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A review by aadrita
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
5.0
Synopsis:
Elantris was beautiful, once. It was called the city of the gods, a place of power, radiance and magic. A random event called Shaod could strike anyone and turn them into an Elantrian, allowing them to live as a god for all eternity. Until the Reod struck ten years ago. The magic of Elantris fell, the blessing of eternity became a curse, the gods became living corpses.
The city of Kae became the new capital of Arelon. Under king Iadon's rule, the country is slowly advancing to its destruction. The political marriage of Prince Raoden of Arelon and Princess Sarene of Teod is the last hope these countries have if they want to survive against enemy kingdom Fjordell. But the shaod takes prince Raoden. Princess Sarene arrives in Arelon determined to save both the countries. While a high priest from Fjordell arrives determined to expand their kingdom by any means necessary.
My Thoughts:
I was very excited to read the debut novel of Brandon Sanderson, to see where the sorcerer supreme of modern fantasy started his work. And after reading Elantris I'm still super psyched because the book is extraordinary! If you’ve already read some of Sanderson's later books already, then the writing of Elantris may seem a little less well written because obviously he has improved his writing over the years. And its not really fair to compare someone's first published work to his later ones.
The first part of the book focuses mostly on politics and religion. The magic and the fighting kicks in later. Sanderson's ability to write complex plots with much simplicity is the most beautiful part of any of his writings. And Elantris is filled with the same simplicity and originality. You won't have to look back once you start reading this book. Also his attention toward perfecting every tiny detail is amazing. The first three chapters are written from point of views of three main characters; Raoden, Sarene and Hrathen. So you’ll get a vague idea of what's going on just reading these three chapters. Ofcourse the story will later take it's own twist and turns. The last 200 pages kept me on the edge of my sit. I just couldn’t put the book down during that part.
Elantris contains intriguing storyline, amazing magic and world building, characters with depths. I absolutely loved reading this.
Elantris was beautiful, once. It was called the city of the gods, a place of power, radiance and magic. A random event called Shaod could strike anyone and turn them into an Elantrian, allowing them to live as a god for all eternity. Until the Reod struck ten years ago. The magic of Elantris fell, the blessing of eternity became a curse, the gods became living corpses.
The city of Kae became the new capital of Arelon. Under king Iadon's rule, the country is slowly advancing to its destruction. The political marriage of Prince Raoden of Arelon and Princess Sarene of Teod is the last hope these countries have if they want to survive against enemy kingdom Fjordell. But the shaod takes prince Raoden. Princess Sarene arrives in Arelon determined to save both the countries. While a high priest from Fjordell arrives determined to expand their kingdom by any means necessary.
My Thoughts:
I was very excited to read the debut novel of Brandon Sanderson, to see where the sorcerer supreme of modern fantasy started his work. And after reading Elantris I'm still super psyched because the book is extraordinary! If you’ve already read some of Sanderson's later books already, then the writing of Elantris may seem a little less well written because obviously he has improved his writing over the years. And its not really fair to compare someone's first published work to his later ones.
The first part of the book focuses mostly on politics and religion. The magic and the fighting kicks in later. Sanderson's ability to write complex plots with much simplicity is the most beautiful part of any of his writings. And Elantris is filled with the same simplicity and originality. You won't have to look back once you start reading this book. Also his attention toward perfecting every tiny detail is amazing. The first three chapters are written from point of views of three main characters; Raoden, Sarene and Hrathen. So you’ll get a vague idea of what's going on just reading these three chapters. Ofcourse the story will later take it's own twist and turns. The last 200 pages kept me on the edge of my sit. I just couldn’t put the book down during that part.
Elantris contains intriguing storyline, amazing magic and world building, characters with depths. I absolutely loved reading this.