Elantris, Sanderson's outstanding fantasy debut, has something for everyone: mystery, magic, romance, political, wrangling, religious conflict, fights for equality, sharp writing and wonderful, robust characters. If you like this sort of thing: this is the book for you!
Elantris is a story of a city and its godlike inhabitants, yes, but first it's a story of three amazingly different characters. Raoden, prince of Arelon, loved by all, including the princess he'd never met. Headstrong Sarene, princess of Teod, a widow before she was ever married. And Hrathen, high priest of Fjordell, who desires to covert the people of Arelon or kill them. Their stories are so different, but they intertwine in the best of ways.
You see there’s a force in Arelon known as the Dor that randomly chooses people and grants them divine powers. Elantris was once the city of the gods, where anyone who was ‘chosen’ went to live. Ten years ago, the Elantrians lost their powers and caught a terrible disease instead. From that point on, Elantris became a prison city/contamination zone for any who caught that disease, for the Dor continues to choose people and curse them. The book starts out with Prince Raoden being struck by the curse and imprisoned in Elantris, while Princess Sareene of Teod in Kae, who was bethrohed to Raoden, believers her intended husband has died. She decides to use her wit and political savvy to protect Kae from malevolent forces without and within the city, chiefly the tortured soul Hrathen, a leader of the creepy Shu-Dereth faith, who aims to either convert Kae or destroy it.
This is a story of faith and determination set against a vividly portrayed world where magic is based on channeling power through the depiction of runes, which I found to be highly intriguing. The magic systems of the world of Elantris each use a set of forms to access the Dor.
1. AonDor uses symbols called Aons, which can be drawn directly in the air as glowing light, or in a large variety of physical representations, such as etched into metal plates, or incorporated into the design of buildings. Anyone can learn to draw Aons, but they only have power when created by an Elantrian. AonDor is tied to the city of Elantris and is only practiced within its borders. Aons work elsewhere but become weaker with distance from Elantris.
2. ChayShan is not explored much in Elantris, however it seems to consist of a type of meditative martial art, with the forms one moves through granting access to the Dor. It appears that, like Aons, these forms can be practiced, potentially by anyone, without supernatural effect, with additional factors such as intent or bloodline establishing the connection to the Dor.
3. Dakhor is even less well understood than ChayShan, without even a concrete name. It is currently referred to as Dakhor because its only known practitioners are members of Dakhor Monastery. What is known is that its use alters the bones of the user, causing them to twist and form patterns under the skin. These patterns are most likely the 'form' through which this magic is channeled. Dakhor allows access to the Dor and has a possible connection to Dominion. Dakhor requires human sacrifice in several of its uses.
Yes, the magic system is fascinating but it's the vivid, strongly drawn characters that make this story compelling. If you haven't read this one, do yourself a favor and pick it up. ( )

I absolutely loved this book. I was worried it wouldn't be as good as Mistborn, but I was wrong. The magic system is interesting and the plot has many twists and turns. I would definitely recommend this to everyone. 10/10 - November 27, 2023 ( )

This beast is so clunky for a Sanderson! But it was a lot of fun to go back and see the beginnings of a writing legend. 3 stars for writing, 5 stars for story/imagination. I love that Sanderson can take such a simple thought and make the entire story about that one thing, examined from every possible angle. And I also love that there doesn't have to be some global battle or a million fight scenes to make this book exciting.

It is, at its heart, a book about humanity and what makes us human.

If you are a Sanderson fan, you've probably already read this. If you aren't, read it knowing that the master was a mere dreamer when he wrote this! ( )

I’m glad to have read Elantris; it was very fun to experience Sanderson’s debut.
However, I had a very hard time getting through this novel and very nearly DNF’d several times. Much like Final Empire, Elantris turned positive for me at about 85% and the ending was fantastic. I like the magic system and many of the main characters a lot - not sure why most of the novel was such a slog.
Glad I read it, do not plan to return. ( )

La a doua citire, nota mai scade. Chiar și așa, singurul roman de la Sanderson bun(icel). Am încercat Mistborn și e așa o porcărie YA șablonard care-mi insultă inteligența că nu vreau să mai aud de autor... cât despre Elantris, curge cam așa: 100 de pagini proaste (fiindcă sunt prost scrise, sacadat și anchilozat, deși povestea e bună), 500 bune și uneori foarte bune, 150 iar proaste (o combinație de lungeli, peste care poți sări liniștit, cu grăbeli în care inghesuie prea mult prea repede încât pare un rezumat sec al adevăratei povești). Poveste foarte bună, parțial în burduf de câine. Pot recomanda această carte drept lectură ușurică, dar cert nu și autorul. ( )