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The Emperor's Soul

Book 3 in the series:Elantris

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The Emperor's Soul is a novella by Brandon Sanderson set in a world where a Forger named Shai is caught forging a painting in the Emperor's palace. Instead of being executed, she is tasked with forging a new soul for the Emperor, who is unresponsive after an assassination attempt. The story delves into the intricate magic system where objects and people's history can be rewritten, exploring themes of identity and the power of artistry. The fast-paced writing style and engaging plot make it a captivating read, showcasing Sanderson's talent for crafting unique magical systems and complex characters.

Characters:

The characters are well-defined, with Shai as a complex protagonist and Gaotona representing a moral counterpoint in the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is clear and accessible, with a focus on narrative efficiency and detailed exploration of the magic system, although it may at times involve heavy exposition.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a skilled forger named Shai who is given the impossible task of creating a new soul for the brain-damaged emperor to save her own life, leading to themes of identity and artistry.

Setting:

The setting is a standalone part of the Elantris universe, focusing primarily on the imperial palace and its political intrigues.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk and effective, maintaining tension and engagement in a compact narrative.
Shai pressed her fingernail into one of the stone blocks of her prison cell. The rock gave way slightly. She rubbed the dust between her fingers. Limestone. An odd material for use in a prison wall, b...

Notes:

The Emperor's Soul is a novella set in the same world as Elantris, but features its own unique story and characters.
The protagonist, Shai, is a Forger who can rewrite the history of objects to change their present state.
Shai was imprisoned for attempting to forge the emperor's scepter and is given a chance to escape execution by forging the emperor's soul instead.
The story explores themes of identity and what makes a person who they are, particularly through the process of creating a new soul for the emperor.
Shai's task is both illegal and considered an abomination in her society, as Forging is often associated with counterfeiting art.
The novella highlights the complexity of human personality and relationships, questioning whether one can truly understand and recreate another's soul.
Brandon Sanderson's magic system in this novella is based on the concept of 'soul stamps', which alter an object's perception of its own history.
Despite its short length of about 175 pages, the novella includes rich character development and thoughtful world-building.
The Emperor's Soul won the Hugo Award for Best Novella, further solidifying Sanderson's reputation in the fantasy genre.
Many readers appreciate that The Emperor's Soul is accessible to newcomers to Sanderson's work, as it stands on its own without needing prior knowledge of Elantris.

From The Publisher:

Hugo Award Winner

From the best-selling author of the Mistborn Trilogy and the co-author of the final three books of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series comes the tale of a heretic thief who is the only hope for the survival of an empire.

Shai is a Forger, a foreigner who can flawlessly copy and re-create any item by rewriting its history with skillful magic. Although condemned to death after trying to steal the emperor's scepter, she is given one opportunity to save herself. Despite the fact that her skill as a Forger is considered an abomination by her captors, Shai will attempt to create a new soul for the emperor, who is almost dead from the attack of assassins.

Delving deeply into his life, she discovers Emperor Ashravan's truest nature?and the opportunity to exploit it. Her only possible ally is one who is truly loyal to the emperor, but councilor Gaotona must overcome his prejudices to understand that her forgery is as much artistry as it is deception.

Skillfully deducing the machinations of her captors, Shai needs a perfect plan to escape. The fate of the kingdom lies in one impossible task. Is it possible to create a forgery of a soul so convincing that it is better than the soul itself?

Ratings (101)

Incredible (34)
Loved It (44)
Liked It (19)
It Was OK (2)
Did Not Like (1)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (145):

Read It (103)
Want To Read (28)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (13)

2 comment(s)

Incredible
1 month

AMAZING!

 
Incredible
1 month

Brandon Sanderson never fails to give me a wonderful read.

The story of a Forger who can forge objects with a seal, is a wonderful concept for the use of magic in this world. Even though this is a novella, it is packed with suspense as to what will happen in the ending, as well as character development. You grow to want the main character to succeed in her plans, even though she still keeps a secret or two from the reader until the last possible moment. That is difficult to do in fiction, though Brandon Sanderson does it easily and enjoyably.

Great concept of magic, great story, very unique plot, all within an Asian infused (my opinion) world. Such a great novella, and I wish that there were more of this world beyond Elantris and The Emperor's Soul.

 

About the Author:

Brandon Sanderson is the New York Times best-selling author of Elantris and the Mistborn Trilogy. In 2007, he was chosen by Robert Jordan's widow to complete Jordan's epic Wheel of Time series. The final volume was published in three novels: The Gathering Storm, Towers of Midnight, and A Memory of Light. Sanderson received his Master's Degree in Creative Writing from Brigham Young University (where he was a college roommate of Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings). He participates in the weekly podcast Writing Excuses.

 
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