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dredadonx'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? It's complicated
4.75
The Shaod is a supernatural curse that pervaded all throughout Elantris and gives you dark blemishes all throughout your skin, turns your skin a dark-greyish color, and pronounces you "dead", but technically you can still "live", breath and talk like normal. You don't retain a heartbeat, and you feel hunger, but you don't need food to keep living (but without food you can suffer from extreme hunger, fatigue, and deliriousness, eventually causing you to pass away). It is a weird curse, and **spoiler** Raoden almost gave into the hunger in the book, which made me cry because it seemed like he was considering un*living himself.
My review is a little over the place but I did not want to give too much away with spoilers. PLZ PLZ PLZZZZZ READ THIS BOOK and I cannot wait to dive in further into Emperor's Soul, which is a sequel, but also stand-alone novel, to Elantris.
My only issue with this book was how Sarene would describe herself due to how perverse patriarchal norms are in the setting of this book. Once you read it you'll understand what I am referring to. Also, I was not a fan of how Shuden, who is a darkskinned man from an indigenous Jindo , was kind of fetishized throughout the book due to his skin type. I understand the book was written in the early 2000s so reading this in 2023 where we have made great advancements in gender and racial issues definitely had me uncomfortable.
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Violence, Mental illness, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Forced institutionalization
anastasiamakes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
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.
Graphic: Terminal illness, Genocide, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Death of parent, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Slavery and Suicidal thoughts
cerilouisereads'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Chronic illness, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, and Misogyny
emilyplun's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Body horror, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Murder, Religious bigotry, and Racism
Moderate: Genocide and Xenophobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Torture
jamieleepilk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
"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."
Epic fantasy at it's finest, I will admit it's not quite as polished as his later work but I loved it all the same. With his Trademark charming characters, Raoden a resilient Prince, Sarene a sword fighting, political minded princess and Hrathen a priest with a dark purpose.
Filled to bursting with unforgettable characters, captivating magical systems and mysterious religions. Something I always love about Brandon's work is how immersive it is, every little detail is incredibly well thought out I also do not understand how one many can have this whole universe inside his brain.
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Violence
Minor: Cannibalism
sweekune'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? Yes
4.5
This was my second dip into Sanderson's cosmere and it was one hell of a journey. Slow-paced, slowly building and then hits you with a flurry of impeccably timed action. I enjoyed the three main characters' interactions with this new setting, its people and magic and I would love to see a sequel some day.
The good:
- A twisting plot that was fun to follow. Full of politics, discovery, introspection and hope.
- The magic system was intriguing and different from any I've seen before.
- The cast of characters was diverse and each one distinct enough that it was easy to keep them separate
What could have been better:
- Whilst the journey was incredibly enjoyable, it was occasionally predictable though never enough to cause dissatisfaction.
- A couple of the characters were a little too perfect. Whilst all the characters faced adversity and worked through it, it occasionally seemed that they were good at everything that mattered already or in relatively little time.
Overall an amazing read and I'm already researching which cosmere book to read next.
Moderate: Death, Murder, Forced institutionalization, and Religious bigotry