You can tell this is Sanderson's first novel; I have read one of his latest ones just before this and the writing was more smooth, more showing and less telling, and it had better pacing. Elantris is a very slow book, except for the last part, and I would prefer if the ending's sanderlanche wasn't as rushed, but overall it was a solid book.

I loved the characters more than I expected—even Raoden, despite him being a certain type of Sanderson's protagonists I usually roll my eyes at... I can't help it, they are so perfect they feel like Mary Sue (Wax would be another one cough). Hrathen on the other hand... I love myself a well written character that makes you question his motives and his role in the story.