The Well of Ascension

The Well of Ascension (2007) is a fantasy novel by Brandon Sanderson. It is the second book in the first Mistborn trilogy and takes place on the planet Scadrial in Sanderson’s fictional universe, the Cosmere. It takes place one year after the events of The Final Empire and follows Vin, Elend, and the remaining members of Kelsier’s crew as they try to build a new society in the aftermath of the Lord Ruler’s defeat while combatting three encroaching enemy invaders.

This guide refers to the 2007 paperback Tor edition.

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature depictions of death, graphic violence, rape, and emotional abuse.

Plot Summary

The Well of Ascension, the second book in Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series, continues the story that began with the fall of the tyrannical Lord Ruler in The Final Empire. The hero of that novel, Kelsier, is now dead, but his surviving comrades are now working to build a more just world. The story opens with Luthadel in a state of precarious transition. With the Lord Ruler dead, the central government that had oppressed the skaa (the lower classes) and kept the nobility in check has collapsed. The city, once ruled by the Lord Ruler’s iron grip, is now left in chaos. Elend Venture, the idealistic leader who wishes to create a republic based on equality and freedom, is king. However, the citizens of Luthadel are divided, and many noble houses view his vision as impractical and dangerous. Additionally, Luthadel faces external threats as several rival noble houses begin to close in on the city, hoping to seize power.

Elend struggles to create a just society while holding his position as leader in a time of instability. Factions within his own government begin to question his ability to lead effectively. As the situation becomes more dire, Elend realizes that he may need to compromise his democratic ideals—claiming monarchical powers to prevent himself from being deposed and replaced by others whose goals are far more authoritarian.

While Elend struggles to maintain order in Luthadel, the city also faces threats from outside. Straff Venture, Elend’s father, leads an army against the city, hoping to capitalize on the instability to seize control. Meanwhile, Ashweather Cett, another rival noble, maneuvers to strengthen his own power, camping his own army outside the city and threatening invasion.

Vin, who had played a crucial role in the defeat of the Lord Ruler, is now faced with the weight of her own role in the new world. As a Mistborn, she has the rare ability to access all the Allomantic—or magical (See: Background)—powers that exist in her world. She continues to grow in her Allomantic powers but is increasingly burdened by her fear of becoming a tool of power as she has in the past. Having been abused by her brother, forced into hiding, and manipulated by various forces throughout her life, Vin fears being defined solely by her abilities as a fighter and protector. Despite these concerns, she is in love with Elend and believes in his vision of an egalitarian society, and she sees it as her duty to protect him. While walking the city walls and observing the enemies camped outside, she is attacked by another Mistborn, who later introduces himself as Zane. Though he is working for Straff, he tries to convince Vin to free herself from allegiance to any ruler.

Sazed, a scholar and a Keeper (one who has the ability to store knowledge in metal objects kept close to his body) from the nearby realm of Terris, embarks on a journey to the Conventical of Seran to search for any information that might help Luthadel understand its situation. Back in Luthadel, people have begun to notice that the mists—usually seen only at night—have begun to appear in the daytime. Vin encounters an ethereal being in the mist. Though she does not know who or what the being is, she thinks of it as a mist spirit.

Tindwyl, a scholar from Terris, arrives in Luthadel to help Elend navigate some of the threats he faces. She teaches him more about the history of the world and the deeper mysteries surrounding the Lord Ruler’s reign while encouraging him to adopt a more authoritative posture.

In addition to the armies of Straff and Cett, Elend must contend with the koloss, a race of giant, monstrous beings created by the Lord Ruler. The nobleman Jastes Lekal has brought a force of 20,000 koloss to the city walls, and he asks Elend to invite him and his army into the city to defend against the other two armies. Elend, however, understands that this is a veiled threat: If he invites Jastes into the city, Jastes will use his army to take over control. If he does not, the koloss force will attack the city. Vin, despite her doubts about her own identity, steps into a leadership role in defending the city. In doing so, she confronts her fear of becoming a tyrant by using her powers to protect, not destroy.

As Luthadel teeters on the brink of collapse, Sazed returns to Luthadel and tells Vin and Elend what he has learned about the Well of Ascension. The Well is an ancient, mythical place that is said to hold immense power—possibly the key to saving the world or bringing about its destruction. The characters learn that the Well is likely the source of the power that the Lord Ruler controlled for centuries, and they believe that taking the power for themselves could have catastrophic consequences.

Vin, still reluctant to embrace her role as a leader, is drawn into the search for the Well. She begins to realize that the Well might hold the answers to many of the world’s problems, but she also fears the power it represents. The decision to seek the Well of Ascension is tied to the themes of hope and moral responsibility, as the characters grapple with the question of whether releasing the power will bring salvation or doom.

Zane, who eventually reveals that he is Elend’s half-brother, manipulates Vin, trying to convince her that Elend’s ideals are naïve and that Elend uses her as a tool to enhance his own power. In a final confrontation, Vin defeats Zane, solidifying her decision to align with Elend. She accepts Elend’s love for her and chooses to love him without reservation.

In the climactic battle, as the koloss storm the city and Straff’s army lays siege to Luthadel, Vin is forced to confront her greatest fears. In the heat of the battle, Vin discovers that she can control the koloss, turning them against their masters. She turns the tide of the battle, inspiring the people of Luthadel with new hope.

After the battle, they find the Well of Ascension, but as they approach it, the mist spirit stabs Elend, gravely wounding him. Vin must make a heart-wrenching decision: release the power of the Well of Ascension to save the world or save Elend. She chooses to release the power, hoping that it will bring salvation to the world.

However, this decision has profound consequences. The release of the power does not bring the world-saving results that Vin expected; instead, it releases a malicious, supernatural power, revealing deeper truths about the nature of the world and the forces shaping it. After the mist spirit helps Vin save Elend with a bead of metal by the Well, Vin and Elend must come to terms with the fallout of her choice to release the power, as well as the personal and political consequences it has for their future.

Meanwhile, Sazed undergoes a personal crisis. His faith in the teachings of the Terris and many other religions is shattered when he discovers that the Hero of Ages prophecies might not be as reliable as he once thought.

The conclusion of The Well of Ascension is marked by a series of revelations and hard choices. Elend is forced to accept the brutal reality of power and leadership while both he and Vin learn to accept who they are and the roles they must play. The novel ends with questions about the true nature of the Well of Ascension still unresolved, setting up the stakes for the next installment in the series.