Elantris
by Brandon Sanderson · first published 2005
58% recommend38% neutral4% critical
Why HN recommends it
Standalone fantasy with an inventive magic system, often named as a fun, fast read and a good entry point to Sanderson's Cosmere books; some note it is quick to finish and feels like a sibling to his later work.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Elantris: gigantic, beautiful, radiant
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Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
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…findings of a statistical analysis of the life and habits of millionaires. Deep Work had the similar effects on my work habits as the former did on my finances. If you're looking for a fun fantasy read, Elantris by Brandon Sanderson is one of my all-time favorite standalone novels.
on “Ask HN: 2018 Summer Reading List?” ↗…http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2015/may/20/fanta... And I would cite Brandon Sanderson as a good example (and good counter-example to the original article) - smaller ideas get novellas (Legion, Emperor's Soul), medium-sized ideas get novels (Elantris, Rithmatist, Warbreaker), epic ideas get large novels in series(Mistborn, Way of Kings). All excellent, by the way...
on “Fantasy must shake off the tyranny of the mega-novel” ↗His first book Elantris is also very good and well worth your time. A good starting point for his work and a self-contained novel (although he had mentioned writing two more Elantris books in the distant future).
on “The Animal Is Tired” ↗> They are his main series, and generally regarded as his best stuff. I think Elantris is his best. It's just that there's less of it (one book) than there is of the big series.
on “Four Secret Novels by Brandon Sanderson” ↗…well in the long run. Also, if you haven't read the Mistborn trilogy, I highly suggest it. It's a great, unique setting, and I had a great time with it. Finally, his other books are great as well. Elantris and Warbreaker, each different, and great for single novel stories. I'm a big fan of the long arcs of great epics, but these one-off's were well worth the time invested. Basically, he's an author that…
on “Ask HN: What are you reading right now?” ↗…Stormlight is about to release book 3 of 10. Mistborn is also actively being written, but the next book to be released is 4 of 4 for "Era 2". (the eras being self contained but building on the previous) Elantris is the least well written, so read it first or not first depending if you want to lose interest in Sanderson, or be let down by the writing style. The rest are excellent though.
on “New Game of Thrones episode appears in the wild” ↗+1 for the Stormlight Archives I would add the rest of Brandon Sanderson Cosmere books: Mistborn Trilogies Warbreaker Elantris etc.
on “Ask HN: Which non-programming books are a beneficial read for programmers?” ↗I think Elantris was gateway-Sanderson for me. Read that in a day and have been hooked ever since. That said, in hindsight a lot of Elantris feels pretty similar to Way of Kings.
on “Ask HN: 2018 Summer Reading List?” ↗…immersive. His 'The Stormlight Archive: The Way of Kings' is the first book in the Stormlight Archives, my favorite series of his. If you like to save the best for last, you could do his Mistborn series or Elantris to start. If you are wanting science fiction, The Hyperion Cantos is my all time favorite series there. It is four books: Hyperion, The Fall of Hyperion, Endymion, The Rise of Endymion. Daemon and Freedom…
on “Ask HN: Which audiobooks did/do you like?” ↗I couldn't get into Mistborn either--solid, just didn't grab me. His Reckoner series is my favorite (Steelheart, Firefight, Calamity), though it's YA and more superhero than fantasy. Also Elantris, his first published novel, and its follow-up The Emperor's Soul.
on “Show HN: Top Fantasy Reads – Fantasy books Reddit is reading” ↗Skyward was great. The 2nd book in the series, Starsight, less so. I believe those are considered YA novels though. I think Elantris would be a better recommendation. Its a standalone book and probably one of his best works.
on “Four Secret Novels by Brandon Sanderson” ↗Elantris is great, but the end of the books is basically a gaping gap. Not entirely, but a bit like the story was cut off in the middle.
on “Four Secret Novels by Brandon Sanderson” ↗Yep, world building and system building is what he does. The only book of his that wasn't like that... and which i liked most... Elantris... was never really continued.
on “Sanderson shares intimate details about contracting with publishing industry” ↗As far as his epic fantasy stuff goes, I started with Mistborn (starts slow, but finishing the 1st trilogy is mind-blowing) & my friend began with Elantris (release order, in my opinion, his writing gets better every book--there are now 50 & I've read/loved nearly all of them). Alternatively, Way of Kings could be a good starting point as well (my personal…
on “It is important that ebooks be sold without DRM” ↗Very cool - it reminds me of some of the programming-language-like magic systems in Sanderson's books, especially AonDor in Elantris and Lines in The Rithmatist.
on “Mystical” ↗