Elantris
If at first the many ‘funny words’ (Rao, Shaod, etc.) and names of places (Fjordell, Arelon, Teod, etc.) seem overwhelming, do not fear. They are a necessary part of creating a world that is truly a whole world unto itself: complex, strange, absorbing. That world is like a heavy duty paper towel and YOU, dear reader, a hapless puddle of juice on the counter.
You are going to get sucked right in.
First of all, the characters. Like the Mistborn trilogy, which you may remember I loved, Sanderson’s characters are larger than life in terms of good and evil. Or at least, they appear that way, until you realize they are truly human… even the ones who aren’t, or not fully anyways. They are simply thrust into very extreme situations.
Raoden, one of the main characters, is the perfect example. Though he is trapped in soiled, squalid Elantris by the Shaod (that’s when you become an Elantrian, it happens at any time to any person), he doesn’t let his exile into the city of the damned slow him down. Instead, he devotes himself to helping the people of Elantris.
As the book goes on, we discover through the other characters outside of Elantris that Raoden’s entire life had been so devoted: to helping those less fortunate. Though we see him as others might – a good natured guy, almost light-hearted were it not for the whole eternal damnation thing – we start to know him as he truly is. A prince. In the best sense of the word. You want to keep reading if only to keep this wonderful person in your life.
Outside the walls of Elantris, the world Raoden fought so hard to improve is crumbling. When Elantris’s magic suddenly fled, leaving the Elantrians ugly and damned, a new religion sprang up to fill the void. The Fjordell people use this religion as an excuse for world domination, and with no magic Elantrians standing in their way, they’re pretty close to succeeding.
They didn’t account for a tall and gangly Teoish princess standing in their way, though.
Sarene is such a great character. Watching her operate, slipping through the cracks of the court to get closer to the truth about Raoden (her betrothed, who she’s been told is dead) and to protect her country from the Fjordell, is truly a pleasure. She’s like James Bond, only better in every single way. Plus she’s cheeky. And imperfect. And just wonderful.
The real gem of the book, however, is the person you’d least expect: Hrathen, who is leading the Fjordell charge into the country surrounding fallen Elantris as a missionary, offering conversion before the murderous and inhuman invasion force makes its way in to kill the unholy. You will dislike him so much it is not even funny.
And then…
Well. You’ll just have to read it and find out!
