In part 2, Riyodan finds a Hoid who was one of the original Elantrians.

It happened long enough ago (20 years, I think he says) that I wonder if she is the case study that Riyodan finds that leads him to understand why they were stuck in undying bodies.At any rate, his misguided sense of revenge causes him to distort the teachings of Shu-Korath to achieve his goals. His wife (or lover? I was so fascinated by the plot that the exact relationship was lost to me) was hurt and when he took her to be healed, it went wrong and she became what we would know as Elantrians in this book. Again, while he has been using doctrine as a reason for his hate, we learn it is in fact because of an interaction with Elantrians that went badly. In this part of the story we find out why Deloth hates Elantris so much. In previous reviews I mentioned Hrathen’s redemption arc and without spoiling anything about the details of this book, I think he is definitely a prime candidate for the idea of someone who can believe in a religion that’s being used for evil and not be evil himself. He also treats Hrathen well, if taking a bit of vulgar satisfaction when Hrathen appears to be taken by the Sheode. He talks to Serene about compassion for the Elantrians. But the local head of the church in Arulan is a compasionate person. In the case of Shu-Dorath (however it’s spelled – I listened to the audiobook), their pope is a self-important jerk. What I actually took away from Elantris is that those at the top of religion can often be corrupt or coopt a religion for their own goals, but those at the bottom can make very good use of it. However, I think he’s being a bit too hard on himself. He makes mention of Hrathen in this novel as well as (I think) a reference to Misborn or Warbreaker. Sanderson says in his annotations to Warbreaker that he feels bad he hasn’t really presented religion very positively in his writing.

I covered a lot of themes for this story in the other two reviews so I’m going to try and stick to new themes as much as possible for this one. Joking aside, it was a well-done novel that leaves the world open for a slew of books in the universe, but if we never get another, it’s still a great story. I have a feeling this Sanderson kid is going places. That is one heckuva first-time novel for an author. Elantris, Part 3 of 3 by Brandon Sanderson

Elantris book 3