Book Review: The Well of Ascension

Title: The Well of Ascension

Author: Brandon Sanderson

ISBN: 978-0-575-08993-8

First Published: 2007

Blurb:

THEY DID THE IMPOSSIBLE,

deposing the godlike being whose brutal rule had lasted a thousand years. Now 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.

They have barely begun when 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 Well of Ascension, or what manner of power it bestows.

IT MAY BE THAT KILLING THE LORD RULER WAS THE EASY PART…

Review:

The second book in Sanderson’s Mistborn trilogy, The Well of Ascension lives up to and exceeds the expectations set up in the first novel of the series.

Set a year after the events of The Final Empire, the city of Luthadel, recently rescued from the clutches of the tyrannical Lord Ruler, is under siege from three armies. Kelsier’s team of thieves are back, and they must do everything in the power to save the city from defeat.

The novel incorporates political intrigue, a unique magic system, and impossible odds into a plot that twists and turns. As a reader, I had no trouble keeping up with events, and gasped at sudden revelations. There were some things that I predicted would happen, but there were an equal number of things I was completely oblivious to.

Sanderson’s brilliant characterisation is what has made this trilogy a joy to read thus far. Every character is fleshed out in so much detail they feel like a real person. The team includes the obsessive Vin, the idealistic Elend, the manipulative, misunderstood, unappreciated Breeze (one of my favourite characters), and the honourable Sazed (one that unexpectedly became another favourite). Those are just a few of the large-but-not-too-large cast of characters that the reader finds themselves supporting.

I’m finding it difficult to judge the pacing of the novel since it took me so long to read it. My studies have left me with little time, and I took week-long breaks between picking it up. If I had the time, I imagine I could read the entire novel in a couple of weeks. The plot takes place almost entirely in the city of Luthadel. The way the characters are trapped by the three armies can make for slightly frustrating reading, but it is ultimately rewarding. The last 20% of the book in particular is fast-paced, exciting, and breathtaking.

Sanderson’s writing style is easily accessible and straightforward. It’s not overly poetic, but not so simple as to be dull. His tone is perfectly suited to the story, and he adapts it well between the slower scenes and the more exciting scenes.

The Well of Ascension is a book that you definitely must read. You’ll have to read The Final Empire first to understand who the characters are and how events unfolded prior to the novel, but I highly recommend it. I only just put the book down, but I want more. I’ll be buying The Hero of Ages as soon as I can, and I look forward to devouring it.

Ratings:

Character: 10/10

Plot: 10/10

Style: 10/10

Overall: 10/10

Review: Mistborn: The Final Empire

Firstly, let me apologise for the lack of updates to this blog in the last couple of months. I was busy busy busy in America, and I haven’t had an internet connection for the past few weeks. I’ll post a couple more updates from my time at the Niagara Falls and then Cedar Point on July 4th, and I have a backlog of books to review.

Now to the review!

Title: Mistborn: The Final Empire

Author: Brandon Sanderson

ISBN: 978-0-575-08991-4

First Published: 2006

Blurb:

THE MISTS RULE THE NIGHT… THE LORD RULER OWNS THE WORLD.

FOR A THOUSAND YEARS THE ASH FELL.

For a thousand years, the Skaa slaved in misery and lived in fear. For a thousand years, the Lord Ruler reigned with absolute power and ultimate terror, divinely invincible. Every attempted revolt has failed miserably.

YET SOMEHOW HOPE SURVIVES.

A new kind of uprising is being planned, one that depends on the cunning of a brilliant criminal mastermind and the courage of an unlikely heroine, a Skaa street urchin, who must learn to master Allomancy, the power of a mistborn.

What if the prophesied hero had failed to defeat the Dark Lord? The answer will be found in the Mistborn trilogy, a saga of surprises that beings here.

Review:

As I have probably said before, I am quite a big fan of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series. After learning that Brandon Sanderson would be writing the remaining books in the series after Mr. Jordan’s death, I began to follow him on Twitter and read his blog. I had never heard of him before, but trusted that Mr. Jordan’s widow would know what was best.

And so when I saw Mistborn: The Final Empire in on the shelves in the shop, I had to buy it. And how glad I am that I did.

Perhaps the most engaging thing about The Final Empire is the unique magic system. Magic users, known as Allomancers, ‘burn’ reserves of metal for different effects. For example, pewter strengthens the body, tin enhances the senses, and bronze manipulates the emotions of others. The most exciting metals are steel and iron, allowing the Allomancer to push and pull nearby metals for weapons and travel. It sounds a little complicated at first, but Sanderson does an excellent job at giving the reader information about Allomancy in easy to digest chunks without resorting to exposition.

Whilst Allomancy is the main selling point, a novel cannot be a success based just on its magic system. This presents another unique element in The Final Empire; its emphasis on character over plot.

The plot is very engaging and well-paced, revolving around a small group of thieves attempting to overthrow the thousand year reign of the Lord Ruler, but it is the personalities of these thieves that keep you hooked.

The protagonist is Vin, an initially suspicious, timid character who blossoms, thanks to the charismatic Kelsier, into an intuitive and confident woman. There is a strong sense of watching her grow, and it helps the reader’s empathy enormously.

The aforementioned Kelsier is likely to be a favourite character of many. Always smiling, confident to a fault, but learning not to be so rash, Kelsier is the driving force of the team, and also of the plot.

Each of the other members of the team of thieves has his own personality, and it is the way these personalities clash and blend that make the novel such a great read. Every character is fleshed out and easy to identify with, and you can’t help but root for this crew of vagabonds in their quest to bring an end to the Lord Ruler’s reign.

I would recommend this book to any fantasy enthusiast looking for something a little bit different. Sanderson’s style is unique and engaging, and I for one look forward to getting my hands on the rest of the books in the Mistborn trilogy.

Ratings:

Character: 10/10

Plot: 10/10

Style: 10/10

Overall: 10/10