Elantris

Infobox Book
name = Elantris
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = Cover of "Elantris", Brandon Sanderson's first novel.
author = Brandon Sanderson
illustrator =
cover_artist = Stephan Martinière
country = United States
language = English
series =
subject =
genre = Fantasy novel
publisher = Tor Books
release_date = April 21, 2005 (first edition, hardback) May 30, 2006 (first edition, paperback)
english_release_date =
media_type = Print (Hardback) Print Mass market paperback
pages = 496 pp (first edition, hardback) 656 pp (first edition, paperback)
isbn = ISBN 0-7653-1177-1 (first edition, hardback) ISBN 0-7653-5037-8 (first edition, paperback)
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"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 [cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0765311771|title=Amazon.com|accessdate=2006-09-25] [cite web|url=http://www.epinions.com/content_217297948292|title=Epinions.com|accessdate=2006-09-25] [cite web|url=http://www.hatrack.com/osc/reviews/everything/2004-10-31.shtml|title=Review by Orson Scott Card|accessdate=2006-09-25] [cite web|url=http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=2-0765311771-1|title=Powells.com|accessdate=2006-09-25] [cite web|url=http://www.shopping.com/xPR-Elantris_by_Brandon_Sanderson~RD-216296558212|title=Shopping.com, Review 1|accessdate=2006-09-25 cite web|url=http://www.shopping.com/xPR-Elantris_by_Brandon_Sanderson~RD-217297948292|title=Shopping.com, Review 2|accessdate=2006-09-25] [cite web|url=http://www.brandonsanderson.com/book.php?id=1&section=2|title=Review blurbs on Sanderson's site|accessdate=2006-09-25] .

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, 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 books 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" (intellegence, learning)"Sea" (chastity, faithfulness)"Seo" (loyalty, service)"Shao" (transform, change)"Sheo" (death)"Teo" (royal, majestic)"Tia" (travel, transportation)

equels

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 [cite web|url=http://www.brandonsanderson.com/anno.php?book=Elantris&id=14&display=show|title=Elantris Chapter 8|accessdate=2006-09-25] . He has released an e-book short entitled The Hope of Elantris on Amazon.com. It is an attempt to fill in one of the holes in the sequence of events in Elantris. It's meant to be read along with the book as a bonus scene.

References

External links

* [http://www.brandonsanderson.com/book.php?id=1 "Elantris"]