Sanderson, Brandon. Elantris.

SANDERSON, Brandon. Elantris. Tor. 638p. c2005. 0-765-35037-8. $7.99. A

The city of Elantris used to be the dwelling of magical inhabitants whose luminescent silvery skin and AonDor enchantments gave them the status of gods. Ten years ago, though, the city and its inhabitants underwent a drastic change. Now, those who are transformed into Elantrians, via a mystical process known as the Shaod, turn into living corpses who are forcibly locked in the now-rotting city.

Elantris is a high-fantasy novel that follows three spectacular characters. Raoden is the crown prince of Arelon, the land that houses Elantris, who wakes up to find himself transformed, ostracized, and thrown into the barbaric Elantris either to discover its secrets or to go mad in the process. Sarene is the clever princess of Teod, the land across the sea from Arelon and its one remaining ally against Fjordell. She has arrived in Arelon to wed Raoden, only to find her prince suspiciously missing. Hrathen is a high priest of Fjordell who believes he was sent to Arelon to convert its citizens, but who soon discovers his role is more deadly than he knew.

Although Elantris will be enjoyed immensely by those dedicated, advanced fantasy readers who appreciate a complex plot and who read quickly enough to get through the first third of the book, which is consistently tragic and even disturbing, those not already convinced of fantasy's merits will find Elantris a tough sell. Sanderson leads his readers through a long and difficult puzzle, but the freshness and inventiveness of the conclusion make the ending well worth the wait for a reader who finds delight in serious fantasy lore. Cara Chancellor, Hollywood, FL

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