Author Brandon Sanderson
Pages 496 pp (first edition, hardback) 656 pp (first edition, paperback)
Genre(s) Fantasy novel

Elantris was beautiful, once. It was called the city of the gods: a place of power, radiance and magic. Visitors say that the very stones glowed with an inner light, and that the city contained wondrous arcane marvels. At night Elantris shone like a great silvery fire, visible even from a great distance.
Yet, as magnificent as Elantris was, its inhabitants were more so. Their hair a brilliant white, their skin an almost metallic silver, the Elantrians seemed to shine like the city itself. Legends claim that they were immortal, or at least nearly so. Their bodies healed quickly, and they were blessed with great strength, insight and speed. They could preform magics with a bare wave of the hand; men visited Elantris from all across Opelon to receive Elantrian healing, food, or wisdom. They were divinities. Any anyone could become one.

That is how this great book opens up. It give you a feeling of amazement and grandeur that never lets up. This is the debut novel by Brandon Sanderson. But you couldn’t tell from the joy that you will get from reading this book. To stand on the walls of Elantris with Raoden and Sarene brings you into there world.

The city of Elantris used to be a wonderful place. Anyone had a chance to become an Elantrian. One day you could be a serf, a noble or a farmer. The next you could be welding the great magic of the Elantrians. It was no respecter of station. But something happens and the city become fallen. It becomes a place of the dead and those that inhabit it become feared. This is where the story starts. With a noble Raoden becoming one of the walking dead an Elantrian. His wife to be is still on a boat on her way to his country. It follows a great political ride on the outside of Elantris. While those inside the walls try to figure out how to over come there dead state. Mix in a little bit of religious zealots and you have one bumpy ride.

The story that follows is a joyful love story filled with intrigue and twists. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Sanderson keeps you on your toes. This is an amazing treat. I hope to stand at the gates of Elantris with you. May you also find the love that extends to all in this wonderful book.