Dreamer

by Brandon Sanderson

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Science Fiction, Horror, Fiction, Audiobook, Novella

21 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

I’m Brandon Sanderson, and I write stories of the fantastic: fantasy, science fiction, and thrillers.

The release of Wind and Truth in December 2024—the fifth and final book in the first arc of the #1 New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive series—marks a significant milestone for me. This series is my love letter to the epic fantasy genre, and it’s the type of story I always dreamed epic fantasy could be. Now is a great time to get into the Stormlight Archive since the first arc, which begins with Way of Kings, is complete.

During our crowdfunding campaign for the leatherbound edition of Words of Radiance, I announced a fifth Secret Project called Isles of the Emberdark, which came out in the summer of 2025. Coming December 2025 is Tailored Realities, my non-Cosmere short story collection featuring the new novella Moment Zero.

Defiant, the fourth and final volume of the series that started with Skyward in 2018, came out in November 2023, capping an already book-filled year that saw the releases of all four Secret Projects: Tress of the Emerald Sea, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter, and The Sunlit Man. These four books were all initially offered to backers of the #1 Kickstarter campaign of all time.

November 2022 saw the release of The Lost Metal, the seventh volume in the Mistborn saga, and the final volume of the Mistborn Era Two featuring Wax & Wayne. Now that the first arc of the Stormlight Archive is wrapped up, I’ve started writing the third era of Mistborn in 2025.

Most readers have noticed that my adult fantasy novels are in a connected universe called the Cosmere. This includes The Stormlight Archive, both Mistborn series, Elantris, Warbreaker, four of the five Secret Projects, and various novellas, including The Emperor’s Soul, which won a Hugo Award in 2013. In November 2016 all of the existing Cosmere short fiction was released in one volume called Arcanum Unbounded. If you’ve read all of my adult fantasy novels and want to see some behind-the-scenes information, that collection is a must-read.

I also have three YA series: The Rithmatist (currently at one book), The Reckoners (a trilogy beginning with Steelheart), and Skyward. For young readers I also have my humorous series Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, which had its final book, Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians, released in 2022. Many of my adult readers enjoy all of those books as well, and many of my YA readers enjoy my adult books, usually starting with Mistborn.

Additionally, I have a few other novellas that are more on the thriller/sci-fi side. These include the three stories in Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds, as well as Perfect State and Snapshot. These two novellas are also featured in 2025’s Tailored Realities. There’s a lot of material to go around!

Good starting places are Mistborn (a.k.a. The Final Empire), Skyward, Steelheart, The Emperor’s Soul, Tress of the Emerald Sea, and Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians. If you’re already a fan of big fat fantasies, you can jump right into The Way of Kings.

I was also honored to be able to complete the final three volumes of The Wheel of Time, beginning with The Gathering Storm, using Robert Jordan’s notes.

Sample chapters from all of my books are available at brandonsanderson.com—and check out the rest of my site for chapter-by-chapter annotations, deleted scenes, and more.

Reviews

[Anna [Bran. San. Stan] · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. You’d best go in into this 20-page short story mostly blind – most observations will spoil it for you. Just know this was originally published in a horror anthology, but don’t expect blood and gore (though people will die); it’s Brandon‘s definition of horror, something that deals with a “concept that is horrifying.“ I also don’t think it spoils too much to tell you it involves body snatching.

Brandon states that the short story was received well by the anthology readers unfamiliar with his work but that Peter Ahlstrom, his editor, didn’t particularly like it. I’m afraid I’ll have to side more with Peter; while it was a quick, entertaining read, it was quite average compared to Brandon‘s work. Still, if you’re a Sanderson fan, you should absolutely read this – it won’t take much of your time.

PS: If you can get your hand on it, there is this really cool edition with dual covers, which includes both “Dreamer“ and Snapshot.

[Tosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, not so frightening horror, yet unsettling in a way only Sanderson could create. Would love to see another ‘episode’ with this group.

*I bought my copy as part of a Humble Bundle deal, but you can also read this short in Games Creatures Play.

[TS Chan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Dreamer is the shortest published story by Sanderson. And it's also his most disturbing and darkest work, when you realised what it's about.

This was published as part of a horror anthology.
Quoted from Coppermind Wiki: "When Charlaine Harris approached Brandon about writing a short story for Games Creatures Play, he immediately wanted to be a part of the project after hearing the concept. He had never written a horror story before, so he thought of the scariest thing he could imagine, which was the kids who play Xbox having control over real peoples' lives. This concept became the seed for Dreamer, which Brandon considers different from any of his other writing."

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a gamer i must say the idea was disturbing. I would like to see this expended a bit cause as it is it's way to short.

But a nice idea nonetheless.

[Iloveplacebo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3'5 / 5

Una historia un tanto macabra, oscura, y nada parecida a lo que había leído anteriormente de este autor (sin haber leído mucho de él).
Me ha gustado, pero sin parecerme una obra imprescindible. La verdad es que el relato es tan corto que sientes que faltan páginas. Ojala hubiera sido una novela. Aún así se disfruta.

El terror de este relato no es el paranormal, el de criaturas horripilantes, el de sucesos sangrientos y gores... El terror es el pensar que la personalidad de estos ¿espíritus adolescentes? es tan realista. No les podría importar menos las vidas humanas que poseen, o las vidas con las que terminan, con las que juegan... Lo que da miedo es que es algo que vemos casi a diario en nuestras televisiones, en periódicos, internet, radio... A los poderosos no les importan los de abajo.

[Eon Windrunner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly weird and slightly horrifying, this took a turn for the dark that I did not expect and felt all sorts of uncomfortable.

[Jarek "the Mistborn" Dąbrowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short story from Brandon. Pretty cool but I would love to know a bit more about the characters abilities and the world. Overall Sanderson has yet to disappoint me:)

[Mariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me encantaría leer una novela con este concepto. Sanderson te amo.

[Jeraviz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Otra historia de Sanderson que me deja con ganas de que escriba siete trilogías más.
Muy interesante el cambio de registro de Sanderson. Empieza como el típico relato del autor, con un sistema de magia original y una historia entretenida, pero termina convirtiéndose en algo que no te esperas y que te deja incómodo viniendo de este autor.
Originalmente fue publicada en una antología de relatos de terror, lo que explica el tono oscuro y la resolución.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

very short meh story

[Alysa H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had no memory of this story, though I apparently read it in anthology several years ago.
This only serves to back up my opinion today that the story is just mid. Not bad but not among Sanderson’s best, by a long shot (haha, if you know you know.) Liked but did not love.

[Jordan Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 stars

A fun idea but wastes a lot of time in an already short short-story. I mimic Sanderson’s editor in wishing that this would go somewhere more interesting than it did. I would be very interested in a full length novel sequel that can develop these ideas more.

[Chad Plummer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not at all what I expected. The postscript explaining the inspiration was eye opening

[Josh Laird · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Brandon formula goes dark

[Lau · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Qué loca esta historia. Estaba enganchadisima en la acción sin saber realmente qué pasaba.
Sería muy interesante como libro, dejó tantas incógnitas sobre qué está pasando y por qué... ojalá un día lo retome y extienda.

[Scopic · Rating 3 out of 5]

7/10

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun short story. I can not say much, because just about everything would be a spoiler.

[A.M.]

Since there's no actual Goodreads blurb...
Originally written for the horror anthology "Games Creatures Play" edited by Charlaine Harris.
(Looks to be something about ... some sort of incorporeal creatures that possess people? In modern day Manhattan.)
Preview here: https://brandonsanderson.com/dreamer/

[Adam Buchanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story surprised me because it is not like a typical Sanderson story, but I liked it, and it really make me think. I would be interested in learning more about this group of individuals.

[Ces · Rating 4 out of 5]

¿Brandon escribiendo un relato para una antología de terror?
La verdad es que era lo único que sabía, intencionadamente por mi parte, sobre esta breve historia antes de ponerme a leerla.
Como he mencionado, Dreamer es un relato breve incluso dentro de los relatos e historias cortas que suele escribir el autor. Y como no era de esperar otra cosa te deja con ganas de mas.
Te deja con ganas de saber mas sobre esa tierra alternativa en la que existen fantasmas o espíritus capaces de poseer los cuerpos de los vivos. Y sobretodo porque, al menos en mi caso, ahora necesito saber si el protagonista y sus amigos recibirán algún tipo de castigo por sus acciones... Porque si bien Dreamer no es un relato de terror a la "vieja usanza" si cumple su función como tal: quedarte con una incómoda sensación de disgusto y repulsa una vez terminada su lectura.

[Matt Dillard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short story (only 20 pages) that was included in a horror anthology, apparently. I'm reading through Sanderson's shorter works (novellas, novelettes and short stories), and this is #6 of 10.

The story was a bit disorienting at first, though I should be used to that by now. Sanderson often leaves the reader to jump into a world and figure it out. There was just barely enough time by the end of the story to make it clear what was going on, and in fact, I believe that was the point. I read it a second time, and enjoyed it more that time as I had a better idea of what was happening.

I can't go into any detail about the story - it's so short, anything I say would be a spoiler. It was worth reading, though.

[Eyser · Rating 4 out of 5]

3'5 / 5

Una historia un tanto macabra, oscura, y nada parecida a lo que había leído anteriormente de este autor (sin haber leído mucho de él).
Me ha gustado, pero sin parecerme una obra imprescindible. La verdad es que el relato es tan corto que sientes que faltan páginas. Ojala hubiera sido una novela. Aún así se disfruta.

El terror de este relato no es el paranormal, el de criaturas horripilantes, el de sucesos sangrientos y gores... El terror es el pensar que la personalidad de estos ¿espíritus adolescentes? es tan realista. No les podría importar menos las vidas humanas que poseen, o las vidas con las que terminan, con las que juegan... Lo que da miedo es que es algo que vemos casi a diario en nuestras televisiones, en periódicos, internet, radio... A los poderosos no les importan los de abajo.

[Jack Keener · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a non-cosmere short story and a very short one compared to Sanderson's other short stories. The post script said this was written for an anthology and it shows, no backstory, no understanding about the characters aside from what the chapter long story gives you. It was all frenetic action and little exposition. I liked it. A longer story like Legion would be interesting. I liked the premise and given current events and how many senseless violence there is out there, this very well could be a horror story.

[Matías Racedo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The shortest of Sanderson's works. It's an interesting idea, he wrote this short story for a horror anthology, I didn't find it particularly disturbing nor frightening to be honest, but the idea of some teenagers playing some sort of Call of Duty, their souls jumping from body to body with no regard for the lives the took, was a little unsettling.
It would have been way, way cooler as a novella, with some explanations on how or why these 'ghosts' or whatever they were, could steal other people's bodies without limitations. Still, I enjoyed it.

[Ángel Pantoja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lo primero que leo de Sanderson, y abre el apetito para más. Critican que sea muy corta la historia —claro, es lo que tienen los relatos—, y que no es su género —cierto que no he leído más del autor, pero creo que jugar en otros terrenos no resta, sino que aporta—. Es, en efecto, una historia corta, pero de las que te hacen quedarte con ganas de más. Una premisa original pero sencilla, y que a mí me ha convencido para apuntarme a otra lectura de Brandon Sanderson.
Una pena, por otro lado, no encontrarlo en español. Igualmente, recomendable.

[Jared Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was disappointed a bit by the brevity and levity of this short story until I read Sanderson's note about the book. It's supposed to be a horror story. Once you realize that, the idea of body-possessing juveniles taking the lives of every-day people to satisfy an urge to compete is absolutely terrifying.

[Deathburst · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting short story. As Sanderson says it himself in the postscript, not very typical of his style, but still interesting, and the ending twist was relatively unexpected. It's super short, 20 pages, so can't say much more without spoiling, but definitely give it a try if you have half an hour to spare.

[Stanislav Lozanov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I don’t know how I missed that this short story existed but I’m happy I found it.

Despite being short Brandon once again offered a fast-paced chase with interesting superpowers. The only thing bad about it was that it was just too short and I’d like to see more of the powers used in action!

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun short story that became part of the "Altered Realities" compilation. It involves characters who can jump between bodies and possess them in order to play games with one another. I didn't feel like it had any horror elements, but just an interesting snippet of a concept that could become more perhaps.

[Schuyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this. A little creepy for a Sanderson book as the protagonist has gross negligence for human life, it is all a game to them. Only a few stars since it was a short story and hard to get into the characters, but was a fun action scene.