BookPath
The Well Of Ascension
Brandon Sanderson

The Well Of Ascension

Quick Answer

Read "The Well Of Ascension" as the 2nd book in the Mistborn Era 1 (The Final Empire) sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Sequence Warning

⚠️ Do NOT read before "The Final Empire" (Book 1)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: As the 2nd installment, this volume is critical for following the central narrative progression and plot development.

Is this helpful?
2007590 pp
The impossible has been accomplished. The Lord Ruler -- the man who claimed to be god incarnate and brutally ruled the world for a thousand years -- has been vanquished. But Kelsier, the hero who masterminded that triumph, is dead too, and now the awesome task of building a new world has been left to his young protégé, Vin, the former street urchin who is now the most powerful Mistborn in the land, and to the idealistic young nobleman she loves. As Kelsier's protégé and slayer of the Lord Ruler she is now venerated by a budding new religion, a distinction that makes her intensely uncomfortable. Even more worrying, the mists have begun behaving strangely since the Lord Ruler died, and seem to harbor a strange vaporous entity that haunts her. Stopping assassins may keep Vin's Mistborn skills sharp, but it's the least of her problems. Luthadel, the largest city of the former empire, doesn't run itself, and Vin and the other members of Kelsier's crew, who lead the revolution, must learn a whole new set of practical and political skills to help. It certainly won't get easier with three armies – one of them composed of ferocious giants – now vying to conquer the city, and no sign of the Lord Ruler's hidden cache of atium, the rarest and most powerful allomantic metal. As the siege of Luthadel tightens, an ancient legend seems to offer a glimmer of hope. But even if it really exists, no one knows where to find the Well of Ascension or what manner of power it bestows.
Next Recommended Book

The Hero Of Ages

Book #3 of 3 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Mistborn Era 1 (The Final Empire) conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading The Well Of Ascension?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read The Well Of Ascension before The Final Empire?

No. We recommend reading The Final Empire first. The Well Of Ascension is the 2th book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is The Well Of Ascension required reading for the Mistborn Era 1 (The Final Empire)?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after The Well Of Ascension in the reading order?

The next recommended book after The Well Of Ascension is The Hero Of Ages (Book #3).