I considered giving this book 4 or 4.5 stars. However, after reading the Postscript which was written by Sanderson in 2015, I can only give it 5 stars like all the books I've read by him so far.
I think he's one of the best writers I've ever encountered. I don't know how he creates such a beautiful world and characters, and how he does it over and over again.
Elantris is completely different from the Mistborn trilogy. Those are big and pompous stories, with large and complicated worlds and epic fight scenes and non-stop action. Elantris has a completely different rhythm.
The world is small. It's encompassed in a city in the shadows of Elantris. A large city that used to be the place where the most powerful magicians live. That city, for some unknown reason, has become completely derelict. The people know receiving the former blessing are now seen as cursed.
Reodan, heir to the throne of the neighbouring city of Elantris, becomes cursed in one of the first scenes of the book.
We follow three characters in these chapters. Sarene is Reodan's wife, although they have never met. She arrives one day late and is told the prince is dead. Hrathen, a monk to a religion who is out to rule the world and Reodan himself who is trying to survive in the cursed city of Elantris.
The pace is a bit off in this novel, but it ends with a bang. I don't know, there's something about Sanderson's writing that keeps me enthralled whether the energy is high or low. I can really appreciate this slower novel as well. I can't wait to read the short stories that take place in this world as there are no sequels (yet).
I have all of Sanderson's novels in my bookcase, so let's see which one to pick up next.
5 stars
Statistics:
Date read: May 22, 2020
Date published: May 1, 2005
Publisher: Gollancz
Format: Paperback
Pages: 608
Genre: Fantasy
My Number of Books Read by this Author: 4
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