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    Elantris: Tenth Anniversary Author's Definitive Edition
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    Elantris: Tenth Anniversary Author's Definitive Edition
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    Elantris: Tenth Anniversary Author's Definitive Edition
    Ebook860 pages13 hours

    Elantris: Tenth Anniversary Author's Definitive Edition

    By Brandon Sanderson

    4.5/5

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    About this ebook

    In 2005, Brandon Sanderson debuted with Elantris, an epic fantasy unlike any other then on the market. To celebrate its tenth anniversary, Tor is reissuing Elantris in a special edition, a fresh chance to introduce it to the myriad readers who have since become Sanderson fans.

    This new edition begins with a preface by author Dan Wells, the first person to read the completed novel, and a new afterword by Sanderson explaining how he came to write the book and its place in the Cosmere, the unified universe of all his Tor novels.

    Also included is an expanded version of the "Ars Arcanum" appendix, with more of the technical details of the book's magic that fans can never get enough of.

    Elantris was truly a milestone both for Sanderson and for the genre of epic fantasy. It deserves this special treatment, something Tor has done only once before, with Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game. Sanderson fans old and new will be excited to discover it.

    Other Tor books by Brandon Sanderson

    The Cosmere

    The Stormlight Archive
    The Way of Kings
    Words of Radiance
    Edgedancer (Novella)
    Oathbringer

    The Mistborn trilogy
    Mistborn: The Final Empire
    The Well of Ascension
    The Hero of Ages

    Mistborn: The Wax and Wayne series
    Alloy of Law
    Shadows of Self
    Bands of Mourning

    Collection
    Arcanum Unbounded

    Other Cosmere novels
    Elantris
    Warbreaker

    The Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series
    Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians
    The Scrivener's Bones
    The Knights of Crystallia
    The Shattered Lens
    The Dark Talent

    The Rithmatist series
    The Rithmatist

    Other books by Brandon Sanderson

    The Reckoners
    Steelheart
    Firefight
    Calamity

    At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMacmillan Publishers
    Release dateApr 1, 2007
    ISBN9781429914550
    Author

    Brandon Sanderson

    Brandon Sanderson grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. He lives in Utah with his wife and children and teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University. His bestsellers have sold 32 million copies worldwide and include the Mistborn saga; the Stormlight Archive novels; and other novels, including The Rithmatist, Steelheart, and Skyward. He won a Hugo Award for The Emperor's Soul, a novella set in the world of his acclaimed first novel, Elantris. Additionally, he completed Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time®. Visit his website for behind-the-scenes information on all his books.

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    Reviews for Elantris

    4.5/5

    265 ratings134 reviews

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    • 5/5
      This is the first book of Sanderson I have read which a friend recommended. I'm glad I decided to give this book a shot because it was worth the risk and hard to put down. Full of interesting characters that pull you right into their world and not all is as it seems. Serene comes to Kae under the assumption that she is to marry the Crown Prince when she learns that he has died and she is now his widow. Suspicious of the strange turn of events but trying to make the best of things, she soon finds a way to make friends and show people a different side to being a royal. The Prince on the other hand isn't dead but has been thrown into Elantris due to being affected by the Shaod. A decade ago, people who were affected by the Shaod became like gods with golden skin, power and seemed to live forever. Then suddenly something happened and the city became cursed. The Prince is determined to learm what happened and with the unlikely friendship of a Dula and several other Elantrians, he slowly comes to understand what could have happened. A war is brewing which will cause the people of Kae to question everything they held on to and will turn to the very people they once shunned for help. Serene is my favorite as she isn't afraid to speak her mind nor defend those she cares for. Will Serene learn the truth about her husband and can Kale be saved? You'll have to read to find out!!
    • 4/5
      One can see how Sanderson's characters and pacing have improved when comparing this book to his later series. This book is one exhaustingly long build-up of disasters and hopelessness until almost the very end, when in a whirlwind of action the good guys win (or die) and we all of a sudden find out what has been really going on, sort of. I do wish Sanderson had written further books in this world, since this book sets up a bunch of characters and places, and then just quits. In all epic fantasy, we all know once the grand, magical city is restored and the good guys are reinstalled, the problems the good guys face change, but most definitely continue, and this book sets up a whole system of magic and complex conflicts that goes completely unexplored. As a result this is a fun book, but not very satisfying.
    • 5/5
      Man, what a debut. Before reading Elantris I was pretty deep into Brandon Sanderson. I had already read the first Mistborn, all of his YA Alcatraz books, and his novella The Emperor's Soul. All of them absolutely blew me away.

      When I first started reading Elantris my feelings were...well, a little lukewarm, to be perfectly honest. The first few chapters are pretty. freaking. slow.

      I didn't find Raoden's struggle in Elantris particularly interesting until he found out about the Aons, and I hated reading those chapters. Sarene took some warming up to as well. Hrathen was captivating from the moment he appeared.

      Another problem I had was that I felt like I didn't have a good picture of Elantris, Kae, and the landscape in my mind's eye until quite a ways into the book. I'm not sure if it's the fault of the author or not, I just know that it was off-putting.

      Ultimately though things got better--a LOT better. Despite having very little action or physical confrontation Elantris turned into such a page turner for me. I found myself so invested in Hrathen's schemes, Sarene's political maneuvering, and Raoden's grand plans for his fellow Elantrians. The world of Elantris began to feel...almost comforting in a way. It felt like home. I think the pace and feel of the book benefited a lot from the constant switching between Elantris and Kae--two completely different cities with different stuff going on. It made the book seem more complex than it was, and kept me from ever getting bored or tired of one aspect of it.

      Alcatraz and The Emperor's Soul still remain my favorite 'Branderson' books, but Elantris is definitely above Mistborn on my list, and I loved the crap out of Mistborn.
    • 4/5
      I've been wanting to read this book for years but have also been avoiding it for that same amount of years. I once told people that I didn't favor highly political fiction, and someone warned me away from this book. I've since determined that it's not as simple as just politics in books that I don't favor, but the warning stuck. Finally though, I have gotten around to reading this book. I'm glad I did. I can see why people said this was a very political book. And I find that the politics didn't bother me. The two sides of church against state against each other did. But that is a personal matter and I refused to let it hinder my enjoyment of this book. And I did enjoy this book; Raoden most of all. Sarene was a little annoying at times. It did go slowly for the first half of the book but the second half I couldn't put down. I can see in the writing style evidence that this is clearly Sanderson's first published novel but the story was as unique and engaging as all of his other works are.
    • 3/5
      (New material for 2015) I had a really hard time reading this - I found the jumpy self awareness annoying and the assigning of most women to shallow limited interests too commonly accomplished.
    • 5/5
      Possibly my favorite book by Brandon Sanderson, Elantris is a fast-paced, entertaining read. Unlike some of Sanderson's other works, Elantris is a stand-alone, and it leaves nothing wanting. The story takes place in a well-imagined world of political intrigue and magical mysteries, and the plot moves along at a brisk pace. While it's true that some plot elements may seem a bit contrived - or else just incredibly convenient - and the morals of the story are delivered with a less-than-subtle hand, the book kept me entertained and interested from cover to cover. It's perfect for anyone interested in a well-written stand-alone novel.
    • 4/5
      Though I did not enjoy this as much as most of Sanderson's other work, I still find it amazing that this was his debut. This book really summarized the key themes that I've noticed him incorporate into all of his books. I definitely recommend this, particularly as a start to reading the Cosmere.
    • 4/5
      Though it took a long, long time to get going - I would have given up after 100 or so pages if it hadn't been for a book group - it turned out to be pretty entertaining and subverted some of the cliches of fantasy quit nicely.
    • 4/5
      4.25/5 stars

      I really liked this book! I felt really invested in the story and the characters and I just wanted everything to turn out okay for them. Obviously, this is Brandon Sanderson and everything isn't sunshine and rainbows, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

      The characters were so well crafted, I even had sympathy for the "bad guy." I liked hoe Sarene was a woman fighting against social norms and breaking free of them, I liked how Raoden had a pretty easy life, but when something shitty happened to him, he worked to make it better and didn't really wallow in self pity. I also really liked Hrathen's struggle with his faith and identity.

      The plot was also super intriguing. I liked the idea of Elantris - city of the damned. I enjoyed how all the threads of the story interconnected and became this beautiful thing. Each detail worked and just made the story that much better.

      I also really enjoyed the world we got to know. The world building was pretty great, I liked how because a lot of the characters were from different parts of the world, we got to see the cultures and how everything worked together.

      Overall, I really liked this and I'm glad I got around to reading Elantris before I really got into Sanderson's larger series (other than Mistborn). The focus on the characters and their journey's really worked for this novel and it was refreshingly different from the world of the Mistborn.
    • 4/5
      An interesting fantasy story about people once thought of as gods, now become outcasts. The world is very interesting and original. It gets explored in a very clear way that makes each world-building layer more interesting to learn about. The characters are well-written, if just lacking in strong personalities. The story can be slow at times, but the pace increases more and more the further you read. Not a typical fantasy book, low on action and magic, but focuses more on intrigue. Overall I enjoyed the book.
    • 4/5
      This book was definitely enjoyable and well written. Things are not as they seem throughout this whole book. It does start a little slow but because you are getting to know the characters and the setting so well it doesn't bother me. By the second half of the book things move along much quicker. I don't always do well remembering character names but I could always tell who they were because the characters were so well developed. There were enough twists and changes in how you view something or someone that I could never get comfortable in trying to predict exactly what would happen.
    • 4/5
      Second time reading. "Read" via audiobook this time. I did have questions as to spelling of things, though, when I was only listening. The energy was called "Dor" which sounded (and I actually got confused once) like "door." Otherwise, very enjoyable this time around too :)
    • 1/5
      This was one of the most boring things I have ever tried to listen to.. DNF Maybe an actual read in the future?
    • 4/5
      Holy crap, I have no words! What a wonderful read! I was instantly hooked by this book but Part II shit gets CRAZY. I loved all three POVs - These characters are wonderful (btw, Hrathen is my favorite). Sanderson managed to write a book centered around politics/religion that didn't make me feel bored. That in itself is an achivement lol.

      Mistborn, here I come!
    • 5/5
      Very enjoyable reread.
    • 3/5
      Pretty good long fantasy novel.
    • 5/5
      I cannot sing the praises of these GraphicAudio editions of the Cosmere books enough. Pure radio show/book joy!
    • 5/5
      Epic fantasy that turns all the common tropes on its head... But still gives you the same beautiful feeling that Tolkien gave me when I was a kid.
    • 4/5
      Refreshingly enjoyable! A must read for fans of high fantasy.
    • 5/5
      Fantastic book. A great book to start off a great writer.
    • 5/5
      liked it
    • 5/5
      Brilliant book. I have been looking for a quality new read for years, and have been disappointed many times. This book kept me captivated from start to finish.
    • 5/5
      The best fantasy book I have read in nearly a year! The ending I believe was a bit abrupt, but the author fully captivated the time which was left in the world, down to the very second. I applaud this book for amazing character development, plot twists that keep you intrigued and guessing, and for mysteriousness.
    • 5/5
      I love everything about this book!
    • 4/5
      Engrossing, and the three character point of view tag-team (with wildly, and yet perhaps not that dissimilar, goals and motivations) really helps carry the narrative along. The plot is skillfully presented, and I get all the clues I need to put things together without the twists and reveals ever feeling so anticipated or obvious that they aren't very satisfying. The characters, at times, felt a tiny bit more like stereotypes and thus less real than I would have liked for an otherwise fairly grounded fantasy novel, but all three protagonists are surprisingly likable, impressive and endearing -- including the cynical and antagonistic high priest sent to take over the city on behalf of his tyrannic emperor prophet. And the supporting cast is largely the same. The book also has a satisfying conclusion, as well as a great pay-off in faster pacing once the steady build-up of the first 60% or so of the book is past, a trait I really appreciate in 600+ page novels. That's not to say the book is slow until then -- in fact, considering all the exposition it is doing, it reads rather breezily from the get go -- but it takes on a page-turner-like vibe towards the end that I greatly enjoyed. Two thumbs up.
    • 4/5
      The fall of Elantris signalled a change in the world -- what caused it? who was behind it? Raoden is the kind of king that you wish all kings could be and Sarene is his perfect queen. Hrathen has the biggest realization of all.
    • 4/5
      Enjoyed a lot. A classic fantasy and none the worse for that. I particularly liked the idea of the corruption of a magic language based on geography. Great fun and I stayed up far too late to finish it.
    • 5/5
      Simply amazing. One of Sanderson's first published books and, I think, one of his best. There were several days where all I wanted to do was go home so I could read this book and it took a lot of willpower to put it down every evening. If you love Brandon's other books (I've only read Mistborn), you'll love this. If you haven't read any of his other stuff but like fantasy, you'll love this. Heck, I'm pretty sure if you like books period, you'll love this. The only (extremely minor) complaint I have is that this book was published 10 years ago and there isn't a real sequel! Brandon really hooked me with the characters and worldbuilding and I was settling down for another trilogy in progress when I realized at the very end this was the only proper Elantris book! I hope he does get around one day to expanding Sel and in the meantime, I plan to read The Hope of Elantris and The Emperor's Soul before moving on to other worlds in Sanderson's cosmere.
    • 4/5
      This was Sanderson's debut and already here he showed why he is such a wonderful fantasy writer. The book is also different in a way since this is it, there is no series. This book is it and I liked that.´There was an end to it.

      Sanderson is a master when it comes to creating religions, political intrigues and magical systems, he just does it so well. His books shines with it and they are a joy to read. The imagination and work he puts in to his stories makes them so much more.

      In this story we meet prince Raoden who is tossed into Elantris to die a miserable death and his family proclaims he died from some sudden disease. He is a true hero and loves his people. And now being Elantrian he does his best to help this poor people. Because they are, well zombies in a way. They feel every wound and they seem to be rotting away. When the pain is too much they just lie down and stay like that. The big question is why this is happening since Elantrians used to have power and magic, but then came the curse...

      Sarene is the other main character. She comes as a bride but lands as a widow. Still she stays because just as Raoden wants to save Elantrians now, Sarene wants to save her new people and the people back home. She is no scared little princess, she has a keen mind and is not afraid to say what she thinks.

      This book is a lot about the political intrigues that are going on in this country and abroad. There is a big bad empire with a religious ruler who wants to take over the world and make everyone believe in his faith. The people in Arelon does believe in the same god, but there are two roads to God, and as we do know people will always find fault in others. Especially when it comes to religious zealotism and here that is truly shown. Because even if Hrathen is bad with his die or convert scheme then there are worse men out there and we meet them. This religion also despises the former Elantrians since they were almost like Gods.

      The other part of the political world is the inner turmoil in the country. The Elantrians used to rule but when that broke down the rich took over and created an order where the richest have titles, and the poor are even poorer and in serfdom. It is a system which is crumbling and seems ripe to be plucked by conquerors.

      I have already said that I like the magic, politics and religion he creates. But he also creates such wonderful characters to root for, or hate with a passion. And while doing just that you have this dread inside of you, because how can this book end well? Raoden is rotting, Sarene is playing with fire and there is an Empire who wants to crush everyone.

      Conclusion:
      A great fantasy book that I could not put down. I was so immersed in the story and wanted to know what would happen to them all. It is a book I recommend and if you are afraid of long fantasy epics then this one book (even if long) is a great way book for you to start with.

      Rating:
      Could not put it down

      Cover:
      I am not a fan of these, but it kind of grows on me. But it seems a bit..sci-fiesqe
    • 4/5
      This is the first book by Brandon Sanderson I've read. I decided to start with a standalone novel rather than go straight for one of his series.

      Elantris used to be a city of gods: randomly chosen from the population by a mysterious power, the Elantrians were a group of benevolent people living in a city of beauty and supporting the country with feats and goods fueled by the magic of the land. This changed ten years ago, when suddenly the blessing of becoming an Elantrian turned into a curse. Though people were still chosen, they turned into wretches rather than gods and their city crumbled, leaving the ordinary people to fend for themselves. A new dynasty based on wealth has taken over and the country is on the verge of collapse.

      Into this situation enter two new players: Hrathen, a high priest of Shu-Dereth, intent on converting the country to his religion by means of sly influence and subterfuge to avoid a more forceful conversion. He is on a tight schedule as he has only three months to complete the feat. And Sarene, Princess of Teod, a neighboring country, who intends to marry the Crown Prince Raoden to forge an alliance between the two last countries not under the influence of Shu Dereth. She arrives in time for Raoden's funeral and finds herself immediately in a battle of wits with Hrathen. Meanwhile Raoden is not really dead but has been turned into a wretched Elantrian and struggles to survive inside the closed off city of Elantris.

      The story is told in turns from the points of view of the three main characters, which allows us to follow the plotting and scheming of each of them. Like in a three way game of chess we understand the moves and see them succeed or fail as the next player makes his move. This is nicely told and has some amusing interaction. The world in which this takes place is nicely focused on Elantris and its interesting magical concept, without too many other elements introduced to confuse the story and it is nicely fast paced. Though this book is a standalone, there are some teasers at the end that hint at a possible sequel. I'll keep my eyes open. In the meantime, I'm going to pick up the Mistborn trilogy.