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anelya's review against another edition
Elantris was the last straw. The sexist comments were every two pages, slowly grinding down the walls I put up against it. The internalised misogyny was so present and so unnecessary; it was repeatedly so heartbreaking to hear the few female characters in the novel tear each other down. The off-hand comments against psychologically-disabled characters made me want to rip up the E-Reader. But what really made me stop and made me finally give up was the racism and slavery.
What is it with Sanderson and slavery? Most importantly, what is it with Sanderson and entire groups of people who either choose to be enslaved or are happy to act as slaves? It already made me feel so gross in the other books, but at around page 200 in Elantris, there was a scene where a child tried to let the enslaved character free, and the character fought back and claimed it was free and just... *SIGH* Yada, yada, different very terrible arguments that don't hold up to a mite of scrutiny. Flawed arguments attempting to legitimise slavery in a novel that claims to be against it. I just couldn't handle it anymore.
I'm sick and tired of this man's writing. How many groups must he treat terribly before he's through? I am in so much disbelief that so many people support his writing and claim that his representation is even halfway decent. Either he cleared up his whole act for The Stormlight Archive, or people are making excuses for him for some reason. I tried long and hard to see what on earth is worth it in these novels to make the positive points of reading them outweigh all the bad, but it has evaded me.
I guess if you're a person who can excuse ableism, sexism, misogyny and many layers and types of racism, then this is for you.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Colonisation, and Classism
diana_barv'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? No
4.25
Oh Elantris, for a first work it is surprisingly solid and I could see the roots of the style I so loved in Mistborn. The 3 POVs were very solid as was the world building. I could read an entire book on pre Shaod Elantris tho.
Sarene has everything I could wish in a protagonist, she was witty and bold and yet she had insecurities and fears. I loved her banter with Spirit.
Raoden was every bit a "good Prince this kingdom needs" but it slaps. His endless optimism was wonderful and I would have loved to see what he could have achieved with new elantris, separated from him as king of Arelon. Galladon (my beloved) was right, this dude was a sappy romantic and you know what? Some straights do deserve rights and him and Sarene were meant to be.
Hrathen's arc... sir, Mr. Gyron... holy shit. I am still unconvinced if I liked the last bit. His story was so complex and I loved the way he approached his mission and how strong his morals were, autodeception aside. He had purpose despite his lack of faith and he tried to mend his ways at the very end. BUT I do question his motivation. He and Sarene had mutual respect as opponents and barely. This was not an enemies to lovers and I think respect->admiration->love would have taken a bit more time. I feel that he could have realized he had faith in the people more than in his God's will (which was more Wrym's than a divine mandate but theological discussed will take us nowhere) And avoid parting with a dumbass confession he didn't even voiced.
Other random things that kept me from 5 stars are the weird shit with the king's rituals and lack of acknowledgement later. The "pope" who just came to read the frankly ex-machina decree. Sarene taking advantage of the shock; no way the people would have just calmly accepted an elantrian as king, not even their beloved returned-from-death prince.
Adien or whomever. He... No. Bad autistic rep. I am not well informed to give the particulars of why (Jack had however told me he IS bad rep and I trust her first-hand judgment) but even I know that was so wrong.
The pace was a bit funky, the last 3rd was super packed! But all in all I enjoyed it immensely. I even cried when I thought all elantrians lost forever. I am definitely going into the storm light archive next. Wish me luck.
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Colonisation
Minor: Ableism and Blood
sashafriese's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Minor: Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Fatphobia, Genocide, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
ggcd1981's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Genocide, Torture, Violence, Dementia, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Ableism, Confinement, and Colonisation
Minor: Cannibalism
The Dementia TW is not for Dementia as we know, but for a chronic state in which some characters went into when they would lose all grasp of reality and be lost in their own minds and suffering indefinitly.