Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #34642 in Books
• Published on: 2007-08-21
• Released on: 2007-08-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 592 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Sanderson's entertaining second Mistborn novel begins after most fantasy series end, when the team of brave and cunning heroes find that holding on to power is even harder than overthrowing the previous tyrant. Elend Venture, the scholarly new Lord Ruler of Luthadel, clings to power while Luthadel's aristocrats and merchants grumble and two enemy armies—one led by Elend's father, Lord Straff—camp outside the city gates. Fortunately, Elend can rely on help from his lover and unofficial court assassin, the young allomancer Vin, but her magical metal-using ability makes her a target. An orphan of decidedly low origins, Vin is also having trouble adapting to her position as royal consort, especially since the underclass skaa, newly freed by Elend, look to her as their protector. Meanwhile, the ancient evil known as the Deepness is rising once again. This entertaining read will especially please those who always wanted to know what happened after the good guys won. (Aug.)
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From Booklist
In the Mistborn trilogy's middle book, the great revolution's leader is dead, his apprentice Vin is overwhelmed by his legacy, and the idealistic new ruler is beset by those who want power themselves. Everyone wants to find the overthrown despot's Atium supplies, and armies besiege Luthadel. On patrol one night, Vin sees a figure apparently made of mist. The history of Kwaan, who helped the despot to power, emerges, portending a terrible power. The Well of Ascension may furnish resolutions to all these situations, but someone must find it. Vin's struggles with love and power inject the human element into Sanderson's engaging epic. Schroeder, Regina

Review
“Intrigue, politics, and conspiracies mesh complexly in a world Sanderson realizes in satisfying depth and peoples with impressive characters.”—Booklist on Mistborn "Enjoyable, adventurous read that. . .should satisfy even easily-bored teens." --Locus on Mistborn "Elantris is the finest novel of fantasy to be written in many years. Brandon Sanderson has created a truly original world of magic and intrigue, and with the rigor of the best science fiction writers he has made it real at every level.”—Orson Scott Card “Elantris . . . is marked by vivid and strongly drawn characters (including a memorable female character) and ingenious plot twists that will keep the reader turning pages. Don’t miss it!”—Katherine Kurtz, New York Times-bestselling author of the Deryni series
“Sanderson’s outstanding fantasy debut . . offers something for everyone: mystery, magic, romance, political wrangling, religious conflict, fights for equality, sharp writing and wonderful, robust characters. . . . The intrigue and excitement grow steadily in this smoothly written, perfectly balanced narrative; by the end readers won’t want to put it down. . . . Sanderson is a writer to watch.” –Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
 “In this stunning debut novel [is] a completely unique world that enfolds the reader in mystery and wonder right through till the last page.”–Romantic Times BOOKReviews

Customer Reviews

Beyond Fantastic
This book is terrific. It embodies all the superb elements of fantasy novels and discards most, if not all, of the undesirable elements. This is rounded out with great character development, a mature and realistic romance, and a couple of great plot twists.

If you liked Mistborn, then you will love this book. If you like fantasy, then I strongly suggest reading this book's prequel then reading it. You will not be disappointed, I guarantee.

Very good trilogy "middle book"!
Sanderson expands on his unique magic system and further develops his characters very well in this 2nd Mistborn book. The overall story of the trilogy is furthered, while an entertaining and action-packed story of seige and war is told around it. I am very much looking forward to the conclusion of this series. Sanderson is one of the better fantasy writers today. Recommended!

An excellent read, but I didn't like it as much as the first
I enjoyed the first mistborn book, and so I thought I'd pick up this one. I was satisfied with the story in general, but not as much as the first book.

Pros: Once again, the excellent magic system of allomancy is amazing, and feruchemy is explained and used in more detail. It also sets us up to find out more about the mysterious third system, hemalurgy, that Brandon mentions will be introduced in the third book.
-Much better characterization of the side characters. You get to learn more about ham and breeze, as well as finally begin to see more about Elend (though he's really not a side character).
-The "New Element." Like mistborn, this story has enough original material in it to not be boring, and not remind me of every other fantasy/sci-fi book I've ever read.
-Good character growth. The characters seem to learn from their mistakes, and have very real relationships with each other.
-It leaves a perfect set up for the third book to be absolutely spectacular.

Cons:
The Main Plot (the impending war) tends to sometimes get overpowered by Vin's concerns about the deepness and the mist spirit, which I would guess will be critical to the third book.
-The plot is not as engaging as the first, though still very fulfilling and still a very interesting read.
-There isn't as much resolution as the first book, and it actually starts a major plot thread in the last chapter. I think it's worth it, though. It's INTENSE.

So, in summary, this book is an excellent read for anyone who liked the first book, and I would recommend this series as a whole to anyone who likes fantasy.