Review: Mistborn: The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson

Blurb:

Now with over 10 million copies sold, The Mistborn Series has the thrills of a heist story, the twistiness of political intrigue, and the epic scale of a landmark fantasy saga.

The impossible has been accomplished. The Lord Ruler―the man who claimed to be god incarnate and brutally ruled the world for a thousand years―has been vanquished. But Kelsier, the hero who masterminded that triumph, is dead too, and now the awesome task of building a new world has been left to his young protégé, Vin, the former street urchin who is now the most powerful Mistborn in the land, and to the idealistic young nobleman she loves.

As Kelsier's protégé and slayer of the Lord Ruler she is now venerated by a budding new religion, a distinction that makes her intensely uncomfortable. Even more worrying, the mists have begun behaving strangely since the Lord Ruler died, and seem to harbor a strange vaporous entity that haunts her.

Stopping assassins may keep Vin's Mistborn skills sharp, but it's the least of her problems. Luthadel, the largest city of the former empire, doesn't run itself, and Vin and the other members of Kelsier's crew, who lead the revolution, must learn a whole new set of practical and political skills to help. It certainly won't get easier with three armies―one of them composed of ferocious giants―now vying to conquer the city, and no sign of the Lord Ruler's hidden cache of atium, the rarest and most powerful allomantic metal.

As the siege of Luthadel tightens, an ancient legend seems to offer a glimmer of hope. But even if it really exists, no one knows where to find the Well of Ascension or what manner of power it bestows.

Review:

“A man can only lead when others accept him as their leader, and he has only as much authority as his subjects give to him. All of the brilliant ideas in the world cannot save your kingdom if no one will listen to them.”

Set one year after the dramatic events of The Final Empire, Brandon Sanderson’s second instalment in the Mistborn series plunges us into the aftermath of overthrowing a ruthless tyrant. With the Lord Ruler deposed, Kelsier’s gang must manage a struggling city besieged by threats from both within and outside its walls, and on top of that, they must unravel an ancient mystery that could change everything they know about their world. The Well of Ascension is brimming with political intrigue, incredible world-building, and deep character development, making it a nail-biting midpoint in this epic fantasy trilogy.

As I write this review, I’ve already finished the third and final book in the series, so I can confidently say that Sanderson is a master at weaving clues into his narrative that culminates in a truly jaw-dropping finale. I emphasise this because, at this point in the trilogy, you might find your interest waning slightly. The first book featured fast-paced, reactive characters, while the second book shifts to a more slower-paced, politically focused environment. Don’t worry, though—you’ll still get an epic final act in The Well of Ascension that will leave you screaming. If you find some of the exposition-heavy scenes challenging, stick with it and try to absorb as much information as you can. I promise, it’s all building up to an explosive ending.

In this book we get to see more sides to the cast of characters and we’re introduced to some new faces as well. I particularly enjoyed seeing Kelsier’s crew step into a situation that they were supremely underprepared for, likely due to their disbelief that they would ever succeed in overthrowing the Lord Ruler. I also loved seeing Vin continue to grow in this book. Despite the trials she faces as she grapples with her new responsibilities, she consistently contributes an excellent perspective to the narrative. Her suspicious nature keeps you second-guessing many plot points, and her focus on prophecy and destiny starts laying the groundwork for big reveals.

In addition to the characters we’ve known for a while, we also delve deeper into the minds of others. Elend Venture, in particular, undergoes a significant transformation as he steps into the role of Luthadel’s new king. We already know him as a dreamer and an idealist, a man who believes in democracy and fair governance. Now, as he puts those beliefs into action in a world steeped in turmoil, he must reconcile his principles with the harsh realities surrounding him. Aiding him on this journey is a new character, Tindwyl, a Terriswoman and Feruchemist who specialises in the biographies of great leaders. With her help, Elend learns how to be a more effective leader. His personal growth throughout the book makes him one of the most impressive characters in the series and a personal favourite of mine.

As it’s so character-driven, the transformation of identity is a prominent theme throughout The Well of Ascension. There’s also a focus on duty and sacrifice woven through every action the crew takes, and an ever-present reminder of the battle for hope in a world that becomes more troublesome as the days go by. Trust also becomes increasingly important, as the various roadblocks the characters face challenge how they perceive each other. By exploring the complexity of these themes, Sanderson continues to add depth and tension. Although it’s a slow-burner, these crucial explorative moments are what make this story so triumphant. 

This book also reminds me just how enjoyable and readable Sanderson’s writing style is. While the pacing can be a bit slower at times, I was always having a good time. The way that Sanderson utilises dialogue is something that particularly stands out to me, and there’s no denying that each character has their own distinct voice that brings them to life. I also really appreciate Sanderson’s skills in foreshadowing what’s to come which is often evident through the descriptive exposition that is dotted throughout the book. It’s in these areas where you will find the seeds that he has planted and I imagine that I’ll become even more impressed with the clues that he leaves behind when I get around to reading this series a second time.

If you’ve made it this far and are gearing up for The Hero of Ages, buckle up because you’re in for a wild ride. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this is epic fantasy at its finest, 

and guess what? It’s all about to get even more mind-blowing.