Brandon Sanderson: Elantris

I first heard of this book on the forums at BookandReader and added it to my list of books to read. Then I was on GoodReads.com updating my 'bookshelves' and started reading some of the reviews about it and got excited about reading this book. So I took a trip to the library. I read it in a matter of days, as is usual with the fantasy books I read. Although it was a good book and I will recommend it, I wasn't drawn in quite as much as some others I've read. I love when I get so involved in a book that I just look forward to picking it up again when I have to put it down and can't stop thinking about the characters until I'm with them again. I was definitely involved in Elantris but it didn't grip me as I hoped it would. Of course, this could be because I just started a new job while I was reading it so I had to force myself to focus on other things.

The story starts 10 years after the magical Elantrians have somehow fallen and become walking corpses. Their city is forbidden and all those who become cursed are cast into the city and considered dead. The country struggles economically and they face impending invasion by a neighboring country. The main characters fight to preserve their freedom and to restore Elantris to it's former power and glory.

I love the main characters and the little love story they live. Sanderson also incorporates the concept of religion and it's affects on the government and the people. Some of the reviews I read were critical of the magic system, but I like it because it was simple. And the villain was great, probably one of my favorites.

Overall I really liked this book and gave it 4 out of 5 stars. I'm looking forward to reading more of Sanderson's work.