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The Well of Ascension (Mistborn, Book 2)

The Well of Ascension (Mistborn, Book 2)
By Brandon Sanderson

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Product Description

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.


Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #14707 in Books
  • Published on: 2007-08-21
  • Released on: 2007-08-21
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Hardcover
  • 592 pages

Editorial Reviews

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

Good "Middle" Plot Builder Book4
In most series, whether they are many books long or if they are just a trilogy as this one is, the middle book is often considered the lull in the story. This is the part when the author broadens the world in which he writes. So, for the people that want a wham bam kind of plot line don't get the same kind of satisfaction.

In my opinion, Brandon Sanderson addresses this so called problem to keep those kind of readers interested. He keeps growing his characters, but at the same time keeps the events rolling at a natural pace as to not bore the masses. This is what makes this 3 book series a real good read for someone wanting to get in and out quick.

All in all, the first two books have been great, and I am anxiously awaiting the third at the end of this year.

Beyond Fantastic5
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"!4
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!