The Emperor's Soul
A novella.
Hugo Award 2013, World Fantasy Award nominee 2013.
From the bestselling author of the Mistborn Trilogy and co-author 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. Though 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?
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Brandon Sanderson
Few modern fantasy authors have reshaped the genre quite like Brandon Sanderson. Renowned for his intricate worldbuilding, innovative magic systems, and compelling character arcs, he has captivated millions of readers worldwide. His work blends epic storytelling with meticulous attention to detail, making his novels both immersive and intellectually engaging.
Breaking onto the scene with Elantris, he quickly gained recognition, but it was Mistborn: The Final Empire that solidified his place among the genre’s greats. The trilogy introduced a unique alchemical-inspired magic system, Allomancy, and a cast of unforgettable characters navigating a world of oppression and rebellion. His ability to craft deep, well-structured narratives continued with The Stormlight Archive, a sweeping epic that has drawn comparisons to some of fantasy’s most revered sagas.
Cosmere
The cosmere is the greater universe in which The Stormlight Archive - and many of Brandon Sanderson's other adult fiction books - take place. The books take place on different Shardworlds, and each of these worlds is set in the same small galaxy within the cosmere universe.
Brandon has said that one does not need any cosmere knowledge to understand the books, and that they can be enjoyed separately, but it will be necessary eventually to have a certain understanding of Realmatic Theory.
Cosmere consists of 4 total books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Related series Elantris
Related series The Mistborn Saga
Related series Warbreaker
Related series The Stormlight Archive
Related series White Sand
Related series Secret Project
Related series Dragonsteel
