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Elantris

Book 1 in the series:Elantris

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Elantris is a unique fantasy novel that follows the story of a country on the brink of destruction, where the city of Elantris and its god-like inhabitants have fallen from grace. The plot revolves around Prince Raoden, an Elantrian struggling to survive in the decaying city, a high priest named Hrathen seeking to convert and conquer Arelon, and Princess Sarene determined to thwart Hrathen's plans. The book combines elements of political intrigue, magical mysteries, and well-developed characters to create a captivating narrative that keeps readers on edge until the final chapter.

The writing style of Elantris is praised for its detailed world-building, multiple character points of view, and engaging plot progression. The intricate magic system, distinct characters, and well-imagined world of Elantris provide a refreshing take on the fantasy genre. Despite a slow start for some readers, the story gains momentum as it unfolds, offering a blend of mystery, political intrigue, and character development that keeps readers immersed in the narrative.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with distinct motivations and arcs, particularly focusing on Raoden, Sarene, and Hrathen, who navigate their intertwined fates amidst the backdrop of a crumbling city.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is straightforward and engaging, effectively blending humor and seriousness to enhance the character development and narrative flow.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot involves a once-great city, Elantris, which has lost its magic and is now filled with despair. The intertwining stories of three characters reveal the complexities of political intrigue, personal struggles, and the quest for redemption.

Setting:

The setting is richly imagined, with the city of Elantris at its core, showcasing a world where magic has failed and the resulting socio-political upheaval.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow at the beginning but picks up significantly in the second half as the plot thickens and the stakes rise.
Prince Raoden of Arelon awoke early that morning, completely unaware that he had been damned for all eternity. Still drowsy, Raoden sat up, blinking in the soft morning light. Just outside his open ba...

Notes:

Elantris is Brandon Sanderson's first published novel, released in 2005.
The story revolves around a city called Elantris, which was once inhabited by god-like beings until a curse caused its magic to fail.
The main characters include Raoden, a prince who becomes cursed and is sent to Elantris; Sarene, his betrothed who arrives to find he is dead; and Hrathen, a priest trying to convert Arelon to his religion.
The narrative alternates between the three main characters' points of view, providing different perspectives on the unfolding events.
The book explores themes of politics and religion, as well as personal struggles.
Elantris is notable for being a stand-alone epic fantasy, which is rare in the genre.
The magic system in Elantris is based on drawing Aons, symbols that harness magical power, but after the curse, the magic becomes unreliable and complex.
The novel is praised for its worldbuilding and character depth, with particular appreciation for the character of Sarene, who defies traditional female roles in fantasy.
Characters grapple with moral dilemmas, and the reader witnesses the changing dynamics as they confront their beliefs in the face of adversity.
Sanderson's writing has been noted to mature over his career, with Elantris showcasing his potential for intricate storytelling and detailed worldbuilding.

Has Romance?

The romance between the main characters develops gradually and is well-integrated into the overarching plot.

From The Publisher:

Elantris was the capital of Arelon: gigantic, beautiful, literally radiant, filled with benevolent beings who used their powerful magical abilities for the benefit of all. Yet each of these demigods was once an ordinary person until touched by the mysterious transforming power of the Shaod. Ten years ago, without warning, the magic failed. Elantrians became wizened, leper-like, powerless creatures, and Elantris itself dark, filthy, and crumbling.

Arelon's new capital, Kae, crouches in the shadow of Elantris. Princess Sarene of Teod arrives for a marriage of state with Crown Prince Raoden, hoping - based on their correspondence - to also find love. She finds instead that Raoden has died and she is considered his widow. Both Teod and Arelon are under threat as the last remaining holdouts against the imperial ambitions of the ruthless religious fanatics of Fjordell. So Sarene decides to use her new status to counter the machinations of Hrathen, a Fjordell high priest who has come to Kae to convert Arelon and claim it for his emperor and his god.

But neither Sarene nor Hrathen suspect the truth about Prince Raoden. Stricken by the same curse that ruined Elantris, Raoden was secretly exiled by his father to the dark city. His struggle to help the wretches trapped there begins a series of events that will bring hope to Arelon, and perhaps reveal the secret of Elantris itself.

Ratings (199)

Incredible (43)
Loved It (85)
Liked It (43)
It Was OK (19)
Did Not Like (7)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (271):

Read It (202)
Currently Reading (3)
Want To Read (46)
Did Not Finish (10)
Not Interested (10)

6 comment(s)

Loved It
1 week

I listened to a dramatized version of this and I highly enjoyed it as well. Do recommend at least trying a dramatized audiobook. The story comes alive in a unique and fun way. The story was great and did well as such. Engaging and intriguing to the very end

 
Loved It
1 month

Rounded up from 4.5. Not perfect, but a very good debut novel. I think I might've been more impressed if I hadn't seen elements of Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive in here. Still...quite good.

 
Loved It
5 months

It took me a while to really get into this book. I've never had that issue with a Brandon Sanderson book before, which makes it a pretty big indicator that this book wasn't my new favorite. My rating is probably more of a 3.5 than a 4, but I'd rather rate this book high than low. I don't know exactly why I didn't immediately fall in love with this book the way I have with every Brandon Sanderson book I've read before, but it is what it is.

The idea for this book was interesting and creative, which is not out of the ordinary for Sanderson. Of every author I've read, he is probably the most impressive when it comes to world-building.

I understood when I bought this book that it was Sanderson's debut book, so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. Would it seem weaker to me compared to his other books? Would it be my new favorite? I didn't think this book was weak (quite the contrary!) but it definitely isn't my favorite of his books.

Does that fact that this book didn't exceed my expectations make me less of a fan of Sanderson? Absolutely not! If "Elantris" ever gets a sequel, you can be sure I will one of the first to buy a copy.

 
Incredible
5 months

Went in with low expectations and wound up being blown away. One of Sanderson’s best.

 
It Was OK
6 months

I really wanted to love this book, but end up just liking it. The world-building was great, but took up too much of the book in my opinion. The religious and political motifs were a bit much in my opinion. I give the 60% of the book 2 stars, the last 40% 4 stars.

 
Liked It
8 months

Sanderson's intricate magic system and wholesome, lovable characters.

 

About the Author:

Brandon Sanderson grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. He lives in Utah with his wife and children and teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University. He is the author of such bestsellers as the Mistborn® trilogy and its sequels, The Alloy of Law, Shadows of Self, and The Bands of Mourning; the Stormlight Archive novels The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance; and other novels, including The Rithmatist and Steelheart. In 2013, he won a Hugo Award for Best Novella for The Emperor's Soul, set in the world of his acclaimed first novel, Elantris. Additionally, he was chosen to complete Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time® sequence.

 
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