This would have gotten 4 or even 5 stars except that Sanderson pissed me off royally by writing Elend into being a stupid turd. :| I adored him in the first novel and was looking forward to him and Vin being together in this novel. But he was such an ass to her at every turn until towards the very ending, and he never apologized even once. I really can't stand the romantic pairing now, Vin deserves a million times better. 
 Elend wasn't the only one, sadly. Why did Sanderson write practically every character in this book so that they are dismissive and patronizing towards Vin? I noticed this a bit in the first book, and it rankled me then, but it was only Kelsier doing it, so I brushed it off as it simply being Kelsier's character. But then Elend started doing it, Ham did it, and Sanderson ruined my favorite character Sazed by making him do it too! 
 It's such a shame, because Sanderson obviously isn't even aware that this type of behavior is problematic. He is pretty enlightened in so many ways, and then fumbles big-time in this department. If I'd had a physical version of the book, it probably would have gotten thrown across the room a few times...and I'm not one to throw things usually. 
 Also Sanderson keeps trying to rationalize away the emotional manipulation of Soothers and Rioters, and I refuse to buy it. Unless he turns that on its head in the third book, I will continue to be disturbed that Sanderson is so adamantly defensive of such an invasive form of manipulation, which the vast majority of his book's population have no defense against. 
 Apart from that, this book is just as addicting as the first -- more-so even, as I finished this in under 48hrs and even stayed up late last night reading until I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. 
 The plot, pacing, and world-building are absolutely flawless. I'll be reading the third book, hoping against hope that Sanderson will surprise me and call Elend and the others on their shitty behavior towards Vin....though I'm pretty sure at this point that he's completely oblivious and thinks his characters are Nice Guys.