Elantris - How does this compare to later books?

[Kim]

Remembering that this was Sanderson's first published novel what do you think he's done better, or worse, in subsequent books? Please use spoiler tags for anything potentially spoilery in this or other books.

[Leonie]

As far as better goes: The Stormlight Archive. So much love for this series so far.

[Sunil]

I've read his Wheel of time and original trilogy mistborn books and would say that he's added a lot more action and kept the races and locations simpler. in Elantris he seems to be bogged down by the numerous places and languages he's invented.

[Melanie, the neutral party]

I am that rare individual who has not yet read Mistborn, but I read both books in Sanderson's Steelheart and Legion series. As an author, he certainly is complete in his world building. You can tell he sees the whole universe (imaginary though it be) as he writes. I don't think that has changed with age.

The Legion and Steel heart series are more action packed than Elantirs, but that is most like a result of the characters and the world conflicts as opposed to good or bad writing. The conflict in Elantris was political, so it will naturally lack traditional action. I don't feel it lacked tension or engagement.

I feel confident in standing by the statement I mad when I nominated the book; I LOVE everything this man writes!

[Valerie]

I also agree that Elantris lacks the maturity and polish of some of his other work. In my opinion, this is definitely true in the dialog and flow of the story, especially in the beginning.

However, I do think the still has the same depth of world-building that makes his books so darn enjoyable.

[Veronika KaoruSaionji]

I read only the Mistborn series and Warbreaker (and Elantris now). I mean that Mistborn is best from them and Elantris probably the worst. But the world of Elantris is so great as other Sanderson´s worlds. It is still great book for me and I love it.
Elantis remind me very much on Warbreaker: one prince/princess on the street (in poverty), one princess married in strange land, people who became godlike (in Elantris only in the past and the future), very different religions (and religion who is hated by other belief and nation)... But each story is very different and both are very good.

[Layla ✷ Praise the sun ✷]

What I feel Sanderson has done much better especially in Stormlight Archives is character writing as in, I love his world building, the stories etc., but I could not get myself to care about individual characters so much in some of his books. This is the biggest difference imo. I personally read Elantris right after having read the Stormlight Archives books... The writing development is huge, the dialogues, characters, descriptions,... I can't wait to read the next one in the series :)

[Valerie]

I think the Stormlight Archives are just outstanding. I have to do some "light" reading immediately after finishing because everything else pales in comparison.

[Azrael]

Elantris is an engrossing tale, and well worth the read. Brandon Sanderson has only improved his craft since then. My personal favorites are the Mistborn trilogy and the Stormlight Archives.