The Well of Ascension: Mistborn Book Two Hardcover – November 2, 2017

This is the second book in the original Mistborn trilogy, and it delivers on every level. After the shocking events of Mistborn: The Final Empire, including Kelsier’s tragic death and the overthrow of the Lord Ruler, the world is in upheaval. Elend Venture, once a noble idealist and bookworm, now finds himself thrust into the role of king of Luthadel. With Kelsier’s old crew at his side, he attempts to establish a democratic republic—one that treats all citizens, including the formerly enslaved skaa, with fairness and equity. But ruling proves far more complicated than he imagined. His father, Straff Venture, along with other rival factions, lays siege to Luthadel, each hoping to claim control of the city and, more importantly, uncover the Lord Ruler’s hidden stash of atium, a resource of immense power and value.Meanwhile, Vin, now one of the most formidable Mistborn in the world, begins encountering a shadowy figure in the mists—one that seems to defy explanation. At the same time, she is pursued by Straff's own Mistborn, the enigmatic and deeply unstable Zane. Is he an ally? A manipulator? Something in between? As Vin wrestles with these external threats, she also grapples with her identity in the wake of Kelsier’s death. Who is she without him? Can she be both a warrior and a woman in love? Or is she merely a weapon to be wielded? Zane’s presence fuels these doubts, whispering in her ear that Elend is only using her and that only he—Zane—can truly understand her.I found the writing style in this second installment to be more mature, with deeper character development and unexpected narrative turns. There were several moments where I thought I knew exactly where the story was headed, only to be genuinely surprised by Sanderson’s choices. Vin’s internal conflict is particularly compelling, as she balances her personal struggles, the evolving political landscape, and the growing mystery surrounding the mists.Elend, too, undergoes a remarkable transformation. No longer just an idealist with a head full of books, he is forced to harden himself into a true leader—one who must make difficult decisions and prove himself worthy of the crown he never sought. His arc is one of my favorites, as he strives to bridge the gap between his principles and the brutal reality of leadership.We also gain greater insight into the Terris people, particularly through Sazed and the introduction of Tindwyl, a strong and knowledgeable Terriswoman who challenges and mentors Elend. Their discussions add depth to the world’s lore and provide a fascinating look into the history and philosophy of Feruchemy.The plot is packed with political intrigue, betrayal, and high-stakes action. The siege of Luthadel isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a tense, prolonged conflict that builds and builds, allowing the reader to feel the growing desperation of the city’s defenders. When the final battle arrives, it is gripping and brutal, stretching beyond a simple clash of armies to something far more personal and devastating. Sanderson does an excellent job of making the reader feel the weight of every decision, every sacrifice. And just when it seems like some resolution has been found, a far greater and more terrifying evil emerges, setting the stage for an epic conclusion in the final book.The Well of Ascension is a thrilling, thought-provoking sequel that expands on everything that made the first book so compelling. With complex characters, shocking twists, and an ever-deepening mythology, this book had me hooked from start to finish. I cannot wait to dive into the next installment!

[...]When I read Brandon Sanderson's "The Final Empire" a couple months ago, I was instantly hooked. I mean, a great cast of characters, an eerily omnipotent bad guy, super cool powers and a thrilling plot...what more could you ask for? (You can read me rave more about the book here.) I always like having some breathing space between books in a series, just to mull over what happened and build up some anticipation, and a few days ago, I decided that now was the time to embark on another journey with Vin and her friends in "The Well of Ascension", the second installment in the "Mistborn Trilogy".A year has passed since Vin defeated the Lord Ruler, a year since Kelsier, the mastermind behind the elaborate plan to take down the all-powerful God incarnate of the Central Dominance, died and became a martyr. But the defeat of the tyrant left behind enormous instabilities in the realm. As Kelsier's protege and the slayer of the Lord Ruler, Vin is venerated by a budding new religion, a distinction that makes her increasingly uncomfortable. Even more worrying, the mists that she found comfort in are acting strangely, and seems to harbour a mysterious entity that haunts her. With three armies now vying to conquer Luthadel, Kelsier's crew knows that the noose is tightening. The only thing offering a glimmer of hope is an ancient prophecy of the Hero of Ages and the Well of Ascension, and Vin plans on finding it to save the city she sought to free.One of the things I love the most about the "Mistborn Trilogy" is its wonderful cast of characters. Every single one of them, from Vin to Elend to Straff, has his or her own distinct personalities, stories and thoughts, and the character building that Mr. Sanderson has done throughout the first two books, and even the second book alone, is astounding. Despite their differences, the characters in "The Well of Ascension" work perfectly with each other, both complementing and foiling others in a way that adds to the dynamism and complexities of the book as a whole. Take, for example, Vin and Elend. We all knew from the start that they would end up together as a couple--anyone with two brain cells to rub could see that! But what's really interesting to see unfold is how the two worked together in a time of crisis, and how both of them struggled with the relationship because they felt like they were too different from another to truly understand the other person. Admittedly, I felt like this whole question of self-worth and self-identity was a little too drawn-out throughout the book, but I think it perfectly shows the ways in which two characters, though seemingly contrasting one another, actually meld to create complex, human relationships in the story.I usually find that the plot of sequels are hardly ever as exciting as that of the first book, but this was most certainly not the case in "The Well of Ascension"! Mr. Sanderson did an excellent job of creating an entirely new storyline from the previous one in a way that linked the two together, but presented a brand new set of obstacles and perspectives to the trilogy. There was hardly ever a dull moment throughout--the plot was, without a doubt, compelling and engaging, even in moments that weren't describing an action-packed scene of some sort. And the ending! The last part of the book had my heart racing, and let me just say, Mr. Sanderson, you are one tricky trickster! The twist at the end just had my eyes bulging out of their sockets. Wow. It'll definitely be interesting to see how everything turns out.All in all, "The Well of Ascension" is an exciting sequel to "The Final Empire", full of what made the first book so compelling: a great cast of characters, realistic character development, an eerily magical world and a thrilling storyline. I will definitely be reading the final book of the trilogy, "The Hero of Ages", to see how everything unfolds! After some breathing space, that is.Rating: 5/5