Book Review of The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson

07 Feb, 2025

DeeDee,

For decent book club Discord server's January BOTM (book of the month). Since I listened an audiobook version, I tried my best to answer some of the questions.

Title: The Emperor's Soul
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy

Plot: 3.5/5
Characters: 4/5
Pacing: 3/5
Writing: 5/5
Enjoyment: Medium
Overall: 3.5/5

What did you like about the book?

• I'd say fanatsy scenes.

What did you dislike about the book?

• I got confused with a few parts.

What did you like and/or dislike about the characters?

• Most of the characters were good.

Was the main character reliable or unreliable?

• Reliable.

Did any parts of the book surprise you?

• Yes.

What emotions did this book make you feel?

• I felt normal.

Did your opinion of the book change or stay the same as you read it?

• Sometimes.

Did you find the book to be a page-turner or a slow burn?

• Slow burn, as I was reading another book.

To whom would you recommend this book?

• It is an okay book to me, but if you like fantasy and want to read The Emperor's Soul, you can check it out.

Would you read any other books in a series including this book?

• I am not sure, I'll see.

Verdict: The Emperor's Soul is an okay book.

Synopsis:

2013 Hugo Winner

From the best-selling author of the Mistborn Trilogy and the co-author of the final three books of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series comes the tale of a heretic thief who is the only hope for the survival of an empire.

Shai is a Forger, a foreigner who can flawlessly copy and re-create any item by rewriting its history with skillful magic. Although condemned to death after trying to steal the emperor's scepter, she is given one opportunity to save herself. Despite the fact that 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 from the attack of assassins.

Delving 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 her forgery is as much artistry as it is deception.

Skillfully deducing the machinations of her captors, Shai needs a perfect plan to escape. The fate of the kingdom lies in one impossible task. Is it possible to create a forgery of a soul so convincing that it is better than the soul itself?

Description from StroyGraph.