Elantris

This is very clearly Sanderson's first book. And he definitely got better. There are hints at what makes Sanderson so great, but it's over shadowed by cliche after cliche, flat character after flat character. (And ugh a not-like-other-girls character that is juuuuuust perfect enough but still needs saving in the end... and another character falling in love with her for no reason except to show how special she is... and how no one thought she was pretty until she met the one... gag)

I wouldn't recommend this book. But if you're curious to see an evolution of what I consider to be one of the best current fantasy authors, start with his better books (Mistborn, Stormlight Archive) and then read this. So at least it won't turn you off of the better stuff.