Elantris

Two stars based on the goodreads system, which perhaps looks worse than it is.

I hate to pile on about this being Sanderson's first published book, but to me it does feel full of story elements that he has virtually perfected in later novels. The main mysteries in the book weren't fully satisfyingly resolved, and a bunch of minor revelations came and went seemingly out of nowhere. All the characters seemed to be hyper-distilled archetypes, and most of their feelings or emotions were told by exposition instead of feeling genuine.

That said, it's still creative and original, and there was plenty to enjoy. I listened to the audiobook which had a narrator nowhere near as good as Michael Kramer and Kate Reading, which may have spoiled my review too.