A review by coverswithcassidy
Elantris, by Brandon Sanderson
5.0
I have given this book 5 stars but in reality it would be 4.5 but I rounded up.
After reading reviews on this book I was disappointed by the amount of people who reviewed it as Brandon Sanderson’s weakest novel. Just because it is his weakest does not make it in any way less of an amazing fantasy novel.
In short Elantris follows three characters who in their own way are trying to save a city and its people from destruction. Raoden the prince of Arelon who has been taken’ by the Shaod and locked in Elantris the fallen city of the gods. Where the Shaod renders people deadish in constant hunger, pain and suffering. There he finds answers to many mysteries of Arelon. Sarene a princess who has been widowed by Raoden who she never even met. She sees the failings in Arelon and in herself and struggles to fix it. Hrathen a high priest who must convert the Arelon people or see them all massacred.
What I loved about this book is it is not black and white. To one character Hrathen is the villain to another Sarene is. There is so much more then surface stuff. Although I did find Hrathens character to be boring and was happy his chapters were short, he was necessary in making this book so unique. Sarene is relatable on so many levels as a woman and Raoden oh Raoden. I could love this book just for him. I adored him in so many ways and found myself bouncing for glee at his chapters.
My only downfall for this book was that the climax and ending take place in the last 80 or so pages. The rest of the book seemed so slow and intimate then the ending felt rushed to me. I wanted to know more, I wanted time to feel more.
But other then that Sanderson created a beautiful and magical world. This book and world are filled with passion, politics and religion. These things that are so complex and sometimes boring but he managed to make every bit interesting. Of course there are some holes in the story but not enough to discourage reading in my eyes.
I truly look forward to the next book whenever Sanderson decides to publish it.
After reading reviews on this book I was disappointed by the amount of people who reviewed it as Brandon Sanderson’s weakest novel. Just because it is his weakest does not make it in any way less of an amazing fantasy novel.
In short Elantris follows three characters who in their own way are trying to save a city and its people from destruction. Raoden the prince of Arelon who has been taken’ by the Shaod and locked in Elantris the fallen city of the gods. Where the Shaod renders people deadish in constant hunger, pain and suffering. There he finds answers to many mysteries of Arelon. Sarene a princess who has been widowed by Raoden who she never even met. She sees the failings in Arelon and in herself and struggles to fix it. Hrathen a high priest who must convert the Arelon people or see them all massacred.
What I loved about this book is it is not black and white. To one character Hrathen is the villain to another Sarene is. There is so much more then surface stuff. Although I did find Hrathens character to be boring and was happy his chapters were short, he was necessary in making this book so unique. Sarene is relatable on so many levels as a woman and Raoden oh Raoden. I could love this book just for him. I adored him in so many ways and found myself bouncing for glee at his chapters.
My only downfall for this book was that the climax and ending take place in the last 80 or so pages. The rest of the book seemed so slow and intimate then the ending felt rushed to me. I wanted to know more, I wanted time to feel more.
But other then that Sanderson created a beautiful and magical world. This book and world are filled with passion, politics and religion. These things that are so complex and sometimes boring but he managed to make every bit interesting. Of course there are some holes in the story but not enough to discourage reading in my eyes.
I truly look forward to the next book whenever Sanderson decides to publish it.