Strange Horizons called it 'thoughtful yet exciting' and 'difficult to put down,' and judged that it deserved its award because of the questions it raises about the nature of art. The Emperor's Soul won the 2013 Hugo Award for Best Novella. In the postscript, Sanderson explains that he was inspired to write this story after visiting the National Palace Museum in Taiwan and also by memories from the two years he spent in Korea as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Īn audiobook version of the book was released on Novemby, read by narrator Angela Lin. This is the same world in which Elantris was set, though few connections are made to that book within The Emperor's Soul. The Emperor's Soul is set in the Rose Empire, a nation on the shardworld of Sel. The Emperor, with the forged soul, resumes his rule. Though many opportunities present themselves, Shai puts off escaping until the work is done, whereupon Gaotona helps her win her freedom against his colleagues' treachery. During this task, Shai realizes the Emperor had once been idealistic, but a life of leisure resulted in his recent indulgence, and resolves to create and tweak the soul as her masterpiece, setting him on a better path. As the two research the Emperor's past together, Gaotona learns more about forgery, a generally detested practice, and the two develop a grudging respect for each other. She is given 100 days to forge the soul, given only official histories, the Emperor's diary, and Gaotona, the only non-corrupt advisor, a task even she deems impossible. The Emperor's corrupt advisors offer to free her if she agrees to forge a new soul for the Emperor, who has been left brain dead by an assassination attempt. Shai is a thief and practitioner of magical forgery who has been arrested and sentenced to death. The novella is included in the 2016 Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection. It won the 2013 Hugo Award for best novella. It was first published in November 2012 by Tachyon Publications. The Emperor's Soul is a fantasy novella written by American author Brandon Sanderson. Cover showing artwork by Alexander Nanitchkov.

Elantris by brandon sanderson