Mistborn Book 2 Review: Inside Sanderson’s The Well of Ascension

Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn: The Well of Ascension is the second installment in the acclaimed Mistborn series, a cornerstone of modern fantasy literature that continues to captivate readers with its expansive world-building and intricate storytelling. This beloved series, which began with an original trilogy, has grown far beyond its initial scope and remains an ongoing saga. In this detailed book review, I’ll dive into my thoughts on The Well of Ascension, exploring its characters, plot, and the richly crafted world Sanderson has created. Let’s get started.

Before we dive in, if you’re curious about my thoughts on the first book in the series, check out my review of Mistborn: The Final Empire here.

See also: Book Review: Brandon Sanderson – Mistborn: The Final Empire

A Deep Dive into Mistborn: The Well of Ascension

As the second book in the Mistborn series, The Well of Ascension picks up where The Final Empire left off, immersing readers in a familiar yet evolving world. By now, we’re acquainted with many of the key characters, but Sanderson masterfully opens a new chapter that feels both like a continuation and a fresh start. The story builds on the events of the first book while introducing new mysteries, secrets, challenges, and creatures, enriching the already intricate Mistborn universe.

Sanderson has a distinctive style—his books are notably long, yet they’re so engaging that you won’t want to put them down. I found myself racing through the final 100–150 pages in a single sitting, completely hooked. Among contemporary fantasy authors, Sanderson stands out as a titan, and The Well of Ascension is a testament to why he’s a fan favorite. My only minor critique is that, due to the book’s length, some dialogues can feel drawn out and occasionally test the reader’s patience. However, this small flaw pales in comparison to the novel’s overall brilliance.

Plot Overview: A City Under Siege and a Looming Threat

To set the stage for The Well of Ascension without spoiling the first book, let’s briefly recap The Final Empire. In the first installment, protagonists Kelsier and Vin, along with their crew, overthrow the tyrannical Lord Ruler, a self-proclaimed god who dominated the world for a millennium. This victory dismantles the oppressive Final Empire, but it triggers a cascade of consequences. Noble lords from various regions form their own armies and states, vying for power, and they set their sights on the capital city of Luthadel, where Vin, Elend, and their allies have established a fledgling parliamentary kingdom. The city soon finds itself under siege by multiple armies, forming the first major plotline of the book.

The second, and arguably more significant, storyline revolves around the mysterious Well of Ascension, referenced in the book’s title. As the Lord Ruler died, he ominously warned, “I was protecting you, and now you’ve doomed yourselves.” 

Vin, Elend, and their scholarly ally Sazed grapple with the meaning of these cryptic words. Meanwhile, the world itself seems to be unraveling: ash falls more heavily from the sky, and the mists, a constant presence in this world, linger longer and even become deadly in some areas. The siege of Luthadel pales in comparison to a far greater, world-threatening danger tied to the Well of Ascension and the enigmatic force known as the Deepness. The characters embark on a quest to locate the Well, hoping to harness its power to avert catastrophe, but its nature and history remain shrouded in mystery. The Lord Ruler once used the Well’s power to save the world a thousand years ago, but how? And what is this power? These questions drive the narrative, unraveling secrets while laying the groundwork for the third book.

“She thought of the Lord Ruler often, lately—or, rather, she thought of Rashek, the man who had become the Lord Ruler. A Terrisman by birth, Rashek had killed the man who should have taken the power at the Well of Ascension and... 

And done what? They still didn't know. The Hero had been on a quest to protect the people from a danger simply known as the Deepness. So much had been lost; so much had been intentionally destroyed. Their best source of information about those days came in the form of an aged journal, written by the Hero of Ages during the days before Rashek had killed him. However, it gave precious few clues about his quest.”

 

Character Development: Vin, Elend, Sazed, and More

The Well of Ascension shines in its character development, particularly for its core trio: Vin, Elend, and Sazed. Vin, now one of the most powerful Allomancers in the world, continues to hone her magical abilities. She sheds her fears and insecurities, stepping into her role as a key figure in the fight against the looming threats of the Well and the Deepness.

Elend Venture, now king of the central region, strives to govern with idealism, transforming Luthadel into a parliamentary kingdom where nobles, merchants, and the formerly enslaved skaa have representation. His commitment to fairness and accountability is admirable, but he constantly questions whether his decisions are truly just. His introspective nature adds depth to his character as he navigates the challenges of leadership during a siege.

“Elend nodded slowly. "I want to be good at this, Clubs. Nobody else is going to look after the skaa like they deserve. Cett, Straff. They'd just make slaves of the people again. I. . .I want to be more than my ideas, though. I want to —need to—be a man that others can look to." 

Clubs shrugged. "My experience has been that the man is usually made by the situation. Kelsier was a selfish dandy until the Pits nearly broke him." He glanced at Elend. "Will this siege be your Pits of Hathsin, Elend Venture?”

Sazed, a Terris scholar, emerges as a free citizen and dives into researching the mysteries surrounding the Lord Ruler’s powers, the Well of Ascension, the Deepness, and the Hero of Ages. His quest for knowledge keeps readers intrigued, as he uncovers fragments of a larger puzzle that hint at the world’s deeper secrets.

The supporting cast, including Kelsier’s former crew members—Clubs, Ham, Breeze, and Dockson—also evolves significantly. Once thieves and outlaws, they’ve transitioned into high-ranking officials tasked with sustaining the new government. Their transformation from rogues to statesmen adds a layer of realism to the story, showcasing how the fall of the Final Empire has reshaped their lives.

New Creatures in the Mistborn Universe

Sanderson’s Mistborn world is populated with fascinating and often terrifying creatures, some of which were introduced in The Final Empire. We’re already familiar with the Steel Inquisitors, nearly invincible agents of the Lord Ruler with spikes driven through their eyes, and the mistwraiths, scavengers that roam the mists. The first book also introduced the kandra, shape-shifting beings capable of consuming a person’s body and assuming their appearance. In The Well of Ascension, we learn more about the kandra and their complex history. 

“This is the reason for the Contract, Mistress," OreSeur said, his muffled voice harsh as he spoke through dog's lips. "You wonder why we don't just run away from you? Meld into your society, and become unseen? We tried that. Long ago, when the Final Empire was new. Your people found us, and they started to destroy us. They used Mistborn to hunt us down, for there were many more Allomancers in those days. Your people hated us because they feared we would replace them. We were almost completely destroyed—and then we came up with the Contract.”

The second book also introduces the koloss, a new race of towering, blue-skinned creatures that grow continuously throughout their lives until their bodies can no longer sustain them. These formidable beings add a fresh layer of intrigue and danger to the Mistborn world, further showcasing Sanderson’s knack for creating unique and memorable creatures.

“And those figures were of a deep blue. They varied greatly in size; some were just five feet tall, others were lumbering hulks of ten feet or more. They were both the same species, Sazed knew. Koloss. The creatures—though similar to men in base form—never stopped growing. They simply continued to get bigger as they aged, growing until their hearts could no longer support them. Then they died, killed by their body's own growth imperative.”

Allomancy and Feruchemy: The Magic Systems of Mistborn

The Mistborn series is renowned for its meticulously crafted magic systems: Allomancy and Feruchemy. These systems, which revolve around the use of metals, are central to the series’ appeal and are explored in greater depth in The Well of Ascension.

Allomancy: Burning Metals for Power

Allomancers gain abilities by ingesting and “burning” specific metals, producing immediate effects. The metals and their powers include:

• Iron: Pulls nearby metals.
• Steel: Pushes nearby metals.
• Tin: Enhances all senses.
• Pewter: Boosts physical attributes.
• Brass: Soothes others’ emotions.
• Zinc: Inflames others’ emotions.
• Copper: Hides one’s Allomantic pulses.
• Bronze: Detects others’ Allomantic pulses.
• Atium: Reveals others’ future actions.
• Malatium: Shows others’ past.
• Gold: Reveals one’s own past.
• Electrum: Shows one’s own future.

The Well of Ascension introduces new metals, such as aluminum, and expands on their uses, adding complexity to the Allomantic system.

• Aluminum (Aluminum Gnat): Instantly metabolizes all of the user's metals without any other effect, wiping all Allomantic reserves.
• Duralumin (Duralumin Gnat): Instantly burns away any other metals being burned at the same time, releasing an enormous burst of those metals' power.

Feruchemy: Storing Power for Later Use

Feruchemists store attributes in metals to draw upon later, offering a contrasting approach to Allomancy. The metals and their associated attributes are:

• Iron: Stores physical weight.
• Steel: Stores physical speed.
• Tin: Stores senses.
• Pewter: Stores physical strength.
• Brass: Stores warmth.
• Zinc: Stores mental speed.
• Copper: Stores memories.
• Bronze: Stores wakefulness.
• Atium: Stores age.
• Malatium: Feruchemical power unknown.
• Gold: Stores health.
• Electrum: Feruchemical power unknown.

The interplay between these two systems, using the same metals for vastly different effects, highlights Sanderson’s genius in crafting a magic system that feels both structured and endlessly creative.

Conclusion: Why Mistborn: The Well of Ascension is a Must-Read Fantasy Novel

In conclusion, The Well of Ascension is a gripping and immersive fantasy novel that lives up to the high bar set by its predecessor. Its popularity has fueled the expansion of the Mistborn series, with Sanderson continuing the saga beyond the original trilogy into a second era, with plans for third and fourth eras, as well as companion novellas. The richly detailed world, compelling characters, and intricate magic systems make this book a standout in the fantasy genre. It’s a story that hooks you and doesn’t let go, cementing Brandon Sanderson’s place as one of the greatest fantasy authors of our time.

Book Details

Title: Mistborn: The Well of Ascension

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Publisher: Tor Books

Publication Year: 2007

Page Count: 592