The Emperor's Soul

Overview

A fantastical counterfeit that could save the kingdom

A heretic thief is the empire’s only hope in this fascinating tale that inhabits the same world as the popular novel, Elantis. 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.

Reviews

"Elantris is the finest novel of fantasy to be written in many years. Brandon Sanderson has created a truly original world of magic and intrigue, and with the rigor of the best science fiction writers he has made it real at every level." —Orson Scott Card on Elantris

"Fantasy fans will love both the compelling story and the creative magical setting." —www.LibraryJournal.com

"The Emperor's Soul is a worthy addition to Sanderson's bibliography: a new magic system with some interesting implications, a couple of fascinating characters, a focused plot, and a subtle link to the much larger picture he's been painting for years." —www.tor.com

"This story had such a wonderful balance with the world, characters and magic building, that I truly hope the author will explore it more with Shai and the world she lives in." —www.OpenBookSociety.com

"A fascinating study of clashing beliefs, another inventive magic system, and highly entertaining action sequence. . . . This is an easy recommendation to every fantasy reader out there." —www.FantasyBookReview.co.uk

"Sanderson proves to be an exceptionally talented writer in the pages of this book. . . . The Emperor's Soul is one of those rare high fantasies that feels fresh and is filled with a sense of wonder." —Fantasy & Science Fiction (March 2013)

Author Biography

Brandon Sanderson is the bestselling fantasy author of Elantris and the Mistborn Trilogy. He was chosen by Robert Jordan’s widow to complete the epic Wheel of Time series and has authored The Gathering Storm and Towers of Midnight in that line. He lives in American Fork, Utah.