A dead prince, a widowed bride, and a doubting priest fight for a cursed city's soul.
Who drives the story
Arelon's crown prince, transformed by the Shaod and thrown into a cursed city under the alias 'Spirit.' He chooses sanity and leadership over madness, uniting gangs and rediscovering dead magic — and ends the book a living god-king.
Teod's princess, widowed by contract before her wedding to a man she never met. She outmaneuvers a corrupt court, builds alliances from fencing lessons, and survives a treason charge to become queen beside the husband she thought was dead.
A Derethi gyorn ordered to convert Arelon in three months or watch it burn. A manipulator who secretly doesn't believe his own faith, he redeems himself by freeing Sarene and dying to buy her escape.
A gruff Dula Elantrian and Raoden's first friend in the pit, whose 'Kolo?' punctuates their partnership. He becomes the loyal lieutenant of New Elantris.
The corrupt noble who sells his soul for a crown, converting to Shu-Dereth on Hrathen's promise of the throne. His reign crumbles the moment real power returns to Elantris.
Also in the story
Hrathen's fanatical young priest, whose hatred of Elantrians burns hotter than his master's. He harbors plans to destroy Elantris even at the cost of betraying Hrathen.
How they are connected
A manipulator who secretly doesn't believe his own faith, he redeems himself by freeing Sarene and dying to buy her escape.
A gruff Dula Elantrian and Raoden's first friend in the pit, whose 'Kolo?
Hrathen's fanatical young priest, whose hatred of Elantrians burns hotter than his master's.
The corrupt noble who sells his soul for a crown, converting to Shu-Dereth on Hrathen's promise of the throne.
Go deeper
Pain Is a Choice · Faith and Its Doubters · Corruption as a System · Marriage Before Meeting
Themes explainedThe full story act by act, the ending explained and a quick quiz.
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