Elantris
 Cover of Elantris, Brandon Sanderson's first novel. | |
| Author | Brandon Sanderson |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Stephan Martinière |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Tor Books |
Publication date | April 21, 2005 (first edition, hardback) May 30, 2006 (first edition, paperback) |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) Print Mass market paperback |
| Pages | 496 pp (first edition, hardback) 656 pp (first edition, paperback) |
| ISBN | [[Special:BookSources/ISBN+0-7653-1177-1+%28first+edition%2C+hardback%29%3Cbr%2F%3EISBN+0-7653-5037-8+%28first+edition%2C+paperback%29 |ISBN 0-7653-1177-1 (first edition, hardback) ISBN 0-7653-5037-8 (first edition, paperback)]] Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
Elantris is a stand-alone fantasy novel by Brandon Sanderson, published in April 2005 by Tor Books. The book is named after the ruined city, whose "cursed" inhabitants are the focus of the book's plot. It has also been licensed for localized release in Russia, France, Germany, Thailand, Poland, and at least 6 other markets. Elantris has been generally well received by reviewers[1][2][3][4][5][6].
Plot summary
The book focuses on three principal characters whose experiences are strongly intertwined with and often direct the course of the plot. Much of the book occurs in groupings of three chapters each, one for each of the three main characters.
- Raoden, the prince of Arelon is taken by the Shaod (the transformation through which one becomes Elantrian) at the beginning of the book, and is whisked off to live in the cursed city. Raoden's story line centers on his efforts to improve the Elantrian way of life beyond the anarchy to which it succumbed when Elantris fell.
- Sarene, Raoden's political bride whom he has never personally met, arrives in Arelon a few days later, held by a legally binding contract that says she is married to a man she never met. Widow of a dead prince and a new member of the dubious Arelon nobility, she struggles to find out just what is going on and to help the downtrodden people. Sarene's story line deals with her attempts to stabilize and improve the monarchy, and to prevent Hrathen's intended revolution.
- Hrathen, a Derethi gyorn (high-ranking priest), also soon arrives in Arelon with a mandate to convert the country to the Shu Dereth religion within three months time or his religion's armies will come to wipe out the city. Hrathen's story line focuses on his efforts at political maneuvering to sway the Arelene aristocracy and place a converted Derethi on the throne.
The story threads intertwine with each other (Sarene's and Hrathen's from almost the beginning of the book) and merge in the culmination of the book's climax.
Aons
These are central to the book's plot. They are the source of magic that flows from the Elantrians and come from the surrounding cities, wildlife, and culture. Many characters names are variations on the Aons, as is customary in this fantasy world. The images of the many Aons can be found in the back of the book. They are:
- Aan (truth, fact)
- Aha (breath, air)
- Ala (beauty, handsomeness)
- Aon (first, language)
- Are (unity, cohesion)
- Ashe (light, illumination)
- Ata (grace, smoothness)
- Daa (power, energy)
- Dao (stability, security)
- Deo (gold, metal)
- Eda (superior, lofty)
- Edo (protection, safety)
- Ehe (fire, warmth)
- Ela (focus, center)
- Eon (willpower, endurance)
- Ena (kindness)
- Ene (wit, cleverness)
- Eshe (gift, endowment)
- Iad (trust, reliable)
- Ial (helpfulness, aid)
- Ien (wisdom)
- Ire (time, age)
- Ido (mercy, forgiveness)
- Kai (calmness, solemnity)
- Kae (the direction East)
- Kii (justice)
- Mai (honor)
- Mea (thoughtfulness, caringness)
- Nae (sight, clarity)
- Omi (love)
- Opa (flower)
- Rao (spirit, essence)
- Reo (punishment, retribution)
- Rii (wealth, affluence)
- Sao (intelligence, learning)
- Sea (chastity, faithfulness)
- Seo (loyalty, service)
- Shao (transform, change)
- Sheo (death)
- Teo (royal, majestic)
- Tia (travel, transportation)
The Hope of Elantris
Sanderson has released an e-book short entitled The Hope of Elantris for free on www.brandonsanderson.com, and as a paid download from Amazon.com. It describes a part of the attack on Elantris near the end of the book. It's meant to be read after the book as a bonus scene.
Sequels
Sanderson does not currently plan a direct sequel, but has stated that if he ever writes one it would take place ten years after the current book's events, and center around some of its very minor characters [7].
References
- ^ "Amazon.com". Retrieved 2006-09-25.
- ^ "Epinions.com". Retrieved 2006-09-25.
- ^ "Review by Orson Scott Card". Retrieved 2006-09-25.
- ^ "Powells.com". Retrieved 2006-09-25.
- ^ "Shopping.com, Review 1". Retrieved 2006-09-25. "Shopping.com, Review 2". Retrieved 2006-09-25.
- ^ "Review blurbs on Sanderson's site". Retrieved 2006-09-25.
- ^ "Elantris Chapter 8". Retrieved 2006-09-25.
External links
- Elantris
- The Hope of Elantris - A short story to fill in missing parts in the book's storyline, available for free online.