One step closer to being a cosmere expert! (Well... if having read all the books makes one an expert. I'm dubious. I don't remember half of what happened in Stormlight.)

I felt this dragged a bit in the middle, and I didn't love all of the characters, but I'm impressed that it's Sanderson's first novel. Quite good for a debut. Especially how it works so masterfully as a single book; while I'd love a sequel, it doesn't need it. And the whole concept of Elantris and the aons was really well done! Plus the romance was cute :)

I think my biggest gripe with this book has to do with the audio narration and the spellings of fictional names, not the book itself. The pronunciation of the names was wild, and I had no clue how to spell any of the names after listening. After looking up the pronunciation (https://www.brandonsanderson.com/elantris-pronunciation-guide/) I find the audiobook reader did a better job than I thought, but I still don't think any of them make any sense. Sarene being pronounced ser-EE-nee is ridiculous.

Also I loved the notes at the back and Hoid's appearance and I think this must have been so funny to read if you had never heard of the cosmere (which you wouldn't have if it was 2005). Investiture? Weird floating spheres? (According to Coppermind Galladon is a Worldhopper?!) Sanderson is a master and the fact that these weird references actually pay off later and there's a consistent system of magic & travel throughout his books is incredible. I kind of wish I had read this book without knowing anything about the cosmere... it certainly would have made me want to know more.