Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

THIS IS A MUST READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Just saying)





Title: Elantirs
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Reviewer: Karen
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Rating: FABULOUS!!!!!!!
Alerts/Warnings: Some graphic scenes (but done well)
Premise: "Elantris: gigantic, beautiful, literally radiant, filled with benevolent beings who used their powerful magical abilities to benefit all the people of Arelon. Yet each of these godlike beings had been an ordinary person until touched by the mysterious transforming power of the Shaod. Then, ten years ago, without warning, the magic failed. Elantrians became wizened, feeble, leper-like creatures, and Elantris itself dark, filthy, and crumbling. The Shaod became a curse." "Arelon's new capital city, Kae, crouches in the shadow of Elantris, which its people do their best to ignore. Princess Sarene of Teod has come to Kae for a marriage of state with Crown Prince Raoden, hoping - based on their correspondence - also to 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. Sarene decides to make the best of a sad situation and use her position to oppose the machinations of Hrathen, a Fjordell high priest who has come to convert Arelon and claim it for his emperor and his god." "But neither Sarene nor Hrathen suspects the truth about Prince Raoden's disappearance. Taken by the same strange malady that struck the fallen gods of Elantris, Raoden was secretly imprisoned within the dark city. His struggle to create a society for the wretches trapped there begins a series of events that will bring hope to Arelon, and perhaps even reveal the secret of Elantris itself"--Book jacket.
Opinions: Oh my gosh!!! Oh my gosh!!! Oh my gosh!!! I know I'm behind the times and all, but Brandon Sanderson is now one of my all times FAVORITE authors. WAHOO!!! I've been reading fantasy for only 9 years so far, but have fallen in love with the genre, for adult, but more so for young adult. Right now the market in YA Fantasy is humungous and there are a large number of incredibly talented authors out there producing amazing work. As far as adult fantasy I've read some Tracy Hickman and Margarat Wise, one Orson Scott Card, and of course the Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan. Once Mr. Jordan past away his wife requested that Brandon Sanderson help to finish his legacy. Now I can see why.


Elantris was Brandon's first published novel, and for a first time author (actually make that for any author) the work he does in Elantris is outstanding. The world he creates is vivid, imaginative, and intricate. The complexity of his stories and the details that he weaves throughout the plot are fantastic. One of my favorite aspects of Elantris is his female character Sarene. She can give every male character a run for her money, but she realizes her shortcomings and is constantly battling to improve herself. I connected deeply to her as a character and even her struggles. As I have only been reading fantasy for less than a decade I worried at how few really strong female characters are established in adult fantasy. I'm glad to see that Brandon Sanderson has alleviated some of my fears. Yet, the male characters of Elantris are just as fascinating, complex, and unique.


I loved his young adult series Alactraz Versus the Evil Librarians, and now I'm in love with his Adult Fantasy works. I cannot wait to get to the library and to check out anything and everything that he has written so that I can catch up with the rest of the world.