Elantris (Elantris, #1)

by Brandon Sanderson

“BOOKS!” RAODEN SAID with excitement.

Hrathen paused for a moment; then he repeated his slight nod and spun around, his cloak billowing dramatically as he stalked toward the door.

EARLY in his career, Hrathen had found it difficult to accept other languages. Fjordell was Jaddeth’s own chosen tongue—it was holy, while other languages were profane.

“I have often found that no matter the circumstance, it is most useful to be oneself,” Shuden said. “The more faces we try to wear, the more confused they become.”

“If only he would explain what it means to ‘channel the Dor’!” Raoden exclaimed, rereading a particularly annoying passage that kept using the phrase.

If Saolin lost, then the wildmen would break through. If Saolin won, it would mean the death or incapacitation of dozens of Elantrians—on both sides, people that Raoden should have been able to protect. Either way, I’m a failure, Raoden thought.

Except … When the Reod occurred, the land cracked. “The Chasm!” Raoden exclaimed. “The Chasm?” Galladon said skeptically. “That was caused by the Reod, sule, not the other way around.”