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gretaslittlelibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Murder and Stalking
Minor: Addiction
noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
4.5
Content Warnings: Violence, blood/gore, murder, death, body horror, war themes, animal cruelty, loss of loved one, massacres, self-harm, suicidal ideations, hallucinations, abuse, slavery, rape, forced pregnancies, eugenics, ableism, and war.
I think if I would have had this book on hand, as soon as I finished Mistborn, I would have immediately dove in. When I was finally able to order, and receive, this book I think it took me a bit to pick it up because I was worried. If you’ve ever read fantasy series before…sometimes as the series continues the books continue to be brutal on your emotions. However I was determined to read this book this month, so I set out a goal and within roughly 12 days I completed it.
We pick up roughly a year after Kelsier and the Lord Ruler were murdered. The young nobleman Vin fell for, in Mistborn, is now the King of Luchador. Between King Elend, the crew, and Vin they’re desperately trying to ensure their kingdom’s future. As if running a [recently liberated] kingdom isn’t hard enough they’re also faced with multiple armies outside their gates. Armies that are eager to take them over and reinstate so many of the Lord Ruler’s laws just with a new figurehead in place.
This book was a lot of fun because I feel like, media-wise, we’re used to seeing things liberated or conquered but rarely see the after-effects or what it takes to move on. I mean think about how many things we watch and read that have a mission to overcome and then it’s over and…we’re left thinking everything continued on perfectly? Nah, the struggle is real.
We jump between roughly ten different POVs throughout the book, of course, Vin is the primary narrative we see. It’s interesting seeing how Sanderson will sometimes have a POV added that literally get’s part of a chapter and then we never see them again, or we don’t see them until the next book. Really kept me on my toes thinking…will this person be important?
The majority of this book felt slower-paced, although enemies are numerous and things are happening, it felt like we have a steady pace until about 2/3 of the way through, and then we hit warp speed. Roughly the last 200 pages had a chokehold on me and I couldn’t stop until I knew what was going to happen.
I now have so many more questions and look forward to starting the final book, in the trilogy, very soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Death, Child death, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, War, Rape, Blood, Murder, Animal death, and Body horror
Moderate: Ableism and Slavery
oldladysadie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, War, Body horror, Classism, Colonisation, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Murder, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, and Toxic relationship
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
kokotea's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Murder, Gore, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Addiction, Grief, and Self harm
Minor: Animal death and Infertility
mcsuggett's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Violence, Blood, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
chaitai00's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent and Child death
superstars111's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and War
Moderate: Grief, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Animal death, Classism, Cursing, Genocide, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Vomit, Addiction, and Drug use
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
sashafriese's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, War, Classism, Gaslighting, Gore, Murder, Sexual violence, Blood, and Death