I was really impressed by this book. The characters are vividly drawn, and the story is wonderful. The world-building that Sanderson has done is exceptional, both in its scope and his attention to detail. I've heard people compare it to a cross between Mieville's Perdido Street Station and George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire, and that's fairly accurate as things go. It conveys quite clearly the complexity, strangeness and oppression of Mieville's works, while maintaining the gritty, political, and character-driven work of Martin.

It's forced me to ask the question of whether I'd put it on the same level as my some of my favorite works of epic fantasy, such as Rothfuss' Name of the Wind, or even George R.R. Martin's work. The answer is that I'm not sure, but its so damn close that the distinction barely matters.

I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. I took a break to process the book I had just finished, and to jot down my thoughts in this review. I now intend to go immediately go back to my Kindle and start reading the second book in the series: The Well of Ascension.