Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell; Perfect State

by Brandon Sanderson

"Shadows for Silence in the Forest of Hell" is a novella set in the Cosmere. Who names their daughter Silence, and what does it imply? What is it like to grow up with this name? The answers built into the concept of a stout pioneer woman who ran an inn on the frontier, drawing the seediest criminals the land had to offer. She’d then track them after they left her inn and murder them for their bounties.

"Perfect State" sets God-Emperor Kairominas on a date. What happens when the most important man in the world is forced to have dinner with the most important woman in the world?

This is a flip book with two covers.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Science Fiction, Fiction, Short Stories, Novella, Collections

176 pages, Hardcover

First published March 3, 2015

About the author

I’m Brandon Sanderson, and I write stories of the fantastic: fantasy, science fiction, and thrillers.

The release of Wind and Truth in December 2024—the fifth and final book in the first arc of the #1 New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive series—marks a significant milestone for me. This series is my love letter to the epic fantasy genre, and it’s the type of story I always dreamed epic fantasy could be. Now is a great time to get into the Stormlight Archive since the first arc, which begins with Way of Kings, is complete.

During our crowdfunding campaign for the leatherbound edition of Words of Radiance, I announced a fifth Secret Project called Isles of the Emberdark, which came out in the summer of 2025. Coming December 2025 is Tailored Realities, my non-Cosmere short story collection featuring the new novella Moment Zero.

Defiant, the fourth and final volume of the series that started with Skyward in 2018, came out in November 2023, capping an already book-filled year that saw the releases of all four Secret Projects: Tress of the Emerald Sea, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter, and The Sunlit Man. These four books were all initially offered to backers of the #1 Kickstarter campaign of all time.

November 2022 saw the release of The Lost Metal, the seventh volume in the Mistborn saga, and the final volume of the Mistborn Era Two featuring Wax & Wayne. Now that the first arc of the Stormlight Archive is wrapped up, I’ve started writing the third era of Mistborn in 2025.

Most readers have noticed that my adult fantasy novels are in a connected universe called the Cosmere. This includes The Stormlight Archive, both Mistborn series, Elantris, Warbreaker, four of the five Secret Projects, and various novellas, including The Emperor’s Soul, which won a Hugo Award in 2013. In November 2016 all of the existing Cosmere short fiction was released in one volume called Arcanum Unbounded. If you’ve read all of my adult fantasy novels and want to see some behind-the-scenes information, that collection is a must-read.

I also have three YA series: The Rithmatist (currently at one book), The Reckoners (a trilogy beginning with Steelheart), and Skyward. For young readers I also have my humorous series Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, which had its final book, Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians, released in 2022. Many of my adult readers enjoy all of those books as well, and many of my YA readers enjoy my adult books, usually starting with Mistborn.

Additionally, I have a few other novellas that are more on the thriller/sci-fi side. These include the three stories in Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds, as well as Perfect State and Snapshot. These two novellas are also featured in 2025’s Tailored Realities. There’s a lot of material to go around!

Good starting places are Mistborn (a.k.a. The Final Empire), Skyward, Steelheart, The Emperor’s Soul, Tress of the Emerald Sea, and Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians. If you’re already a fan of big fat fantasies, you can jump right into The Way of Kings.

I was also honored to be able to complete the final three volumes of The Wheel of Time, beginning with The Gathering Storm, using Robert Jordan’s notes.

Sample chapters from all of my books are available at brandonsanderson.com—and check out the rest of my site for chapter-by-chapter annotations, deleted scenes, and more.

Reviews

[Mariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish they were longer

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both short stories were fantastic and conveyed themes far bigger and more important than the actual story. I'd love to see more of Kai and Silence in the future, and since Silence is part of the Cosmere universe, she might make a surprise appearance at some point :)

I expected nothing less from Sanderson.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andra gången jag läser denna! Den var också en del av ”Dangerous women”. Helt okej spännande!

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ambitious couple of novellas.

Of the two, I think Shadows for Silence probably worked best. A curious beginning, a haunting middle section, and a satisfying conclusion. Three very strong, dangerous women in Silence, William Ann, and Sebruki, each dealing with a cold land in their own way, but not shutting each other out.

Perfect State would have benefited from a longer format, I think, to really hit as hard. Still, there was a neat red herring, as well as a very post-modern balance between fantasy and science fiction.

10/10 would appreciate Sanderson revisiting these worlds. They are delicious appetizers.

[Siona Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell: 5 stars

Perfect State: 4 stars

[Mike Ciszewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely appreciated this a lot more during my second time reading through, after getting some extra info from Arcanum Unbounded.

[Tarot · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review of Shadows from 26 Nov 2016:

5/5 stars ~

1/1 for plot
1/1 for characters and character development
1/1 for writing style
1/1 for pace
1/1 for world-building/magic system

Read as part of Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection, would definitely like to read more about Silence and this corner of the Cosmere!


My review of Perfect State from 21 May 2015:

4.5/5 stars ~

1/1 ★ for plot
1/1 ★ for characters and character development
1/1 ★ for writing style
1/1 ★ for pace
0.5/1 ★ for world-building/magic system

So many cool ideas in such a small piece! I'd like to read a full-length novel about this. The only reason it doesn't get a perfect score is because some parts seemed too similar to The Matrix.

My review of The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive, #1)

My review of Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive, #2)

My review of The Rithmatist (Rithmatist, #1)

My review of Steelheart (Reckoners, #1)

My review of Mitosis (Reckoners, #1.5)

My review of Firefight (Reckoners, #2)

My review of Calamity (Reckoners, #3)

My review of Perfect State

My review of Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell

My review of The Final Empire (Mistborn, #1)

[readwithjesss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this. It’s about this innkeeper named Silence who works as a bounty hunter by night under her alias name, The White Fox. She and her daughter track criminals into the forest where Shades lurk and prey on travelers. Below is a definition of what Shades are per the Arcanum Unbounded.

Shades: A spirit infused with extra Investiture upon death will often imprint upon that power, turning them into Cognitive Shadows. Instances of mindless Investiture. Typically Shades dwell in the cognitive realm, but for some reason on Threnody they remain in the physical realm. Their eyes turn from green to yellow to red, indicating the level of danger, and they can be warded off by silver.

So far I’ve found all the novellas to be important to the cosmere, even if it’s just a small bit of info we get. I would recommend reading these at some point in your cosmere journey - anytime should be fine!

[Cmoore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows for Silence in the Forest of Hell

It's Brandon Sanderson need I say more. I seriously don't know how I missed reading this story in my search for his work... But Shadows for Silence in the Forest of Hell is amazing. And Kate Reading the narrator is perfect as she gives Silence her voice.
Grab this book for yourself and you'll see why it's my favorite short story of 2023.

Here's a quote that amused me:

"I'm an idiot ma'am, not a fool."

A Perfect State

I gotta say that a Perfect State is odd, maybe not the oddest short story that Brandon Sanderson has ever written but it'd be a close call to say the least.
No question I loved Shadows for Silence... and Kate Reading the best. And for this story alone I recommend that you grab the book!

[Ryan Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story double feature.
Content Warnings:
Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell: Thematic horror and violence, Murder

Perfect State:
Thematic violence, nudity, sexual references

Both short stories were winners. Both settings were original and imaginative, maintaining a sense of depth and unsolved mysteries worth exploring further. Whereas Shadows plays to a dark and haunting atmosphere, Perfect State plays into a lighter feel with layers of plot twists to keep you guessing right up (and perhaps beyond) the end. Both stories were smart and worth my time.

[Andrés · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creo que es lo más cercano que he leído de Sanderson a una historia "oscura", todo el tema de los fantasmas, la naturaleza y bueno no puedo entrar mucho en esas cosas puesto que es un mundo hecho por Sanderson, me pasaría horas tratando de explicar un poco lo que me mostró en esta pequeña historia, solo puedo decir que me he quedado bastante sorprendido por ver algo fuera de lo común, hablando de Brandon, y bastante intrigado de lo que nos puede ofrecer más adelante con este mismo mundo.

[Julia Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an entertaining short story. Even though the author discusses that he felt it was a weak opening- I found the opening and closing to be a great way to lead into and end this story. I’d love to see more like this

[Robert Beach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes revenge feel like justice. The little surprise at the end was unexpected but it shows the complex relationship with her grandmother. I want to learn more about this world and how it fits into the cosmere universe.

[Byron Snapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell ****
Perfect State ***

[Kent Dickerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as enjoyable as other works by Sanderson as the first was a bit too dark for me.

[Cameron Reid Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brandon is amazing, this will be interesting to see where silver plays on the cosmere

[Lisette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting World. I would like to read more about this.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still one of my favorite short stories.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

They're too short!

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always I wish there was more. Too short!

[Clayton Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, but still entertaining.

[Gr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two excellent Novellas. Wish there was more.

[Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect State: 3 ⭐️

Shadows for silence in the forests of hell: 5 ⭐️

[Cammie Niles]

I am begging this man to give me some fantasy horror.

[Joshua Wieber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this several times and each time I read it I enjoy it.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since I discovered Brandon Sanderson he has quickly rose to become one of my favorite authors. Everything I've read by him I've loved so far and this book comprised of two novellas is no exception, except perhaps the price. Twenty bucks for a small hardcover of 170 pages seemed a little steep, but since I bought it off his website he autographed and personalized it for me so that made me feel more at ease with my choice of buying it. I'll review each novella separately below.

Perfect State:

While I said I loved this book, I have to admit, this story was the weakest of Sanderson's writing to me. I've read the first Mistborn Trilogy and some of his other novellas (Firstborn and Defending Elysium) and I'm bidding my time before launching into the thick tome which is The Way of Kings, but this was easily his weakest work I've read, though that shouldn't be taken as to mean it wasn't good.

Sanderson's so good I can't see him putting out a bad story. This one just took longer than usual to set up, understandably considering the premise. In Perfect State, rulers live in their own Matrix type worlds, designed for them to rule over by some supreme beings called Wode's that oversee everything. Each world is different, with different technologies, physics, and sets of circumstances. Some worlds are more fantasy, some are more science fiction, and some are simulated after Earth.

Perhaps another reason I felt it was his weakest was because it seemed more science fiction than fantasy, which I'm not well versed in yet, and the overall story felt like a romance with a bit of fighting and back story mixed in.

The pacing wasn't as fast as his other work either. Flashback scenes slowed it down and the ending left me a bit confused at first before it was explained in the final pages. Either way, the concept was very intriguing to me, and I feel if he further explored the worlds the could come up with a great full length novel where characters traveled between different warring worlds, hacking each other and creating different advantages for themselves.

Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell:

On the other hand, this was my favorite of Sanderson's shorter works. This is the type of story where Sanderson is at his best and I really think that's true with the fantasy genre overall. While I understand he likes doing science fictions stories, I believe his true strength is fantasy. This story had a great realized setting with fully fleshed creatures and magic, and interesting, complicated characters.

In this story, Silence is a inn-keeper, as well as secretly working at night as a famed bounty hunter to pay her debts. The inn is one of the only sanctuary's in what's called The Forest from the deadly Shades (ghostly zombies that react to fast movement, loud noises, and blood shed, and can only be killed or deterred with silver).

When Silence notices the biggest criminal on her list sitting inside her tavern, she sets out to collect the bounty deep in the dreaded Forest in order to pay off her debts and make a better life for her daughters. As you can imagine, not all goes as planned.

This story had truly interesting back story mixed into the story without relying on flashback chunks like in Perfect States, fast paced, heart stopping action, and a fun world to take a stroll in. By the time I was finished, I was craving more. More of the character, more of the world, more of the ghost zombies. I would gladly buy a novel set in this world just to explore what its like outside of the Forest.

I'm not a fast reader. Normally I read about 20-30 pages a night, depending on how good the book is, but I finished this 170 pages book in four days. Anyone who hasn't tried Sanderson's books and are thinking about it, I recommend you do so as soon as possible. He, along with George R.R. Martin, Patrick Rothfuss, and Scott Lynch are one of the top writers in fantasy right now. Great book with two great stories.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silence owns an inn in a magical world where the shadows can and do kill.

[Erik Edmiston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed!

[Vader · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

My gosh I love Brandon Sanderson!! I want more of Silence. She's such a strong, interesting, kick-butt character!