Helpful Score: 1
A great follow-up to a great first book. This is an exciting story, packed with intrigue, action, and characters who feel authentic in their actions and motivations. Sanderson has a great story building here, and I eagerly await book three this October. If you're looking for solid epic fantasy with interesting characters and a unique system of magic, look no further than the Mistborn trilogy.
Helpful Score: 1
I have read a number of books by Sanderson and loved them all. I loved Warbreaker, Elantris, and the first Mistborn book. I was excited to read more about Vin and Elend, and find out about the bigger disasters that happened after they took over the city. This was a great book and a great addition to the series.
This book starts shortly after Mistborn ended. Vin is spending time trying to keep Elend safe from assassins and Elend is trying to set up government in the city of Luthadel. Unfortunately two armies have camped outside of Luthadel and they both want Luthadel for its Atium. Elend is trying to figure out how to stave off envasion when he finds out about the threat of a third armed force. Vin is pushing herself trying to guard the city full time when she runs into another mysterious Mistborn, to add to the mystery she thinks things are changing with the Mists and that Luthadel may be facing a danger much bigger than any invading armies.
This was a really wonderful book. Sanderson has such a way with characters; they are all so lovable and human. He balances out politics, action, and characterization so well. I was really attached to the characters in this book...and there are a lot of them. I never felt like it was hard to keep them all straight and I never found the magic system and politics too confusing. It takes a great writer to craft a story this complex and still make it easy for the reader to follow.
This book was politics heavy, especially for the first two-thirds. I am not a big fan of complex prolonged politics, so I didn't like this book quite as much as the first one. That being said it is a testament to Sanderson's skill that I was still completely engaged in this story despite the fact that the first part focused almost solely on the politics surrounding Luthandel. The end of the book races by twice as fast as the first part and is packed with battle and action.
This book touches on a lot of deep issues as well such as good vs evil, democracy vs. dictatorship, morality and ethics. These are all well balanced with the other elements of the book. Sanderson makes epic fantasy more personable and I love the fact that women play large roles in his books. When I was younger I always got sick of epic fantasies that either ignored women or featured them in weak, less desirable roles. This book is about Elend and Vin in equal parts and it is wonderful to see that.
We learn a lot more about the history of some of the different races and also a lot more about Allomancy. The story ends in a great spot, tying up many of the issues presented early on while starting a big story for the third book.
Overall an absolutely excellent book. Sanderson is just such a fabulous writer; his writing is complex, easy to read, engaging, creative and absolutely engrossing. I am very excited to read the final book in the trilogy, The Hero of Ages, to see how it all plays out. If you are a fan of epic fantasy this book is for you.
This book starts shortly after Mistborn ended. Vin is spending time trying to keep Elend safe from assassins and Elend is trying to set up government in the city of Luthadel. Unfortunately two armies have camped outside of Luthadel and they both want Luthadel for its Atium. Elend is trying to figure out how to stave off envasion when he finds out about the threat of a third armed force. Vin is pushing herself trying to guard the city full time when she runs into another mysterious Mistborn, to add to the mystery she thinks things are changing with the Mists and that Luthadel may be facing a danger much bigger than any invading armies.
This was a really wonderful book. Sanderson has such a way with characters; they are all so lovable and human. He balances out politics, action, and characterization so well. I was really attached to the characters in this book...and there are a lot of them. I never felt like it was hard to keep them all straight and I never found the magic system and politics too confusing. It takes a great writer to craft a story this complex and still make it easy for the reader to follow.
This book was politics heavy, especially for the first two-thirds. I am not a big fan of complex prolonged politics, so I didn't like this book quite as much as the first one. That being said it is a testament to Sanderson's skill that I was still completely engaged in this story despite the fact that the first part focused almost solely on the politics surrounding Luthandel. The end of the book races by twice as fast as the first part and is packed with battle and action.
This book touches on a lot of deep issues as well such as good vs evil, democracy vs. dictatorship, morality and ethics. These are all well balanced with the other elements of the book. Sanderson makes epic fantasy more personable and I love the fact that women play large roles in his books. When I was younger I always got sick of epic fantasies that either ignored women or featured them in weak, less desirable roles. This book is about Elend and Vin in equal parts and it is wonderful to see that.
We learn a lot more about the history of some of the different races and also a lot more about Allomancy. The story ends in a great spot, tying up many of the issues presented early on while starting a big story for the third book.
Overall an absolutely excellent book. Sanderson is just such a fabulous writer; his writing is complex, easy to read, engaging, creative and absolutely engrossing. I am very excited to read the final book in the trilogy, The Hero of Ages, to see how it all plays out. If you are a fan of epic fantasy this book is for you.
A good sequel for the first Mistborn book. Brandon Sanderson keeps the action going and sometimes there is so much going on you feel a bit overwhelmed, but it is great fantasy an keeps your interest in high gear. A must read if you enjoyed Mistborn!
I have to admit to being rather disappointed in this second of the trilogy, so much so that I don't know yet if I'll bother with the third installment. About a third of the way through the story starts to drag; the two main characters are continually into internal debates, the same old stuff over and over till they become whiny and tiresome and there is far too much rehashing of what went before (in the first book). It is all the more frustrating since I bought it for my new kindle and paid good money. Just my humble opinion.
Margaret
Margaret
I really enjoyed this series. Anyone who liked Robert Jordan's series will like this series.
The Well of Ascension is a fantastic read, although if you have not read the first book, Mistborn, the story may be a bit tough to follow. I enjoyed Mistborn a little more than The Well of Ascension.
With Kelsier gone, his remaining crew try to stay true to Vin in their own way strengthening Luthadels defenses, intrigue, spying, and even returning to a besieged city. Sazed had wandered far in pursuit of his dream of teaching the Skaa about the worlds lost religions. However, he finds few willing, let along enthusiastic, students. Instead, he comes across tales of mist mysteriously appearing during the day and killing people. Kelsiers brother Marsh appears on the scene and leads Sazed to an abandoned Steel Inquisitor tower, where they find few answers and only more questions. Sazed is convinced he must return to Luthdel, despite the imminent danger the city is in.
I believe this book was even better than Book 1. Book 1 set up several of the main characters and the world. In this addition to the series, Brandon Sanderson explores more of the world. For instance, we learn about Koloss society, Mistborn and Feruchemist abilities, and the complicated kandra. We also get more info on the legend of the Hero of Ages. This book was full of action, friendship, betrayal, hard choices, and a little bit of kissing.
I believe this book was even better than Book 1. Book 1 set up several of the main characters and the world. In this addition to the series, Brandon Sanderson explores more of the world. For instance, we learn about Koloss society, Mistborn and Feruchemist abilities, and the complicated kandra. We also get more info on the legend of the Hero of Ages. This book was full of action, friendship, betrayal, hard choices, and a little bit of kissing.
This is Book 2 of the Final Empire trilogy.
I will admit that this second book did have a slower start, but it made up for it in the end. In a sense, this was a typical bridge book that was slower on action and heavier on character development. Elend was a particularly painful character to watch in this book, but Sanderson made him completely believable with his naive philosophical leadership style and his need for personal growth. Vin's struggle to figure out who (or what) she is supposed to be was starting to get annoying, and I was relieved that at least a small part of her indecision was alleviated by the end of this book. The political intrigue continues in this book as well, both in the new government of Luthadel and in the military campaign that is pounding at its gates.
Despite the slower start, I found this book hard to put down once I finally did get into it. Sanderson continues to lead the plot in a direction that I did not expect, and he is setting the stage for an incredible conclusion.
Note: While all of Brandon Sanderson's books take place on different planets at different points in time, they are all tied together in a fictional universe that he calls the Cosmere. One common thread throughout all of the books is a character that makes a named or cameo appearance in every single book. When named, he is called Hoid. His overall story arc is still a mystery, but he is obviously important. In The Well of Ascension, he makes two unnamed (and easy to miss) appearances on page 719 and 746 of the mass market paperback.
Recommended Sanderson reading order (should you be interested): Elantris > Mistborn 1-3 > The Emperor's Soul > Warbreaker > Stormlight Archives 1-2 > Alloy of Law trilogy (Alloy of Law + Shadows of Self + Bands of Mourning)
I will admit that this second book did have a slower start, but it made up for it in the end. In a sense, this was a typical bridge book that was slower on action and heavier on character development. Elend was a particularly painful character to watch in this book, but Sanderson made him completely believable with his naive philosophical leadership style and his need for personal growth. Vin's struggle to figure out who (or what) she is supposed to be was starting to get annoying, and I was relieved that at least a small part of her indecision was alleviated by the end of this book. The political intrigue continues in this book as well, both in the new government of Luthadel and in the military campaign that is pounding at its gates.
Despite the slower start, I found this book hard to put down once I finally did get into it. Sanderson continues to lead the plot in a direction that I did not expect, and he is setting the stage for an incredible conclusion.
Note: While all of Brandon Sanderson's books take place on different planets at different points in time, they are all tied together in a fictional universe that he calls the Cosmere. One common thread throughout all of the books is a character that makes a named or cameo appearance in every single book. When named, he is called Hoid. His overall story arc is still a mystery, but he is obviously important. In The Well of Ascension, he makes two unnamed (and easy to miss) appearances on page 719 and 746 of the mass market paperback.
Recommended Sanderson reading order (should you be interested): Elantris > Mistborn 1-3 > The Emperor's Soul > Warbreaker > Stormlight Archives 1-2 > Alloy of Law trilogy (Alloy of Law + Shadows of Self + Bands of Mourning)
