So I thought I’d start a ‘series’ on my blog where I review books I’m rereading, letting you guys know my feelings whilst rereading and whether my opinion has changed. I’m going to try writing down my thoughts whilst rereading books, probably either be me gushing or complaining. (lol) As well as reviewing the actual book of course.
Synopsis:
ELANTRIS WAS A PLACE OF GLORY
The capital of Arelon, the home to people transformed into magic-using demigods by the Shaod.
But then the magic failed, Elantris started to rot, and its inhabitants turned into powerless wrecks.
And in the new capital, Kae, close enough to Elantris for everyone to be reminded of what they have lost, a princess arrives. Sarene is to be married to unite Teod and Arelon against the religious imperialists of Fjordell. But she is told that Raoden, her husband to be, is dead.
Determined to carry on the fight for Teod and Arelon’s freedom, Sarene clashes with the high priest Hrathen. If Hrathen can persuade the populace to convert, Fjordell will reign supreme.
But there are secrets in Elantris, the dead and the ruined may yet have a role to play in this new world. Magic lives.
Plot: Slow-burning but incredibly intriguing. AMAZING world-building. If you don’t know by now, Brandon Sanderson is the King of world-building. No one has even come close to his level of amazing writing. I adore his writing style, he is great at writing characters I really care about. I am always so invested in his characters stories!
Let me just say: if you’re looking for an action-packed fantasy, this isn’t the book for you. It highly relies on political, religious and magically intrigue. There’s no action really, except a little at the very end, so if you’re not into that I give this a miss.
I am not usually a big fan of slow-paced books but there is something about Brandon Sanderson’s writing that has me completely hooked. The first half of this book is pretty slow, it takes time to develop the story but the last half of the book picks up. (I read the last 300 in a day!)
So basically, Elantis is a city once ruled by people blessed by the Shaod, they were idolised as ‘gods’, ten years before the book begins the Shaod started turning people in essentially zombies instead.
Characters:
Raoden: HE IS SUCH A SWEETHEART. God, I love Raoden. He’s such a great character. Raoden is a young Prince due to marry Princess Sarene, however, around a week before she’s due to arrive Raoden is struck by the Shaod and shunned into Elantris.
Sarene: Poor Sarene is a widow before she was even married. She arrives in Arelon a week early, to surprise her future Raoden, in the hopes of getting to know him before the wedding. When she arrives in Arelon she finds out her husband-to-be has died.
SARENE IS A FEMINIST ICON. She’s a Princess, with a huge interest in politics, she’s very opinionated and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Men are intimidated by Sarene’s intelligence and resistance to being a ‘typical’ woman at court.
Hrathen: Hrathen is a Fjordell Gyorn, which is like a high priest, he is tasked to convert the people of Arelon or they will be massacred.
Let me just say, Hrathen is a well-written antagonist with good character development. That being said, I bloody hate him! His rivalry with Sarene is very entertaining. I mean, I guess he’s just doing his ‘job’ but I never have been a fan of pushy religious people.
Galladon: Honourable mention to this side character! I bloody adore Galladon, he’s so snarky and funny. He’s such a pessimist, very relatable.
Thoughts whilst reading:
- Oh my god, I’ve missed this world
- YASSS Sarene!
- God, I hate Hrathen
- Raoden is such a babe
- Sarene’s sass gives me life
- How did I forget THAT?!
Has my opinion changed: Kind of? I think I loved it, even more, the second time around. I adore this book, I haven’t read any Sanderson since last year and I realised how much I miss his writing. It also made me remember how much better adult fantasy is to YA.
Rating: 5/5 Stars!
Literary Leisha 
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