Lyn: Helloooooooooo Cosmere Chickens, and welcome to this week’s installment of the one… the only… the Elantris reread! We start off just past the halfway point of the novel, and things are starting to really heat up. Sarene’s plans appear to be succeeding left and right, which of course means—according to the rules of story structure—that they’re all about to come tumbling down around her ears. (It wouldn’t be any fun to watch her overcome adversity if it’s all too easy, after all.)
We’re also seeing the B story begin to really flower… that is, the long-awaited romance between Sarene and Raoden. (Finally!) But before that flower bears fruit, there’s Hrathen (and, worse, Dilaf) to deal with…
(Non-)Spoiler warning: This week’s article has no spoilers from other Cosmere works. Read on fearlessly, chickens!
Last time on Elantris: Moving On…
Hrathen realizes that he’s made a horrible mistake in underestimating Dilaf, who has slowly been undermining his power in the local church. Even worse, Hrathen’s begun to question his own faith. Meanwhile, Raoden continues his practice in drawing Aons, despite the fact that it appears to be useless. He learns that Galladon’s father was Elantrian, and they bring one of the original Elantrians to a pool—a Perpendicularity—where his body is dissolved into nothingness. They realize that there is a way to escape the pain… but have no idea what happens to their souls afterwards.
Chapter Essentials
POV Character(s): Sarene, Hrathen
Discussion
Chapter 26
The gate slammed shut as Sarene’s cart rolled back into Kae. “You’re certain he’s the one in charge?” she asked.
P: And so Sarene learns that Spirit is the top dog in Elantris. And she feels some aversion to that. Though she also recognizes her growing sense that he really cares for the city.
Political necessity or not, she wanted Spirit to be honest with her. She was beginning to trust him, and that worried her.
L: Yessss. Feel the affection flow through you, young Sarene…
P: I almost snorted hard lemonade through my nose.
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Under the Smokestrewn Sky
The fact that she’s beginning to trust him is huge. Especially as she’s been so standoffish toward him up to this point. Who can resist the inevitable draw of the Lord Spirit? Not Sarene.
L: I’d argue that few of us could, were he real…
“Because Baron Edan’s lands border the Chasm down in southern Arelon, the recent rains caused some mudslides involving his fields.”
L: More subtle reminders from Sanderson about that strange chasm that conveniently appeared just as Elantris fell…
P: Hmm… such a coinkydink that those things occurred at the same time.
“I thought you women intended to prove your strength, to show that you were good for more than making the occasional embroidered pillowcase. However, so far only one of you has truly shown me that she wants to change things in Arelon. Torena, tell them what you did today.”
The thin girl yelped slightly as Sarene said her name, then looked sheepishly at her companions. “I went to Elantris with you?”
“Indeed,” Sarene said. “I have invited each woman in this room several times, but only Torena has had the courage to accompany me into Elantris.”
L: Sarene is done playing coy, it appears, and believes that a forceful shove out the door will be more effective.
P: I don’t think she’s wrong. She’s tried subtlety, which isn’t really her way. Time to bring out the big guns.
It was just like Teod. She could see respect in their eyes; even the queen herself looked to Sarene for advice now. However, respect her as they did, they would never accept her. When Sarene entered a room, it fell silent; when she left, conversations began again. It was as if they thought her above their simple discussions. By serving as a model for what they wanted to become, Sarene had alienated herself from them.
L: Oof. Not having any real friends is hard enough in normal times, but in a strange land, with no family, on the brink of war?
P: It’s got to wear on her. As we see here when she thinks that they’ll never accept her.
Well… I know of someone who will accept her!
She craved something—a sign that at least some of the men found her attractive, though she would never respond to any advances.
L: I think that the majority of people who are interested in romantic relationships can relate to this sentiment. It’s nice to believe that other people find you attractive, both physically and mentally.
P: Which begs the question. If she knew that Spirit was Raoden right this moment, would she be drawn to him at all? Or would she be revolted?
L: Now selling tickets to the Cosmere’s new hit dating show! Watch as Sarene asks questions to Raoden, Kaladin, and Kelsier on the other side of a curtain! Will the burgeoning love survive once the curtain is removed? Tune in and find out!
“Eondel and the rest are expected to bring forth exemplary crops.”
L: Wow! Amazing what NOT forcing people into slavery will do!
P: But will the ruling class understand why they’re getting exemplary crops? Or will they just count it as good fortune?
L: Sadly they’d probably just attribute it to the latter.
It was rare to find someone politically skilled enough to hold her attention, but in Arelon she had found two. In a way, Spirit was even more fascinating than the gyorn. While Hrathen and she were very frank about their enmity, Spirit somehow manipulated and foiled her while at the same time acting like an old friend.
L: What an odd love triangle. (I rather like that it’s not a typical or cliché one, in which the woman is attracted to both of the men and has to make a decision between the two.) The chemistry isn’t in place for a Sarene!Hrathen romance to be satisfying to the reader, but it absolutely makes sense that he’d have a one-sided attraction to her, as someone who keeps unexpectedly thwarting his plans.
P: Hrathen is definitely captivated by Sarene, though definitely not in a romantic way. More of a deep respect for a skilled opponent.
L: If I remember correctly there is a bit at the very end of the book that led me to believe that the interest was romantic… maybe my memory is faulty, though.
P: I guess we’ll see when we get there!
“Perhaps in a few years, after your place here in Arelon is more secure, you could allow yourself a relationship that is… covert.”
L: Ugh. I hate that they force widows to remain locked into a marriage even after their husbands have died.
P: Seems rather heartless, doesn’t it? Especially since Raoden “died” before she even arrived in Kae.
Chapter 27
Somehow, Iadon had recovered from his lost ships and cargo. Telrii would not be king.
L: ::snicker::
P: Point to Sarene. What’s the count now?
L: Ah Domi, was I supposed to be keeping track? Drat…
It was too much. Suddenly it seemed as if his room were falling in on him. The walls and ceiling shrunk closer and closer, as if to crush him beneath their weight.
L: As despicable as he is, I can’t help but pity him in this moment. I’ve felt this hopelessness before, when everything seems to be going wrong, everything you’ve worked for is falling apart around you, and hope seems utterly lost.
P: I can’t say I’ve never felt precisely this way though I have felt the walls closing around me a time or two. Yay, anxiety! So I can definitely feel for Hrathen at this moment, and feel his confusion and desperation.
My Lord Hrathen, the note read. Here is the poison you requested. All of the effects are exactly as you specified. The liquid must be ingested, and the victim won’t display any symptoms until about eight hours afterward.
L: Yeah! Poison Dilaf’s scheming butt! Get him, Hra—
Wait. What am I doing? Am… am I actually rooting for this guy? Sanderson’s way too good at his job, guys.
P: You’re not alone. I’m rooting for Hrathen to poison that scheming little arteth, too!
Hrathen swished the poison around in its vial for a moment, then pulled off the stopper and drank it down in a single gulp.
L: I had absolutely no memory of this from my first read-through and it hit me like a wrecking ball. What? What in the HECK can Hrathen be planning here? And boy oh BOY, what a way to end part two! Love me a good cliffhanger.
P: Now, I’ve read this book multiple times and I don’t remember this! What are you doing Hrathen??
We’ll be leaving further speculation and discussion to you in the comments, and hope to join you there! Next week, we’ll be back with chapters 28-31 (yes, that’s right… mostly because 30 and 31 are so short).
Paige resides in New Mexico, of course. Between work and school and the SA5 beta read, she’s trying to work on book 3 of a YA/Crossover trilogy with just a hint of the supernatural. Links to her other writing are available in her profile.
Lyndsey lives in Connecticut and makes magic wands for a living, as well as working as the costumer for two of her local Renaissance Faires. If you enjoy queer protagonists, snarky humor, and don’t mind some salty language, check out book 1 of her fantasy series. Follow her on Facebook or TikTok!
Is that what they’re calling it now? Sorry for getting innuendo on a wholesome Sanderson book.
Always fun to watch people be baffled by a plot development.
“Now selling tickets to the Cosmere’s new hit dating show! Watch as Sarene asks questions to Raoden, Kaladin, and Kelsier on the other side of a curtain! Will the burgeoning love survive once the curtain is removed? Tune in and find out!”
She would eat Kelsier alive and not fall for his shit; Kaladin would find himself arguing with her, and be slightly put off, and well…we know about Raoden.
Oooh this is a fun plot point to forget and get to see anew! Heather may have had some losses, but he’s a tricksy tricky fellow…
*Hrathen, not Heather…
Kelsier would probably loathe Sarene on principle once he knew she’s a princess (and I agree with @2 about how she’d react to him). Kal would wonder if Shallan developed a new persona that is both more cunning and oddly innocent.
Sarene – I am getting increasingly disappointed in Sarene. She seems to have zero empathy. She treats people as pieces in a game she’s playing and seems perfectly willing to trim them to fit. And she does this imperiously. Even in her “charity” towards Elantris she gives them what will make her feel better and tries to undermine what Raoden says they need.
This section seems, to me, about realizing limitations. Hrathen finds that he can’t outmaneuver Dilaf and takes the poison. Sarene realizes that she has no power to convince people and resorts to blackmail. Raoden sees that he can’t work with the Shaor and resorts to combat.
@6 Davep It’s more that Sarene sees everything as a political game right now. Humiliate Iadon. Beat Hrathen’s schemes, find out why Spirit is being mysterious. She thinks if she can do these things, she can win. It’s the way she maintains control. I also think she gets better when she has to go into the city itself much later on. Elantris has this…humbling effect to it; each person that comes out of it does come out changed.
It boggles my mind that you two don’t remember the effects of the poison.
Then again, the sheer number of things you two remember that I don’t is impressive, so I probably shouldn’t get too cocky. :-)
I envy you getting to re-experience this event anew. As avid a re-reader as I am, there’s a lot to be said for the first-time reading experience.
I’m with @bad_platypus. The poison thing was shocking the first time I read Elantris, and for that reason I remember perfectly why this happened, and what follows.
I didn’t realize this article was from TODAY. Cool! I remember what happens next, and I’m really looking forward to seeing your reactions… it was one of the book’s coolest twists!
Also, there is a moment near the end where Hrathen hints that his interest in Sarene was partially romantic, but it’s, like, one paragraph near the very end.
Heh, I re-read “Elantris” a couple of months previously and was similarly surprised by the poison gambit.
Sarene’s predicament comes a bit too close to “not like other women” trope, but in a way it is also just a burden of leadership? T
Hah! I totally forgot (or maybe missed) the potential of Hrathen having romantic feelings for Sarene, but man, that would kinda be a fascinating alternate universe story….even so it’s fine that it’s not romantic. Similar to what was done with Raboniel and Navani I kind of love a story of antagonists who also respect each other (although honestly I could also see an alternate universe ship for them too).
@Lisamarie, I think one of Brandon’s strengths as a writer is that his villains are rarely cardboard. Even, say, the Lord Ruler isn’t a mustache-twirler.