David
Elantris was an overall highly enjoyable read, showcasing the brilliant world-building that Brandon Sanderson is known for. The first half of the book is definitely a slow burn, taking its time to lay down the groundwork of the world, politics, and culture. But once the momentum shifts, the second half becomes blindingly quick. In fact, it moves so fast toward the end that I felt a bit shortchanged. The climax rushed past so quickly that I don't feel I quite got the full payoff I was looking for.
That said, the characters and thematic depth completely sell this book. Sarene might genuinely be one of my new favorite characters of all time, as she is brilliant, proactive, and fiercely engaging from start to finish. I also really enjoyed the character arc of Hrathen; watching his internal complexities and development unfold was one of the absolute highlights of the narrative. Beyond the characters, I loved the reflection on real-world issues woven throughout the plot. Sanderson handles heavy themes like sectarianism, apartheid, and segregation with impressive nuance for a fantasy novel.
Ultimately, I was just left a bit unfulfilled by the ending. I wanted more: more depth on the magic system, more of the world's rich history, and a clearer picture of its future. Any chance of Book 2, Brandon?
Elantris was an overall highly enjoyable read, showcasing the brilliant world-building that Brandon Sanderson is known for. The first half of the book is definitely a slow burn, taking its time to lay down the groundwork of the world, politics, and culture. But once the momentum shifts, the second half becomes blindingly quick. In fact, it moves so fast toward the end that I felt a bit shortchanged. The climax rushed past so quickly that I don't feel I quite got the full payoff I was looking for.
That said, the characters and thematic depth completely sell this book. Sarene might genuinely be one of my new favorite characters of all time, as she is brilliant, proactive, and fiercely engaging from start to finish. I also really enjoyed the character arc of Hrathen; watching his internal complexities and development unfold was one of the absolute highlights of the narrative. Beyond the characters, I loved the reflection on real-world issues woven throughout the plot. Sanderson handles heavy themes like sectarianism, apartheid, and segregation with impressive nuance for a fantasy novel.
Ultimately, I was just left a bit unfulfilled by the ending. I wanted more: more depth on the magic system, more of the world's rich history, and a clearer picture of its future. Any chance of Book 2, Brandon?