Gawain

My rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

It has long been disputed within the Sanderson community which book is best to start with in the Cosmere universe. My first (and I believe correct) inclination was to read in publication order.

Elantris, published in 2005, is a solid, imaginative work that pictures the discarded and pain-stricken alongside the wealthy and privileged, the lowly alongside the royal, and the faithful alongside the “pharisees”—each grappling with their own burdens of pride, loyalty, and faith. This blend of political intrigue, personal struggle, and gentle philosophical undertones makes it a memorable entry point into Sanderson's works.


Premise

Elantris was once a radiant city revered by many. People blessed (or cursed) by a mysterious transformation became near-divine beings, their silver-and-black city heralded as a beacon of hope. Yet something changed, leaving Elantris in ruin and its inhabitants condemned to unending pain. Against this backdrop of shattered glory, we follow the stories of a resourceful princess, a devout (yet often conflicted) priest, and a noble heir caught in the throes of political and religious upheaval. Themes of compassion, perseverance, and the nature of faith loom large, as characters navigate the line between sincere devotion and pharisaical fanaticism.


Quotes to Ponder

“To live is to have worries and uncertainties. Keep them inside, and they will destroy you for certain–leaving behind a person so callused that emotion can find no root in his heart.”

“Pain loses its power when other things become more important.”

“—you optimists just can't understand that a depressed person doesn't want you to try and cheer them up. It makes us sick.”

“Do not dash if you only have the strength to walk, and do not waste your time pushing on the walls that will not give. More importantly, don't shove where a pat would be sufficient.”

“One cannot separate truth from actions...Physically inevitable or not, truth stands above all things. It is independent of who has the best army, who can deliver the longest sermons, or even who has the most priests. It can be pushed down, but it will always surface. Truth is the one thing you can never intimidate.”


Overall Thoughts

I'm giving Elantris 3.5 out of 5 stars. It's an enjoyable fantasy that wrestles with questions of compassion, duty, and integrity. I found the pacing a bit slow in parts, but Sanderson's carefully constructed world and believable characters made the journey worthwhile.

Sanderson's debut novel stands out for its rich depiction of a broken city and the discarded souls within—while still capturing the tense interplay of wealth, royalty, devotion, and pharisaical self-righteousness. Elantris offers a unique story world filled with mystery, hope, and redemption. Although (I hear) it may not be as polished as some of Sanderson's later works, it's a strong start that leaves you reflecting on how genuine faith, grace, and humility can transform both individuals and entire communities.

I recommend it to fantasy lovers who appreciate deeper questions about belief, leadership, and personal sacrifice.

My Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

I picked up The Time Traveler's Wife right after watching the movie with my wife, hoping for a richer look into the story's intriguing premise. And, to be fair, the book does deliver an emotional punch here and there—especially when it highlights the unique challenges of Henry's unpredictable time travel and how it affects his relationship with Clare. Those deeper glimpses into their bond definitely go beyond what you see on screen.

Unfortunately, the novel's length felt excessive to me; I suspect it could've been trimmed by a few hundred pages without losing any of the core storyline or emotional impact. While the writing style is generally fine, I often found myself zoning out during lengthy sections about side characters and subplots that seemed unnecessary to the main thread. This uneven pacing made it harder to stay fully engaged.

I also found the explicit content and strong language distracting. Each time it popped up, I felt pulled out of the narrative, and it didn't seem to add much beyond making the story feel more “adult.” It's a shame because beneath all the padding, there's a heartfelt tale about love and destiny that could shine a lot brighter.

Even so, I decided to finish the book once I realized I was already halfway through and was too curious about a particular character (no spoilers here). If you're not bothered by explicit scenes and are fine with tackling a longer read, you might still enjoy the extended look at Henry and Clare's world. But for anyone who doesn't want to commit to 500+ pages—and especially if you're uneasy about the mature content—the movie adaptation might actually be the better choice. It covers much of what makes their story special, and in some ways, it does so more succinctly.

All in all, I'm giving The Time Traveler's Wife two stars. There's a beautiful love story in there and a fascinating premise about time travel, but for me, it was overshadowed by the sheer length and content that didn't truly enhance the experience.