edensgrief's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
musgrovej's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mahra's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The acting and sound effects truly elevated the story. I was listening while reading the physical book, and it was an amazing experience.
For the story
4 ⭐️ That was so good! I really enjoyed this book. The world and the magic systems were beautifully crafted. I really enjoyed the characters.
However, the pacing was a bit off. The story took a while to pick up certain characters (not the main character, though). I liked the ending but not the way it was written. The POVs were changing very rapidly and it was not enjoyable to read. I also had a few issues with the prose.
For the story
4 ⭐️ That was so good! I really enjoyed this book. The world and the magic systems were beautifully crafted. I really enjoyed the characters.
However, the pacing was a bit off. The story took a while to pick up certain characters (not the main character, though). I liked the ending but not the way it was written. The POVs were changing very rapidly and it was not enjoyable to read. I also had a few issues with the prose.
mattab94's review
4.0
The audio production of Elantris is amazing. This version has a full cast, sound effects and soundtrack. The story itself was a bit long-winded in places, especially in parts 1 and 2. Part 3, however, was well-paced and by far the best of the 3 parts. Sanderson has produced an interesting world and magic-system here, though the magic is far less a part of the story than in his Mistborn series. The magic in Elantris is more background and intrigue for much of the book.
Fans of Sanderson will enjoy this and I highly recommend listening to the Graphic Audio as it adds so much more to the book.
Fans of Sanderson will enjoy this and I highly recommend listening to the Graphic Audio as it adds so much more to the book.
littlevivz's review
5.0
Loved listening to this, but how will I go back to regular audiobooks after this? Wish the story was longer.
february's review
5.0
I've rated all three parts, so this write up is in part regarding the audio presentation for the full set.
First, apparent that I've enjoyed these more as time went on (rated 3, 4, and 5 stars respectively). There was a lot of build up for part 1 that didn't pay off (for me at least) until part 2, but part 3 took the action to a whole different level. The last couple of hours saw me clapping my hand over my mouth for everything taking place, the political intrigue, the magic, the twists and turns.
This was Sanderson's first novel? Incredible.
The Graphic Audio players were fantastic, though the sound mixing could prove challenging when in a moving vehicle, and one actor I thought made odd choices with their dialogue. For the most part, it was an excellent way to consume a book and, over all, I'd would give a high recommendation of visiting Elantris in this manner.
First, apparent that I've enjoyed these more as time went on (rated 3, 4, and 5 stars respectively). There was a lot of build up for part 1 that didn't pay off (for me at least) until part 2, but part 3 took the action to a whole different level. The last couple of hours saw me clapping my hand over my mouth for everything taking place, the political intrigue, the magic, the twists and turns.
This was Sanderson's first novel? Incredible.
The Graphic Audio players were fantastic, though the sound mixing could prove challenging when in a moving vehicle, and one actor I thought made odd choices with their dialogue. For the most part, it was an excellent way to consume a book and, over all, I'd would give a high recommendation of visiting Elantris in this manner.
djotaku's review
4.0
Well, I'm done. That is one heckuva first-time novel for an author. I have a feeling this Sanderson kid is going places. Joking aside, it was a well-done novel that leaves the world open for a slew of books in the universe, but if we never get another, it's still a great story. I covered a lot of themes for this story in the other two reviews so I'm going to try and stick to new themes as much as possible for this one.
Mr. Sanderson says in his annotations to Warbreaker that he feels bad he hasn't really presented religion very positively in his writing. He makes mention of Hrathen in this novel as well as (I think) a reference to Misborn or Warbreaker. However, I think he's being a bit too hard on himself. What I actually took away from Elantris is that those at the top of religion can often be corrupt or coopt a religion for their own goals, but those at the bottom can make very good use of it. In the case of Shu-Dorath (however it's spelled - I listened to the audiobook), their pope is a self-important jerk. But the local head of the church in Arulan is a compasionate person. He talks to Serene about compassion for the Elantrians. He also treats Hrathen well, if taking a bit of vulgar satisfaction when Hrathen appears to be taken by the Sheode. In previous reviews I mentioned Hrathen's redemption arc and without spoiling anything about the details of this book, I think he is definitely a prime candidate for the idea of someone who can believe in a religion that's being used for evil and not be evil himself.
In this part of the story we find out why Deloth hates Elantris so much. Again, while he has been using doctrine as a reason for his hate, we learn it is in fact because of an interaction with Elantrians that went badly. His wife (or lover? I was so fascinated by the plot that the exact relationship was lost to me) was hurt and when he took her to be healed, it went wrong and she became what we would know as Elantrians in this book. It happened long enough ago (20 years, I think he says) that I wonder if she is the case study that Riyodan finds that leads him to understand why they were stuck in undying bodies.At any rate, his misguided sense of revenge causes him to distort the teachings of Shu-Korath to achieve his goals.
A few other throwaway thoughts:
In part 2, Riyodan finds a Hoid who was one of the original Elantrians. Plot-wise, his biggest purpose is to lead Riyodan to the library where he can learn more of the basics of Aeon-Door. But he does also introduce the dissolving pool to give us a sense of urgency during one scene in part 3. What I find fascinating is that we discover the pool only takes those who are ready to go. This leaves me with so many questions: Who created this pool? Or was it just an element of this planet? When would the gold-like Elantrians use it? If healing went awry? Elantrians are said to be long-lived - one facet of a lot of SF I've read is that if you live too long you get bored and/or suicidal. Would it serve THAT purpose for the Elantrians?
Sanderson reveals the Door to be something anyone can tap into. Not just the Elantrians, but also the not-tai chi that Shudan does at various points in the book, and the power being the uber-monks of Shu-Korath. I like this more than the alternative, because it's not some magical force for good. It's just the universe or planet's force that anyone can tap into. Three different groups on this planet have found different ways to tap into it with different effects.
We never find out where the Saeons come from. I like to think they are Elantrians who tired of having bodies. But who knows.
While the ending is somewhat predictable from the tropes, the way we get there is pretty unique and full of enough twists and turns that I wasn't fully sure what the end state would be and who would be alive. As it is, the leaves the locals in a certain mood, but things are not necessarily resolved. Sanderson has plenty of space here for more novels on this planet or even just this continent if he gets the time to do so. (He has 4 projects currently on his progress bar on his website)
Mr. Sanderson says in his annotations to Warbreaker that he feels bad he hasn't really presented religion very positively in his writing. He makes mention of Hrathen in this novel as well as (I think) a reference to Misborn or Warbreaker. However, I think he's being a bit too hard on himself. What I actually took away from Elantris is that those at the top of religion can often be corrupt or coopt a religion for their own goals, but those at the bottom can make very good use of it. In the case of Shu-Dorath (however it's spelled - I listened to the audiobook), their pope is a self-important jerk. But the local head of the church in Arulan is a compasionate person. He talks to Serene about compassion for the Elantrians. He also treats Hrathen well, if taking a bit of vulgar satisfaction when Hrathen appears to be taken by the Sheode. In previous reviews I mentioned Hrathen's redemption arc and without spoiling anything about the details of this book, I think he is definitely a prime candidate for the idea of someone who can believe in a religion that's being used for evil and not be evil himself.
In this part of the story we find out why Deloth hates Elantris so much. Again, while he has been using doctrine as a reason for his hate, we learn it is in fact because of an interaction with Elantrians that went badly. His wife (or lover? I was so fascinated by the plot that the exact relationship was lost to me) was hurt and when he took her to be healed, it went wrong and she became what we would know as Elantrians in this book. It happened long enough ago (20 years, I think he says) that I wonder if she is the case study that Riyodan finds that leads him to understand why they were stuck in undying bodies.At any rate, his misguided sense of revenge causes him to distort the teachings of Shu-Korath to achieve his goals.
A few other throwaway thoughts:
In part 2, Riyodan finds a Hoid who was one of the original Elantrians. Plot-wise, his biggest purpose is to lead Riyodan to the library where he can learn more of the basics of Aeon-Door. But he does also introduce the dissolving pool to give us a sense of urgency during one scene in part 3. What I find fascinating is that we discover the pool only takes those who are ready to go. This leaves me with so many questions: Who created this pool? Or was it just an element of this planet? When would the gold-like Elantrians use it? If healing went awry? Elantrians are said to be long-lived - one facet of a lot of SF I've read is that if you live too long you get bored and/or suicidal. Would it serve THAT purpose for the Elantrians?
Sanderson reveals the Door to be something anyone can tap into. Not just the Elantrians, but also the not-tai chi that Shudan does at various points in the book, and the power being the uber-monks of Shu-Korath. I like this more than the alternative, because it's not some magical force for good. It's just the universe or planet's force that anyone can tap into. Three different groups on this planet have found different ways to tap into it with different effects.
We never find out where the Saeons come from. I like to think they are Elantrians who tired of having bodies. But who knows.
While the ending is somewhat predictable from the tropes, the way we get there is pretty unique and full of enough twists and turns that I wasn't fully sure what the end state would be and who would be alive. As it is, the leaves the locals in a certain mood, but things are not necessarily resolved. Sanderson has plenty of space here for more novels on this planet or even just this continent if he gets the time to do so. (He has 4 projects currently on his progress bar on his website)
podcast_buecherreich's review
4.0
Hat mir super gefallen.
Die Charaktere waren lebendig und vielschichtig und haben sich auch entwickelt, das Magiesystem, was auf einer Art in die Luft gezeichneter Runen basiert, war auch nice.
Sehr fantasievoll und trotzdem, durch die vielen politischen und religiösen Ränkespiele, sehr realistisch. Kleiner Kritikpunkt: Manchmal zu viel "heile Welt" und alles klappt super, das machte es doch ein wenig unrealistisch. Sonst super.
Die Charaktere waren lebendig und vielschichtig und haben sich auch entwickelt, das Magiesystem, was auf einer Art in die Luft gezeichneter Runen basiert, war auch nice.
Sehr fantasievoll und trotzdem, durch die vielen politischen und religiösen Ränkespiele, sehr realistisch. Kleiner Kritikpunkt: Manchmal zu viel "heile Welt" und alles klappt super, das machte es doch ein wenig unrealistisch. Sonst super.