Elantris by Brandon Sanderson -the re-discovery
Days three to eight
(Chapters 7 to 22)
This is an interesting journey. I find myself captured by the diversity of perspectives here, the different challenges each character goes through and how this has an impact on the others and how they react.
The first perspective (which admittedly is not my favourite but then it would be a comparatively more boring book without it!) is a man who is a high member of his society and tasked with taking down a whole different society in a few weeks. There are quite good discussions based on religion, theology and religion manipulation (including manipulation with religious fervor). It is interesting to see a relatively straightforward plan being carried out; especially because the devil is in the details. And not everything goes according to plans: first Sarene and then Dilaf are worthy distractions to the process. Not to mention that Hrathen faces some division within his faction. Dilaf might have outmaneuvered Hrathen and this might be the biggest challenge for him to address!
We have leadership themes being explored. One of my favorite themes in fantasy is great leadership. Mostly because I am always looking for good leaders at work. Raoden is a quite interesting character when one looks at leadership traits. Raised to be the next monarch in Arelon, he finds himself in a different setting (a much different one) and suddenly has a new set of problems to face as leader; yet, this situation does not change his approach to leadership. So he takes a few days to understand what he is facing and keeps his principles clear and visible for all and this behavior inevitable attracts people. Charisma, principles and walking the talk make him a great person to follow and people start noticing the leadership difference almost immediately.
Yet, Raoden is facing a new series of issues, threatening his leadership. Some are connected to his ability to get past pain (when will he not be able to retain control any more? Galladon, his closest companion is already noticing a few issues here); some come from the outside, with two different drivers. On one side you have Sarene making a very rational decision (in an effort to minimize the effect that Hrathen is trying to make in Arelon) and on the other side you have Shaor making completely irrational choices (of a seven-year-old elevated to goddess). I am looking forward to see how Raoden will navigate these next challenges; and whether he will start having issues with his leadership because these are too great challenges to face.
Last but not least Sarene (in fact, she might be my favourite point of view so far). She is the one dealing with the most interesting political storyline; she is battling on many fronts at the same time. And yet, she is human. I love the exploration of a woman whose brains define her more than her looks. And, sometimes, this reality flares up as insecurity which she is able to overcome quite easily but her reactions are very human and relatable. I also like the messaging here: all you need is your brains. Now, life is not as simplistic, in fact there are a few areas explored and a few that are not with Sarene; on one side, it is clear that women need to work harder in Arelon (or using manipulation, [slight spoiler alert if you have not read the story] such as when she convinces Iadon to allow women to spar with swords as it is beneath a man to learn to fight). What the story does not really explore is how Sarene is really able to do all of this because she is the second most powerful person in the nation right now (and she was about in the same position before with, on top of that, a very understanding father). Women who are not in that position would have probably struggled to be defined by their brains; and yet, if the model does not come from the top, then it can never change society either (unless one goes for a more revolutionary approach that is).
Overall, I am just truly fascinated with the amount of content I did not remember and how incredibly appealing the world building, the characters and the plot are. I do not recall why I did not like the book as much as I am liking it now; maybe I did not read enough fantasy to understand who unique Sanderson is in fantasy. For instance, I feel his fantasy stories are incredibly accessible to everyone, at any level of reading skill and in their fantasy journey - and yes, Stormlight Archive is more complicated but I still feel it is accessible; I would not start there but I hope you get my point - and it has to offer to anybody at any level of their journey. I might have thought the book too simplistic the first time I read it, maybe? In any event, I find it fascinating that a few years later, with different personal experience and more fantasy reading behind me, I am personally invested in this story. I am genuinely curious to know what will happen to the next books I will be reading this year in the Cosmere!
Day two
(Chapters 4 to 6)
We get to know more about Elantris and how the town is ruled by three different gangs, with different leaders and personalities. This is where Sanderson shines, his ability to craft stories and to tell them in his unique perspective. He is able to create vast worlds, have the highest stakes but avoids the grimness typical of many fantasy stories. A way of telling stories that has grown on me over time!
Also, there seems to be magic in Elantris!
I also spent some time understanding who the Elantrians are and what happened to them; how they lost their god-like status with a servant rebellion. This has consequences in the current society where even wealthier families do not want to have any servants in their households; the terror of those events have long lasting effects!
One more thing I noticed today is that there are quite a lot of theology in this story, in particular how the Derethi justify their actions and what their overall goal is. I found it particularly interesting that Hrathen has a plan to conquer Arelon through a common enemy, the Elantrians, the embodiment of evil.
So far, this story is blowing me away. I do not remember if I was hooked in since the beginning like this in the past. I find that the content is quite interesting and full of depth, details and layers that make the story and the world building complex. It just draws me in; and I plan to enjoy this story for the longest time!
Day one
(Prologue and Chapters 1 to 3)
First and foremost, I noticed that the maps by Isaac Stewart in this edition are to die for. They have a feeling of older maps, with its colors and design and I am here for it!
The prologue in intriguing to me, it adds enough content to entice me to know additional information and, more than anything else, it leads to many questions: how did this destruction occur? What caused it? Was it hubris? Was it an external factor? A disease? I am intrigued!
Part one is called “the shadow of Elantris” and it seems an appropriate statement.
The first few chapters present the main characters. The first being Prince Raoden of Arelon. He starts his new life in Elantris, as the city is now used as an isolation tool for those who have contracted the Shaod. This includes Raoden.
Sarene is the Teo princess that was selected as the bride to Raoden and, when she arrives, it turns out that Raoden is dead but she is still bound to the marriage contract. She realizes that there is a mystery to solve here.
Both main characters, Raoden and Sarene are likeable and are facing unchartered territory. I also forgot how good Sanderson is at creating strong women in fantasy and I am enjoying every page in which she is on.
One more cool thing that emerges is the relationship between Sarene and her father, the king of Teod. He is supportive of his daughter and praises her skills and is available for her.
Finally, we meet the last part of the equation, Hrathen, representative of the religious empire of Fjordell and he has a plan to conquer Arelon and Teod and convert them to the Derethi religion. The cool aspects are religious manipulation and abuse of religious fervor. This is a relatively popular trope in fantasy and it is compelling when it is use correctly. I am genuinely curious to know how Elantris and its citizens will fit in this equation.
Intro
This is an exciting re-read for me; while I remember the premise, I do not recall too much of the story overall which makes me even more excited about experiencing this story again.
I read it the first time in March 2018 and I left the book with a 3.5 stars review, mostly attributing the issues with having read the Stormlight Archive (which admittedly is a much more complex story) and my lack of Cosmere understanding.
So I am curious to see what this journey brings me!
