Genre: Epic fantasy (romantic subplot)

Rating: 5/5

Elantris is not the first book I’ve read by Brandon Sanderson, but it just might be my favorite. Humor and wisdom collide in this sweeping story of a man’s struggle to find meaning in a world that considers him beyond all help.

The story begins with Raoden, the Crown Prince of Kae, stricken with the curse of Elantris (which turns him into something between a zombie and a leper, but it’s not as creepy as it sounds). When his fiancée, Sarene, arrives for their arranged marriage, she is told he is dead—and thus begins one of the most delightful fantasy novels I’ve read.

While Sanderson doesn’t shy away from tackling darkness, both in the curse of Elantris and in the political machinations that Sarene finds herself caught in, Elantris is also suffused with humor and hope.

One recurring theme I’ve seen in Sanderson’s writing is the struggle of his main characters to bring order out of chaos and meaning out of meaninglessness, even in the worst of circumstances. The sheer grit of Raoden and Sarene was a beautiful thing to see, and it hit hard given the general chaos of our world at the moment. Sanderson never even approaches stating a moral to Elantris, but it’s impossible not to follow the example of his characters as they react with courage and grace rather than anger, fear, or despair.

And in addition to the depth of this book, Sanderson does a brilliant job of weaving humor throughout the story. Aside from clever dialogue, the rom-com-esque subplot was a delightful surprise. Given the tragic element inherent in Sarene’s belief that Raoden is dead, I wasn’t expecting Sanderson to handle that subplot so playfully, but I found myself chuckling out loud several times as I read.

He also does a fantastic job with all his characters—Raoden initially starts out as a generic prince, but swiftly develops into a complex and well-layered character that you can’t help rooting for. And Sarene is probably one of the best female characters I have ever seen: simultaneously intelligent, courageous, and tenderhearted.

All in all, if you’re looking for a unique fantasy novel with rich themes, an unpredictable plot, and a healthy dose of humor, I highly recommend Elantris!

Caveats: Elantris is written for adults, but would be appropriate for teen readers. While there’s a brief description of a human sacrifice, there’s very little on-page violence, and the romance is limited to brief kisses.