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elrize's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
My only criticism would be the excessive repetition of information - I guess it's good conduct to write a book that doesn't expect of its readers to have read the first one in the series, but it also meant a lot of re-hashing.
On to the third book - can't wait to see what happens!
Graphic: Death, Gore, Grief, Violence, War, Blood, Body horror, Classism, Xenophobia, Physical abuse, and Slavery
Moderate: Confinement, Child abuse, and Torture
mcsuggett's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Murder, Death, Violence, Blood, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
beckycarter97's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Death, and War
Moderate: Blood, Genocide, and Addiction
superstars111's review against another edition
- 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
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
- 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
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.
Graphic: Gore, Murder, War, Death, Blood, Mental illness, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction and Rape
Minor: Sexism and Self harm
zoe_archambault's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Death, Violence, War, and Stalking
Moderate: Animal death
devynvictoria's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Blood, Death, Violence, and War
sashafriese's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, War, Classism, Gaslighting, Gore, Murder, Sexual violence, Blood, and Death
fanboyriot's review against another edition
- 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
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
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and War
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism