This book really frustrated me. The wonderful momentum present in the first book ground to a halt. Rebuilding a government is obviously less exciting than tearing it down, but that wasn't the main issue for me.

Sanderson spent so much time rehashing the first book, that I never felt like we were in the present story. There was way too much reflecting, and not enough acting; especially since most of the reflection felt expository. It's a trilogy-- we know there was another book. You only need a few quick reminders to reorient yourself in the world. The book even came with a summary of the previous story, and a glossary so we could remember who everyone was and how the magic worked. Stop explaining everything to death. Maybe it needed a little more omniscient narration.

In any case, The Well of Ascension might have fared better 100 pages shorter. It lacked the succinctness and passion of The Final Empire. It was like a connecting step in ballet drawn out for the sake of being noticed.

That said, I still absolutely love the world and the magic system. I liked discovering the true nature of Breeze, and some more about Sazed. I really liked learning about the kandra, and the relationship between Vin and the kandra.

Zane was a compelling character who was tragically wasted.

Everyone tells me the third and final book is great. I'm willing to treat this like Harry Potter 6, and give it a pass, as long as the last book knocks my socks off.