Serendipity Books is hosting Friday ‘Brisinger’ midnight release party

MARBLE FALLS — With the release of the third book in “Inheritance Cycle” by Christopher Paolini only a few days away, Serendipity Books owner Dawn Capra is hoping local fans will get into the spirit and attend Friday’s celebration in medieval costumes.

“Brisingr” hits bookstore shelves Saturday, and many shops are holding release parties for the fantasy novel, Serendipity Books, 1103 RR 1431, is one of them.

“We’re going to have a lot of things going on,” Capra said. “We’re going to have a dragon pinata. There will be some miniature toy dragons and if you pick a certain one, you’ll win a copy of the new book.”

Capra is encouraging people to come dressed in medieval garb or as a dragon.

“Brisingr” is the third in a series created by Paolini. 

The author wrote the first draft of the original book “Eragon” when he was 15 years old. He and his parents self-published the book from their Montana home. But when writer and Miami Herald columnist Carl Hiaasen read the book, he took it to his publisher.

The book is part of a fantasy series involving magic, elves, ancient races and a young warrior and his companion dragon.

The book was re-released and quickly sold more than a million copies. In 2006, fans of “Eragon” were able to see an adaptation on the big screen.

The second in the fantasy series- “Eldest” -was released in 2005.

“It’s become an extremely popular series,” Capra said. “At first he was going to do a trilogy for the series but now he’s doing a cycle. I’m not sure how many exactly he plans on writing.”

Since Paolini was only 15 when he wrote the first one, Capra said readers can already see how his writing has come of age between the first and second books.

“You could tell he grew up and began really establishing his own style between those two books,” she said. “For ‘Brisingr,’ there are high expectations.”

The readers seem to be ready for the third book because Capra’s already pre-sold a box of them. 

“With all the excitement about this book, I’d recommend people call and reserve a copy,” Capra said.

The book release party runs 11 p.m. Friday to 12:30 a.m. Saturday.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” she said. “We’re going to have lots of things to do. I think it’s a big thing for kids who can’t get into Austin for one of the big release parties. So now they have a release party in their own community.”

For more information on the party or book, call (830) 693-4668 or go to the Web site www.serendipitybookstore.com.