Elantris was the capital of Arelon: gigantic, beautiful, literally radiant, filled with benevolent beings who used their powerful magical abilities for the benefit of all. Yet each of these demigods was once an ordinary person until touched by the mysterious transforming power of the Shaod. Ten years ago, without warning, the magic failed. Elantrians became wizened, leper-like, powerless creatures, and Elantris itself dark, filthy, and crumbling.
Arelon's new capital, Kae, crouches in the shadow of Elantris. Princess Sarene of Teod arrives for a marriage of state with Crown Prince Raoden, hoping--base on their correspondence--to also find love. She finds instead that Raoden has died and she is considered his widow. Both Teod and Arelon are under threat as the last remaining holdouts against the imperial ambitions of the ruthless religious fanatics of Fjordell. So Sarene decides to use her new status to counter the machinations of Hrathen, a Fjordell high priest who has come to Kae to convert Arelon and claim it for his emperor and his god.
But neither Sarene nor Hrathen suspect the truth about Prince Raoden. Stricken by the same curse that ruined Elantris, Raorden was secretly exiled by his father to the dark city. His struggle to help the wretches trapped there begins a series of events that will bring hope to Arelon, and perhaps reveal the secret of Elantris itself.
4/5 stars (really liked it)
The book is from the three main character's point of views, Sarene, Raoden and Hrathen. We meed Raoden as he becomes cursed by the Shaod and thrown into Elantris. There he makes a friend, Galladon who has been in Elantris for a few months. He helps Raoden and shows him around. Raoden tries to learn all he can so that he can heal Elantris. Sarene is a princess and has just moved to Kae and learns her betrothed is dead. By the laws of the land she is considered married and a widow. So she decides to learn as much as she can and help the people. Hrathen is a high priest who is in charge of converting the people to his religion. All is not what is looks like and all three characters learn things and in the end I really ended up liking this book. The ending gave it an ending but also left it open.
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