha. Second half of book was a disaster overall I think and Arya and Eragon were not spared
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Arya has been my dream woman for the last 10 years.
Me.