The second entry in Sanderson's Mistborn series continues his richly developed world of political intrigue and heroism. Sanderson displays world-building talent to rival the best of any epic fantasy, propelled by a likeable rogue heroine who is one of the practitioners of metal-based magic, heir to the title Hero of Ages. Readers who value character development as well as fast-paced plotting and a fully imagined world.

I love the slow build Sanderson has of revealing some of the mysteries of this world. Not everything is what you think it might be and what seems right may actually be wrong. I keep feeling myself needing a moment to gasp "what?!" and process.

book 2 of series next book is Hero of the Ages

Really terrific story! All of the characters are really well-defined and well-rounded. The story line moves at a really good pace. The magic really works for me. As with other Sanderson books I have read, the big battle results in a real bloodbath. I was wondering how there were going to be any of the main characters left for the rest of the series. It seems like the author must have studied acrobats a lot in preparation for this book as all of the aerial motion seemed so real. I read quite a few world builder fantasy series and Sanderson is clearly a master of the genre.

Sanderson seems to be gaining broader recognition and it is well-deserved. The Well of Ascension, for example, is a huge tome that primarily deals with political maneuvering and emotions, but it's still a page-turner. Looking back, I could probably sum up the plot in a few sentences, but the pacing (almost) never felt like it was dragging and while there is relationship drama, it isn't that false teen angst that drives me insane.

Vin and Elend are a sum greater than their parts as Elend tries to rule his country from the capital of Luthadel, after the death of the Lord Ruler. Vin is pragmatic, preferring action over analysis. Elend seems to have a bit of analysis paralysis, trying to make his country as fair as it can be, and always the optimist. However, the nobility of old isn't going to give up their positions of power without a fight...or assassins. Whatever does the job.

The pair rely on their old comrades to help them become the leaders the people need them to be, while Vin becomes more disturbed by the mists that are increasingly ominous and pervasive. Vin and her dead master Kelsier are the central figures of a new religious movement. A movement that Vin is completely uncomfortable with, but that Elend knows he will need to use to sway his people. Meanwhile, the city is under attack from multiple sources looking for the atium supplies of the Lord Ruler. Okay, maybe I couldn't explain the whole plot in a few minutes. There's a lot of plot. But all these forces are pulling on Vin and Elend in different ways, and they both wonder if they have betrayed, or let down, the other in some way.

A star off for: extended navel-gazing. Yes, it does get overwhelming sometimes. Also, if you're looking for any sort of diversity, you're not going to find it here. This is a milquetoast world. And, can we talk about these covers? Who stole these covers off of 1970s sci-fi? Horrible.

Sanderson takes the time to create characters that are full and developed, even as he drives the plot forward. I'm not a big reader of these long fantasy cycles, but this is a series I will keep reading and an author I will look for again and again.

Book 2

The twists, turns, mysteries, reveals, and dynamic character development and world-building continue in the second book of the Mistborn trilogy. The complexity and depth make it clear the author REALLY knows his business and seriously thought this saga through. The ending promises a genuinely epic third installment which you will certainly want to dive into as soon as possible.

Bloated book that seems to never end. Good enough to want to find out what happens, but bad enough that I wished I had never started.

The ending of this book is so unexpected. It is an amazing ending!

Excellent - keeps you guessing. Good plot.