The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson blogtour part V
21 July 2012
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Brandon Sanderson, Mistborn Book Two, The Well of Ascension
So today we finish the final chapters in Book Two of Sanderson’s Mistborn series. The previous week’s discussions have been hosted by Carl, Grace, Sue and Adam and their posts can be read as follows:
If you haven’t read the Well of Ascension the above discussions and next few chapters will contain spoilers so be aware!
I find it amazing how Sanderson seems to have managed to pack so much into these final few chapters. Sometimes I feel like the end of a book can have a rushed feel as though the author was in a hurry to finish. Not so here. We started the final chapters with Vin and Elend newly married and leaving the City under the premise of searching for the Well of Ascension. The remainder of the crew were left behind at Luthadel to figure out how to hold the City against what seemed like an impossible threat from the Koloss and Straff’s armies. There were a few surprises here – firstly that Tindwyl refused to go along with the party leaving and secondly Allrianne who seemed to be using this as a way of returning to her father to try and persuade him to help Luthadel (or to help Breezy!) I can’t help feeling now, given the eventual outcome that Sazed’s idea to send Vin and Elend away, whilst made with the best intentions, was a poor decision. The eventual war that the Koloss raged on the City was horrible and it was pretty grim reading about all the casualties not to mention it all seemed so overwhelming and helpless. I suppose a part of me can’t help wondering if Sazed made this decision also as a way of trying to save Tindwyl and yet in the end it seems like if Vin had been in the City from the beginning the deaths of so many may have been avoided. Hindsight hey! How did you feel about Sazed and the rest of the Crew planning to remove Vin and Elend from the City? Also, what did you make of Sazed actually getting involved in the fighting and no longer just standing back and witnessing events? It seems to me he did a remarkable job with very little resources.
Then we had Vin’s return and her discovery about the Koloss – I did think it was a pretty cool moment when Sazed, who finally thought his end had arrived, watched as the Koloss who approached went quiet and parted and Vin stepped out from amongst them! This tiny young girl stepping out of the middle of this group of huge monsters. On reflection I wonder why The Lord Ruler created the Koloss and the Kandra. He built in his little failsafes to keep them under control but given how he controlled the Skaa anyway he didn’t seem to need either as an army? In fact he didn’t seem to use them at all. Perhaps he created them by accident or just as experimentation that went wrong.
The final chapters seemed to reveal quite a bit and yet still leave so many unanswered questions. What was going on with Marsh – was he hearing the same voices that Zane had heard, or more to the point has he now been taken over by something – and is that something the same thing that has now been released from the Well?
What is this entity that has been released and why was it trapped there in the first place, and by who?
What was this mist creature – I can understand the reason why it attacked Elend at the end but who or what is it?
What was this piece of metal that Elend swallowed at the end that seemed to turn him into a mistborn – is that where the whole allomancy ‘thing’ began. Would this metal work on everyone?
And, why are the Steel Inquisitors now attacking the Terris people?
Oh dear, so many questions! I think I’ve finished the book with more queries than I started!!
Finally, how much did you enjoy this book and how does it compare to book number one?
Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson, Mistborn readalong week 2
7 May 2012
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Brandon Sanderson, Mistborn Book One, Readalong conclusion, The Final Empire
Just finished reading the concluding chapters of Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson for the readalong being hosted by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings. This has really been a great book choice for a readalong and has generated such a lot of discussion. Without further ado lets get to this week’s questions – if you haven’t read Final Empire and intend to do so then you might want to stop reading now as spoilers will be contained below.
1. So, what do you think of Kelsier’s plan now? Or his ‘plan within a plan’? How do you feel the late introduction of the kandra and how it fit into Kelsier’s plan?
I was really surprised by the introduction of the Kandra. I knew that Renoux was different and there had been a couple of hints along the way about this but I hadn’t really given it a lot of consideration. I truly never saw that coming at all and was genuinely surprised. Even more so because for one split second I actually thought Kelsier was alive again and was expecting some strange explanation of how this could be so. I must admit I found the fact that the Kandra had had to consume his body in order to become Kel a bit ‘icky’. I couldn’t believe that all along Kel had planned this? I just couldn’t help thinking surely you could have come up with a plan where you didn’t have to die. And now the Kandra is under Vin’s control? Interesting. I guess at the end Kel did become the martyr to the cause and the nudge to provoke the Skaa to uprise.
2. The final section of the book was very Vin-centric. How do you feel about the choices she made and did you have any worries/fears about what might happen to her before everything was resolved?
Well, at first she came across as a little rash just running into action without anything that seemed to resemble a plan. I didn’t blame her though in fact I admired her for it. I suppose for Vin she’d always figured that they would never pull this plan off and she was always anticipating her own death so in her eyes it wasn’t like she had anything to lose. I also felt that finally she had come to the conclusion that she was different and started to have some self belief – I thought that was a really good moment, a sort of turning point. I actually didn’t have any worries about what was going to happen to Vin, even when she was captured. Not because I had everything figured out, far from it, but it just seemed that with Kel dead if Vin followed suit then there would be very little left to take the story forward. I guess I was having one of those smug moments where you think that the hero can’t die when you’re watching a film, usually followed by the hero dying in some horrible way! Part of me was thinking ‘hold on, you didn’t think Kel was going to die’ and look how that ended but then the other part of me was thinking that if Vin died that would be the end because I can’t figure out who the story would then follow. Perhaps we’ll have some more characters introduced in the next book and who knows what will happen! I think all along I thought the Final Empire was going to be exactly that – the final empire – I know that’s rather simplistic but it’s what I always figured the title of the book referred to, although of course it could have two different interpretations. I never really thought that Kel would be the final hero (I didn’t think he would die) but it always felt like he was grooming Vin to be something more so I always thought she would come through in the end.
3. After all that we find out that the Lord Ruler wasn’t the prophesied one after all. Surprised? Had you figured it out? What thoughts do you have about the big reveal, including how it tied into Sazed’s people?
I was very surprised by the eventual reveal. I always thought that the Lord Ruler was not the prophesied one, I thought he was someone who had mistakenly applied the prophecy to himself – I was almost thinking that Vin might be the one the prophecy related to and that was why I was confident that she would defeat him at the end. It was also why I thought he was looking for her. I think during the discussions last week the point had arisen about the Lord Ruler not being the real prophesised one but this point was made in relation to the fact that that his chronicles had stopped abruptly – to be honest, I must admit that I never really thought about that. It just didn’t occur to me that his chronicles had stopped because someone else had taken his place. I thought his chronicles had stopped because he’d fundamentally changed somehow. I don’t know whether I’m just incredibly dense but I found so many surprises at the end of this novel, things that I hadn’t foreseen but I’m really pleased that Sanderson was able to do that. Sometimes I have no problem second guessing what’s going to happen in a book and whilst this might make me feel all pleased with myself momentarily to be honest it’s far preferable to have an ending that I didn’t suspect at all.
4. There was some back and forth about Elend throughout the story and we finally got to see him take a greater stand. Any predictions about what might happen in book two with Elend taking on leadership duties?
I think after all my answers to the above I might as well give up on making predications for the rest of this trilogy! I always liked Elend and I hoped that he would have a chance to prove himself which I think he finally did at the end. I don’t know how he will cope with leadership. He never particularly struck me as someone with leadership abilities but I’m prepared to be surprised by him. And he comes from a house used to running things so maybe some of that leadership will have rubbed off on him.
5. Lastly, provide a little wrap up of your experience with the book. What do you think Sanderson’s strengths are? How does this book stack up against other fantasies you’ve read?
This is my first Sanderson novel. He’s an author that I’ve heard lots of good things about but for some reason have never got into reading. I don’t think this is anything more than a desire on my part not to get into any more lengthy series of ‘BIG’ books. However, I’m really pleased that I’ve had the opportunity to read this as part of a readalong – it makes the whole experience so much more rewarding. I’ve twisted and turned with my opinions on this novel more than a twisty turny thing. Basically this is an excellent book for a group discussion. There are so many elements to it but Sanderson manages to introduce them in a way that is easy to come to grips with and doesn’t come across as a major expo dump. I also love the way that he anticipates what you’re thinking as a reader. I found that I’d be reading some element and thinking ‘but why did such a thing happen?’ and within a couple of paragraphs I usually got the answer. On top of this he’s managed to come up with such a wonderful story, a strange place that we’ve yet got so much to learn about, a well thought out magical system that is unique to anything I’ve read about before and new races of people with amazing abilities. You kind of expect dwarves and elves in fantasy these days and you also kind of feel as though the world in which the fantasy will be set will be earth – none of that is true of this novel. I’m eagerly awaiting our readalong for number 2 and would like to thank Carl for hosting this readalong.
Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson, Mistborn readalong
2 May 2012
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Brandon Sanderson, Final Empire, Mistborn readalong
Just finished reading the fourth instalment of the first book in the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson for the readalong challenge being hosted by Carl over at Stainless Steel Droppings. Check out the discussions here and although it’s probably a bit late to join in reading this book we are also going to be reading books No.2 and 3 so it’s never too late to join us.
This week’s reading has been so exciting – only one more week before I find out the conclusion! Onto this week’s questions: (Whoops! Forgot to draw your attention to spoilers!!)
1. Well, we finally got our long awaited view of the Lord Ruler, firstly just a brief glimpse during the executions and then during the fight with Kelsier. What do you now think about him and the myth’s surrounding him? And, given his strength do you think he can be beaten?
I’m not sure that I ever really understood that the Lord Ruler was such a very powerful allomancer (or whatever magic it is he’s using). Working his magic over all those people in the crowd during the executions – most peculiar, not to mention extremely demonstrative! Also, he finally did put in an appearance – unfortunately – and he does seem fairly invincible. I was racking my brains for something, some similarity to anything that might give me a clue as to what he is. The nearest I can come to is a book I recently read about immortals who also couldn’t be killed without a great deal of effort. I was also intrigued about the Inquisitors interest in Vin. They are very keen to locate her – clearly the Lord Ruler has something to fear from her but I really don’t know what. Perhaps she will be the one who can use the eleventh metal. Anyway, if I didn’t already think he deserved to die (which I did), executing all those people and then killing Kelsier has certainly not improved my mood towards him at all! Do I think he’s invincible – last week I said I thought he could be beaten and so foolish consistency it may be but I’m going to stick with that theory.
2. We seemed to suffer a number of set backs to the plans this week. The army had already been all but destroyed and following a bit of a rethink/regroup/coming up with a Plan B things still have gone disastrously astray. What do you think the Crew will do now??
Well, the crew already seemed to be losing their will to stick together. But, I can’t help wondering whether Kel’s sacrifice might provoke other people to rise up. Perhaps he will become a martyr. I think Vin is going to have to step up and be tested now and hopefully she’ll be able to hold everyone together.
3. What was your reaction to Kelsier’s response to finding Marsh dead? I can’t help feeling that there are going to be some serious economic repercussions to destroying the crystals – what sort of impact do you think this will have, not just on the nobles but on the Skaa?
I could totally understand his reaction and to a certain extent I was thinking good (in fact I had a bit of a punch the air type of moment) – now he’s going to get some payback! (Which he did by striking out at what would hurt the Lord Ruler most). That being said, I’ve got a bad feeling about this plus the Skaa then got it in the neck again. I think somewhere deep inside I can’t help wondering what the Lord Ruler is using all that Atrium for? He doesn’t come out of his lair very often so surely he can’t be using it all for magic – I can only think he’s using it somehow to keep the mists and the darkness at bay. We might regret not having the atrium. It will certainly have an effect on the nobility – particularly House Venture. I’m not sure about the Skaa – at least they won’t have to work down the mines again?
4. Finally, each week we learn a little bit more of the Lord Ruler’s history. And each week it has a different impact. This week’s snippets had the same impact – I was really interested in the excerpt when he mentions that the Darkness is not as oppressive when higher up in the mountains – do you have any more ideas about the Darkness?
I find these little stories fascinating and fluctuate between thinking the Lord Ruler really did change as a result of his role and the length of time he’s endured and reverting back to thinking he’s a raging monster. Did he really start out relatively normal and become like this or was he always just a raging ego maniac. I wonder why he seems to fear Vin and can’t help thinking maybe there was something in the prophecy that he is trying to hide.
5. (I did have another query – but it might be too much??) I was wondering about Elend and Vin – they’ve also had their ups and downs this week but seem determined to work round them – can you see anything of a future for these two or is there too much history between the nobles and Skaa and too much difference and prejudice between the two?
I was really surprised at first when Elend gave Vin the big elbow – then I remembered he’d been having her followed and thought she was spying on him – even so though I was really shocked – and he was sitting at his family’s table. What the hell is wrong with his dad? What a rat! Anyway, back to the point. I liked the way that Elend then came around to thinking he didn’t mind too much if Vin was just trying to rob him. I also thought it was an eye opening moment when he was trying to help Vin – when he thought she was part of the captured Skaa being taken for execution. I hope they can find a way to make it work and because I like to have a happy ending I’m going to imagine that this is the case! Time will tell.
Final Empire, Mistborn Book One readalong, week 3
25 April 2012
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Brandon Sanderson, Final Empire, Mistborn book one readalong
This week we’ve been reading Chapters 16 to 25 for our group readalong hosted by Carl over at Stainless Steel Droppings. Check out the details here and it’s probably not too late to take part or to join in with the discussions if you’ve already read the novel. Questions this week were provided by Grace and be warned not to read further if you don’t want any spoilers.
I’ve really enjoyed this week’s reading and can’t wait for the discussion this week.
1. During the past week there’s been a lot of speculation as to the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. Now that we finally know the answer, does it change anyone’s opinions of the Lord Ruler?
It’s very intriguing. At the start of the readalong I was actually reading the quotes but not really giving them a great deal of attention to be honest. I only went back to check them out because there was speculation about who the quotes were from – at that point I hadn’t even considered that they were from one of the characters we were reading about. I think this is a great way of incorporating another storyline. I’ve had to go back to the beginning to reread the quotes and piece together the little story that’s taking shape. What a great idea. We’re not getting to see the Lord Ruler and so far he’s a big mystery which all adds to the speculation about him but now we have this story within the story it’s really very interesting. I wouldn’t say that learning a little more of the Lord Ruler’s story is making me like him anymore but perhaps it starts to give him a bit more of an identity – you can see that he didn’t start this way and maybe living for two thousand years would be enough to make anybody a bit jaded (no, still don’t like him)!. I certainly want to find out what actually took place and I’m interested by these mists/shadows that are mentioned. Perhaps, the Lord Ruler was the first person to be born a mistborn but without direction he didn’t know how to use his powers or perhaps he found this ‘eleventh’ metal that nobody else seems to know of and has used that to become immortal. It feels to me like Sanderson is now taking us down the path of ‘can we really trust Kelsier’? The Lord Ruler didn’t seem to always be the monster he is now known as and so will Kelsier’s inevitable saviour status corrupt him also. I’m not sure that I believe that at the moment. I can see that Kelsier is becoming a little bit enamoured with his new ‘celebrity’ status but he still seems to listen to the rest of his crew. Anyway, I’m eager to find out – I wonder whether the recently discovered book that Sazed is translating will reveal something important or essential about the Lord Ruler??
2. What did you think of Elend’s group of subversive nobles? Do you think that Kelsier is right to dismiss people who could be potential allies, or is this another case of his anti-nobility biases showing?
I suppose to a certain extent I can’t help thinking Kelsier is not in a strong enough position to dismiss any potential allies, but, saying that is easier said than done. It would be incredibly difficult to relay your plans about overthrowing the Lord Ruler to a bunch of the nobility – they’re his little favourites after all and even though they might have squabbling between themselves they have very easy and indulgent lives (at the Lord Ruler’s whim) and they have a lot to lose. Plus the skaa are nothing to them. There are a few with consciences (or so it appears) but are they going to get on board with a situation which potentially loses them their workforce or their lives? Despite that, I do like Elend, I’m not totally sure he’s going to be a man of action – maybe he’s going to uncover something important with all his reading. I can’t help thinking that reading is going to play a part her somewhere – we keep being told about all Elend’s reading and now Sazed with his translation of this all mysterious book!
3. What’s your favorite part of the book so far?
Well, this is a really difficult one to answer! Every week I’m totally surprised to find I’ve liked this week’s chapters more than the last – even though I really liked the earlier parts as well! I’m particularly enjoying watching Vin’s development. Not only is she becoming more confident in her own abilities but she’s actually starting to enjoy the company of the rest of the crew and to feel like a part of something. She even had a brief spell of reflecting about her brother and wishing he’d had a chance to experience something similar. I like the fact that she likes Elend and wants to think the best of him and will actually come straight to the point and ask her questions. But, I like the most the interaction with her and Sazed. Their discussion in the library was good to read and I also liked that she actually asked Sazed before she used her allomancy when following Elend at the last Ball she attended – they both seem to be developing a mutual trust and it’s good to see.
4. Now that Kelsier’s plan has hit some major stumbling blocks, what do you think will happen next? Do you think he can still succeed in defeating the Lord Ruler?
I actually do think that the Lord Ruler will be defeated and Kelsier and his crew are just going to have to come up with a Plan B – quickly. But, the only reason I feel so confident about this is because of the name of the book ‘Final Empire’ which is probably a bit goofy of me but there it is!
Bonus: For anyone who has read “The Way of Kings,” were you surprised at all to see Hoid pop up? What do you think of his role here? Unfortunately I haven’t yet read The Way of Kings so can’t comment on this one.
Good questions Grace, thanks.
Lynn
Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson, Mistborn readalong week 2
18 April 2012
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Brandon Sanderson, Final Empire, Mistborn readalong
Just finished reading this week’s Chapters for the Mistborn readalong being hosted by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings. If you’re not taking part there’s still time to join in the fun or just to become involved with the discussions. Check out this link and whilst you’re there take a look at Carl’s Once Upon a Time event.
Well, I really enjoyed this week’s read, again. It was very interesting and compelling, new characters and also I had what I thought was a bit of a revelation (for me) although it’s probably all wrong! I was getting towards the end of the designated chapters – probably No.14 or something like that – and I was reading the little introductory story at the start of the chapter and it came into my mind (and I don’t know why) that maybe these little snippets were actually related to the Lord Ruler? Now that’s probably a stupid idea but it got me thinking and so I went back and read the previous chapter beginnings from the start to our current point and it’s actually telling a story of sorts – I hadn’t realised that as I was reading along because I read the snippet and by the time I get to the next chapter I don’t remember the content and so hadn’t realised they were connected – I originally thought that there were all random thoughts from different people involved in the story but now I think it’s the same person and one story – has anybody else noticed that at all? Anyway, moving over to the questions which this week were provided by TBM my answers are below (stop reading now if you haven’t read as there will be spoilers ahead).
1. The nobility, the skaa, and the Lord Ruler have integral roles in the novel and yet we haven’t really interacted with them much. Do you think there is a reason for this? Have you formed an opinion about them?
I wonder if we have had so little interaction at the moment in order to maintain a sense of mystery. Particularly in relation to the Lord Ruler. I’m finding it difficult to believe that he’s immortal for example and can’t help wondering if he has some sort of secret device or other means or regenerating himself? I suppose the less we know the more our minds will run rampant looking for explanations. I like that about Sanderson’s way of storytelling. The other thing that I’m really enjoying about Sanderson’s storytelling is just that he has this brilliant way of making me feel as though I’m on the same wavelength as him (which I’m pretty sure I’m not), but, what I mean about that, is I read something and think (‘well, why/where/when,etc) and within a few pages or lines even he’s explaining away my query. It’s great – it’s as though he’s reading my mind and answering my thoughts as we go along (virtual reading!).
2. Religion plays a vital role in the story. What is your opinion about the role of religion under the Lord Ruler? What do you think of Sazed’s role as a Keeper.
I think the Lord Ruler uses religion as a device to keep his subjects in tow. I think the Lord Ruler has probably made up or fashioned some kind of religious story about himself in order to make himself seem invincible. So, in that respect the religion is very important to him. I’m not sure that everyone buy’s into it and there have been hints to the contrary which brings us to Sazed. I don’t think he believes for one minute the Lord Ruler’s hype. I think that’s why he’s always telling people about the many other religions that have been lost to the past. I get the feeling that he’s trying to demonstrate that people want to have something to believe in. They need to have faith that there is more than just ‘this’. And, I think he’s alluding to the fact that the Lord Ruler’s religion is similar in that respect – it’s really a story that he’s surrounded himself with. What is interesting about this religion though is that there is no love for it. The ska are mainly ruled by fear and they may believe the Lord Ruler’s religion (or maybe they are too browbeaten to disbelieve it) but it is simply fear that controls them. Actually thinking into that a little more I suppose many religions have the ‘fear’ aspect – ‘do this’ – and ‘this’ will happen/go to hell/internal damnation, etc, etc – but most religions are loved by their followers?? I don’t think you could even accuse the Ska of loving the Lord Ruler. Not really sure what point I’m now getting at!! I suppose on reflection the Lord Ruler knew what he was doing when he made himself a God and he’s proved himself to be rather canny in terms of self-promotion and marketing! In terms of Sazed – I think he has the potential to turn into one of my favourite characters (without a doubt). He is brilliant as a keeper and I love his patience and his overall attitude. Everyone could do with a friend/keeper like him.
3. Are you for/against/or ambivalent about Kelsier’s plan to overthrow the Lord Ruler? Do you think his heart is in the right place or is it just revenge?
It’s strange to admit but I’m almost complacent about the plan to overthrow the Lord Ruler. Not that I don’t want Kelsier, Vin and the rest of the crew to succeed, but I feel so wrapped up in the minutiae of what’s actually taking place that it’s almost as though I’ve lost sight of the bigger picture. I will just point out that I say this in a good way. I’m enjoying the story and just waiting to see how it develops. I do think Kelsier’s heart is in the right place. I’m sure there is an element of revenge, because frankly how could there not be, but I think he’s always had a sort of mission in his mind – he did after all get captured trying to break into the Lord Ruler’s secret chambers – and this was well before he had any reasons for revenge. Plus he comes across as a bit of a softie – which isn’t always a good thing! He definitely could have done with being a bit firmer with Vin over his latest mission – it almost got her killed after all. And I got the impression he was feeling very guilty about that and turning round with the excuse ‘she followed me and is very stubborn’ doesn’t really cut it when you consider his age and experience. (Although I will admit she is a tenacious little so and so!)
4. Vin and Kelsier are the main characters of the novel, yet there are many characters. Is there a certain character who intrigues you more than the others?
I’m enjoying the development of Vin and Kelsier. I particularly enjoyed watching Vin’s first performance as a noblewoman which brings me nicely onto the two characters that really intrigue me. Sayed and Lord Elend Venture. I think that learning more about Sayed’s history will be very revealing to how this world became as it is. And, I have a feeling that Lord Venture is set to maybe play a bigger part.
I can’t wait to read on and find out how horribly wrong I am!! LOL
Books and travelling with Lynn 