(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Ever since the publication of his first fantasy novel at age 19, Christopher Paolini has developed legions of YA fans with compelling tales of universes that spin from his mind. Take a glimpse at Paolini's two decades of storytelling mastery and the gripping Murtagh in his Ocean County Library Virtual Author Talk on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 4:00pm.

Murtagh and more than a dozen other Paolini works are in multiple formats and Spanish versions at the Ocean County Library. The 2023 novel marks his return to the world of Dragon Rider Eragon that launched him to Young Adult stardom in 2005. His adult science fiction tales are 2020’s To Sleep in a Sea of Stars and 2023’s Fractal Noise.

Dragon Rider Murtagh rose to prominence in Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle. He and his dragon Thorn are now social pariahs for their reluctant roles in the rule of a now-toppled evil king. But gnawing dread in Alagaësia foretells forces of unspeakable evil about to run rampant. Murtagh must use every weapon he can summon to defend the land that abandoned him. Then he must discover if he has a place in it.

Among other distinctions, the Montana-based author is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest author of a best-selling series. More than 40 million copies of the four-volume Inheritance Cycle have been purchased worldwide.

Please register at https://libraryc.org/theoceancountylibrary to attend this free program, to view the upcoming schedule, and to view previous talks. Registrants will receive links to the program by email and may submit questions for the author when signing up.