The City of the Gods

Elantris
By Brandon Sanderson
Adult Fantasy

"Elantris was the capital of Arelon: gigantic, beautiful, literally radiant, and filled with benevolent beings who used their powerful magical abilities for the benefit of all.Ten years ago, without warning, the magic failed. Elantrians became leper-like, powerless creatures, and Elantris itself grew dark, filthy, and crumbling.

"Princess Sarene of Teod arrives for a marriage of state with Crown Prince Raoden, hoping to also find love. She finds instead that Raoden has died, leaving a country caught in the machinations of a high priest who wishes to convert the country and claim it for his god, no matter the cost.

"Sarene doesn't suspect the truth about Prince Raoden: stricken by the same curse that ruined Elantris, Raoden was secretly exiled by his father to the dark city. His struggle to help the wretches trapped there begins a series of events that will bring hope to Arelon, and perhaps reveal the secret of Elantris itself." 

Sanderson does it again! This novel delighted me with its complex characters who turn out to have deeper, more layers than I imagined and make decisions I didn't think possible. The characters are not the only things in this book to possess layers: this land and its culture does as well. The complexity of the Aonic language of the country was well-thought out, as well as the habits, customs, and other important aspects of the various cultures mixed into Arelon. All these things helped make the world realistic and fascinating, although some of them could probably have been explained even more thoroughly. 

The main thing that kept me reading, though, was the major mystery shrouding Elantris. Sanderson keeps the answer tantalizingly close without giving it away, like a carrot in front of a rabbit. Close enough to be intriguing, but not frustrating. This was not the only mystery either, of course. The country is on the brink of collapse, and it was fun to see how Sarene attempted to outwit the priest at every corner of his masterminded plan. 

The politics did grow a bit insipid at times, but the ending, with all of its surprises, is well worth it! I also realized, while reading Elantris, that though Sanderson writes brilliantly, he does not write beautifully. His stories are logical and detailed when they need to be, but not woven with a plethora of figurative language. I missed that, but it all depends on personal preference.  

I give this novel a 4 out of 5 and recommend it for 16 year olds and up. If you're a fantasy nut, or even just like to breeze through it once in a while, you must definitely check this novel out! It's long, but there are so many interlocking plots that you'll shoot right through it. 

What I learned: People are not (usually) what they seem.