Finished The Final Empire – Should I Continue the Series?

I love well-built fantasy worlds with cohesive narratives. I really enjoyed Warbreaker in 2021 and figured it was time to check out another Sanderson story. Over the past week, I read The Final Empire, and overall, I thought it was a worthwhile read.

That said, I have two concerns about continuing the series and would appreciate any input.

  1. Kelsier was by far my favorite character. The others have grown on me, but I don’t get the same enjoyment reading about them. It’s hard for me to stay fully invested in a story without a character I love (shoutout Lightsong). If I’m not fully sold on Vin, Elend, or Ham, are there other characters later in the series who might fill that gap for me?
  2. I feel unsatisfied with how many fundamental questions are left unanswered. I want the author to provide closure around key plot points, but I have faith in Sanderson after reading Warbreaker. Without spoilers, can anyone tell me if the next two books are considered a comprehensive story and satisfactorily address these questions?

Lingering Questions:

  1. What is the Deepness? Is it an ongoing problem?
  2. What exactly are the Mists, and how do they give Vin powers?
  3. Why do the Ashfalls happen?
  4. Why was the original Hero’s personal diary just… sitting beside an altar in the Lord Ruler’s palace?
  5. Why do Terrismen have special powers?
  6. Why do Allomancers exist? How did they get their abilities?
  7. Why was the Lord Ruler so strong?
  8. How do the Inquisitors get their powers, and why are there so few of them?
  9. Why does Vin have special powers?
  10. Why are special powers selectively hereditary?
  11. What really happened with Vin’s mother? Why did she kill her younger daughter but not Vin?

I have some theories! For example:

  • #6 & 7: Connected to the Well of Ascension
  • #8: Some combo of Allomancy + Feruchemy via the spikes
  • #11: Vin’s Snap

I would love to hear others’ thoughts—especially from those who have read the full series. Do these mysteries get resolved? Would you recommend continuing?