So thrilled to finish this 590-page book, something I struggled with after the pandemic hit. (I couldn’t seem to focus long enough to finish a novella, let alone a chonker of a novel.) Admittedly, I used a combination of physical book + audiobook which really sped things along.

Why a physical book? Well, I found reading on an iPad nigh impossible because I’m always tempted to explore other things such as my Feedly or social media. I could’ve bought a Kindle version, I suppose, but I wanted the feel of a physical book. And I’m glad I did buy a paper book even if it cost me an eye-watering RM54.90.

Initially, I just told myself to finish two chapters a day. But I was caught up by the story quickly enough. Sometimes, I would go shopping while having the audiobook play in the background. Thanks to Scribd I could access a dramatised audiobook version and while some of the voice acting left something to be desired (Sarene sounded far too peppy), I really enjoyed the dramatisation.

This was Brandon Sanderson’s debut novel, and I felt that the story could’ve gone on for another book as there were many unanswered questions. Some of which Raoden, the main character, pondered about in the last few chapters!

That seems to tease a potential second book, which to my understanding, never materialised. I mean, I dislike 12-volume fantasy epics and was grateful for a self-contained story for once, but after reading the end, I just wanted more.

I also enjoyed the book’s appendices, which in the tradition of Tolkien, Sanderson discussed the magic system, listed a bunch of “aons” and wrote about how he felt after the book was released.

Hope of Elantris

To slake my thirst, I listened to the dramatised audiobook version of the short story, The Hope of Elantris.

It’s a small story that takes place somewhere at the end of Elantris. It featured a character that was not in the book, but it was sweet and added to the satisfaction we got from the really nice ending of the novel.

We also got hints about what happened to our favourite couple after the events of Elantris. (Thank you for the fanservice, Brandon Sanderson.)

But, again, I wanted a lot more!
Anyway, I loved the magic system in this world, though I wonder how secure Elantris can be thanks to the way the magic is set up. (I can’t say anything else without spoiling anything.)