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A review by rikuson1
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I Liked It 😉
-★★★âœâ˜†- (3.75/5.00)
My Grading Score = 75% (B)
Being Brandon Sanderson's first published book, I thought this one was an impressive one. People state that this one is one of his weakest books and you might even hear Sanderson himself talk about Elantris in a way that may sound like he's not super proud of it because he's probably looking at it in hindsight especially in comparison to apparently how better he is now. With that being said, I still fairly enjoyed Elantris.
The City of Elantris was interesting with mystery in regards to what we know it to be in the past and what it currently is during the current story. I thought the characters were interesting, well written, and entertaining enough to follow. Sarene is my favorite and, in my opinion, the best-written, followed by Raoden and then Hrathen. Hrathen, in particular, didn't fully grow onto me even to the very end of the story. He wasn't badly written to any degree, but his portion didn't feel as relevant as the other two, and that is probably done that way on purpose, which isn't a knock on it if it was. I did find his strong religious background his most interesting and well-executed thing about him, though.
There was one random plot pull in regards to something teleportation-related scene around the end that is done in a way that I can not deny bothered me, and it indeed felt contrived. It's probably my biggest gripe and the reason I might give Warbreaker just a little bit of an edge overall to this.
Verdict:
The point is if you're interested in Elantris, don't let the stigma of "this is his weakest book" stop you, just because it's one of his weakest doesn't mean it's bad. I wouldn't start here as your first Sanderson book that goes to The Emperor's Soul. But as a second book from him, I'd say this is find enough especially since it takes place in the same world as The Emperor's Soul but not needed.
I Liked It
-★★★âœâ˜†- (3.75/5.00)
My Grading Score = 75% (B)
Being Brandon Sanderson's first published book, I thought this one was an impressive one. People state that this one is one of his weakest books and you might even hear Sanderson himself talk about Elantris in a way that may sound like he's not super proud of it because he's probably looking at it in hindsight especially in comparison to apparently how better he is now. With that being said, I still fairly enjoyed Elantris.
The City of Elantris was interesting with mystery in regards to what we know it to be in the past and what it currently is during the current story. I thought the characters were interesting, well written, and entertaining enough to follow. Sarene is my favorite and, in my opinion, the best-written, followed by Raoden and then Hrathen. Hrathen, in particular, didn't fully grow onto me even to the very end of the story. He wasn't badly written to any degree, but his portion didn't feel as relevant as the other two, and that is probably done that way on purpose, which isn't a knock on it if it was. I did find his strong religious background his most interesting and well-executed thing about him, though.
There was one random plot pull in regards to something teleportation-related scene around the end that is done in a way that I can not deny bothered me, and it indeed felt contrived. It's probably my biggest gripe and the reason I might give Warbreaker just a little bit of an edge overall to this.
Verdict:
The point is if you're interested in Elantris, don't let the stigma of "this is his weakest book" stop you, just because it's one of his weakest doesn't mean it's bad. I wouldn't start here as your first Sanderson book that goes to The Emperor's Soul. But as a second book from him, I'd say this is find enough especially since it takes place in the same world as The Emperor's Soul but not needed.
I Liked It