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A review by erenreads12
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
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