Elantris

Elantris
Written by Brandon Sanderson
Pages: 638
Published by Tor Fantasy, May 30th 2006
Format read: Ebook

Synopsis

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.

Arelon's new capital, Kae, crouches in the shadow of Elantris. Princess Sarene of Teod arrives for a marriage of state with Crown Prince Raoden, hoping -- based on their correspondence -- to also find love. She finds instead that Raoden has died and she is considered his widow. Both Teod and Arelon are under threat as the last remaining holdouts against the imperial ambitions of the ruthless religious fanatics of Fjordell. So Sarene decides to use her new status to counter the machinations of Hrathen, a Fjordell high priest who has come to Kae to convert Arelon and claim it for his emperor and his god. 

But neither Sarene nor Hrathen suspect the truth about Prince Raoden. Stricken by the same curse that ruined Elantris, Raoden was secretly exiled by his father to the dark city. His struggle to help the wretches trapped there begins a series of events that will bring hope to Arelon, and perhaps reveal the secret of Elantris itself.

Review

Elantris was a very interesting fantasy read. It made me think allot about religion and has inspired me to study more in to my own religion. Elantris was the second book I have read in Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere, the first being the Mistborn trilogy. Elantris wasn't Quite as good as Mistborn was but it was close. I didn't like the characters quite as much, although they were great. I love the magic system the Brandon created in Elantris, the way I picture it is kinda like drawing Japanese Kanji charaters. Something I really look forward to as I start reading more and more of Brandon's books is seeing all of his magic systems because people rave about them all the time.

I went into this book blind not knowing anything about it apart from it was written by Brandon Sanderson and it was the first book he wrote set in the Cosmere. I'm glad I did this because I would of hesitated to pick it up if I had of read that there is quite a bit of religious goings on in the book. But it was really interesting and made me think about my self and were in at in my life. So to anyone who is hum hahing because of the priests and what not in the synopsis, just pick it up i'm sure you won't regret it. I do have to say the end climax of the book was rather predictable but there were unpredictable aspects out into it which I was very happy with. So it did end up surprising me just a little bit which always earns extra points in my books. Apart from that I didn't really find any other major issues with the book personally.

Over all I really enjoyed Elantris and would recommend to any fan of adult fantasy. I love Brandon Sanderson's books and this did't change that opinion. I hope he hurry's the hell up and writes the next book that's in the series because I need it now.

4.5 out of 5 stars