(Prologue, Chapters 1-2)
The Mystery of Elantris

The prologue sets up the premise well enough. Elantris seems much like how fiction and occult writers treat Atlantis: as a place of wonder and magic and as a place now lost to the world.

After reading how beautiful the city was, it's a shock to see it despoiled in the next chapter. Here, Sanderson shows us the horror of what Elantris has become, made more effective because of the contrast in the Prologue. It's quite chilling how the city has turned from Heaven to Hell, where you spend eternity where you will constantly feel "every pain, every cut, every nick, every bruise, and every ache" that has happened to you in this ruined city. I would be very, very careful in Elantris.

Sanderson in this early work still manages to evoke a sense of wonder in his world-building abilities. However, I feel that his character development is not in top form.

Chapter 1 is from Prince Raoden's point of view, Chapter 2 from Sarene's, his wife from an arranged marriage. In both chapters, I found their character introductions underwhelming, flat, and uninteresting.

Compare Sanderson's intros in a later book vs this early book:

(Elantris)
Raoden intro: Woke up, asks for breakfast, is damned, gets taken to Elantris, runs away from thugs, stubs his toe, whines about it, bribes a guide.

(Way of Kings)
Kaladin intro: Is talked about in awe by his men, protects a scared young kid, directs battles with tactical communication, takes down six spearmen.

(Elantris)
Sarene intro: First time in city but gives bland description of Kae, walks from the docks to the funeral, gets dismissed by the king, chats with queen, chats with her dad.

(Way of Kings)
Shallan intro: first time in city but creates a vivid description of Khalbranth, prim and proper but speech is brusque and witty, draws amazingly well, sets up her dad as dead and she on a mysterious mission.


The difference is unmistakable. Characters are active and their goals expressed more clearly in the latter work, while characters here seem to just flow with wherever the narrative takes them.

There *is* still much to look forward to though, even with the first character introductions falling flat. The mystery of Elantris, of how a glorious city could fall so far still draws some intrigue. Other questions abound: Where are its original inhabitants? Have they also succumbed to the Shaod? Were they able to flee the disaster? Did they cause it?

I'm also looking forward to the promised "grand tour" that Galladon (a character I like!) will lead. I'm sure more will be revealed, and I'm excited to read on.



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