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The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson

January 27, 2025 by Pippin Took, the shire hobbit Leave a Comment

Rating: 10/10

Synopsis

A heretic thief is the empire’s only hope in this fascinating tale that inhabits the same world as the popular novel, Elantris.

Shai is a Forger, a foreigner who can flawlessly copy and re-create any item by rewriting its history with skillful magic. Condemned to death after trying to steal the emperor’s scepter, she is given one opportunity to save herself. Though 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.

Probing 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 Shai’s forgery is as much artistry as it is deception.

Brimming with magic and political intrigue, this deftly woven fantasy delves into the essence of a living spirit.

Review

“Send for the Forger,” Gaotana said, rising. “I would hear what she has to say. I suspect she will be more difficult to control than Frava claims, but we have no choice. We either use this woman’s skill, or we give up control of the empire.”

Oh my god, I loved this book. This book, and not Mistborn: The Final Empire should be the default recommendation when people ask where to start with Brandon Sanderson’s works. For all of its strengths, Mistborn (in my opinion) is not a masterpiece. This actually is a masterpiece. What he has achieved in just under 200 pages is remarkable. And while it is set in the same world as Elantris and connects to the cosmere universe, it stands alone extremely well. 

The protagonist who was scheduled to be executed previously has been given a new impossible task and a hundred days to finish it. She is also under constant guard and if she leaves her room, she will die. This is such an excellent premise and the story is driven forward through conversations between the protagonist and an arbiter (minister in this world) who visits to check her work everyday across the 100 days. 

The way Sanderson has captured the voice for both these characters is perfect. Both of them feel distinct and believable. And with this much dialogue between them, it is hard not to reflect and appreciate just how superbly he’s crafted these two. Both of them have their own goals, fears, virtues, and flaws, but we are also able to see how uniquely both characters think, interact with each other, interact with the world, the internal monologue, the coping and defensive mechanism the protagonist turns to, tone, subtext, and secrets. This was just stunning and Sanderson honestly nailed it. 

The MC is also very easy to get behind and I sincerely hope we get a sequel someday or that she pops up somewhere else in the Cosmere. The thief with a heart of gold character types are always intriguing and one that is competent is simply captivating. I was in her corner right from the start. The display of brilliance, art, technique, and plans nested in plans were all genius. 

Other than that, all of Sanderson’s strengths are put on a show here. The sanderlache sanderlaches. The non-stop roller coaster ride toward the ending where everything comes together and that one reveal that twists the whole book into a whole new light is present here as well in addition to the complex magic rules and their explanation, the rich worldbuilding, and philosophical themed discussions. Overall, it was an easy 10/10 for me and I urge anyone who has not read the book to give it a chance ASAP. 

Filed Under: Fantasy, Heist, Reviews Tagged With: Book Review, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy

About Pippin Took, the shire hobbit

Ganesh SA (a.k.a Pippin Took in most social media platforms) is a 5G Engineer in Seattle. If you’re in the PNW and your mobile data doesn’t work properly, there’s a fair to certain chance it’s his fault. Either he was thinking about a second breakfast or sneak reading fantasy books in the office. Outside of work you can find him at a Seattle public library or at Lumen Field if OL Reign are playing. Gateway to fantasy was Cornelia Funke and Christopher Paolini and because of that, he hasn’t mastered the art of entering and leaving a bookstore without buying a book with a dragon on the cover. Full time FIFA/Tea addict.

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