The Emperor's Soul

From the bestselling author of the Mistborn Trilogy and co-author of the final three books of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series comes a riveting tale of magic, identity, and redemption. In The Emperor's Soul, Brandon Sanderson spins the captivating story of a heretic thief who just might be the empire's only hope for survival.

Shai is a Forger, an individual possessing the extraordinary skill to rewrite the history of any object, flawlessly re-creating it through her unique magic. Although she hails from a foreign land and is viewed with suspicion and disdain, she can craft illusions so convincing that they are better than the originals. Currently condemned to death for her audacious attempt to steal the emperor's sceptre, Shai finds herself with one final chance at redemption.

The emperor has narrowly survived an assassination attempt but is left in a comatose state, with his essence shattered. To save him, he needs a new soul. Despite their abhorrence of her abilities, Shai’s captors, the leaders of the empire, turn to her desperate for a solution. Reluctantly, they task her with an impossible mission: to Forge a new soul for the emperor. While she deciphers her captors' plans and plots her escape, she must also focus on creating a masterpiece of magical deception.

Shai knows that to survive and secure her freedom, she must devise a perfect escape plan. However, she also recognises that the fate of the empire hinges on her success in this seemingly unattainable challenge. Can she Forge a replacement soul so authentic that it surpasses the original? Or will she be outwitted by her enemies, doomed to face the consequences of her heresy?

The Emperor's Soul is a thought-provoking exploration of artistry, identity, and the power of redemption, showcasing Sanderson's hallmark of intricate world-building and compelling character development. This novella is perfect for lovers of fantasy and those intrigued by the delicate balance between creation and deception.