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kashby's review against another edition
2.0
it’s written very different from sanderson’s other books. instead of plot twists and surprises, elantris is more constantly suspenseful, where you’re watching as plans slowly crumble and plotlines cross over at the least convenient times. i was never truly shocked reading this, which is an emotion i feel a lot while reading sanderson, unless the plot twist is something that doesn’t make sense (no spoilers but some of the plot choices are not something that i think sanderson would write today). it’s also a lot darker than his current books. oathbringer is sanderson’s book that i would say is equally as intense but oathbringer feels very hopeful while elantris is much more despondent. it’s not frighting and i wouldn’t classify it as a horror book but it’s definitely very dark.
i think this book is written slightly like a dnd campaign in the sense that when we begin a scene, sometimes the vibes are “this is this person. this is who they’re related to and a quirk about them. this is the next person and who they’re related to and a quirk about them.” which honestly made the book drag a lot. i understand trying to give the side characters different personalities but i had a hard time telling them apart because they all had the same type of speaking tone. the graphic audio helped a lot because the different side characters have different voices but the actors did a lot of heavy lifting on that front. the plot was amazing and creative and interesting but i could tell it was his first published novel. i would be very interested in a rewrite of this book with sanderson’s current knowledge.
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
Moderate: Medical content and Classism
Minor: Body horror, Blood, Cannibalism, and Fire/Fire injury
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Minor: Ableism, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Eating disorder, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
danilo94's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Terminal illness, Violence, and Religious bigotry
troublesometrios's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Reading this book is like starting a puzzle and putting it together piece-by-piece. We follow three characters, each quite different from the other particularly in personality. Two are written as heroes, but they achieve nothing without the communities they helped build and lead. The third character is more complex and experiences the most character growth of the three. Thoughtful conversations surrounding religion, government, and community are rife throughout the story.
There IS a slow spot in the pacing -- just know that it is well worth pushing through it!
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Genocide, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Torture
bilingual_introvert's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Minor: Chronic illness and Terminal illness
ravenfaerie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Terminal illness, and Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
proza's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Genocide, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Misogyny, Sexism, Abandonment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Blood and Cannibalism
anastasiamakes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Elantris spends more time exploring the politics if and relationships in a fantasy world, more than the magical elements of it, which I personally enjoyed but others may not.
Graphic: Genocide, Terminal illness, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Slavery and Suicidal thoughts
jamieleepilk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
"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."
Epic fantasy at it's finest, I will admit it's not quite as polished as his later work but I loved it all the same. With his Trademark charming characters, Raoden a resilient Prince, Sarene a sword fighting, political minded princess and Hrathen a priest with a dark purpose.
Filled to bursting with unforgettable characters, captivating magical systems and mysterious religions. Something I always love about Brandon's work is how immersive it is, every little detail is incredibly well thought out I also do not understand how one many can have this whole universe inside his brain.
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Cannibalism