Reviews with content warning for Genocide - Elantris

Some more top-notch fantasy from Brandon Sanderson. I didn't love it quite as much as Mistborn era 1 - I just didn't gel with one of the POVs and felt myself rushing through those bits to get to the others, and the ending didn't feel as powerful to me - but I appreciated having a little standalone reading 'break' in my Sanderson journey!

Elantris spends more time exploring the politics if and relationships in a fantasy world, more than the magical elements of it, which I personally enjoyed but others may not.

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iono's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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apersonfromflorida's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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leocancer's review against another edition

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adventurous slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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lilifane's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Everyone warns people not to start reading Brandon Sanderson with this book, but I always want to experience a complex book universe in the publication order. So I started with Elantris, but told myself that it doesn't matter how much I hate it, I will definitely still read Mistborn at least.

To my biggest surprise I actually really enjoyed this book and if this is his weakest one... okay.

It certainly has its issues. Most of the characters are pretty flat and boring (although I like most of them without a doubt). I think there is only one character that is actually complex and interesting. And the whole political plot didn't interest me that much, I just didn't care for it and I think it dragged on for too long. I didn't care for the king and this baby monarchy, I didn't care for the nobility. I might have cared for the peasants, but they were basically absent from the plot, although they had so much more potential?

The rest of the book? I loved it! The world building is phenomenal, I enjoyed the magic system a lot, everything about Elantris (history, mystery, present state) is so cool and fascinating, and I flew through these chapters. The story was really well plotted in my opinion, all the small details that became important at the end and fit perfectly together. Ah, I love this. (I'm just a little sad the final Elantris mystery wasn't really explained. That scene was so confusing, and I don't know what happened there. I have a vague idea, but it's bothering me not to know the details!)

Also: Although I know, Sanderson discusses mental health in his books, I wasn't aware it was already so present in this first one. The way the suffering of Elantrians can be compared to depression really impressed me.

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diana_barv's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

Well I'll be dammed. I am back on my fantasy-loving bs; expect a lot of cosmere reviews in the next months. I had intended to read more of them but finally, Jack convinced me by constantly making references to them and I wanted in on the joke.
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.

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sashafriese's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad fast-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

5.0

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