I just finished reading the last book of the Inheritance Cycle (which I highly recommend, seriously, read it!) and I cannot remember the last time, if ever, I felt such heart ache at the end of a series. You can call me whatever you want, a dork, and pansy; but Christopher Paolini created such a connection between the characters and the reader you would swear the inspiration was taken from the relationship between Rider and dragon.
The series ended the way they should have ended and I was still nearly moved to tears. I still find myself (even hours after having finished the book) yearning for a different ending. I keep amusing myself with the thought that maybe if I read the last one hundred pages again the ending will be different. Rarely will a novel make such a profound impact on me.
Despite my longing for the proverbial “fairy tale ending” I think its the sign of a great author to leave me feeling the way I feel. I think Christopher Paolini has an amazing career ahead of him. The Inheritance books are an amazing series, so amazing that I find it difficult to pick up another book until these feelings have passed.