'Inheritance' Book to get Midnight Release

Associated Press

Third book in 'Inheritance' series to get midnight release

NEW YORK - The third volume of Christopher Paolini's million-selling "Inheritance" fantasy series, coming out this fall, will have a Harry Potter-like midnight opening.

Publisher Alfred A. Knopf will release "Brisingr" on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 12:01 a.m., EDT (O501 GMT), with a first printing of 2.5 million. According to Nancy Hinkel, publishing director of Knopf's Books for Young Readers, the novel was originally scheduled for a traditional release, on Sept. 23.

"After the initial announcement of Book Three's release, we received an outpouring of requests from booksellers hoping to host midnight launch parties," Hinkel said Wednesday in a statement. "We have responded to their enthusiasm by advancing the date, and we know fans will welcome the opportunity to celebrate the publication together."

J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, about a young wizard whose parents died when he was young, became so popular that the release of new books was always highly anticipated.

Paolini said the title of the most recent book in his series refers to an old Norse word, meaning fire, that has special meaning for Eragon, the series' young adventurer.

"`Brisingr' is one of the first words I thought of for this title, and it's always felt right to me," Paolini said in a statement. "As the first ancient-language word that Eragon learns, it has held particular significance for his legacy as a Dragon Rider. In this new book, it will be revealed to be even more meaningful than even Eragon could have known."

Paolini's first two books, "Eragon" and "Eldest," have sold more than 12 million copies worldwide. The series is expected to run for four books.

Copyright 2012 by Associated Press