If I owned the actual book and not the audiobook I would classify this as a real page turner. Sure, you'll find a few things as progress through the story that make you say 'I totally saw that coming!' But, those instances will be come lost amongst the many twists and turns you never expected, but which all add up to make this a very rich and satisfying entertainment experience! The narrator did a fabulous job! While there is a certain amount of magic and 'fantasy' in this fantasy novel, it features deep and complex characters and relationships, as well as a well developed plot that is entertaining, often unpredictable, and always leaves you wanting more. Again, listening to the audio version saved me from having to try to come up with pronunciations for all the unique language/names in the text. I see where/how a sequel could take off, but this is a very stand-alone book. I think this is intended to be the first in a series of books, but it ends in a way that you'll be OK until the next one is released (if there even is a next one). There were times I found myself laughing out loud and others where I almost wanted to stand up and cheer (or cry). Even though it was long, it didn't feel like it. I look forward to the day that the decade long wait for a sequel comes to an end. It is a worthy listen and certainly left me wanting more. This book is certainly not as polished as Sanderson’s later works, but I enjoyed the story just the same. Jack Garrett does a fine job as narrator and felt like a good fit for the material. Brandon’s concept for this book, while basic in nature, is told within a setting that contains interesting magics and complex politics. Raoden, the Prince of Arelon, is taken by the Shaod and thrust into the living hell that is Elantris however, he refuses to abandon his humanity and seeks to improve the state of affairs within Elantris.

Within the walls of Elantris, a desperate, broken society has formed where the strong prey on the weak and the existing inhabitants take advantage of the newcomers sent to join them. Eventually, many go mad from their suffering. Over time, an Elantrian will accumulate injuries, each time adding to the level of constant pain they feel.

Elantrians feel pain and it is a pain that will never go away or diminish as they have no ability to heal. Arelon society treats anyone afflicted with the Shaod as dead and sends them into the ruined city of Elantris for the remainder of their existence. Within Arelon an affliction known as the Shaod transforms certain individuals into an undead state where one’s body no longer repairs itself. It is an excellent book and a complete story, despite the fact that Brandon does plan to eventually write a sequel.

Elantris is Brandon Sanderson’s first widely distributed book and is named after the ruined city of Elantris, which is the focus of the story.

Elantris graphic audio