I liked it but... I only loved a few ideas that weren't focused on all that much. Like I really liked the concept of elantris as this hell like state and the way Raoden gives people purpose to avoid their pain. I enjoyed his struggle with the decisions he is forced to make. I FREAKING LOVED HRATHEN AND THE RELIGIOUS IDEAS. I loved it. Seeing his struggle with religion, faith, and logic, and his desire to do the right thing but his fucked epistemic framework and situation leading him to make horrific decisions, seeing his conflict in his actions. And then on top of that the religious ideas it is critiquing are explicitly the pitfalls of hierarchy and organized religion. THEN there's the whole concept of how the original religion that all the other religions based off of was based on "unity" which has been interpreted differently by the different branches. Then seeing Hrathen's redemption arc mind view change. And the criticism of blind hatred... And GOD it's so good.

Unfortunately that stuff is basically only 50% of the book if I'm being generous. Seemingly the other 50% is the most mind numbingly boring politics talk ever. And it's not like I dislike politics. I fucking loved dune messiah and Mistborn had it's own massive politic talks. It just feels so hollow in this book. I never cared or felt like any of the characters beyond Sarene were different enough to warrant caring about. The scenes didn't have enough spice to them imo. And ultimately the politic talks don't end up saving the day because Sarene overthrows the king through scandal, not a peasant uprising. Now, that's not a criticism of the plot, I'm just trying to explain why I felt the political sections were lacking, especially coming off of Dune and Mistborn. It was a struggle for me to get through those sections. Like wow that random political guy was the traitor, oh FR? On God? Just like that? I couldn't be bothered to care lol.

I will say though, the except comes when Sarene was outwitting people like when she made the king cry or beat Hrathen in an argument.

For moments I liked besides the religion stuff, the reveal about why the Aon's weren't working was cool and the moment when he puts everything back together with the title drop "Aon Rao. The spirit of elantris" was cool (if maybe kind of cheesy lol).

The part where galladon laments how Raodon gave him hope was cool.

Solid book all in all.

Time to read: 11 hours 47 minutes