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zeppelinnyx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
3.93
This book is a really good example of how good reveals and plot twists hit when they’re delivered effectively. It doesn’t feel like anything comes out of nowhere, and the result leaves the reader feeling surprised but satisfied. Also, really fantastic characters. They all feel very deep and real. It’s a pretty gloomy book, though. Leaves off on hella sad vibes; I don’t expect that to change given the series track record. This makes me feel apprehensive about the final installment.
Quality of Writing: 9/10
Pacing: 7/10
Plot Development: 8/10
Characters: 10/10
Enjoyability: 7/10
Ease of Reading: 5/10
Ending: 9/10
This book is a really good example of how good reveals and plot twists hit when they’re delivered effectively. It doesn’t feel like anything comes out of nowhere, and the result leaves the reader feeling surprised but satisfied. Also, really fantastic characters. They all feel very deep and real. It’s a pretty gloomy book, though. Leaves off on hella sad vibes; I don’t expect that to change given the series track record. This makes me feel apprehensive about the final installment.
Quality of Writing: 9/10
Pacing: 7/10
Plot Development: 8/10
Characters: 10/10
Enjoyability: 7/10
Ease of Reading: 5/10
Ending: 9/10
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Death, Addiction, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Rape, Slavery, Violence, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Blood, Colonisation, Grief, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, War, Cannibalism, Classism, Drug use, Gore, Body horror, and Sexual violence
mandaraffe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Animal death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Sexism, Violence, War, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Cannibalism, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, and Stalking
Minor: Xenophobia, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, and Body shaming
some_random_person_hi's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
To summarize the later part of this book which also happens to be the most memorable in two words would be: emotional damage.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Self harm, Blood, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Slavery, Gore, and Sexism
Minor: Sexual content, Child abuse, Alcohol, and Rape
anelya's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Slavery
boglord's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Blood, Violence, Physical abuse, Murder, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Death, Colonisation, Classism, and War
Moderate: Slavery, Death of parent, and Addiction
Minor: Torture and Sexism
ailsaod's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Well I finally got round to reading this chonker! I was a little worried that this book was going to be a bit flat without Kelsier but while it has a very different vibe I would say this is also pretty great.
Sanderson has a halfway comedic air at times in this book which had me giggling (anyone fancy an actual among us side plot? What about ANOTHER army laying siege to the city to add to your collection? How about watching a character fall victim to their own competence? No??). Despite everything going wrong Sanderson somehow made somewhat funny and I am definitely on board for that. I think the build up was better than in 'The final empire' as the exciting parts of the book were a bit more spread out which improved the overall reading experience but made the climax a little less dramatic. That being said, the resolution of the 'among us' subplot I mentioned earlier was like a punch to the face. Like I knew from the beginning that the reveal was going to sting but not quite like that??
The reason this book isn't five stars are primarily related to Vin and Elend's relationship. It was great seeing Elend really become his own character in this book but him and Vin having breakdowns in communication or being all sappy round each other was very meh. This book features a brief love triangle (Aah!) which I won't go into any further but was very frustrating. Vin just wafts around like 'but maybe Elend is too good for me and I should be with this actual rat instead' and I was just grinding my teeth and wishing I could reach into the book and shake her. Rat man has got to be one of the least likable love interests I have ever seen - he is very 'gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss' in a most unsexy way and every time I thought he was done being the worst he would have a new, even less appealing surprise for me (admitedly the resolution of the love triangle was one of the standout scenes of the book so there is that at least!). Also this book has an ending that despite not being a landslide disaster tricked my brain into feeling mildly crushed in a way I can only liken to a lighter version of finishing the Farseer Trilogy. Not a feeling I wanted thanks but this may have just been me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Racism, War, and Violence
Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Cannibalism, Self harm, Sexism, and Sexual violence
The main character is kissed against her will by someone trying to murder her.leona's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This review will contain major spoilers for The Final Empire (Mistborn Book 1).
I had mixed feelings about this book.
I wasn't sure how I would feel about The Well of Ascension, which is partially why it took me a while to come back to it I think. This was mainly due to the death of Kelsier in The Final Empire. Kelsier was my favourite character in that book, and part of what made it so entertaining. He is a character with flaws, interesting layers, charisma, and he is a pretty humorous character as well, bringing banter and comedy to a pretty dark setting. I loved his fatherly relationship with Vin. I genuinely think he might be my favourite character in a book ever (okay, maybe other than Spensa). With the absence of Kelsier, I really wasn't sure how I would feel about continuations of the series, especially as the last book felt like it could have been a stand-alone. My concerns were kind of valid, as I'm just not as interested in Vin as Kelsier, at least the way that Sanderson handles Vin's development.
This book was very different to the first one, it was much more focused on the political intrigue, war tactics, and keeping control of the series. It is more slow paced, yet I didn't really feel bored or annoyed at the slow pace throughout. I enjoyed the plot for the most part.
But I was annoyed about Zane. He was such a waste of space and so unnecessary. A quite interesting character, but the annoying relationship weird love triangle drama annoyed me so much. Just why? I wish Elend and Vin would have just had a conversation, this book is hanging so much on the miscommunication trope. Secondly, Vin and Elend's relationship became so bland and boring. It was sweet in book 1, but here, I found myself not caring. In the first couple of chapters the amount of times someone said 'the woman I love' or 'the man I love' I was like okay, I get it, but when are we actually going to see the proof rather than just being told it. All of Elend and Vin's (and most of the characters banter) was gone and it was just dull. Next, the side characters became kind of bland.
'Sazed turned to working on her chest wound. Elend flushed again, then paused as he turned away'
Honestly Elend, it's just a boob, no need to be all modest.
I like the relationship between Ham and Breeze, but the characters in the main crew for the most part were kind of interchangeable. I also found myself increasingly annoyed about the amount of times we are told that Vin dresses in an 'unladylike way' or sits in an 'unladylike way'. I get it. Vin is not like other girls. I suppose you could excuse it as Vin is unusual in the sexist society that she lives in, but I was juts waiting for someone to be like, it doesn't matter. Then there were the weird quips from the side characters, of note:
- 'Perhaps I'll pick up something by observation - which is, by the way, the preferable method of weapons training since it doesn't involve me getting beaten up by a girl.' (Elend to Vin)
- 'Anyway, who are you to talk Vin? I seem to remember a certain young girl pining for an old Kelsier a few years back.'
'I never pined for Kelsier'
'Not even at the beginning? Come now, a dashing man like him? He saved you from being beaten by your old crew leader, took you in...'
'You're a sick man' [...] 'Kelsier was like a father to me.'
(Breeze to Vin)
- 'I remember once she exploded at the crew for little reason, yelling and screaming about her childhood. I... don't know that she's completely stable.' (Ham about Vin)
These comments all really annoyed me for some reason, especially the last two. Like firstly, why have all the crew just turned on Vin, as if all their interactions with her in the last book were meaningless, and why has Vin turned into some crazy uncontrolled maniac. The last comment really p*ssed me off because Vin had every right to be angry with the crew, when she shouted at them after killing Shan, and Kelsier even said that she wouldn't fit in with the crew if she didn't say things she regretted once in a while. Why did Ham completely twist this incident as some sort of proof for Vin's irrationality when she was just expressing her emotions about a completely unrelated incident.
And lastly, Vin barely had any character moments with the side characters which made Clubs and Dockson's deaths lack any real emotion. Dockson had like two scenes in the whole book, and Clubs' only scene with Vin was when he bet that she would win against Ham. Clubs' only other scenes were with Breeze. Vin spending all her free moments prattling around the streets with Zane made the development of her relationships with other characters really strained. Even with Sazed, whose character I still really enjoyed.
Despite this, I did really enjoy learning more about the kandra, steel inquisitors, and other creatures in this world. The use of the new metal duralumin was also fascinating. And, despite my complaints, spending time with any of these characters was always just so enjoyable. I was literally addicted to reading this book. Many people criticise Brandon's lack of flowery prose, but I genuinely really enjoy the more blunt and direct style of writing he has.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, I just think it suffered from a lack of development of the side characters, as well as from some irritating old tropes (which Brandon does arguably resolve at the end). I am rating this book 3.5 stars.
I had mixed feelings about this book.
I wasn't sure how I would feel about The Well of Ascension, which is partially why it took me a while to come back to it I think. This was mainly due to the death of Kelsier in The Final Empire. Kelsier was my favourite character in that book, and part of what made it so entertaining. He is a character with flaws, interesting layers, charisma, and he is a pretty humorous character as well, bringing banter and comedy to a pretty dark setting. I loved his fatherly relationship with Vin. I genuinely think he might be my favourite character in a book ever (okay, maybe other than Spensa). With the absence of Kelsier, I really wasn't sure how I would feel about continuations of the series, especially as the last book felt like it could have been a stand-alone. My concerns were kind of valid, as I'm just not as interested in Vin as Kelsier, at least the way that Sanderson handles Vin's development.
This book was very different to the first one, it was much more focused on the political intrigue, war tactics, and keeping control of the series. It is more slow paced, yet I didn't really feel bored or annoyed at the slow pace throughout. I enjoyed the plot for the most part.
But I was annoyed about Zane. He was such a waste of space and so unnecessary. A quite interesting character, but the annoying relationship weird love triangle drama annoyed me so much. Just why? I wish Elend and Vin would have just had a conversation, this book is hanging so much on the miscommunication trope. Secondly, Vin and Elend's relationship became so bland and boring. It was sweet in book 1, but here, I found myself not caring. In the first couple of chapters the amount of times someone said 'the woman I love' or 'the man I love' I was like okay, I get it, but when are we actually going to see the proof rather than just being told it. All of Elend and Vin's (and most of the characters banter) was gone and it was just dull. Next, the side characters became kind of bland.
'Sazed turned to working on her chest wound. Elend flushed again, then paused as he turned away'
Honestly Elend, it's just a boob, no need to be all modest.
I like the relationship between Ham and Breeze, but the characters in the main crew for the most part were kind of interchangeable. I also found myself increasingly annoyed about the amount of times we are told that Vin dresses in an 'unladylike way' or sits in an 'unladylike way'. I get it. Vin is not like other girls. I suppose you could excuse it as Vin is unusual in the sexist society that she lives in, but I was juts waiting for someone to be like, it doesn't matter. Then there were the weird quips from the side characters, of note:
- 'Perhaps I'll pick up something by observation - which is, by the way, the preferable method of weapons training since it doesn't involve me getting beaten up by a girl.' (Elend to Vin)
- 'Anyway, who are you to talk Vin? I seem to remember a certain young girl pining for an old Kelsier a few years back.'
'I never pined for Kelsier'
'Not even at the beginning? Come now, a dashing man like him? He saved you from being beaten by your old crew leader, took you in...'
'You're a sick man' [...] 'Kelsier was like a father to me.'
(Breeze to Vin)
- 'I remember once she exploded at the crew for little reason, yelling and screaming about her childhood. I... don't know that she's completely stable.' (Ham about Vin)
These comments all really annoyed me for some reason, especially the last two. Like firstly, why have all the crew just turned on Vin, as if all their interactions with her in the last book were meaningless, and why has Vin turned into some crazy uncontrolled maniac. The last comment really p*ssed me off because Vin had every right to be angry with the crew, when she shouted at them after killing Shan, and Kelsier even said that she wouldn't fit in with the crew if she didn't say things she regretted once in a while. Why did Ham completely twist this incident as some sort of proof for Vin's irrationality when she was just expressing her emotions about a completely unrelated incident.
And lastly, Vin barely had any character moments with the side characters which made
Despite this, I did really enjoy learning more about the kandra, steel inquisitors, and other creatures in this world. The use of the new metal duralumin was also fascinating. And, despite my complaints, spending time with any of these characters was always just so enjoyable. I was literally addicted to reading this book. Many people criticise Brandon's lack of flowery prose, but I genuinely really enjoy the more blunt and direct style of writing he has.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, I just think it suffered from a lack of development of the side characters, as well as from some irritating old tropes (which Brandon does arguably resolve at the end). I am rating this book 3.5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, War, Death, Blood, Mental illness, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction and Rape
Minor: Sexism and Self harm
fanboyriot's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I can't get over the details in these books. The characters are all well written, the character development is so good to read as well. While this book was a lot slower-paced I still found it interesting, learning about the world building and how the magic system works made up for it. Having said that I didn't like it as much as the first book, though like the first book, nearing the end it got really intense; so much happened at the end I don't really know how to process it. Overall I really like this series far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Animal cruelty, Violence, Murder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Self harm, Blood, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Animal death, Transphobia, Grief, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Gaslighting, Addiction, and Sexism
jackiepreston's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and War
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
categalafassi's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Racism, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Murder, and Mental illness
Moderate: Infertility, Misogyny, Sexism, Transphobia, Addiction, and Gaslighting
Minor: Animal death and Stalking