Book review of The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson

This book review of The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson is part of my Cosmere Reading Quest.

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Hey hey, Cosmere fans! Well, I finally finished The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson. Coming off of such a let down with Elantris, this was definitely a pleasant suprise returning to Sel. I thought this little novella was quite a treat and change of pace for me.  It’s different from Mistborn or Stormlight Archive but still has that signature Sanderson brilliance we all know and love.

This isn’t a sprawling epic—it’s a smaller, quieter story. But don’t let its size fool you; it’s got a ton of heart and ideas. Let’s dive in.

Plot Summary

Okay, as always, no spoilers, I promise! Here’s the gist: The Emperor’s Soul takes place on Sel, the same world as Elantris. But the vibe? Totally different. Instead of a city full of sickly people and ancient magic, we’re in a political court dealing with an emperor who’s, well, out of commission.

Our hero is Shai, a thief and a master Forger. Forging isn’t the sneaky kind of forgery you’re thinking of; it’s a kind of magic where you rewrite the history of objects to change them. Need a broken vase fixed? Just convince the vase it was never broken. Love it. Anyway, Shai gets caught mid-heist and is forced into a deal: she has to Forge a new soul for the emperor. Yup, you heard that right—a soul. And she’s got just 100 days to do it.

The stakes are high, the time is short, and the people around her? Not exactly friendly. It’s part heist, part character study, and all-around awesome.

My Review

Strengths

First off, the magic system is chef’s kiss. Sanderson always delivers in this department, and Forgery might be one of his coolest ideas yet. The way it blends creativity, skill, and understanding of history is just fascinating. Plus, Shai’s work isn’t just about magic—it’s about really knowing her subjects. The depth of thought that goes into every stamp she creates is amazing – I totally loved it.

Then there’s Shai herself. For me, she’s one of Sanderson’s most compelling characters that I’ve encountered so far. She’s clever, resourceful, and unapologetically herself. She grabbed my attention from the beginning and I just wanted to know more and more. It was so rewarding watching her outwit her captors and prove her worth, even in the face of constant judgment.

The pacing is another big win. Because it’s a novella, there’s zero filler. Every scene matters, and the tension never lets up. It’s a quick read, but it doesn’t feel rushed. And the philosophical questions—about identity, art, and what makes us who we are—give it a surprising amount of depth.

Weaknesses

Honestly, there’s not much to complain about, but if I had to nitpick, I’d say the length might leave some people wanting more. Sanderson is so good at worldbuilding that I found myself wishing we got to explore even more of the world and magic system. I would be there 100% for any expansion to this world. 

Also, while the focus on Shai is great, the other characters don’t get as much development. The antagonists, in particular, feel more like obstacles than fully fleshed-out people. It works for the story, but if you’re someone who loves big casts and complex relationships, you might feel a bit underwhelmed here.

Favorite Things About the Story

So with all that said, let me gush a little more. The whole idea of Forging blew my mind. The way Shai sees the potential in everything—from a piece of furniture to a person’s soul—is just so cool. It makes you think about how much of what we are is shaped by our past and how much could change if we rewrote it.

Also, Shai’s relationship with Gaotona, one of the emperor’s advisors, is so well done. He’s skeptical of her, doesn’t trust her methods, but he’s also deeply curious about her work. Their dynamic gives the story heart and tension.

Themes and Philosophy

One of the coolest things to me about this novella was how it explores big questions without feeling heavy. Like, what even is identity? Can you really recreate someone’s soul? And what does it mean to be authentic versus artificial? Sanderson doesn’t give you easy answers, but he makes you think about these things in a way that feels natural, not preachy. Maybe it’s just where I was in life when I read this, but it hit me with those types of questions – which doesn’t always happen with fantasy books for me.

There’s also a beautiful but subtle commentary on art and its value. Shai’s work is seen as criminal, but it’s also incredibly creative and precise. It raises the question: does something being “fake” automatically make it less valuable?

Who is this Book For?

If you’re a fan of the Cosmere, and you haven’t read The Emperor’s Soul – this is definitely a must-read. It’s got all the hallmarks of Sanderson’s writing—brilliant magic systems, sharp characters, and thought-provoking themes—in a bite-sized package.

But even if you’ve never read Sanderson before, this is a fantastic starting point. It’s short, standalone, and doesn’t require any prior knowledge of his other works. Plus, if you like stories that mix fantasy and philosophy, this one’s for you.

Oh, and if you’re into strong female leads, you’ll love Shai. She’s the kind of character who sticks with you long after you’ve finished the book.

Parting Thoughts

The Emperor’s Soul might be small, but it’s mighty. It’s a beautiful, thought-provoking story about art, identity, and redemption. Sanderson shows us once again why he’s a master of fantasy—he doesn’t need a thousand pages to create a masterpiece.

I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars. Why not five? Because I wanted more! More depth, more Cosmere connections, more time with these characters. But even so, this is a story I’ll be thinking about for a long time.If you’re a fan of Sanderson’s work, don’t skip this one. It’s short, sweet, and totally worth your time. Now, back to waiting impatiently for the next Cosmere book in my Cosmere quest to cycle through! 🙂

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Thanks for reading this book review of The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson! If you like this review or you would like to see something different in my reviews, please feel free to leave me some feedback!

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About the Author

Brandon Sanderson is an American fantasy author who’s made a name for himself with his complex worlds and inventive magic systems. Born in 1975 in Nebraska, he started writing while studying at Brigham Young University. His Mistborn series launched him to the top of the fantasy genre. With its gripping storylines, Mistborn cemented his reputation as one of the strongest voices in modern fantasy. One of his career highlights was finishing Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series. A task that earned him significant respect in the fantasy world. Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive series has been hugely popular. It is praised for its complex characters and massive scope. He’s won the Hugo Award and the David Gemmell Legend Award. His books have sold millions of copies worldwide. Readers love how detailed and ambitious his stories are and there’s no denying his impact on the genre.