Scan barcode
A review by melissasreads
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
5.0
"It was as if Elantris was committed on dying, a city committing suicide."
I honestly don't even know where to start when it comes to Elantris. I recently became intrigued by Sanderson's Cosmere universe after seeing so many raving reviews by other readers. The majority of them surrounded the Mistborn trilogy and after research I found that Elantris would be the best book to start with. I read that Elantirs was the first of Sanderson's novels and by starting with it, I would only see a improvement in the writing in later books instead of being let down by going backwards. All I have to say is - how could it possibly get any better than this?
Elantris is nowhere near my comfort zone. 600+ pages, deep rooted world building, 20+ characters to follow and remember, and important themes of religion set throughout. I was petrified when I began and I'll admit that it took me a while to settle down and figure out what the hell was going on. But once I did, I didnt want to put the book down.
The pacing of the book is very surprising. After hearing it was 600+ pages, I was worried that there would be a lot of empty pages, 5 pages straight describing the way the forest smelled. But, every chapter has a purpose. Every chapter has something new, exciting, and important to add to the story. The last 100 pages especially is so nailbiting and intense it could drive you mad!
The characters are absolutely fascinating. Following our three primary characters in their POV, we follow Raoden, a prince who is cursed by the Shoed. A disease that once turned man into a mystical Elantrian, but now was inflicted with pain and death. We follow Sarene, the princess who has arrived from Teod to marry the prince, only to find out her husband is dead. And lastly we follow Hrathen, the religious man who has arrived in Arelon in hopes of converting the land to his religion. Their stories begin separate, but the deeper we get the more intertwined their journeys become and it is so great to read about.
I feel like any review I write of this book would never do it justice. It has become and instant favourite of mine and will hold a special place in my heart as the first Sanderson book I have read. If this is the "worst" in his cosmere series, then I cant imagine where he could take me from here! I am so excited to hear of a sequel which I hope I don't have to wait to long for!
Please pick Elantris up if you are looking to get into fantasy! It was so much easier to follow than I expected and will have you hooked from beginning to end. 💀
I honestly don't even know where to start when it comes to Elantris. I recently became intrigued by Sanderson's Cosmere universe after seeing so many raving reviews by other readers. The majority of them surrounded the Mistborn trilogy and after research I found that Elantris would be the best book to start with. I read that Elantirs was the first of Sanderson's novels and by starting with it, I would only see a improvement in the writing in later books instead of being let down by going backwards. All I have to say is - how could it possibly get any better than this?
Elantris is nowhere near my comfort zone. 600+ pages, deep rooted world building, 20+ characters to follow and remember, and important themes of religion set throughout. I was petrified when I began and I'll admit that it took me a while to settle down and figure out what the hell was going on. But once I did, I didnt want to put the book down.
The pacing of the book is very surprising. After hearing it was 600+ pages, I was worried that there would be a lot of empty pages, 5 pages straight describing the way the forest smelled. But, every chapter has a purpose. Every chapter has something new, exciting, and important to add to the story. The last 100 pages especially is so nailbiting and intense it could drive you mad!
The characters are absolutely fascinating. Following our three primary characters in their POV, we follow Raoden, a prince who is cursed by the Shoed. A disease that once turned man into a mystical Elantrian, but now was inflicted with pain and death. We follow Sarene, the princess who has arrived from Teod to marry the prince, only to find out her husband is dead. And lastly we follow Hrathen, the religious man who has arrived in Arelon in hopes of converting the land to his religion. Their stories begin separate, but the deeper we get the more intertwined their journeys become and it is so great to read about.
I feel like any review I write of this book would never do it justice. It has become and instant favourite of mine and will hold a special place in my heart as the first Sanderson book I have read. If this is the "worst" in his cosmere series, then I cant imagine where he could take me from here! I am so excited to hear of a sequel which I hope I don't have to wait to long for!
Please pick Elantris up if you are looking to get into fantasy! It was so much easier to follow than I expected and will have you hooked from beginning to end. 💀