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The Well of Ascension
(Mistborn #2)
by
Vin, the street urchin who has grown into the most powerful Mistborn in the land, and Elend Venture, the idealistic young nobleman who loves her, must build a healthy new society in the ashes of an empire. Three separate armies attack. As the siege tightens, an ancient legend seems to offer a glimmer of hope. But even if it really exists, no one knows where to find the Wel
...more
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Hardcover, 590 pages
Published
August 21st 2007
by Tor Books
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Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of The Well of Ascension (Mistborn, #2)

Mar 11, 2014
Regan
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites,
books-owned-read
Sorry in advance about the bad language but....
WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK.
Okay, everyone just read this series, okay? okay.
WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK.
Okay, everyone just read this series, okay? okay.

I have only one word for this and it is: no. This was the most insufferably tedious book of my life. And I loved The Final Empire...it was exciting and had a con artist thing going on and magical wizard people with an epic magic system. But now I've gone from liking Sanderson to probably never trying a book by him again.
EDIT 3/19: I've had so much hate for this lmao. write your own review instead of attacking me ok. i also have heard sanderson has very homophobic beliefs and so i //don't// suppo ...more
EDIT 3/19: I've had so much hate for this lmao. write your own review instead of attacking me ok. i also have heard sanderson has very homophobic beliefs and so i //don't// suppo ...more

I FINISHED THIS AGES AGO AND IT WAS AWESOME : here's my booktalk! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMeGD...
...more

A slow paced book containing an utterly powerful climax sequence; a spectacular middle book for the Mistborn trilogy.
When I first read The Well of Ascension, my experience was that I thoroughly loved it. It’s not until later that I discovered that apparently, a lot of people found the book disappointing. Because of this, I was scared that my reread experience would be ruined. Apparently, there’s nothing to worry about. Yes, it’s slightly an inferior book in comparison to The Final Empire but my ...more
When I first read The Well of Ascension, my experience was that I thoroughly loved it. It’s not until later that I discovered that apparently, a lot of people found the book disappointing. Because of this, I was scared that my reread experience would be ruined. Apparently, there’s nothing to worry about. Yes, it’s slightly an inferior book in comparison to The Final Empire but my ...more

Re-read on audio and just as awesome the second time! Vin is still my hero! ❤️
Holy son of a biscuit eater!!! THIS BOOK! I loved it, loved it, loved it! Sanderson tackled most of my feels in this book and YES I cried here and there but most of it was happy crying. My dog even looked at me like I was crazy when I was laughing and crying and yelling YES at certain parts.

Vin landed softly on the damp cobblestones, watching as the mists began to form around her. They puffed into existence as darknes ...more
Holy son of a biscuit eater!!! THIS BOOK! I loved it, loved it, loved it! Sanderson tackled most of my feels in this book and YES I cried here and there but most of it was happy crying. My dog even looked at me like I was crazy when I was laughing and crying and yelling YES at certain parts.

Vin landed softly on the damp cobblestones, watching as the mists began to form around her. They puffed into existence as darknes ...more

Please don’t hate me, but I just didn’t love this one as much as the first. As someone else described, I think it suffered from “Middle Book syndrome”, and really that’s on me. I almost always struggle with the middle installment of a trilogy, even if I 5 STAR Books 1 and 3. There were things I loved, but it felt like the flow didn’t build as well in this one as before. I will say that Sazed’s plot line was the crown jewel of this book! I adore that man and I love his development throughout as w
...more

The Well of Ascension (Mistborn,#2) by Brandon Sanderson

They achieved the impossible by defeating the evil, whose cruel rule lasted for a thousand years. Now a street child who has grown into the most powerful the world, and an idealistic young nobleman who loves her, must build a new, healthy society. However, they hardly started with that when rebellions attacked them. It's an exciting sequel. Sanderson weaves a complex world with an innovative magic system. And realistic characters as a reade ...more

They achieved the impossible by defeating the evil, whose cruel rule lasted for a thousand years. Now a street child who has grown into the most powerful the world, and an idealistic young nobleman who loves her, must build a new, healthy society. However, they hardly started with that when rebellions attacked them. It's an exciting sequel. Sanderson weaves a complex world with an innovative magic system. And realistic characters as a reade ...more

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
3.5 stars
Anytime I'm reading fantasy for review, I take copious notes. In fact, most of the time, my review is pretty much written by the time I finish the book, I just need to make slight alterations to account for any last minute goings on.
And I like that, b/c your average fantasy is 2 - 3x longer than any other book. Trying to go back after the fact and recall all the key details would be a nightmare.
BUT.
Brandon Sanderson has consistently thwarted me in this area. And ...more
3.5 stars
Anytime I'm reading fantasy for review, I take copious notes. In fact, most of the time, my review is pretty much written by the time I finish the book, I just need to make slight alterations to account for any last minute goings on.
And I like that, b/c your average fantasy is 2 - 3x longer than any other book. Trying to go back after the fact and recall all the key details would be a nightmare.
BUT.
Brandon Sanderson has consistently thwarted me in this area. And ...more

This book was...not very good. I absolutely loved the first book, it was sooo good! I still love the magical device he uses, but honestly this book did not live up to the first. The main character becomes pretty stupid, and the love interest was never that interesting. I will read the third book, but my hopes are not high.

5th reread and this will probably be the best, my top fantasy story I will have ever read.
--------------------------------
1st read: Nov 2014
2nd read: March 2015
3rd read: April 2016
This trilogy is becoming as loved and cherished as Harry Potter.
First off, if you haven't read this trilogy, get it together, read it. And you're welcome, in advance. :D
Secondly, as I'm reading this book again for the third time round, I keep thinking how incredible it is that it still has the capability to blow my m ...more
--------------------------------
1st read: Nov 2014
2nd read: March 2015
3rd read: April 2016
This trilogy is becoming as loved and cherished as Harry Potter.
First off, if you haven't read this trilogy, get it together, read it. And you're welcome, in advance. :D
Secondly, as I'm reading this book again for the third time round, I keep thinking how incredible it is that it still has the capability to blow my m ...more

I like a story that surprises me, and this series keeps doing it. The ending of the last book was undoubtedly epic. I don’t know how Brandon Sanderson does it. It felt like the closing chapter for these characters, but, in reality, it was only the beginning of the series. The Lord Ruler’s death could have been the ending, but he was only the surface issue. Indeed, with his death a whole host of problems arose, and none of them are as simple as they appear. This proved that the generic plot of th
...more

“It's easy to believe in something when you win all the time. The losses are what define a man's faith.”
...
My soul was slain upon finishing this book, and I'm now writing this review from beyond the grave.
You know what I did when I turned the last page of The Well of Ascension? Well, I shrieked like a banshee into my pillow first (because I'm a considerate roommate, thank you very much). I cried. A LOT. And then, I curled up into a ball on my bed and stared at the wall in silence.
I'm an incohere ...more
...
My soul was slain upon finishing this book, and I'm now writing this review from beyond the grave.
You know what I did when I turned the last page of The Well of Ascension? Well, I shrieked like a banshee into my pillow first (because I'm a considerate roommate, thank you very much). I cried. A LOT. And then, I curled up into a ball on my bed and stared at the wall in silence.
I'm an incohere ...more

I feel here as if I ought to apologize to my friends who love these books. The first was okay but I found the pacing a bit slow and had a "my interest comes and goes" experience. Sadly if I compare the pacing of the first volume of the series to the pacing in this one (the second volume) the story in volume 1 moved like the wind.
I know that some are very involved here and love these, and I can see why. The characters have depth and you get an "in depth" view of their lives. Not only their lives ...more
I know that some are very involved here and love these, and I can see why. The characters have depth and you get an "in depth" view of their lives. Not only their lives ...more

Aug 10, 2019
✨ A ✨
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to ✨ A ✨ by:
Warda
Shelves:
buddy-read,
read-in-2019,
fantasy,
five-stars,
owned,
faves-adult-scifi-and-fantasy,
cross-post
It was because she understood her purpose. And she agreed with it. She could fight, could kill, if it meant defending those who could not defend themselves. Kelsier might have been able to kill for shock or retribution, but that wasn’t good enough for Vin.
And she would never let it be again.
.
SPOILERS FOR BOOK 1 BELOW⤵
A year has passed since the Lord Ruler was killed and the Skaa liberated. Things should be getting better right? Except they aren't. The city of Luthedel is in constant danger of i ...more

Upon Reread: I freaking love this book. Video review https://youtu.be/tM2iNM6JPAs
--------------------------------------
Brandon Sanderson is a jerk. Why would you rip me apart like that and then just... leave me there?????
This book was amazing and had me guessing who the traitor was (I was wrong and like, what the heck?!?!?!) on every page. He confused me, shook me, broke my heart, and now I'm terrified for all my wonderful characters. Because Brandon S will go there - he'll just destroy them all ...more
--------------------------------------
Brandon Sanderson is a jerk. Why would you rip me apart like that and then just... leave me there?????
This book was amazing and had me guessing who the traitor was (I was wrong and like, what the heck?!?!?!) on every page. He confused me, shook me, broke my heart, and now I'm terrified for all my wonderful characters. Because Brandon S will go there - he'll just destroy them all ...more

This series has been AMAZING. Just brilliant!
I did a BR with my pal ChopinFC. Aaaand, I turned into Usain Bolt while reading this book. Sorry Rod! 😬
Both books have gone in completely different directions and I’ve enjoyed that so much. Usually the 2nd book in a series is not as strong but that’s not the case in The Well of Ascension.
I’m so impressed with Brandon Sanderson on this series. He has written a world that is detailed and complicated. It's always on the edge of war, starvation or total c ...more
I did a BR with my pal ChopinFC. Aaaand, I turned into Usain Bolt while reading this book. Sorry Rod! 😬
Both books have gone in completely different directions and I’ve enjoyed that so much. Usually the 2nd book in a series is not as strong but that’s not the case in The Well of Ascension.
I’m so impressed with Brandon Sanderson on this series. He has written a world that is detailed and complicated. It's always on the edge of war, starvation or total c ...more

Whew. That was long.
There was quite a time lapse between my reading of this one and the first one, which can be attributed solely to the length of these books.
750+ fucking pages, people. Don't get me wrong, I've read some long books in my decades of dedicated reading, but still...quite the commitment, no?
But enough about the completely self-evident length of this book, which - being that this is a Brandon Sanderson book - is a surprise to no one.
I adored book one in this series.
ADORED it.
Li ...more
There was quite a time lapse between my reading of this one and the first one, which can be attributed solely to the length of these books.
750+ fucking pages, people. Don't get me wrong, I've read some long books in my decades of dedicated reading, but still...quite the commitment, no?
But enough about the completely self-evident length of this book, which - being that this is a Brandon Sanderson book - is a surprise to no one.
I adored book one in this series.
ADORED it.
Li ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

“It's easy to believe in something when you win all the time...The losses are what define a man's faith.”
― Brandon Sanderson, The Well of Ascension

Sanderson does it again. This book is absolutely amazing !!
All in all, "The Well of Ascension" is an exciting sequel to "The Final Empire", full of what made the first book so compelling: a great cast of characters, amazing development, an eerily magical world and a thrilling storyline. I will definitely be reading the final book of the trilogy, "Th ...more
― Brandon Sanderson, The Well of Ascension

Sanderson does it again. This book is absolutely amazing !!
All in all, "The Well of Ascension" is an exciting sequel to "The Final Empire", full of what made the first book so compelling: a great cast of characters, amazing development, an eerily magical world and a thrilling storyline. I will definitely be reading the final book of the trilogy, "Th ...more

The Well of Ascension was a beautiful follow-up to The Final Empire. There's so much going on now that it's difficult to speak on a lot of the specifics, so my review will focus on more general overview of what I enjoyed and what I didn't.
Plot:
The plot was by far the strongest point of the novel. I was just so engrossed in all of the political conversations happening here. I like my high fantasy heavy on the political intrigue with dashes of cunning & betrayal.
Plus the last little bit of thi ...more
Plot:
The plot was by far the strongest point of the novel. I was just so engrossed in all of the political conversations happening here. I like my high fantasy heavy on the political intrigue with dashes of cunning & betrayal.
Plus the last little bit of thi ...more

Jul 31, 2019
April (Aprilius Maximus)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2019,
favourites
COSMERE UNIVERSE
1.) Elantris ★★★
*.) The Hope of Elantris ★★★★
*.) The Emperor's Soul [ON TBR]
1.) The Final Empire ★★★★★
*.) The Eleventh Metal [ON TBR]
2.) The Well of Ascension ★★★★
3.) The Hero of Ages ★★★★.5
-----------------------------------------------
"I'm not a good person or a bad person. I'm just here to kill things."
Definitely slower and more political than the first book and I got so frustrated with the main characters not feeling good enough for each other but never TALKING to each ot ...more
1.) Elantris ★★★
*.) The Hope of Elantris ★★★★
*.) The Emperor's Soul [ON TBR]
1.) The Final Empire ★★★★★
*.) The Eleventh Metal [ON TBR]
2.) The Well of Ascension ★★★★
3.) The Hero of Ages ★★★★.5
-----------------------------------------------
"I'm not a good person or a bad person. I'm just here to kill things."
Definitely slower and more political than the first book and I got so frustrated with the main characters not feeling good enough for each other but never TALKING to each ot ...more

ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha i'm dead
fucking dead
cya
goodbye
deceased
cry at my funeral
bye ...more
fucking dead
cya
goodbye
deceased
cry at my funeral
bye ...more

The Well of Ascension is the 2nd installment of the famous Mistborn series and, as expected, it suffers from the middle book syndrome. I enjoyed reading the new adventures of Vin and the crew but not as much as in The Final Empire. The majority of the plot revolves around the siege of Luthadel by enemies and the planning to protect the city. While some aspects were interesting I believe the talking went on and on for too long. Secondly, the Vin’s teenage angst and doubts about herself and her re
...more

It’s like this:
You’re excited about the date, it is the second after all. The first date had been fun, lots of good conversation, some intriguing flirtation that might lead to something, but not yet, you’re both getting to know each other. But there were some odd moments too, some talk that led nowhere, some awkward silences, maybe a joke that withered on the vine. The first date had ended well though, with a kiss, not quite chaste but just shy of romantic. So there was some anticipation for thi ...more
You’re excited about the date, it is the second after all. The first date had been fun, lots of good conversation, some intriguing flirtation that might lead to something, but not yet, you’re both getting to know each other. But there were some odd moments too, some talk that led nowhere, some awkward silences, maybe a joke that withered on the vine. The first date had ended well though, with a kiss, not quite chaste but just shy of romantic. So there was some anticipation for thi ...more
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Brandon’s major books for the second half of 2016 are The Dark Talent, the final volume in Alcatraz Smedry’s autobiographical account of his battle against the Evil Librarians who secretly rule our world, and Arcanum Unbounded, the collection of short fiction in the Cosmere universe that includes the Mistborn series and the Stormlight
Archive, among others. This collection features The Emperor’s S ...more
Archive, among others. This collection features The Emperor’s S ...more
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