41 books
—
548 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “The Emperor's Soul” as Want to Read:
The Emperor's Soul (Elantris)
by
Also available in Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection.
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, s ...more
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, s ...more
Paperback, 175 pages
Published
October 11th 2012
by Tachyon Publications
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
Community Reviews
(showing 1-30)
(I read this in Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection)
Incredible… 105 pages, that’s apparently the minimum amount of pages Sanderson needs to create a fantastic story with strong beginning, character development, great climax and satisfying conclusion. The Emperor's Soul is one of the best NOVELLA of all time for me, it has the quality of a fully fledged novel, it even surpassed a lot of fantasy novels these days.
I won’t go into any details on what the plot is, it’s only 100 pages, try to ju ...more
Incredible… 105 pages, that’s apparently the minimum amount of pages Sanderson needs to create a fantastic story with strong beginning, character development, great climax and satisfying conclusion. The Emperor's Soul is one of the best NOVELLA of all time for me, it has the quality of a fully fledged novel, it even surpassed a lot of fantasy novels these days.
I won’t go into any details on what the plot is, it’s only 100 pages, try to ju ...more
What if you could create anything?
Or more specifically, what if you could change the history of an object and essentially recreate what it believes it is?
All you need is a little Titanium White...
Ok. Maybe not.
Shai is a Forger who got pinched by the Imperial po-po while trying to steal some of their shit, and now, in exchange for her freedom, she's been tasked with recreating the Emperor's Soul!
Which, in case you were wondering is why the book is titled, The Emperor's Soul.
Now, she's got to do ...more
Or more specifically, what if you could change the history of an object and essentially recreate what it believes it is?
All you need is a little Titanium White...
Ok. Maybe not.
Shai is a Forger who got pinched by the Imperial po-po while trying to steal some of their shit, and now, in exchange for her freedom, she's been tasked with recreating the Emperor's Soul!
Which, in case you were wondering is why the book is titled, The Emperor's Soul.
Now, she's got to do ...more
My only complaint about this book is that it should have been longer!
Shai is a forger, meaning that she can rewrite an object's history, thus making it into a new object. Such magic is considered taboo within the Empire, that is until they find themselves enlisting Shai's help to try and forge the soul of their fallen Emperor, Ashravan.
I don't know why I loved this so much, I think I was just completely entranced by the magic system. It depends wholly on the plausibility of any given thing to b ...more
Shai is a forger, meaning that she can rewrite an object's history, thus making it into a new object. Such magic is considered taboo within the Empire, that is until they find themselves enlisting Shai's help to try and forge the soul of their fallen Emperor, Ashravan.
I don't know why I loved this so much, I think I was just completely entranced by the magic system. It depends wholly on the plausibility of any given thing to b ...more
"The Emperor's Soul" deserves all of the stars. All of the praise.
“There was rarely an obvious branching point in a person's life. People changed slowly, over time. You didn't take on step, then find yourself in a completely new location. Then you stopped paying attention as you drifted farther and farther away. ”
You know what this book's only flaw is? It's way too short.
Oh, don't worry, the story is all perfectly wrapped up and beautiful. There just needs to be more of this because "The Emper ...more
“There was rarely an obvious branching point in a person's life. People changed slowly, over time. You didn't take on step, then find yourself in a completely new location. Then you stopped paying attention as you drifted farther and farther away. ”
You know what this book's only flaw is? It's way too short.
Oh, don't worry, the story is all perfectly wrapped up and beautiful. There just needs to be more of this because "The Emper ...more
Audible Daily Deal Sale until 28Jan18 $1.99
Buddy read with fellow Sandersonitis afflicted friends Athena & Alexa, and newly wrangled in buddy reader Katie
4.5 Soulful Stars
Just a reminder that Brandon Sanderson is probably my favorite fantasy writer I’ve read 9 full length books by him and 2 novellas, he consistently never disappoints so I might be a little biased, but deservedly so. His worlds, his imagination, his magic systems, his surprise twists always amaze me. The Emperors Soul was no ...more
Buddy read with fellow Sandersonitis afflicted friends Athena & Alexa, and newly wrangled in buddy reader Katie
4.5 Soulful Stars
Just a reminder that Brandon Sanderson is probably my favorite fantasy writer I’ve read 9 full length books by him and 2 novellas, he consistently never disappoints so I might be a little biased, but deservedly so. His worlds, his imagination, his magic systems, his surprise twists always amaze me. The Emperors Soul was no ...more
I read this novella in the Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection along with my fellow brigdemen (and bridgewomen?) : Celeste, Petrik, Sarah and Mary
This is a re-read of the Emperor's Soul and while it was just good the first time I read it, this time I found it to be an exceptional masterpiece!! I'm truly speechless and I never experienced this feeling bef ...more
No matter how good you were, someone was better. Live by that knowledge, and you would never grow so confident that you became sloppy.
This is a re-read of the Emperor's Soul and while it was just good the first time I read it, this time I found it to be an exceptional masterpiece!! I'm truly speechless and I never experienced this feeling bef ...more
The Emperor's Soul
By Brandon Sanderson
A Review by Eric Allen
Due to his work on The Wheel of Time, Brandon Sanderson has not had much time over the last few years for working on his own books. As such, he has elected to write several novellas as sequels to his already published works to tide his fans over until he is freed up from his obligations to the Wheel of Time, and can put his focus entirely back into his own works. The Emperor's Soul is one of these books. Though not actually a sequel, it ...more
By Brandon Sanderson
A Review by Eric Allen
Due to his work on The Wheel of Time, Brandon Sanderson has not had much time over the last few years for working on his own books. As such, he has elected to write several novellas as sequels to his already published works to tide his fans over until he is freed up from his obligations to the Wheel of Time, and can put his focus entirely back into his own works. The Emperor's Soul is one of these books. Though not actually a sequel, it ...more
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 writte ...more
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 writte ...more
5/5
I know this quote is so over-used however it is my favorite quote from this book and quite possibly one of my favorite book quotes ever.
One of my favorite short stories by Brandon Sanderson. It's literally only 105 pages long so it is very short. I can remember reading it for the first time and loving every second of it, on the reread I noticed a few things I ...more
“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.”
I know this quote is so over-used however it is my favorite quote from this book and quite possibly one of my favorite book quotes ever.
One of my favorite short stories by Brandon Sanderson. It's literally only 105 pages long so it is very short. I can remember reading it for the first time and loving every second of it, on the reread I noticed a few things I ...more
Each person was a puzzle.
My first official read of 2018, read this first cause I know I'll love it and I wanted to start the year with something I'll love.
This book is perfect, am still marveled by the fact that its even a novella, the way the plot unravels, and that ending, I did not see that coming, then again its Brandon Sanderson, I shouldn't be surprise, he is a genius.
World building and Writing
Once again Brandon Sanderson wowed me, the world is so well depicted even though its a novella ...more
My first official read of 2018, read this first cause I know I'll love it and I wanted to start the year with something I'll love.
This book is perfect, am still marveled by the fact that its even a novella, the way the plot unravels, and that ending, I did not see that coming, then again its Brandon Sanderson, I shouldn't be surprise, he is a genius.
World building and Writing
Once again Brandon Sanderson wowed me, the world is so well depicted even though its a novella ...more
Rating this book would be difficult, especially because it's a short novel so I'll go through some points:
Characterization – the book is focused on two main characters, and that's probably what made it possible to portray them so well. The characterization in this book is superb, sanderson even managed to develop these two characters throughout the book in a very believable way, and considering the length of the book he did an excellent job.
Just don't look for humor, as there's no funny characte ...more
Characterization – the book is focused on two main characters, and that's probably what made it possible to portray them so well. The characterization in this book is superb, sanderson even managed to develop these two characters throughout the book in a very believable way, and considering the length of the book he did an excellent job.
Just don't look for humor, as there's no funny characte ...more
Exquisitely lovely!!! I did not expect anything else!!!
*** 5 ***
This story is "The Emperor's Soul " from the World of Elantris and is about a master craftsmen forger, Shai, who can meticulously copy and re-create any item by rewriting its history with skillful magic, knowledge and will. The concept is that an object can be "persuaded" do believe ti is different to the point that it changes itself and could even become something completely different. However, that something has to be believable t ...more
*** 5 ***
This story is "The Emperor's Soul " from the World of Elantris and is about a master craftsmen forger, Shai, who can meticulously copy and re-create any item by rewriting its history with skillful magic, knowledge and will. The concept is that an object can be "persuaded" do believe ti is different to the point that it changes itself and could even become something completely different. However, that something has to be believable t ...more
Absolutely FLAWLESS novella. Take note other authors.
Picture above by Dominik Broniek
Just realized I never wrote a review on this one, but I am not going to either as my friend Alexa's thoughts on this one mirror my own perfectly. Check it out here
Addition as posted on Brandon's website.
The Emperor’s Soul Deleted Prologue: Imperial Fool
Note: It’s best if you have read The Emperor’s Soul before you read this deleted prologue.
Shai pressed her fingernail into one of the stone blocks of her prison ...more
Picture above by Dominik Broniek
Just realized I never wrote a review on this one, but I am not going to either as my friend Alexa's thoughts on this one mirror my own perfectly. Check it out here
Addition as posted on Brandon's website.
The Emperor’s Soul Deleted Prologue: Imperial Fool
Note: It’s best if you have read The Emperor’s Soul before you read this deleted prologue.
Shai pressed her fingernail into one of the stone blocks of her prison ...more
Dec 12, 2016
Kainat 《HUFFLEPUFF & PROUD》
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
brandon-sanderson
“There are times when one must accept the aid of darkness
in order to contain a greater darkness.”
Brandon Sanderson has done it again!!
in order to contain a greater darkness.”
Brandon Sanderson has done it again!!
Wow--this was a marvelous short novel. I absolutely loved it. Wan ShaiLu, a magical forger, is captured and put under sentence of death for her crimes. But Shai is given an opportunity to escape her sentence: she is charged with magically forging a new soul for the kingdom's assassinated emperor, whose body had been repaired but whose mind was destroyed by the attack. Shai is given only a hundred days to accomplish this near-impossible task. And there are those waiting to kill her if she makes a
...more
What a brilliant imagination Brandon Sanderson has!!! This book was AMAZING!
Wan ShaiLu, was more than a simple con artist. So much more. She could change the nature of reality itself.
Imagine a world where there are Forgers who can change/rewrite the nature of objects and even of a person by using a Soulstamp.
Wan ShaiLu is such a forger, one of the best there is. And when she’s caught replacing a famous painting with her almost flawless forgery, instead of being executed she’s offered a dea
...more
“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.”
Well, shit.
*screams*
*flips a desk*
*karate chops the air*
*flips another desk because why not*
I just
The Emperor's Soul, has been on my radar for quite awhile AND I thought it'd be a great idea to pick it up during the most crucial time of my life : Exam week. I'm 1000000% sure I'm going to complain about why I did this to myself BUT you know what ??? I have no r ...more
Well, shit.
*screams*
*flips a desk*
*karate chops the air*
*flips another desk because why not*
I just
The Emperor's Soul, has been on my radar for quite awhile AND I thought it'd be a great idea to pick it up during the most crucial time of my life : Exam week. I'm 1000000% sure I'm going to complain about why I did this to myself BUT you know what ??? I have no r ...more
Wow. Just wow.
Where does this man get all his fancy ideas from,
and how can he fit them, like in this case, on not even 200 pages?
Where does this man get all his fancy ideas from,
and how can he fit them, like in this case, on not even 200 pages?
Upgraded to 5-stars upon re-read. Initial read probably suffered from my post-Words of Radiance hangover.
Little wonder why this novella won the Hugo Award, so beautifully written and delivered, this story speaks to your soul - pun entirely intended.
Sanderson created yet again another imaginative magic system, Forgery, which is in short, imitation of the highest degree that requires a rewriting of history of the target. And what could be more complicated and masterful than that of the forgery o ...more
Little wonder why this novella won the Hugo Award, so beautifully written and delivered, this story speaks to your soul - pun entirely intended.
Sanderson created yet again another imaginative magic system, Forgery, which is in short, imitation of the highest degree that requires a rewriting of history of the target. And what could be more complicated and masterful than that of the forgery o ...more
Jun 28, 2013
Armina
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Armina by:
Gavin
4.5 STARS
“I wish that I could know you. Not your soul, but you. I’ve read about you; I’ve seen into your heart. I’ve rebuilt your soul, as best I could. But that isn’t the same. It isn’t knowing someone, is it? That’s knowing about someone.”
Yet Shai completed her task perfectly! This story is mostly about two persons. Shai - a Forger, a con artist - caught replacing an important empire relic with her nearly flawless forgery, now she must bargain for her life. And Gaotona - an elderly politicia ...more
This is Brandon Sanderson at his best even though as a novella it is much, much too short! Within only 175 pages he manages to build a new world with previously unexplored magic and introduces characters we can care about. His major skill is that he never stops to explain anything. No info dumps from this author! Nevertheless he manages to explain and inform as the story progresses so that the reader is always able to be part of the action. I loved every short minute of it. Did I mention it shou
...more
Dec 15, 2016
Scott Hitchcock
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
epic-fantasy,
sanderson
Read as part of Arcanum Unbounded.
What amazes me in Sanderson's shorter works is how quickly and simply he creates a world. There's nothing superfluous or verbose about it yet it is engrossing and thought provoking. Definitely worth the read.
The postscript in Arcanum Unbounded about how the idea came about was very interesting after having the story just unfold.
What amazes me in Sanderson's shorter works is how quickly and simply he creates a world. There's nothing superfluous or verbose about it yet it is engrossing and thought provoking. Definitely worth the read.
The postscript in Arcanum Unbounded about how the idea came about was very interesting after having the story just unfold.
Oct 11, 2016
Jarek "the Mistborn" Dąbrowski
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
brandon-sanderson-read,
read-in-2016
This was an awesome read. Set in the world of Elantris but not really connected to the main story arc. The magic system was genius. How does he come up with this stuff...:D It was a quick engaging read. A fine adition to Sandersons work. 5 stars
You know I'm going to Love this because it's from Sanderson right? Right!!!
Nothing but ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
~Going to read Legion Now~
Nothing but ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
~Going to read Legion Now~
Sanderson did it again.
Impressed, I was. What a magic system. How does he do it?
Impressed, I was. What a magic system. How does he do it?
Buddy read with my two partners in crime: Robin and Athena; and introducing Katie our new addition to the Sanderson marathon!
_______________________________________
Before I start this review let me tell you something: this is my favorite Sanderson book. And considering how good his other books are, that's a freaking huge statement right there.
It's almost impossible for me to explain all the things I love about this book without ranting, so I'll do a short version first:
This is shorter than you ...more
_______________________________________
Before I start this review let me tell you something: this is my favorite Sanderson book. And considering how good his other books are, that's a freaking huge statement right there.
It's almost impossible for me to explain all the things I love about this book without ranting, so I'll do a short version first:
This is shorter than you ...more
This was the best piece of short-fiction I've ever read.
What a beautiful and incredible short story. If anyone could put this much thought, emotion, and soul into a 120ish page book, it would be Brandon Sanderson.
The magic system is so unique and interesting that I'm longing and hoping that we get more "novellas" or full length novels about Shai and this piece of Sel.
Maybe in a sequel to Elantris?
One can only dream =).
What a beautiful and incredible short story. If anyone could put this much thought, emotion, and soul into a 120ish page book, it would be Brandon Sanderson.
The magic system is so unique and interesting that I'm longing and hoping that we get more "novellas" or full length novels about Shai and this piece of Sel.
Maybe in a sequel to Elantris?
One can only dream =).
With less than 200 pages, THE EMPEROR'S SOUL was able to tell a fully developed and highly interesting story. Brandon Sanderson is clearly a freaking master of fantastic fantasy, and while I’m pretty new to his writing, I’ve been extremely impressed by his stories so far.
Shai is the main character, and as the blurb says, she’s a Forger. Forger’s in this society aren’t regarded very highly, but when the Empire needs her, Shai is given the incredible task of saving the Emperor by using her skills ...more
Shai is the main character, and as the blurb says, she’s a Forger. Forger’s in this society aren’t regarded very highly, but when the Empire needs her, Shai is given the incredible task of saving the Emperor by using her skills ...more
Apr 03, 2018
Michael Kotsarinis
added it
A short, fun to read novel that reminded me of how good a fantasy writer Sanderson is. I love the way he describes a well thought and executed plan with a couple of surprises. It is also amazing how much worldbuliding he manges to cram in just a few pages. I think it is ideal for people thaty hesitate to try a longer work of his.
The Emperor's soul is a wonderful short novel, complete in itself. Shai is a master forger who has been caught trying to steal a priceless artefact in the emperor's palace. Expecting to be put to death she is instead made an offer she can't turn down in exchange for her life. She is given 100 days to construct a new soul for the emperor who is comatose following brain injury sustained in an attack on his life. She has only 100 days to do something that has never been done before if she wishes a
...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MJC 18S212: Book review on the emperor's soul | 1 | 2 | Mar 24, 2018 10:50AM | |
| Play Book Tag: The Emperor's Soul, by Brandon Sanderson--4 stars | 1 | 9 | Jan 29, 2018 06:08AM | |
| Year of Cosmere : Day 97, Day 98, Epilogue: Day 101 | 13 | 62 | May 30, 2015 11:11AM | |
| Year of Cosmere : Day 59, Day 70, Day 76, Day 85 | 2 | 27 | May 30, 2015 09:23AM | |
| Year of Cosmere : Day 17, Day 30, Day 42, Day 58 | 2 | 25 | May 30, 2015 07:28AM |
Brandon’s major books for the second half of 2016 are The Dark Talent, the final volume in Alcatraz Smedry’s autobiographical account of his battle against the Evil Librarians who secretly rule our world, and Arcanum Unbounded, the collection of short fiction in the Cosmere universe that includes the Mistborn series and the Stormlight
Archive, among others. This collection features The Emperor’s S ...more
More about Brandon Sanderson
Archive, among others. This collection features The Emperor’s S ...more
Other books in the series
Elantris
(3 books)
Fantasy & Science Fiction Deals
-
$4.99 $1.99 -
$3.99 $1.99 -
$9.74 $1.99 -
$5.49 $1.99 -
$5.49 $1.99 -
$3.99 $0.99 -
$3.99 $1.99 -
$4.99 $1.99 -
$4.99 $1.99 -
$9.99 $2.99 -
$4.99 $1.99 -
$7.99 $0.99 -
$8.99 $1.99 -
$9.74 $1.99 -
$8.99 $1.99 -
$4.99 $0.99 -
$4.99 $1.99 -
$7.99 $1.99 -
$9.49 $1.99 -
$4.99 $1.99 -
$9.99 $2.99 -
$5.99 $1.99 -
$4.99 $1.49 -
$7.80 $2.99 -
$4.99 $1.99 -
$7.99 $1.99 -
$8.99 $1.99 -
$4.99 $1.99 -
$4.99 $1.99 -
$9.99 $2.99 -
$7.99 $1.99 -
$3.99 $1.99 -
$3.49 $0.99 -
$4.99 $1.99 -
$3.49 $0.99 -
$9.99 $2.99 -
$4.99 $1.99 -
$4.99 $1.99 -
$11.99 $2.99 -
$8.49 $1.99 -
$3.99 $0.99 -
$3.99 $0.99 -
$15.99 $1.99 -
$7.99 $1.99 -
$9.99 $2.99 -
$4.99 $1.99 -
$9.99 $2.99 -
$4.99 $1.99 -
$6.99 $1.99 -
$4.99 $1.99 -
$7.99 $1.99 -
$7.99 $1.99 -
$9.99 $2.99 -
$5.99 $1.99 -
$4.99 $1.99 -
$3.99 $1.99 -
$9.99 $2.99 -
$13.99 $4.99 -
$4.99 $1.99 -
$8.99 $1.99 -
$3.99 $0.99 -
$4.99 $1.99 -
$8.99 $1.99 -
$4.99 $1.99 -
$7.99 $1.99 -
$5.49 $1.99 -
$3.99 $0.99 -
$5.99 $1.99 -
$3.99 $1.99 -
$3.49 $0.99 -
$7.99 $1.99 -
$4.49 $1.99
1 trivia question
More quizzes & trivia...
“There was rarely an obvious branching point in a person's life. People changed slowly, over time. You didn't take on step, then find yourself in a completely new location. You first took a little step off a path to avoid some rocks. For a while, you walked alongside the path, but then you wandered out a little way to step on softer soil. Then you stopped paying attention as you drifted farther and farther away. Finally, you found yourself in the wrong city, wondering why the signs on the roadway hadn't led you better.”
—
65 likes
“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.”
—
36 likes
More quotes…
