Name: The Emperor's Soul
ISBN: 9781616960926

Brandon Sanderson

When Shai is caught replacing the Moon Scepter with her nearly flawless forgery, she must bargain for her life and create--to Forge--a new soul for the emperor in less than one hundred days.

The Emperor's Soul

cassie

 No matter how good you were, someone was better. Live by that knowledge, and you would never grow so confident that you became sloppy. 

She calmed herself with difficulty, then plastered on a smile. Her aunt Sol had once told Shai to smile at the worst insults and snap at the minor ones. That way, no man would know your heart.

Control yourself, she told herself forcibly. Become someone who can deal with this. She took a deep breath and let herself become someone else. An imitation of herself who was calm, even in a situation like this. It was a crude forgery, just a trick of the mind, but it worked.

Even after all this time, the window had seen itself as something beautiful. Or maybe she was just getting romantic again.

That look of disappointment, that implication we should be better people than we are.

 is a masterful miniature of fantasy storytelling — a novella that delivers the richness of a full novel in a fraction of the pages. brandon sanderson expertly blends an innovative magic system with compelling character work and philosophical depth. the concept of “forgery” — rewriting the essence of objects and people through stamps and artistry — is both imaginative and intricately detailed, yet never overwhelms the narrative.

at its heart is shai, a brilliant and resourceful protagonist whose journey is as intellectual as it is emotional. her task — to recreate the soul of an emperor in 100 days — drives a plot full of tension, moral ambiguity, and introspection. sanderson explores themes of identity, creativity, and the nature of change with surprising subtlety.

the pacing is deliberate yet engaging, the prose clear and purposeful, and the ending deeply satisfying. 

stands out not just as a remarkable novella, but as a testament to sanderson’s storytelling craft. this is a must-read for fantasy lovers and an excellent introduction to sanderson’s literary works

the emperor’s soul is a masterful miniature of fantasy storytelling — a novella that delivers the richness of a full novel in a fraction of the pages. brandon sanderson expertly blends an innovative magic system with compelling character work and philosophical depth. the concept of “forgery” — rewriting the essence of objects and people through stamps and artistry — is both imaginative and intricately detailed, yet never overwhelms the narrative.

at its heart is shai, a brilliant and resourceful protagonist whose journey is as intellectual as it is emotional. her task — to recreate the soul of an emperor in 100 days — drives a plot full of tension, moral ambiguity, and introspection. sanderson explores themes of identity, creativity, and the nature of change with surprising subtlety.

the pacing is deliberate yet engaging, the prose clear and purposeful, and the ending deeply satisfying. the emperor’s soulstands out not just as a remarkable novella, but as a testament to sanderson’s storytelling craft. this is a must-read for fantasy lovers and an excellent introduction to sanderson’s literary works

intriguing kind if magic where forging someone soul is possible!! the mechanism was explained well and Shai’s feelings towards artistry resonated with me

cassandra

The emperor's soul

Quite an intriguing novella based on forgery of someone’s soul. I enjoyed the setting and how Shai was put in a position where no was not an answer. Forging some dead person’s soul is a crazy imagination and Sanderson does give us a enjoyable story around it. But considering how crazy the premise is, I expected a bit more from Sanderson.

Adwait Kulkarni

eu sou um homem simples eu amo uma historia curta e intrigante com uma mulher bonita inteligente

Pedro Rodarte

Christine

ok actually i won't lie this is currently my favorite cosmere magic system

Cody Degen

This is my first book I have read from this author except another novella that he co-wrote with another author. But this is not a collaboration. Shai is a forger who is betrayed and get's caught stealing something from the palace and replacing it with her very skillful magical forgery. Instead of execution, the required punishment, the court officials offer her freedom if she will use her talent to help them with a serious problem. There was an attempt to assassinate the Emperor and he has survived, but just barely. He has severe brain damage and has lost most cognitive functions and memories. None if this is public knowledge. Shai will need to do a very difficult task, to create a forgery of his soul to restore his mind and personality so that they can keep him on the throne. 

I enjoyed this book very much. The premise of soul magic and forgery intrigued me. The political worldbuilding is good, even though the book is short. The magic system is interesting. The two main characters, Shai and Gaotona (a high court official), are well developed and I liked their interactions. Through their conversations, I came to care for them. They come to understand and maybe learn from each other. There is a lot of tension and suspense because the stakes are very high for Shai and the empire. So much court intrigue and plotting is going on. Through the process necessary to create this forgery of the Emperor Ashravan's soul, we also learn about the background and character of the Emperor and his reign.

Cheryl Hedlund

This is my first book I have read from this author except another novella that he co-wrote with another author. But this is not a collaboration. Shai is a forger who is betrayed and get's caught stealing something from the palace and replacing it with her very skillful magical forgery. Instead of execution, the required punishment, the court officials offer her freedom if she will use her talent to help them with a serious problem. There was an attempt to assassinate the Emperor and he has survived, but just barely. He has severe brain damage and has lost most cognitive functions and memories. None if this is public knowledge. Shai will need to do a very difficult task, to create a forgery of his soul to restore his mind and personality so that they can keep him on the throne. 

I enjoyed this book very much. The premise of soul magic and forgery intrigued me. The political worldbuilding is good, even though the book is short. The magic system is interesting. The two main characters, Shai and Gaotona (a high court official), are well developed and I liked their interactions. Through their conversations, I came to care for them. They come to understand and maybe learn from each other. There is a lot of tension and suspense because the stakes are very high for Shai and the empire. So much court intrigue and plotting is going on. Through the process necessary to create this forgery of the Emperor Ashravan's soul, we also learn about the background and character of the Emperor and his reign.

charisa

4.5 for the storytelling~ 

my first sanderson after being pestered for years by my sister to read him! and wow, i’m actually quite impressed?? an intricate magic system and dynamic characters rolled up in less than 200 pages? in some ways, i was reminded a little of rf kuang’s Babel, from magic generated from chain-linked evolutions (though here it’s physical craft rather than language), to questions regarding the realized (and unrealized) course of human nature. dare i say, though, that sanderson’s resolution is refreshingly hopeful compared to that of Babel’s lmao. 

a successful and engaging novella! well-deserving of the hugo, i think.

I've only just started getting into Sanderson, but this is one of my favorites I've read so far. I thought the magic system was so interesting. I love how Sanderson crafted a well-rounded and complex story in such a short amount of time. Nothing ever felt rushed or info-dumpy. I really liked Shai as a character a lot. She was intelligent and amazing at her craft. It was fascinating watching her create all these different seals. I had put off getting into Sanderson's work because they always felt daunting, but I think this novella is the perfect jumping point if you're looking to start.

Heather Harrington

Beatriz Aguiar

Brando Sando 4ever <3

 cool premise, cool plot, interesting characters, interesting magic system, badass female mc, top notch vibes. what else can u want?

Stefanie Viens

Great little novel and fast-paced. It describes a type of magic that I haven't encountered before in fantasy novels, which makes it very refreshing. It is also nice to read a book where the main character's ''female-ness'' is completely outside the focus of the story; she is defined only by her skills and how she applies them. I would personally like to read more books set in the same universe.

Rachel Kanyid

Brandon Sanderson took my breath away yet again, with this beautiful novella. I have been a fan of Sanderson's since The Way of Kings was published, and have read every one of his books so far with great enthusiasm. When I picked up this novella, I wasn't sure what to expect, because I hadn't even read the summary before going out and getting it, but it did not disappoint! 

The character development was astounding for being so few in pages, and the way we find out little things here and there about Shai and Gaotona, as well as the Emperor, keeps the reader enthralled.

The concept of Forging is very exciting, and I loved reading about it in this book. Sanderson always brings a new element of magic or the like into his books, and that is one of the reasons he always captures my attention! Every new series brings new, exciting ideas that are quite original and creative, and he explains the details of them in such a way that they seem very logically sound.

Overall, this book, although quite short, is definitely of the same quality and expertise as all of his other books. Absolutely wonderful.

Well, that was quite nice to read. Surprisingly. I have to admit that I was wary of starting it after being a bit disappointed by Warbreaker. Because apparently he’s at his best during Era 1 and Stormlight. Add the fact that it’s a novella and fantasy. I didn’t know yet how I would enjoy a short fantasy series. Because I guess I join the majority here, for me it needs a lot of pages to build up a good fantasy story ? But actually this novella proved me wrong.

Everything was immersive, the magic system interesting and intriguing. The storyline was great and fitted the short amount of pages. The conclusion very satisfying. I found again what I loved about B.S when reading Mistborn Era 1 which unfortunately I didn’t find when reading Warbreaker. Not trying to make comparisons here, just about feelings and reading experiences. 

Anyway, it was quick, nice and very entertaining to read. 

The last Cosmere story I wanted to get into before 

 starting The Way of Kings ! No more excuses here 😂

Amira BEN

4.5 ⭐️ 

Well, that was quite nice to read. Surprisingly. I have to admit that I was wary of starting it after being a bit disappointed by Warbreaker. Because apparently he’s at his best during Era 1 and Stormlight. Add the fact that it’s a novella and fantasy. I didn’t know yet how I would enjoy a short fantasy series. Because I guess I join the majority here, for me it needs a lot of pages to build up a good fantasy story ? But actually this novella proved me wrong.

Everything was immersive, the magic system interesting and intriguing. The storyline was great and fitted the short amount of pages. The conclusion very satisfying. I found again what I loved about B.S when reading Mistborn Era 1 which unfortunately I didn’t find when reading Warbreaker. Not trying to make comparisons here, just about feelings and reading experiences. 

Anyway, it was quick, nice and very entertaining to read. 

The last Cosmere story I wanted to get into before finally starting The Way of Kings ! No more excuses here 😂

Ryan LaFerney

"True art was more than beauty; it was more than technique. It was not just imitation. It was boldness, it was contrast, it was subtlety. In this book, Gaotona found a rare work to rival that of the greatest painters, sculptors, and poets of any era. It was the greatest work of art he had ever witnessed. "

Brandon Sanderson is best known for his long form epic fantasy: the Mistborn books, the Stormlight Archives, and of course his contributions to Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time. Sanderson writes behemoth sized works and while they are superbly rendered, they certainly aren't books to be read in one sitting (in fact, confession, I've only made it through half of the Way of Kings- I'm basically a Sanderson newbie). Sanderson's long form epic fantasy requires time.

The Emperor's Soul, which won the Hugo Award for best Novella in 2013 could be considered Sanderson's exercise in brevity and a good entry point to his fantasy for readers realtively unacquainted with him (like me). But make no mistake, The Emperor's soul is only a mere 167 pages, but it still possesses the qualities that (I hear) make Sanderson's epic novels standouts in contemporary fantasy: excellent world building, super rad magic, excellent characters, wonderful prose.

The Emperor's Soul is about a women name Shai who is a heretic thief and a Forger, a foreigner who can flawlessly copy and re-create any item by rewriting its history with skillful magic (um, SUPER COOL! I wish I could do this). 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 Ashravan, who is almost dead as the result of a assassination attempt. However, time is of the essence. If the emperor does not emerge after his hundred-day mourning period, the rule of the Heritage Faction will be forfeit and the kingdom will fall into chaos. 

Shai has a hundred days to forge a new soul for the emperor and its not easy work. Confined to a tiny, dirty chamber, guarded by a man who hates her, spied upon by politicans, and trapped behind a door sealed in her own blood, she must probe deeply into Emperor Ashravan's truest nature while convincing councilor Gaotona (a loyal arbiter to the emperor) that forgery isn't just mere deception but rather an art. 

Filled with the political machinations and scheming, Shai must deduce the motivations of her captors. Do they truly want the emperor alive? Will they kill Shai before she can finish her work? 

Shai must escape her captors if she wants to see her masterpiece completed. 

The Emperor’s Soul is set in the same world as the Sanderson's earlier novel Elantris (which I haven't read), but it can be read completely independently. I am told it could serve well as an introduction to Sanderson’s works, and well, consider me indoctrinated. 

 Even though the fate of an empire hangs in the balance, the bulk of the novella focuses on the interactions between the Forger Shai and the Arbiter Gaotona during Shai’s imprisonment, giving the story an unexpectedly intimate and somewhat claustrophobic atmosphere: the stakes are high, politicians are certainly scheming but the camera is focused almost exclusively on the all-important work Shai is doing in captivity, against her will. I appreciated this intimate scale as I think it gives the reader a good insight into the creative struggle of Shai's plight. 

Once again: The magic system is really fascinating. Sanderson makes sure the reader understands every aspect of the magic system and every way it could or could not be used. The philosophical ramifications of the magic system of Forging is of great interest too. What’s the value of a work of art if almost anything can be copied through Forging? Would art only be valued by its sentimental attachments? What does it mean for a person’s identity when personalities, skills, or entire souls can be changed? Is the Forged person still the same person s/he was before the Forgery was made?

However, the only reason I am not granting this work 5 stars is because it feels a little underdeveloped. We don't really know much about the empire, its politics and its past. We don't get anything about Shai’s past (a few things are hinted at) and why she was replacing the scepter with a forgery in the first place. But these are small gripes to have with a fairly satisfying stand-alone story. 

Highly recommended.

andrea

a short novella with an acceptable quality considering its length. the main idea is interesting, but the characters and the magic system seemed too convenient for the plot. it's fine, but not truly memorable as it was too short to connect with the story.

Alejandro

What a great story! It’s small in scope but it’s pulled off so well! Totally recommend.

4.5 ⭐️ when i tell you this is one of the most interesting stories/plot i’ve ever read i wish this was 600 pages long

. Although not as versed as most in Sanderson's works, I've already come to expect breathtaking magic systems, and I was by no means disappointed. Forgery is a fascinating and well-developed concept in its own right, but the questions Sanderson posed with regard to what constitutes 'true' art — and by extension, a true artist — through it are what proved immediately intriguing to my inner artist. 

Nathaniel Washington

I was thoroughly impressed by The Emperor's Soul. Although not as versed as most in Sanderson's works, I've already come to expect breathtaking magic systems, and I was by no means disappointed. Forgery is a fascinating and well-developed concept in its own right, but the questions Sanderson posed with regard to what constitutes 'true' art — and by extension, a true artist — through it are what proved immediately intriguing to my inner artist. 

James Paden

Fun, short read. Sanderson is quickly becoming my favorite author.

Celeste Richardson

Original review can be found on Booknest.

I am an unapologetic Sandersonite. I’m completely in love with the Cosmere Brandon Sanderson has created, and so far I’ve adored every story he’s crafted that is part of that greater whole.

 One of the things I love so much about his writing is the size of the books, and the knowledge that he’s a prolific writer, so I never have to wait too terribly long for more of the story. And yet, somehow, this tiny novella is now one of my favorite things he’s written, right after The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance. It was beautiful and profound and made me think deeply. I just wish there had been more of it. This is going to be less of a review than a “deep thoughts inspired by a story” session, so bear with me. 

Shai is a Forger, a woman who can “flawlessly copy and re-create any item by rewriting its history with skillful magic,” according to the synopsis. And she is the very best at what she does. The story follows Shai as she attempts an impossible task. It made me question everything I believe about what makes art worthy of praise and what defines a person or object.

Is a skillful forgery any less lovely and awe-inspiring simply because it isn’t an “original”? It requires just as much talent and even more attention to detail, along with research and study that the original artist never had to consider. King Solomon claimed that “there is nothing new under the sun,” so what constitutes originality? Art has always been incredibly important in my life. Should I not sing or write or play guitar unless I have something entirely new to say? The most we can hope for as artists is to say something that’s already been said countless times but in some new way. Because nothing is ever said quite the same way twice. There can be no perfect forgeries, not really. When you pour yourself into something, when you give your art everything you are, your blood and sweat and tears and heart and soul, there will be some originality there, in spite of what critics may say. There has to be, because you are an original. There has never been and never will be a copy of you, and thus everything you create bears the unique imprint of your fingertips, your soul, your self. 

These were the tears of a man who saw before him a masterpiece. True art was more than beauty; it was more than technique. It was not just imitation. It was boldness, it was contrast, it was subtlety. In this book, [he] found a rare work to rival that of the greatest painters, sculptors, and poets of any era. It was the greatest work of art he had ever witnessed.

Without getting into the story itself (because it’s a tiny thing and everyone should read it. If you’ve never tried Brandon Sanderson before, here is a fantastic place to dip your toes in the waters of his writing.), Shai’s power comes from her understanding of the three different Realms: the Physical, the Cognitive, and the Spiritual. Everything exists in all three realms. In order to influence an object in the Physical Realm, you must understand how it views itself in the Cognitive Realm. Following this line of thinking, all things have some sort of self-awareness, whether animate or inanimate. This fascinated me. I’m a Christian, and as such I believe that God created us in three parts as He Himself is Triune. We are body, soul, and spirit, our own self-contained imitation of the Holy Trinity. Thus, in order to truly understand ourselves, we must understand all of our components. If I’m physically as in shape as an Olympic athlete but am depressed and suicidal, am I completely healthy? No! I have to have my mind and my body and my heart all working as one to be happy and healthy and at peace. Sanderson has taken that idea and applied it to everything in Shai’s world. Others in that world find this belief system pagan and disturbing, but their opinions don’t shake Shai’s views. She’s quite possibly my favorite character Sanderson has created so far. At the very least, she’s in my top five. She’s an artist who sticks to her beliefs and cannot be swayed, which I respect immensely.

There were so many other deep questions that vied for my attention as I read. What makes us who were are? Are we just the sum of our experiences, or are we more? Is a person’s personality and soul quantifiable? How well do you know those around you? Do you pay attention only to what benefits you, or do you observe people for their own sake? Do you admire art for what it is, or simply because it’s popular at this moment? Sanderson crafted a beautiful addition to his Cosmere with Shai’s story. And, though this is set in the same world as Elantris and not The Way of Kings, it helped me understand Soulcasting much better, even if it’s not quite the same magic system. There’s a lot to love in this novella, whether you’re already a hardcore Sanderson fan or if you’ve never read a word he’s written. Give this a try, and let Shai’s story leave her stamp your soul.

Read in Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection as a huge buddy read with Sarah, Petrik, Haïfa, Mary, and Tweebs.

Cecilie Nielsen

Anna Campbell

It was utterly refreshing to read a short story by Sanderson! I have a tradition of starting out my year with a big fantasy book, but I’m so happy to have stumbled across this tiny one. 
Shain and Gaotan were such interesting characters, and the magic of Forgery was so beautiful explored through their eyes. There was greed, corruption, class systems, blood magic, action, human connection and absolutely no romance. I loved it!

Grace O'Callaghan

A great story set in the same world as Elantris about Shai who is captured and forced to forge a new soul for the emperor.

I don’t want to reveal too much about the story as it’s pretty short, but it was amazing. 

It has a logical and interesting magic system, smart characters and a satisfying plot.

You can’t really ask for much more than that, would highly recommend. You also don’t need to have read anything else from the cosmere to understand this story.

Manohar

4.5/5

This is my foray into the high fantasy genre.
I heard a lot about Brandon Sanderson and decided to start his works by reading this one.

This was a short and captivating novella.
I'm really impressed with the writing, characters, and world-building.

I can't wait to start his Mistborn series and The Stormlight Archive.