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kassidyreads's review
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Violence
rheagoveas's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
missmoth's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence and Blood
luverbyrd's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood
iono's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, and Violence
Minor: Medical content and Murder
jadejade's review
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This has to be the first shorter fantasy story that I was actually invested in.
I read this novella in the [book:Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection|34226341]. I have a very bad track record with short/er story collections. When I tried shorter fantasy stories in particular I'd get to the end and feel like it wasn't worth the journey: it would always feel to me like the author just wanted to show off their fantasy world. But a cool world is not enough for me as a reader. There needs to be a point, and the story itself needs to be interesting. <i>The Emperor's Soul</i> introduced its characters, world building and conflict in a way that made me want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens in the end.
As this is quite short I won't elaborate further except to note that the author identifies The Fool in the deleted prologue available on his website, which will be of interest to fans of the author's work. That said, this novella can be read alone, with no knowledge of the author's other works.
I read this novella in the [book:Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection|34226341]. I have a very bad track record with short/er story collections. When I tried shorter fantasy stories in particular I'd get to the end and feel like it wasn't worth the journey: it would always feel to me like the author just wanted to show off their fantasy world. But a cool world is not enough for me as a reader. There needs to be a point, and the story itself needs to be interesting. <i>The Emperor's Soul</i> introduced its characters, world building and conflict in a way that made me want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens in the end.
As this is quite short I won't elaborate further except to note that the author identifies The Fool in the deleted prologue available on his website, which will be of interest to fans of the author's work. That said, this novella can be read alone, with no knowledge of the author's other works.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Blood and Death
oldladysadie's review
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Absolutely beautiful meditation on what defines artistry, and what defines a person. Shai is fucking amazing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Blood and Body horror
fox_at_the_circus's review
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I love this book!
The magic system in this book is so different from everything else I've read before and so interesting. It's also well thought out with its limitations and intricacies.
The world building is also amazing. Even though it's a novella, not even 200 pages, and we only get to see so much, the history of the world and the society is so rich and I'd be so interested in reading more stories set in this world.
Shai as a main character is really cool. She just knows herself so well and know how to use her own strengths and weaknesses. That is rare for any character and just gives the story and interesting angle, in my opinion. She's also really competent and overall a really cool character. The way the book reveals just a little bit more about her in every chapter makes the book so captivating and keeps it interesting throughout.
The magic system in this book is so different from everything else I've read before and so interesting. It's also well thought out with its limitations and intricacies.
The world building is also amazing. Even though it's a novella, not even 200 pages, and we only get to see so much, the history of the world and the society is so rich and I'd be so interested in reading more stories set in this world.
Shai as a main character is really cool. She just knows herself so well and know how to use her own strengths and weaknesses. That is rare for any character and just gives the story and interesting angle, in my opinion. She's also really competent and overall a really cool character. The way the book reveals just a little bit more about her in every chapter makes the book so captivating and keeps it interesting throughout.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Colonisation and Murder
merenguita's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Absolutley amazing, so much more than I expected from a standalone.
Loved the magic system and wished there were more books with it! Or that this book was longer!
Loved the magic system and wished there were more books with it! Or that this book was longer!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
doodeedoda's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Blood, Confinement, Dementia, Medical trauma, and Murder