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jamieleepilk's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Continuing my Brandon Sanderson journey by going back to the very beginning.
"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.
"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.
Content Warnings
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
erenreads12's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I tend to find myself reading dark and difficult novels, and this was such a welcome break from what I usually read - lighthearted, well-paced fantasy with genuinely loveable characters and an enchanting magic system set amongst expert world building. Elantris was a truly enjoyable and engaging read, and it's very clear to see why Brandon Sanderson is every fantasy reader's favourite author.
I did have some gripes with the novel that spoiled the reading experience a little - although Sarene is definitely a loveable character, the fact that the author is male does come through here; there is some underlying not-like-other-girls syndrome that irritated me (not necessarily about her character, but about how the character is written), and this becomes very apparent when she is the only developed female character in the story. Sanderson is very skilled at writing men, even at writing them in most cases outside the confines of male stereotypes - but he falls down somewhat in this book in crafting a female character. Having said that, by and large Sarene is well developed and three dimensional, and is certainly by no means the worst female character written by a man.
My other gripe was the unaddressed plot points - although Elantris is a standalone, it finishes as though there is a second novel intended. However, by and large, I really enjoyed this novel - it was escapism at its finest, crafting a conflicted, well-connected landscape I would like to live in.
I did have some gripes with the novel that spoiled the reading experience a little - although Sarene is definitely a loveable character, the fact that the author is male does come through here; there is some underlying not-like-other-girls syndrome that irritated me (not necessarily about her character, but about how the character is written), and this becomes very apparent when she is the only developed female character in the story. Sanderson is very skilled at writing men, even at writing them in most cases outside the confines of male stereotypes - but he falls down somewhat in this book in crafting a female character. Having said that, by and large Sarene is well developed and three dimensional, and is certainly by no means the worst female character written by a man.
My other gripe was the unaddressed plot points - although Elantris is a standalone, it finishes as though there is a second novel intended. However, by and large, I really enjoyed this novel - it was escapism at its finest, crafting a conflicted, well-connected landscape I would like to live in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Death
Moderate: Cursing, Murder, and Violence
sweekune's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
Audiobook narrated by Jack Garrett.TThishis
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, Forced institutionalization, and Religious bigotry
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