While every new fantasy author is hailed as unique, new, and different, Brandon Sanderson's ELANTRIS does indeed provide an absorbing adventure in a unique, different, and well-thought-out fantasy world, with a few nifty twists as well.

Deities are invented by fallible and finite beings in the hope and desire to create immortal perfection; unfortunately, such deities only reflect their creators and inspire their followers to similar imperfections.

Minds, like parachutes, function better when open, but, like fists, they strike harder when closed.

To that which is born, death is certain; to that which is dead, birth is certain.

If you do good because you expect to be rewarded, it is greed.

Love of another is merely empty flattery and self-deception for one who cannot accept himself without pretense.

No society that places the individual above itself will survive; but neither will any society that places the individual below itself.