Reviews

Elantris (Full Book Parts 1 - 3) by Brandon Sanderson

landrade4's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

bhgold1711's review against another edition

slow-paced

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

3.25

Elantris isn't a great book. It's not bad, but it's only good... with caveats. It's a deeply flawed work that shows its flaws in a big way. Brandon Sanderson in 2024 is a different, and superior, author than in 2005. I don't think I'm grading Elantris on a curve with this rating, though, I'm fairly grading it.

Some higher level thoughts I had on reread.

- The foreshadowing of the ending in Chapter 3 is beautifully done
- From the jump, the way characters talk about women is just bad. It starts from the beginning. Sarene talking about Eshen. Raoden talking about the women who enters Elantris in Chapter 4. It's just juvenile and one of the things that's aged the worst. The way the royals talk about women is also... rough. 
- Raoden kind of is a Gary Stu.
- Brandon's writing of Kiin's children is also pretty weak. Kaise is supposed to be smart... but she reads like a young adult, not a child. Daorn to a lesser extent. And the less said about Aiden the better (as Brandon acknowledges, it's baaaaaad)
- Hrathen still stands out as the star of this story. His crisis of faith is a great story and his characterization is deep. Hrathen is the best indicator of what would come down the road.
- Brandon even in his early books is good at not doing too much exposition and finding ways to weave in worldbuilding effectively. It's a hallmark of his writing and you see it in Elantris
- Sarene has her moments despite far too much "I'm not like other girls" for my liking. Her relationship with her father stands out (one of the best parents in the Cosmere!)
- Sarene and Raoden's relationship is... not well written. All of his deceit just feels wrong.
- Hrathen's crush on Sarene NEVER WORKS AT ALL. It is so bad. And so jarring.
- There are too many mysteries and reveals late that don't really matter. Dreok Crushthroat? Not that important.
- There are others that are jarring and make no sense. Iadon and the Mysteries never really fits in
- The Dilaf reveal, on the other hand, is just masterful

lubrn's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.75

therealjp's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny tense fast-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

5.0

eesh25's review against another edition

5.0

I fully intended to not give this book 5 stars because I've heard countless times that the other books in The Cosmere are even better than this one. I just couldn't go through with it. I loved the book so much.

Brandon Sanderson is an amazing author. This is the second book I've read of his (The first was The Emperor's Soul which I also loved) and if he continues writing books the these two, he will become my favourite author.

He created such awesome worlds and magic systems and explains them in such a great and accessible way that you have no problem understanding them. And he ha wonderful characters. I loved Sarene and Kaoden as individuals and they were perfect for each other.

Hrathen was a very complex character, and as much as I wanted to hate him, I couldn't. In fact, by the time I got halfway through the book, I was hoping against hope that he would realize that he was supporting the wrong man.

The magic system was very unique and very interesting. And I wanted more. When the book ended, I was happy because I couldn't take the characters being tortured (I swear, the last 50 pages were majorly unnerving. I was having problems sitting still), but I was also sad. I didn't want the book to end.

The story was, like everything else in this book, amazing.

This book was not only enjoyable, it also appealed a lot to my critic side. I highly recommend checking this book out. If you're hesitant (the book is kinda huge), read The Emperor's Soul first. It's a novella. It will definitely convince you.

pc953's review against another edition

4.0

The first entry by Brandon Sanderson and the last one of his books within the Cosmere I have read. I had heard that it was considered one of his weakest novels and was pleasantly surprised by it. Though it follows his early normal tropes, marriages of princesses that don't go quite right, small group trying to lead a political upheaval, a civilization far from its peak of power, it once again is done well. The magic system is very interesting and explained in a way that leaves you wanting more. A number of things do feel rushed, some character progressions and events slammed into the Sanderlanch. In addition a few character moments feel rather cheesy, or unearned.

All in all it's incredible to read his debut and see how much he has grown in the intervening years. I'm excited to return to the world in the short stories and in books to come!

orvillefartenbacher's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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

4.5

ravenslanding's review against another edition

5.0

I like Sanderson's stand alones.

I believe Elantris was Sanderson's break out novel. It doesn't feel like one EXCEPT his plot style (the real enemy is a misunderstanding of how the world works) is a little more visible. This in no way detracts from the story. I liked the characters, the mystery and the resolution.

pomacentridae's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

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

3.0

brynnbop's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0