Elantris
Science Fiction/ Fantasy
By Brandon Sanderson
Reviewed by R. Miles
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Elantris was once a city of power, its occupants, were looked up to as gods. Until one day when the power in the city suddenly failed. The Elantrians, (people taken by the Shaod to become divine creatures able to manipulate magic) as a result were transformed from being blessed with pale white skin and shining white hair to be accursed beings with gray and black splotched skin with their hair falling out.
When Raoden, the crowned prince of Arelon is taken by the Shaod; he enters the new world of a once beautiful Elantris to find it covered in slime and muck. The people living there he is surprised to see are all crouched in corners covered in the Elantrian muck, some whispering incoherently and others solemnly asking for food. As he enters Elantris he finds himself faced with a choice. Go straight ahead, go to his right, or go to his left. Each direction will bring him to a new place. As he begins to wander the city he meets an Elantrian by the name of Galladon. Galladon claims to have been in Elantris for only a few months but he seems suspiciously knowledgeable of the city. Raoden makes a deal with Galladon, exchanging a piece of dried meat to the starving Elantrian in exchange for guidance about the city for 30 days. In those 30 days Raoden makes a decision that will require a lot of hard work but may change his life and the lives of his fellow Elantrians.
Meanwhile in Arelon, Raodens fiancée Sarene princess of Teod arrives in Arelon to meet her soon to be husband and to be formerly wed. However as her ship docks, a messenger informs her that Raoden has died of a sudden disease and that legally she is now widowed because her marriage contract says that if one of the engaged couple dies it is equivalent to a marriage and legally binding as so. And so newly widowed, Sarene enters a new land and title as princess of Arelon. After meeting with her new father and with Raodens old friends Sarene becomes convinced of a dark treachery behind Raoden’s mysterious death. One day, a Gyorn (high priest of the god Jaddeth) named Hrathren comes to Arelon to convert the people. Sarene, as a political mastermind sets out to stop him in his tracks. The result of their war with each other could affect the lives of the people of Arelon, Teod, and the Elantrians as well.
Elantris is a very captivating book; you will never be able to predict exactly what will happen next. The story is interesting and gives the characters a personality so as to make them almost real. It is a story of mystery, of treason, of love, and of a strong desire to do good. Brandon Sanderson will continue to surprise you throughout the entire length of the story. While reading it you get a feel of actually being in the story its self. This is however Brandon Sanderson’s debut. It has the feeling of a debut and the sound of a debut. The writing is not as experienced and professional as some of his later books. The names of places and people are creative but have a way of seeming to be just jumbled letters at times. Over all, Elantris is a captivating book that will keep you on the edge of your seat wanting more from beginning to end. It lacks a certain level of experience but it shows a talent for writing beginning to blossom. I would suggest this book to anyone who enjoys reading about magic and mystery.
