Book Review Time

Hey,

So today I just finished up Elantris by Brandon Sanderson.

Elantris is a magical city in the kingdom of Arelon. Random members of the kingdom would find themselves taken by the Shaod -- a magical transformation that turned them into silver-skinned demi-gods with powerful magic. So these beings lived in Elantris and made life a utopia for everyone else in the kingdom.

Ten years ago the magic stopped and the city died. People still get taken by the Shaod, but it turns them into ugly, undead ghouls who live suspended in a world of pain and pathos. The rest of Arelon picked up the pieces and continued on as best they could.

So the story revolves around Prince Raoden of Arelon who gets taken by the Shaod, his bride-to-be Princess Sarene who arrives just in time to find out she's a widow, and High Priest Hrathen who arrives from the kingdom of Fjordell to convert the heathens of Arelon to the One True Faith (TM). I really liked this book in part because these three characters are very well fleshed out and satisfyingly complex. The various beliefs and opinions they hold are all tested over and over again throughout the story and they all really seem to grow as people. Even Hrathen, the ostensible villain of the story has a great deal of depth and is a lot of fun to read.

The other really nice thing about this book is that it's very much about intrigue and subterfuge. There are almost no pitched battles or major wars, it's all politics and maneuvering and it's a lot of fun to read. But when it gets down to the last 50-75 pages or so the action really ramps up and just blazes through to the finish.

Also, the book is complete in one volume. All the major loose ends are tied up and while there is a clear path to a sequel, there are no cliffhangers or major unresolved issues at the end of the book. Mr. Sanderson's next book (coming out in late July) appears to have no connection to Elantris at all and also looks to be quite interesting.

Alas, there are no zeppelins so it loses a few points, but Elantris is a solid fantasy novel with an active plot, strong characters and avoids most of the usual fantasy cliches. Definitely worth the read.

later
Tom

Book Review Time

Hey,

So today I just finished up Elantris by Brandon Sanderson.

Elantris is a magical city in the kingdom of Arelon. Random members of the kingdom would find themselves taken by the Shaod -- a magical transformation that turned them into silver-skinned demi-gods with powerful magic. So these beings lived in Elantris and made life a utopia for everyone else in the kingdom.

Ten years ago the magic stopped and the city died. People still get taken by the Shaod, but it turns them into ugly, undead ghouls who live suspended in a world of pain and pathos. The rest of Arelon picked up the pieces and continued on as best they could.

So the story revolves around Prince Raoden of Arelon who gets taken by the Shaod, his bride-to-be Princess Sarene who arrives just in time to find out she's a widow, and High Priest Hrathen who arrives from the kingdom of Fjordell to convert the heathens of Arelon to the One True Faith (TM). I really liked this book in part because these three characters are very well fleshed out and satisfyingly complex. The various beliefs and opinions they hold are all tested over and over again throughout the story and they all really seem to grow as people. Even Hrathen, the ostensible villain of the story has a great deal of depth and is a lot of fun to read.

The other really nice thing about this book is that it's very much about intrigue and subterfuge. There are almost no pitched battles or major wars, it's all politics and maneuvering and it's a lot of fun to read. But when it gets down to the last 50-75 pages or so the action really ramps up and just blazes through to the finish.

Also, the book is complete in one volume. All the major loose ends are tied up and while there is a clear path to a sequel, there are no cliffhangers or major unresolved issues at the end of the book. Mr. Sanderson's next book (coming out in late July) appears to have no connection to Elantris at all and also looks to be quite interesting.

Alas, there are no zeppelins so it loses a few points, but Elantris is a solid fantasy novel with an active plot, strong characters and avoids most of the usual fantasy cliches. Definitely worth the read.

later
Tom