Book Review: Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

After thoroughly enjoying the Mistborn trilogy, I was eager to dive into another of Brandon Sanderson’s works, which led me to Elantris. Initially, I found it challenging to get into the story, but as I persevered through the first few chapters, I found myself increasingly hooked.

The story is set both in the city of Arelon, and the once-glorious city of Elantris, now a cursed wasteland. On the eve of his wedding, Prince Raoden of Arelon is afflicted by the Shaod, a mysterious transformation that condemns him to Elantris. Meanwhile, Sarene, his bride-to-be who has never met him in person, arrives in Arelon unaware of his fate. While all of this is happening, a Fjorden priest named Hrathen is on a mission to convert Arelon, which threatens both Arelon and Sarene’s homeland, Teod.

Raoden is a character who embodies strong morals and honor, even in the face of dire circumstances. His journey of rebuilding himself without relying on his status as a prince was compelling, especially when faced with serious threats to his life. Sarene, equally resourceful and intelligent, navigates political challenges with skill and determination. Her story, filled with underhanded maneuvers, provided a fascinating contrast to Raoden’s.

One of the highlights of Elantris was exploring the political and societal differences between the cities, both in their current state and before the Shaod. The world-building is rich and immersive, drawing readers into the complexities of Arelon, Teod, and Fjorden.

The magic system in Elantris remains a mystery for much of the book, which added an element of intrigue. Discovering its intricacies alongside Raoden was an enjoyable aspect of the story.

At first, I struggled with the narrative jumps between characters each chapter, mainly because so much of the story was still unfolding. However, as I learned more about the characters and their motivations, the transitions became smoother, and the pacing felt natural.

Reading Elantris immediately after Mistborn highlighted some differences. Mistborn had more time to delve into its world in great detail, while Elantris, Sanderson’s first published novel, manages to immerse readers in a rich and complex world in a relatively short span. While Elantris is a fantastic and well-told story, it is less polished than some of Sanderson’s later works.

Overall, I’d rate Elantris 4 out of 5 stars. It stands as a testament to Sanderson’s storytelling abilities and serves as a strong introduction to his work, though I personally enjoyed his other novels more.