Elantris
Last night I finished a book that I haven’t been reading on too long. I bought it a couple weeks ago to take with me on one of my trips to Canada. It’s always nice to have something to read on the plane. The fact that I finished it within a few weeks is amazing considering my lack of time for reading recently. Life has seemed really busy. This was one of those books that you would stay up and read all night to find out what happens if you could. Unfortunately, having a job that requires that I be there early and be alert doesn’t allow for this. That is what Friday nights are for!! I resolved last night that I would stay up and finish it. After all, I was at the point of no return of the book; you know, the part that you couldn’t put it down if you wanted to?
I have to say with all honesty that Elantris is one of the best books I have ever read and I have read quite a few books. This is an amazing statement considering that this book is Brandon Sanderson’s debut. It is his first published book. The story and characters were so well written and the world in which it takes place is very well developed. The book is free of many stereotypes that plague the fantasy genre. Very refreshing. Another great thing about this book what that it was just a one book story. I didn’t have to weed through volume after volume to get resolution.
Another great thing about Elantirs was that it kept you guessing. I thought I knew what was going to happen but that almost never held up. There would be some twist that took me completely by surprise. I can’t talk anymore about the surprises though as they are part of what made this book great. I highly recommend this book to you whether you like to read fantasy novels or not. Some books break through their genre lines and make an appeal to a larger audience because they tell such a great story through wonderful characters. So I will say this: if you like a great story with great characters then read Elantris. You won’t be disappointed.
Rating: 
Brian
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2 Comments
Hmm…I shall have to check it out, sometime. I’ve been interested in the author ever since I heard he was writing the last Wheel of Time story, but haven’t made the time to actually read one of his books.
Thanks, I may have to check out Alcorn and Lawhead.
My problem (in general) isn’t with Christian novelists themselves, but with the quagmire that is “Christian publishing” and its dominant ideology of neutered inoffensiveness which works against a lot of the real message of the Scriptures. That and the fact that by creating a “Christian market” you’re actively moving books with a Christian message as far away from their counterparts and therefore urging Christians to quit talking to the world.
Generally, authors tend to have far more commendable goals in mind, and sometimes they succeed even within the CBA.