Elantris

One of the best Fantasy books I've ever read

3 1/2 stars

Full review:
http://fantasycafe.blogspot.com/2008/06/review-of-elantris.html

I overall enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would (considering I DNFed this at an early point during my first attempt a year or so ago). The first 25% or so was too infodumpy and at that stage I was thinking I'd give this a max 3 or 3.5 stars, but after reading it through, I've increased my rating to it to about 4, maybe even 4.5 stars. The world was immensely fascinating and so so interesting, even if the set-up was a little clunky. I also had some issues with some characterisation works in this one, but it was palatable enough to read and especially knowing that Sanderson has improved on many of these issues in his later works (which I've already read earlier).

I also get why the book was so expository at the beginning - it's a huge world and Sanderson really needed to give us enough context to appreciate all the political and religious machinations going on, as well as the central mystery surrounding Elantris. All of these was probably my favourite parts of the book, and what really kept me going. The construction of the religious tension within the society, the clash between different cultures, and the fascinating mystery of Elantris was all so rich and engaging that it really caught me and was why I finished most of this book in one day.

I do think his characterization was also a bit rougher than his later works but we had some really good gems here. In particular, I was a little put off by Sarene's characterisation. I felt she was based a bit off the “not like other girls” trope, but also “different girl who thinks she's unattractive but actually many guys think she's hot” and “yearning for love against all odds”. Then we have to reconcile that with someone who is apparently so very politically skilled and intuitive, apparently able to twist all these veteran politicians and businessmen around her finger from as quick as a single conversation. The combination overall just doesn't make sense to me, it just didn't feel like good characterisation to me. Some parts that just didn't make sense to me: I didn't understand why she put on an act of silliness in front of Iadon but then flagrantly disposed of that act in front of almost literally everyone else in Arelon, as if news of that wouldn't reach back to Iadon. we were supposed to think she's politically manipulative by putting on that act of Iadon, but we also needed opportunities to prove how glib and witty she was and have other ppl admire her, so everyone else in Arelon could apparently see through it. a lot of things happened way too conveniently for her (and for Raoden too), like even her acceptance by the other Arelon nobles into their secret club felt a bit too quick and easy. Overall though, I thought Sarene was perhaps a precursor to Steris from Mistborn Era 2, of whom I'm a much bigger fan, so I'm glad that Sanderson at least brushed up on that.

I did really enjoy the character of Hrathen though! His internal struggles were really fascinating to watch - he was powerful but yet suffered enough setbacks to make him human as well. His was perhaps my favourite POV in the whole book. The only thing that didn't make sense to me was him falling in love with Sarene at the end. It just really seemed to come out of nowhere and felt really unnecessary tbh. I didn't see a single interaction between them that would make someone, especially a hardened priest like Hrathen, fall in love with Sarene.

This book worked well as a standalone but there're a lot of things about the conclusion that made me feel like it kept itself open to sequels, and I've also since found out that Sanderson has in fact planned/written sequels to Elantris which would be super exciting. I'd be really interested to see how he brings this world forward with his current level of expertise versus this being his first published work.

This was love at first reading. I adore this book. I think I've found a new favorite author!!

I've enjoyed every Brandon Sanderson book I've read, and Elantris was certainly no exception. This was a beautiful mix of religious and political intrigue, magical mystery, and just a touch of romance. The ultimate answer to the mystery was so elegantly simple, but discovered so late, that consequences still had to be faced even when the main problem was fixed. (I'm trying to be vague so I don't spoil it!) I loved both Raoden and Sarene, and in a way, Hrathen too. He was a wonderfully written villain – one of those villains whose motivations you get to see and understand, so you end up sympathizing with him even as you don't want to see him succeed. Sanderson definitely has a talent for unusual fantasy novels, with elaborate plots and complex, well thought-out worlds.

In short, yet another amazing book from Brandon Sanderson.

You can find all my reviews at Goddess in the Stacks.

Sarene is so cool, also Roaden is a sweetheart. The brandon Sanderson Ending ?????? and last part of the book ?????? was Great. Was up till 1 finishing this, for good reason.

So thrilled to finish this 590-page book, something I struggled with after the pandemic hit. (I couldn't seem to focus long enough to finish a novella, let alone a chonker of a novel.) Admittedly, I used a combination of physical book + audiobook which really sped things along.

Full review in my blog:
https://wp.me/pevDXN-9L

An incredible story with some character issues.

I loved the world-building and magic system in Elantris. Sanderson does a fantastic job of making a very believable set of cultures, and I was amazed by how real some of the struggles felt.

My biggest complaint is that the characters seemed very black and white. Raoden and Sarene are a little too perfect, in my opinion. Hrathen was easily the most interesting POV character, and his internal struggles were done a lot better than anything similar in Raoden or Sarene.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story and am really looking forward to when Elantris gets its next entry in the Cosmere.

Holy crap, I have no words! What a wonderful read! I was instantly hooked by this book but Part II shit gets CRAZY. I loved all three POVs - These characters are wonderful (btw, Hrathen is my favorite). Sanderson managed to write a book centered around politics/religion that didn't make me feel bored. That in itself is an achivement lol.

Mistborn, here I come!

Finished this glorious book and I'm once again more confused by the current standalones than by Stormlight

I originally started to listening to this on Audiobook, and quite frankly, found the narration awful to say the least. I don't know if anyone has heard the audible massacre of the book, but if they have and they liked it, I am sorry to have put forth such a polarising viewpoint. But I am sticking with it and not changing my mind.
However, in light of this I ended up getting the print version and carried on where I so vehemently left the audio book. Thank god I did!

Now, I have read a lot of reviews that state that a lot of people tend to start with Sanderson's Mistborn Trilogy or Stormlight Archive and read this retrospectively. Which is what I did. In terms of a debut, it's good. It does not fall into typical fantasy tropes in some ways, but it does in others.
The begining of the book really does give a sense of unease when it describes the main characters change in circumstance and you think it cannot keep up this pace. And it does not. I think that when it does get to the middle of the book, it does drop off a bit.

The characters are good and you do tend to believe in them, particularly Sarene. Hrathen starts off as a two dimensional character but really does get fleshed out in the book

At times, I think the structure of the book does tend to hamper the story a bit. It changes viewpoints between the three main characters and at times I found this impeded the main story. However, I did enjoy the book. Just a few niggles.

I liked this one better than Mistborn but I cannot get into Brandon Sanderson. I find his stuff too cinematic and overly dramatic. He creates this massive buildup and really anticlimatic endings. It might make a decent B movie but was fairly disappointing as a novel.

Brandon Sanderson is one of my favourite authors and Elantris is his first published work. This is less polished than his more recent works - he was still very much learning his craft whilst writing this and you can tell - but it still has that easy reading feel that Sanderson always seems to bring. Elantris is part of the his greater ‘Cosmere' universe and is the first introduction to this overarching universe, but at this stage it is effectively a standalone (although plans exist for sequels in this sub-arch of the Cosmere).

Elantris follows three characters - these are all kind of typical fantasy archetypes in a prince who has gone into a form of hiding, a princess who is thrown into a new court when the prince she was meant to marry disappears, and an evil priest of some vicious religion that seeks wipe out all other religions - so far so tropey. Where Sanderson rises above is in his attention to detail and the dynamics between the different characters, his world building and his internal logic within his worlds.

The titular Elantris was once the central city of this world, ruled over by a god like group of powerful magic users, who are randomly raised from the general populace of the country (they suddenly become an Elantrian). However, ten years ago some catastrophe caused this power to decay and disappear. The Elantrians are turned into shadows of what they once were. They retain the immortality they used to have, but are unable to heal any injuries so are gradually driven mad by the pain. The dynamics this creates are a central part of the plot - essentially this story is about trying to understand what caused the fall of Elantris.

On the side of this, a religious cult has developed in other parts of the world and now seeks to extend its influence to the kingdom containing Elantris. Previously the Elantrians had prevented them from gaining a foothold (who needs other gods when you have living ones walking amongst you?) but they see the fall as an opportunity. The political machinations of this religious order provide the other main arch of the story.

This was an impressive debut and it is easy to see how Sanderson's style has developed from here. His later works are certainly more polished as his writing has developed, but there is plenty of merit here. It will be interesting to see if he does return to this world and continue with the Elantris story as he has planned. This is a must read for Sanderson fans. There are probably slightly better places to start for a Sanderson novice (this is a little rough around the edges) but it is a worthy story that is enjoyable to read

One of the best standalone novels I've read in a long time. Even for his first book Sanderson was brilliant. The political intrigue is very well written and planned out, the world building and character building are wonderfully immersing, and the magic system is unique and captivating. Great read!

Actually I finished this four days ago, I have tried to write anything.......to put into words on what I felt, it is an amazing read, what can you expect, it's from Mr. Brandon Sanderson...........there is never a dull moment in reading his stories, the only complaint I have.......why do you kill off some of your more interesting characters.........DANG!!!

Elantris, look around your city, your country......you might recognize something like it, a minority as Elantrians, you might be a Fjordellian or Teodian, depends on your thinking and personality.......actually finishing the book, I was ready to write something grandiose and emotional, and then I read Mr. Sanderson's rambling, and everything melted away........gone all gone........

I am rambling, I do not understand why......I read the first Mistborn trilogy, I was not affected by it, while it was a brilliant story, this one truly felt heartfelt.........I guess you really are a GREAT writer Mr. Sanderson!!!

Funny......I read and re-read this and still I am scratching my head........oh well.............

I'd give this a 4.5 if I could, because I don't think it deserves a 4, but it also isn't quite the 5-star read I've come to expect from Sanderson. I think this books main issue (and it's a small one at that) is its pacing in the last 25% of the book. I felt the story ramping up to its climax, and then before I had a chance to absorb everything, the book was over.

Still totally worth reading, as this novel was great in every other way. The lead characters were very compelling, and their arcs felt nature and complete.

This one took me a while to finish because Baldur's Gate 3 launched and has been consuming every waking moment of my life.

This is not my favorite Sanderson and you can feel that Elantris is an earlier work of his.

Anyway, I still found what I really loved about Mistborn. Loveable crew of characters, humour and complex storylines with an original magic system.
The end kept me wanting more of this universe ✨

I'll admit it. I didn't like this book until I was a little moe than half way through it. The characters captured my imagination, but the setting and plot were difficult - almost as if the story started in the wrong place. Only knowledge than Sanderson is s masterful story teller kept me reading onward.

I do look forward to following these characters in the rest of the series. I must know what will become of them!

The kindle version of this book was absolutely full of typos. With very similar names for things that were quite different - Arleth, Arteth...that contributed to the difficulty I had following the story.

I had totally forgotten how much I adored Sanderson as a writer. As soon as I started this book I was obsessed and devoured it in only three days. Raorden and Sarene were great characters and the magic system of Elantris is amazing. I am planning on reading much more of the cosmere this year. 

Even though this is Sandersons first book, it hits many of the same chords. The magic system isn't as well developed as in his following works, leading to revelation moments which had me scratching my head a little. The story itself was a bit long for how little happened. The overall story ended up leaving me wishing some of the mysteries were revealed sooner, giving more time for elaboration.

I am astonished by the level of  suspens and complexity of this book as a first published novel by the author.

My First Brandon Sanderson book and I really enjoyed it! Loved the characters and the story. Looking forward to reading the rest of the Cosmere!

I read this book while I was snowed in, and it made the time fly by. I genuinely can hardly find words for how amazing this novel was. I can't believe it was Brandon Sanderson's first! The plot was complex and unpredictable. The magic system was original and interesting. But the best part was the characters he crafted. Each of the three main view point characters are incredibly well thought out. No matter whether you agree with their choices or not, the reader can easily see where they are coming from. This book is very important. I was moved by these characters in so many ways.
I also loved that it was a relentlessly optimistic book. No matter what happened, it didn't wallow in grit, but showed the power of continual hope and the influence a hopeful leader can have.
I loved this book so much. It was an instant favorite.

I know people who read Sanderson says that this is not his best work (including him), but I had a fun time reading this. His books are quite intimidating since they are so long, but this is a good starting point to his novels and the Cosmere universe. Sanderson is a master of world-building and his writing immerses you into his imagination.

Read it right after finishing Fitz And Fool, and the contrast is incredible.
This is a great book, but it does not allow itself to ever become really scary.
I never really worried about any of the characters, because Sanderson never let them become hurt of anything. Events that would have scarred people for life are brushed off as no more than inconvenience.
This book is a great example of what makes Sanderson so good: the hard magic system, and his amazing ability to always leave me surprised although I already had all of the knowledge to solve the problem myself.
But it is also an example of his shortcomings. The book is easy and fun and interesting which means that nothing actually has any emotional weight.