The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction To be honest, I feel really bad I can't write a decent review to justify the goodness of this book but I've been way too busy so far which leaves me with no choice but to attack my keyboard faster than usual to get this review out before I go off to finish my infinite tasks out there. This book is really good. For a book that short, I would have never seen myself saying: hey, the length was just nice! But I did just that. |
A heretic thief is the empire’s only hope in this fascinating tale that inhabits the same world as the popular novel, Elantris.
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.
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.
The message I got in here was one I would not expect. Here we look through the eyes of someone the society calls an abomination. Would you really call a forger a con artist? Because I would but Shai says no.
It's not imitating anything; it has become a better version of itself. |
We can see things from the aspects of forgers, what do they think of forging. It isn't just about how this particular person is out to fool the masses but really the art itself in a forgery. We see it as what we want: a fake, an inferior. This book tells you differently: a forgery is a piece of art. To be able to create an-almost-exact duplicate of a true masterpiece. Can we call that a masterpiece? Or is it a fake as we perceive since it was drawn up as an imitation (as in no originality mind you) by a lower being?
Once, she dared to try fool thousands - but now she has the chance to fool millions. Exposing what she has done would ruin the majesty of it, in her eyes. |
But this book taught me something, Shai taught me something: The value of an art can only be ascertained by the artist herself and the masses just have to learn how to appreciate or don't do it at all. But it doesn't matter if others demean this masterpiece. In the artist's eyes, it will never change. It is always a true art.