OH. MY. GODDDDDDD THIS WAS SO GOOOOOD 
 I don't even know what to say. Simply amazing. I love these characters and I adore this plot and I'm amazed by this story. ALL THE LOVE. I'm obsessed. 
 Full review as originally posted on The Book Addict's Guide: Since starting and finishing MISTBORN, I pretty much immediately knew I needed to dive into the rest of the series. I actually ended up waiting maybe a month between books but honestly, that's less time than I usually spend between books in a series! (And let's not gloss over the fact that I immediately read the last book in the trilogy and the first book in the companion series (technically #4 in the overall series but set 300 years in the future) because I just couldn't. stop. reading.) 
 THE WELL OF ASCENSION was riveting. With this sequel taking place a year after the ending of MISTBORN, it's an understatement to say that these characters have already gone through a lot by the time the story line picks up with them again at the beginning of THE WELL OF ASCENSION. The defeat of the Lord Ruler has changed everyone and everything. People's hearts have been lifted and smashed all at the same time. Kelsier's mission is still playing out according to plan, but that also doesn't mean that everything is peaches and cream. Oh, no. Vin and Elend quickly learn that there are more dangers lurking around the corner and with both of these main characters in the spotlight, the stakes are MUCH higher (which obviously caused me even MORE heart palpitations after everything that happened in MISTBORN). 
 I really loved how everything just kept developing in this book. The characters I already had grown to love grew even more complex, both in a sense of self along and the increasing complexity of their own roles within Luthadel and beyond. I already knew a lot about Vin but THE WELL OF ASCENSION reveals more of her background, her motives, and her passion. I loved watching her grow from the scared girl we first met in MISTBORN to this confident warrior and passionate partner who is finally learning how to trust. I think the biggest character development that I noticed was in Elend. Yes, I loved him in MISTBORN but he becomes much more of a focus and main character in THE WELL OF ASCENSION, getting more intricately involved in the plot of the entire series as well as forming stronger relationships with the other characters. I loved seeing more of him in this book. 
 The secondary characters were also incredible. From seeing more of Kelsier's crew to getting to know new characters like Zane, Tindwyl, and Allrianne -- the development of every character and how they fit into the plot is just amazing. Each one really enhances the scene that they're in and they all bring something extremely important to the story line. 
 In true Sanderson fashion (I mean, from what I know of these two books...), I went from excited to suspicious to curious to horrified to amazed. (Then back to horrified.) The ending of these books... I mean, honestly. Each time, I'm absolutely floored, but undoubtedly impressed! I absolutely loved THE WELL OF ASCENSION (no matter how much it played with my emotions) and immediately had to read the last book in the trilogy, THE HERO OF AGES to see how it all wrapped up. These books made me an instant Sanderson fan and I just inhaled the series!