2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Elantris, the first book in the Elantris series by Brandon Sanderson.

Pages: 638 pages

Length: 1 month (August)

Participants: Amitha, Lorraine, Cordelia, Valerie

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.

Here are some questions to help get the conversation started! Feel free to look up discussion questions specific to this book or come up with your own. Just make sure any questions that contain spoilers are under spoiler tags.
Discussion questions are not required but may be a fun way to talk about the book and get to know each other!

Prior to starting:
What prompted you to join this buddy read?
Have you read this author before? What do you think of their other books?

Mid-read:
What character or ideas do you relate to the most and why?
Do you have any favorite quotes or scenes?

After reading:
What was enjoyable or not-so-enjoyable about this book?
Did this book change your perception about anything, either within the book (character development) or in real life?

I started Elantris a bit earlier than planned—too many books, as always! Technically, this isn’t my first time reading Brandon Sanderson, but the only works I’ve read so far are the ones he wrote to complete The Wheel of Time saga at the request of Robert Jordan’s widow. So in a way, this feels like my first real experience with his own writing.

From what I understand, Elantris was his debut novel, and after 22 chapters, I can tell—it shows. But the story has a lot of potential, and I can already see why he became such a favorite in the genre over time.

As for Elantris itself, I’m really enjoying it. (view spoiler)[ I find both Sarene and Raoden to be compelling characters, and I appreciate that Sanderson created a strong female lead in Sarene. I’m curious to see where their paths will lead and whether their marriage will actually take place. Galladon, on the other hand, remains quite the mystery—I’m fairly certain he’s not just a simple farmer, but I have no idea what he might truly be. (hide spoiler)]

Does anyone know if any of Sanderson’s other books continue this story or expand on this world?

Lorraine wrote: "As for Elantris itself, I’m really enjoying it. [spoilers removed]

Does anyone know if any of Sanderson’s other books continue this story or expand on this world?"

I read that he wants to do another book in this world.

Well, he’s quite a bit younger than George R.R. Martin—so we might actually have a chance to read the sequel! 😄

Lorraine wrote: "Well, he’s quite a bit younger than George R.R. Martin—so we might actually have a chance to read the sequel! 😄"
Lol!

I’ve finished Elantris, and I really enjoyed it! Hard to believe this was his first book — seriously? I can definitely see why Robert Jordan’s widow chose him to finish the Wheel of Time series. Not sure I’ll still remember all the details in 2029 when the second book is expected, but I might give it a try. (view spoiler)[I don’t know about you, but the ending felt unclear to me... Do you think it was meant as a cliffhanger for the next one, or did I miss something? (hide spoiler)]

I have heard a lot about this author and wanted to try and that's why I bought this book and wanted to read with a buddy as it looked huge :)
I have never read this author before as this is not my go-to genre generally. Looking forward to read with y'all.

Starting this tomorrow. Looking forward to losing myself in another chunky fantasy novel. I haven’t read any of his other books so we’ll see how it goes.

Part One. Certainly impressive in terms of both creativity and originality. I agree that the writing is a little uneven and clumsy at times but the intricate and interwoven plot is really engrossing and the characters compelling. Plenty of intriguing mysteries to be revealed as the power struggles play out with their conflicts and alliances.

Lorraine wrote: "I’ve finished Elantris, and I really enjoyed it! Hard to believe this was his first book — seriously? I can definitely see why Robert Jordan’s widow chose him to finish the Wheel of Time series. No..."
Finished. I really enjoyed it too! Not perfect but very impressive for a debut novel - full of inventiveness, originality and tension. You’re never sure what is going to happen next. The ending (view spoiler)[ did seem a bit rushed and muddled - it felt like he was simultaneously trying to suddenly tie up the loose ends but leaving the possibility of continuing the story (hide spoiler)]. I’m looking forward to reading Mistborn: The Final Empire next month.