Review: The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson

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.

Reading Format: Paperback
Year Read: 2014
Star Rating: 5 stars

As the synopsis mentions above, this novella is set in the same world that Elantris was set. That said, there were no characters or cities or story lines carried over so it can be read as a stand alone. While short, it packed a punch and I absolutely loved it. I can see why it was a winner of the Hugo Award, despite it's length.

This tells the story of Shai, a Forger who has been captured after breaking in to the Emperor's Palace to steal two very prized possessions. Meanwhile, someone else attempts to assassinate the Emperor, fails but leaves him in a comatose state without his soul. So those left in charge while the Emperor is “out of action”, make Shai forge a set of Soulstones to create a replica of the Emperor's soul so that he can return to ruling the empire.

I loved the magic system in this and how Forgers can change the history of an object which in turn changes the object itself. It is different to the main magic system in Elantris but I think that's because this book is set in a different region to that which was focused upon in Elantris. This gave off a more oriental and exotic feel. I loved it!

I've heard that Sanderson will be writing another book set in Elantris which I will look forward to as it was a very interesting world with great characters.

The Emperor's Soul: View on Amazon || View on Goodreads

"Name That Tune" Fun

In one of the book groups that I participate in on Goodreads runs a bi-monthly Toppler, which in basic terms is a read-a-thon. They alternate between a week long one and a 24 hour one. This time around, it is a 24 hour one which started at 12 noon DST (which is 5pm my time) on Saturday 9th August and finished at 12 noon DST on Sunday 10th August.

Each Toppler has a theme and this time it is the game show "Name That Tune". So first off, I had to pick a song that I like. I chose "The End of the Line" by The Offspring. Then I had to choose a book that would make a good song title, I chose Coraline by Neil Gaiman as the title rhymed with Line in the song which I thought might make things easier on me. I then read my selected book within the 24 hour time frame allotted. Then finally, after reading my book, I wrote a song set to the tune of my chosen song. The result is as follows:

"The End Of Coraline"
When the book's by Neil Gaiman
And the Toppler’s going on
All of time should just stand still

When the story’s underway
And the Toppler game is played
I could live my life happy
if this book would never end

Please stay now, don’t leave me without a book- the end of Coraline
Please stay I can't make it on my own - the end of Coraline
Make it on my own
The end of Coraline

Now that you are read and gone
And I'm left to carry on
I could never smile till I
Find another book

Please stay now, don’t leave me without a book- the end of Coraline
Please stay I can't make it on my own - the end of Coraline
Make it on my own
The end of Coraline

Finally,
Your final resting day
Is a Sunday
I weep
And think of brighter days
What’s my next read?

You can't take back, the one you’ve read
That still lives on after the last page’s spent
In that one day, that changed our lives
And happy memories are left behind

You can't take back, the one you’ve read
That still lives on after the last page’s spent
In that one day, that changed our lives
And happy memories are left behind
Please stay now, don’t leave me without a book- the end of Coraline
Please stay I can't make it on my own - the end of Coraline
Make it on my own
The end of Coraline

I'm really chuffed with my song and the book was really good too! I will post my review for Coraline soon.

Normally when I take part in the 24 hour topplers, I manage to read one book but this time round I managed to squeeze in a cheeky second book. I read The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson. Again, I had to choose a song and write some new lyrics for it. I chose to adapt "Mirror in the Bathroom" by The Beat. I only did the first two verses of the song and while I do like it, I don't think it's as good as my Coraline song.

The Emperor's Soul
Shai is in a locked room
Wants to be free
The door is locked
Just her waiting to flee.
Where she sits and carves
Soulstone at the table
All by herself
While she is carving.

Shai is in a locked room
She just can't stop it,
Every day she plans to flee
And carving.
All her interest in the
Carving of a self
Just a thousand indentations
For the Emperor’s soul, soul, soul...

So it has been a reading and lyric writing packed weekend for me! Some of the other participants were brave enough to record themselves singing their revised song but I'm too chicken to do that! I will post a review for The Emperor's Soul soon.

Review: Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

Sisters Vivenna and Siri are princesses of Idris. Susebron is the God King one must marry. Lightsong is the reluctant minor god of bravery. Vasher is an immortal still trying to undo mistakes of centuries before. Magic from individual breath from everyday objects can perform all manner of miracles and mischief.

All revisions of this book starting from the rough draft, except the copyediting stage, were published by Brandon Sanderson under a Creative Commons license and can be read online as well as downloaded from his website.

Reading Format: Audiobook
Year Read: 2013
Star Rating: 5 stars

This is the first book by Brandon Sanderson that I have read (or in this case listened to) and I thought it was fantastic. In fact, I immediately started to read another of his books, Elantris, ater I put down Warbreaker because I liked his writing style so much.

I really liked how he introduced each of the main characters, how he portrayed them - their interests, what they stood for, what they looked like etc. and how the characters progressed and grew as people (and Gods and Returned). The viewpoint shifted between four main characters - Siri, Vivenna, Lightsong, and Vasher, and it alternated between them throughout to progress the story. I always knew who was the focus and each character was very distinct.

Warbreaker tells the story of two princesses of Idris. It was agreed that the eldest daughter, Vivenna, would be sent to marry the God King, Susebron, of the rival nation Hallendren. Instead, the younger of the two, Siri, ends up being sent. Both sisters become involved in very different ways in the events leading up to a war which seems imminent between the two nations.

I listened to the audio book and the narrator (James Yaegashi) was fantastic! He had slightly different voices for each character and I thought they each fitted really well with their personality and the voices were believable too (and not annoying).

I really liked all the characters, even the bad guys, but I particularly liked Siri (one of the Idrian Princesses sent to marry the God King), Susebron (the God King), Lightsong (one of the Returned), and Vasher.

I quickly became engrossed in the story and I loved the magic system that Sanderson created within in. Because the magic system was based on colour, it made the descriptions of objects, places and events very visual which I loved and I had a great imagining and understanding of what the characters and the fantasy world looked like.

Sanderson is a prolific writer and since reading this book, I have read many of his (and have many awaiting my attention on my book shelves/kindle). It's good that he writes a lot as it means that you don't have to wait too long for the next book in a series like some fantasy authors out there. It's looking like Sanderson is going to be writing another book based in the same world as Warbreaker although I don't know whether it is a continuation of the story or not as yet. I eagerly await it's release!

Warbreaker: View on Amazon || View on Goodreads