Elantris

Just outside his open balcony windows he could see the enormous city of Elantris in the distance, its stark walls casting a deep shadow over the smaller city of Kae, where Raoden lived. Ten years ago, the Shaod would have made Raoden a god. Each day while the rest of Elantris glutted themselves on Sarene's offerings, Saolin and his men fought a bitter struggle to keep Shaor's beasts from overrunning the courtyard. Despite all the trials, difficulties, and setbacks, there was finally an honorable king on the throne of Arelon.