Helpful Score: 2
This is a short novella that takes place on the same world as Elantris, although it occurs in a different region than the original novel. I read it immediately after finishing Elantris, and I was blown away by the growth of Sanderson as a writer from one work to the next.
The Emperor's Soul is a compact, expertly paced, beautifully told story. I read the whole thing in one day because I simply could not put it down. There are a lot of very subtle context clues that tie this book to Elantris, and they are easy to miss if you're not paying close attention.
You can enjoy this book without having read Elantris first, although I consider both works to be required reading for any die-hard Sanderson fan who wants their fill of all things related to the Cosmere.
Note: While all of Brandon Sanderson's books take place on different planets at different points in time, they are all tied together in a fictional universe that he calls the Cosmere. One common thread throughout all of the books is a character that makes a named or cameo appearance in every single book. When named, he is called Hoid. His overall story arc is still a mystery, but he is obviously important. In The Emperor's Soul, he makes a very vague, non-named appearance in the role of the Imperial Fool.
Recommended Sanderson reading order (should you be interested): Elantris > Mistborn 1-3 > The Emperor's Soul > Warbreaker > Stormlight Archives 1-2 > Alloy of Law trilogy (Alloy of Law + Shadows of Self + Bands of Mourning)
The Emperor's Soul is a compact, expertly paced, beautifully told story. I read the whole thing in one day because I simply could not put it down. There are a lot of very subtle context clues that tie this book to Elantris, and they are easy to miss if you're not paying close attention.
You can enjoy this book without having read Elantris first, although I consider both works to be required reading for any die-hard Sanderson fan who wants their fill of all things related to the Cosmere.
Note: While all of Brandon Sanderson's books take place on different planets at different points in time, they are all tied together in a fictional universe that he calls the Cosmere. One common thread throughout all of the books is a character that makes a named or cameo appearance in every single book. When named, he is called Hoid. His overall story arc is still a mystery, but he is obviously important. In The Emperor's Soul, he makes a very vague, non-named appearance in the role of the Imperial Fool.
Recommended Sanderson reading order (should you be interested): Elantris > Mistborn 1-3 > The Emperor's Soul > Warbreaker > Stormlight Archives 1-2 > Alloy of Law trilogy (Alloy of Law + Shadows of Self + Bands of Mourning)
Helpful Score: 1
This is a fantastic novella set in the Elantris world. Despite its short length this story was complex, intriguing, and just absolutely magical and engaging.
Shai was caught attempting to Forge the emperors scepter. Shai is a Forger who can copy or re-create anything by rewriting its history and letting it be what it wants to be. Forging takes a lot of skill and magic to do. Shai has been condemned to death because of her attempt on the scepter, but she is allowed a chance to redeem herself. It ends up that the emperor has been grievously wounded, his skilled physicians were able to heal his body but his mind remains unresponsive. Her captors wants Shai to do the unthinkable, they want her to Forge a new soul for the Emperor.
This was a fantastic novella. I loved the plot, the unique magic system and how real and wonderful all of the characters were. I am always amazed at what such a wonderful and complex story Sanderson can pack into such a short space.
Shai is obviously a genius at Forging. The concept that things and items have memories and want to be better is a main driver behind how she Forges them and this is an interesting concept. Shai is obviously upset at being forced to help her captors, but at the same time she is eager to unravel a challenge that no one has faced before. Shai has Forged her own soul, but no one has ever Forged a new soul for someone else.
In preparation to Forge the Emperors soul Shai must become familiar with every small thought the Emperor ever had and every small thing that happened in his life. This has to be believable and so Shai must understand the Emperor and his motives completely before attempting the Forging. It is fascinating to watch as Shai unravels the Emperors life.
Shai is so smart and so accomplished at what she does. I enjoyed reading about her struggle between wanting to be free and wanting to do something spectacular that has never been done before.
Really this was a fantastic read, it was completely gripping and very hard to put down. You are trying to guess through the whole book what Shai will do. Will she complete the Forgery of the Emperors Soul? Will she alter it in anyway? She really has all of the power here and the ability to change the future of the nation.
Overall this was just a fantastic little book. Highly recommended if you like fantasy. As with most of Sanderson's books it features a rich world, a very unique magic system, and characters that are easy to engage with and love. I absolutely loved it.
Shai was caught attempting to Forge the emperors scepter. Shai is a Forger who can copy or re-create anything by rewriting its history and letting it be what it wants to be. Forging takes a lot of skill and magic to do. Shai has been condemned to death because of her attempt on the scepter, but she is allowed a chance to redeem herself. It ends up that the emperor has been grievously wounded, his skilled physicians were able to heal his body but his mind remains unresponsive. Her captors wants Shai to do the unthinkable, they want her to Forge a new soul for the Emperor.
This was a fantastic novella. I loved the plot, the unique magic system and how real and wonderful all of the characters were. I am always amazed at what such a wonderful and complex story Sanderson can pack into such a short space.
Shai is obviously a genius at Forging. The concept that things and items have memories and want to be better is a main driver behind how she Forges them and this is an interesting concept. Shai is obviously upset at being forced to help her captors, but at the same time she is eager to unravel a challenge that no one has faced before. Shai has Forged her own soul, but no one has ever Forged a new soul for someone else.
In preparation to Forge the Emperors soul Shai must become familiar with every small thought the Emperor ever had and every small thing that happened in his life. This has to be believable and so Shai must understand the Emperor and his motives completely before attempting the Forging. It is fascinating to watch as Shai unravels the Emperors life.
Shai is so smart and so accomplished at what she does. I enjoyed reading about her struggle between wanting to be free and wanting to do something spectacular that has never been done before.
Really this was a fantastic read, it was completely gripping and very hard to put down. You are trying to guess through the whole book what Shai will do. Will she complete the Forgery of the Emperors Soul? Will she alter it in anyway? She really has all of the power here and the ability to change the future of the nation.
Overall this was just a fantastic little book. Highly recommended if you like fantasy. As with most of Sanderson's books it features a rich world, a very unique magic system, and characters that are easy to engage with and love. I absolutely loved it.
Kristin K. (escapeartistk) -
Helpful Score: 1
This is a unique, intelligent, suspenseful story that works on several levels. I would love to see Sanderson develop the basic concept into a longer work. In the meantime, though, I'm going to check out some of his other novels because this one was excellent.
