Review: Elantris

It's a new year and I've already finished my first book! Woohoo! It always feels like if I don't start reading early on in the year it'll never happen. Believe it or not, last year I got a late start on things. This year since I'm starting my reviews already I shouldn't get back-logged - each book will be reviewed pretty soon after I read it, unless of course it's part of a series to which I have all the books, in which case I'll review the series all together, as I did the year before. Anyway, without further ado:

Elantris
Brandon Sanderson

As a backdrop to the story, once the city Elantris was home to citizens who were so incredible they were thought to be gods, until 10 years ago when their blessing turned into a curse and the great city became a place of the damned.
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The story switches between three main characters: Raoden, Sarene, and Hrathen.
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Raoden is the prince of the Kingdom of Arelon in the city Kae next to Elantris who wakes up to find that the curse of Elantris has come upon him and he is cast into the city. What awaits him there? Can he turn his curse into a blessing?
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Sarene is the princess of a country across the sea who was engaged to Raoden without having met him. But when she arrives, she is told the prince is dead. As she tries to discover what really happened, she must also prevent the downfall of the Kingdom.
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Hrathen is a high priest of Fjordell determined to convert the Kingdom of Arelon in order to bring them into the Empire, but at what cost to the people? And to what lengths is he willing to go to accomplish his goal?

The style of multiple viewpoints shines more the further you get into the novel. At first it is slightly hard because they don't always intersect and at times it felt like reading three stories that happened to be in the same vicinity. However, as they intersect more and more throughout the novel, the whole story gains momentum and is hard to put down. That being said, it's a large novel (~600 pages), so you have to be willing to push slightly at the start. Each viewpoint is interesting, but it does slow the pace a little to have to switch around so much.

It's almost hard to believe that this was Sanderson's first novel - it's pretty incredible in its complexity of world, plot, and character. The world and its magic system are all fresh and created by the author It takes a little while before is plays an obvious role and it isn't fully understood by even the main characters at first, but it's purpose and abilities appear to be well defined and are definitely important to the story. The plot has several twists and turns that will surprise you, but ultimately leave you satisfied. As I said before, it takes a little bit to get into it because it feels like you are constantly switching plot-threads at first, but by and by you see them coming together and it draws you in. And the characters really shine. Sanderson has a way of creating complex characters who have their share of strengths and weaknesses. Even Hrathen, who at first comes across as arrogant and evil, becomes an interesting character that is neither black nor white.

If I had to compare it to the Mistborn Trilogy (same author), I'd have to say Mistborn is better due to it being slightly less dense in its new language and also because it packs a little more of an emotional punch. But I'm really just comparing incredible with more-incredible. So far as I've read, Sanderson is an exceptional writer and I look forward to reading more from him. And boy do I have a lot ahead of me...

Anyway, if you love fantasy or if you're even okay with fantasy and enjoy a solid plot with solid characters, I highly recommend this book to you.