Review: Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

Blurb:

In 2005, Brandon Sanderson debuted with Elantris, an epic fantasy unlike any other then on the market. To celebrate its tenth anniversary, Tor is reissuing Elantris in a special edition, a fresh chance to introduce it to the myriad readers who have since become Sanderson fans.

This new edition begins with a preface by author Dan Wells, the first person to read the completed novel, and a new afterword by Sanderson explaining how he came to write the book and its place in the Cosmere, the unified universe of all his Tor novels.

Also included is an expanded version of the "Ars Arcanum" appendix, with more of the technical details of the book's magic that fans can never get enough of.

Elantris was truly a milestone both for Sanderson and for the genre of epic fantasy. It deserves this special treatment, something Tor has done only once before, with Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game. Sanderson fans old and new will be excited to discover it.

Review:

“Remember, the past need not become our future as well.”

First published in 2005, Elantris is the debut fantasy novel by Brandon Sanderson that introduces readers to his incredible Cosmere universe. Before I dived into these complex and interconnected worlds, I checked in with a few resources online, including a suggested reading order from Sanderson himself, and was surprised to see that he did not recommend readers start their journey with his debut. While he acknowledges that Elantris holds up well, he considers it one of his weaker novels, making it less ideal for newcomers to his writing.

Having now read this book and the Mistborn trilogy, I’d probably agree with that assessment. However, it's important to note that Elantris remains an absolutely captivating story. Despite lacking the polish of his later books, it is an incredible standalone fantasy that you can lose yourself in. 

Located in the nation of Arelon, Elantris, or the ‘City of the Gods’, is a place that was once known for its beauty and magic. Its inhabitants, the Elantrians, wielded incredible power through the use of magical symbols called Aons, which could achieve feats ranging from healing life-threatening conditions to creating food for nearby towns. However, ten years before the story begins, Elantris was struck by the Reod, a catastrophic event that stripped the city and its people of magic, leading to its ruin and causing turmoil in the surrounding areas. The plot of the book focuses on uncovering the mystery behind the Reod as the main characters deal with ongoing political disorder and the threat of a religious war

In this story, we follow three characters as they navigate significant developments within the nation of Arelon. Prince Raoden is struck down by the Shaod—a random phenomenon that transforms a person into an Elantrian—and is exiled to Elantris at the very beginning of the story. Sarene, a princess from Teod, arrives in Arelon to marry the prince, only to find him presumed dead. And lastly, Hrathen, a high-ranking priest from Fjorden, is sent to convert the people of Arelon to the Derethi religion. Each character provides unique insights into the workings of their world, and their individual stories eventually intertwine as they overcome various challenges—often set by each other.

Having only read Sanderson’s Mistborn trilogy, I can't provide extensive comparisons to his later works, but it's evident that by the time The Final Empire was published, he had significantly honed his craft. Elantris lacks the polished feel of the later books I've read, which is noticeable in areas such as character development and plot structure. The pacing, in particular, felt quite slow at times. However, despite these minor drawbacks, Sanderson's mastery of worldbuilding is clear, as I always felt fully immersed as the plot progressed. Just keep in mind that Elantris is quite politically focused, with many conversations and little action, which might make the slower sections challenging for some readers.

As is often the case when I read a fantasy book, one of my favorite elements was the magic system, and in Elantris, I found the mystery surrounding the city's downfall particularly intriguing. Raoden was a great character to explore this aspect of the story, and I loved how positive and hopeful he remained when faced with enormous challenges. I also really enjoyed the developing relationship between Raoden and Sarene, finding some of their exchanges quite funny. They were perfectly matched, and I was always rooting for them to see eye to eye.

Elantris weaves many themes into its narrative, with religion and faith being particularly prominent, and I’m starting to see that this is a common theme across a lot of Sanderson’s work. Hrathen introduces us to a zealous side of faith, as he will stop at almost nothing to save the souls of Arelon’s inhabitants. His character undergoes probably the most significant development as he grapples with internal conflicts. As his journey progresses, he begins to question his faith and the mission he has been given. Additionally, he doubts not only his religion but also himself, which contrasts sharply with Raoden, who has a strong belief in the power of his own actions and the tenacity of his fellow Elantrians. After all, the Elantrians were once revered as gods, and it becomes clear that their strength lies not in religious doctrine but in their actions within the community, which is what made them so special.

Overall, I had a fantastic time with Elantris. While there were moments where the pacing faltered and some characters could have used more depth, it remains a brilliant fantasy world to immerse yourself in. If you’re new to the Cosmere, I’d stick with Sanderson’s advice and slot this in further down the line, but keep in mind that some will advise that you read it before Stormlight Archive. I can’t comment on that yet but I’m trusting the internet on this one!