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Chapters 16-21

I wanted to make a discussion on these chapters, as there's been a lot that's worth mentioning and I fear I'll forget to mention some important bits when we get to the end of this Part.

The ball at Keep Elariel gave us some interesting information. Elend quite possibly could be a character willingly to join the rebellion, judging by his reading material and questions about the Skaa. Weather Patterns of the Northern Dominance, or, Book of the False Dawn, the name of the book hiding covert opinions on the Lord Ruler's actions that was hidden among Elend's book stack, states:

"However, one only need look to the near past to note such blunders as the Massacre at Devanex, the revision of the Deepness Doctrine, and the relocation of the Renates peoples."

I hope we get to learn more about these blunders in the future. We're getting to know more and more that the Lord Ruler once was an ordinary man, perhaps even a good man, and these blunders even further prove that he is not a God, but just a man with too much power.

Elend's betrothed is very unpleasant to say the least. I'm curious as to why she had her servant go searching through Elend's books. Has he been known to carry risky books with him? Is she purposefully looking for something to get Elend in trouble?

Also, it's pretty tragic how the guard slit that young boys throat just outside of the ball. It seems to me like even though many of these nobles are evil, there are also a lot that are just oblivious to what it's like outside of their cushioned lifestyle.

I love these scenes with Kelsier wearing a disguise and putting on a character. A very strategic way to gain information and... spread a few pieces of clever fabrication ;)



It is worrisome that the elite already have rumors about the Skaa rebellion and Kelsier's return. Mind you, Kell isn't too hesitant to make his presence known among the Skaa, so it's bound to reach noble ears.

I loved the dialogue between Vin and Marsh, when he was training her to sense Allomantic Pulses. The way he caught her soothing him mid speech LOL. It's also VERY interesting that Marsh might have had feelings for his sister-in-law.

Also, there's something important about Sazed wearing spectacles when reading, when usually he doesn't. It's been mentioned a few times now...

And finally, it was interesting to finally see where they are training the Skaa soldiers. I know it's mentioned that the cavern is perfect for defense, and the Lord Ruler has never lead any successful attacks on it yet, but I still worry... what if some Inquisitors managed to get through one of the entrances and slaughter the Skaa army? I feel bad for Kelsier, having to deal with memories of the Pits when entering the base. The way he manipulated the fight between the honorable soldier and the doubting one was quite ingenious, and fun to read.

Let me know your thoughts on these chapters!

All exellent points! I loved the dialogue between Marsh and Vin too, superbly written pages here! And I didn't even notice that Sazed and his spectacles detail.

Elend's (ex?)-betrothed truly is garbage. It's so interesting to notice differences and competition even among the higher aristocracy, something that exists in the real world too. As I have come to understand these pages, Shan Elariel really wants to hold on to Elend mostly because he comes from the highest House and getting married to him would benefit her socially. I think she sensed something starting to happen between him and Vin, that's why she sent out her spy servant and was so overtly hostile towards our young Mistborn heroine. I don't think she loves him or that Elend loves her at all.

Man, it would be so great if Elend is indeed willingly to join the rebellion! But would he be doing it so overtly? Reading revolutionary manifestos amidst high society balls? (even though he is probably immune to a possible arrest.) Have his two friends from the two hostile to House Venture Houses not noticed them? Are they in on it too?! I have a fear he might be holding on to these books to lure Vin into admitting her true identity because he has sensed what she is - a skaa - right from the start! I hope they both are on the same team but can't find a way to open up to it to each other.

What impressed me the most in these chapters is Vin's inner change, how she starts liking some members of the aristocracy, how she inhabits her Valette persona more and more and is even offended when someone is rude to that non-existing low-ranking aristocrat from the countryside. How she catches herself being Valette even when there's no one around (sitting very lady-like in an empty carriage, not rushing to be free of her elaborate long gowns when she gets home). Sanderson here really tries to show us how not everything is as black and white as he had painted out this world to be in the begining chapters, no?

I really didn't understand these power games Kelsier played on Bilg in the caverns... I felt like he conspired with this Ham guy to play mind controlling and abuse a guerilla fighter who was down there on his side, training for months, giving it his all, just to prove a point and show off how strong he is. Or how he was moving around these underground tunnels with his sleeves always rolled up so that all would see the marks from the Pits on his arms and be awe-struck... Shallow behaviour, since no one has even thought of challenging his leadership, or did I misunderstand something?...

But for me, the most beautiful page is to be found near the begining of these chapters, in the middle of chapter 17. It's where Kelsier shows Vin and old sketch of a flower. Something she didn't recognize or had ever even heard the name of. I loved this so much! Sanderson really took me from my blossoming Summer reading spot and successfully immersed me in that world where everything is gray and dry and colourless for a thousand years, much more effectively than 10 pages of description would have accomplished! It was such a nostalgic and heart-warming moment, hearing Kelsier talk to Vin about his late wife's mission - and now his own - to bring flowers back into Cosmere after so many centuries of extinction because of the ash. (By the way, have I missed an explanation as to why ash is falling constantly and whether it's the Lord Ruler's fault or not? Is it caused by his neverending mining for Atium - a hint for Ecology - or is it an unnatural phenomenon caused by the Ascension that we haven't come across yet?) This passage humanized Kelsier so much.

PS: Kelsier finally acted right, not taking Vin with him to the caverns! It's too soon for her to be that involved.