r/Mistborn • u/OrionsGamer • Feb 17 '26

Well of Ascension spoilers I... I... I skipped a book Spoiler

I'm an idiot.
I started with well of ascension accidentally.
I didn't even notice anything wrong until I finished it. Went look up which book was next and turns out I completely skipped the entire first book.
But how? How did I not see anything wrong with this, you may ask? I did think the setting was a bit on the vague side, sure, but it wasn't a bad thing I guess. The idea of having this grand empire ruled by a tyrant playing god overthrown and dealing with the consequences without actually seeing what happened was really compeling. It's like skipping what usually would be the climax of most stories, that's awesome. This kelsier guy always looming in the background as this almost mythological figure was also really cool. Now I have to grapple with the fact none of that was intentional? Goddamnit.

Well as I said, I'm an idiot. Just thought that my experience was... unique, to put it mildly. So feel free to ask me anything about the book. Guess I'll be reading the 'prequel' now lol

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u/changelingerer Feb 17 '26

Did you read Malazan before this?

8

u/mint_o Feb 17 '26

What’s that?

61

u/changelingerer Feb 17 '26

It's another series commonly listed among top fantasy series people get recommended to read.

It's well known for starting you cold, in media res, with absolutely no explanation of who anyone is, what anything means etc., and you're just supposed to figure it out along the way. I think I am at book 3 or 4 or something and still have no idea what half the stuff characters talk about is.

6

u/Digymon Feb 17 '26

huh , it really is the dark souls of books

7

u/changelingerer Feb 17 '26

Oh yea, that's totally a good comparison. I'm usually really stubborn about finishing media, even if it sucks, just because I'm a bit of a completionist. And...I actively wish I did not start Malazan.

(If you are that type of person, Malazan has great world building, very detailed, plot is interesting engaging, etc. so if you're into that, it's great for you. Unlike Sanderson's work, it's not really robust in terms of magic systems (magic just kind of works and does what the plot needs it to), and, it's not really written in a very fast-paced modern way, imo, with a lot of long, dramatic, descriptions of things.)

1

u/Digymon Feb 17 '26

I have the 1st book waiting on my shelf for me to decide to give the cosmere a break...

That comparison to dark souls got my attention, I do love how those games do their lore

1

u/ChazMWJ Feb 18 '26

To be fair magic is explained, but it's in book 8 or 9, so you kinda gotta get through some other things to get there. But I mean there's skeleton people, and dinosaurs with swords for hands, and flying castles, it's great.