Reviews

The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson

Only show reviews with written explanations

felix_the_cat's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

nhernandez2015's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

singhwithpen1's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

"Impressive Magic System, But Slightly Lacking Plot Engagement"

"The Well of Ascension" by Brandon Sanderson is the second installment in the high-fantasy series "Mistborn," which prides itself on a highly structured and fascinating magic system. As was the case with the first book, "The Final Empire," Sanderson's ability to weave together a realm where magic has tangible, logical consequences and uses is exceptional. The Allomancy system, which centers around the ingestion and "burning" of metals to grant special powers, is further explored and deepened, offering some genuinely intriguing moments.

The characters we grew to love in the first book, like Vin, Elend, and the rest of Kelsier's crew, return and are further developed. Vin's character arc, in particular, is compelling as she continues to struggle with her past, her powers, and her evolving relationship with Elend.

However, "The Well of Ascension" falls short in its pacing and plot engagement. The narrative often appears mired in political maneuvering and less-than-stellar subplots that detract from the central story. The suspense and sense of peril that were so prevalent in "The Final Empire" are not as palpable here. The city under siege storyline did have potential but it often felt a bit dragged out and didn't maintain the expected level of tension throughout.

Moreover, the book seems to suffer from the proverbial 'middle-book syndrome,' serving more as a bridge to the next installment rather than a strong standalone story. The lack of a clear and compelling central conflict, which was so strong in the first book, leaves this second installment feeling somewhat incomplete and overly dependent on the books around it.

However, the finale does not disappoint. The twist at the end is both unexpected and brilliantly orchestrated, proving once again Sanderson's mastery in laying out intricate plots. This twist does a good job in building anticipation for the next book in the series.

Overall, "The Well of Ascension" certainly has its merits, primarily seen in its character development and continuation of an exceptional magic system. However, the pacing issues and a slightly less engaging plot might not fully satisfy those who were enthralled by the fast-paced action and high stakes of "The Final Empire". Fans of the series should still find enjoyment, though, and the book does offer important progression in the larger story arc.

jordanmayne's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Definitely slower than The Final Empire, but still fantastic and I really enjoyed it! I enjoyed the story being more about Elend and Luthadel, and as usual the twists at the end were excellent!
Still so many questions left unanswered, can't wait to read the final book in this first trilogy!

afender's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

hannahdooley21's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I absolutely loved this. I really didn’t think this book would be able to follow The Final Empire but it truly exceeded all my expectations. It’s one of very few second books in a trilogy I’ve read that has super successfully had its own plot (that wasn’t just filling time between the first and third books) and still contributed to the grander arc of the series. I loved how political it was and seeing how all the characters navigated having to play parts out of their comfort zones. The ending managed to wrap up the plot really well while still creating intrigue around the third book which I’m now dying to read. I accidentally spoiled the end of the trilogy for myself but am still keen to see how we get there which I say goes to show how gripping the series has been so far.