The Emperor's Soul

Elantris [Dramatized Adaptation] #4

by Brandon Sanderson, Colleen Delaney (Narrator), Kimberly Gilbert (Narrator)

When Shai is caught replacing the Moon Scepter with her nearly flawless forgery, she must bargain for her life. An assassin has left the Emperor Ashravan without consciousness, a circumstance concealed only by the death of his wife. If the emperor does not emerge after his hundred-day mourning period, the rule of the Heritage Faction will be forfeit and the empire will fall into chaos.

Shai is given an impossible task: to create—to Forge—a new soul for the emperor in less than one hundred days. But her soul-Forgery is considered an abomination by her captors. She is confined to a tiny, dirty chamber, guarded by a man who hates her, spied upon by politicians, and trapped behind a door sealed in her own blood. Shai's only possible ally is the emperor's most loyal counselor, Gaotona, who struggles to understand her true talent.

Time is running out for Shai. Forging, while deducing the motivations of her captors, she needs a perfect plan to escape...

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, High Fantasy, Fiction, Novella, Adult

4 pages, Audible Audio

Published October 7, 2020

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

[aria ✧]

My full review for the novella. I don’t know what it is about dramatized adaptations but the emotion they put into them has me teary every time.

[Isabel ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was never interested in reading this book because the original cover really put me off. I don't like the cover art; I find it really ugly. How stupid I was. This is why you should never judge a book by its cover.

This short story by Sanderson is one of the greatest I've ever read. It's absolutely amazing how he managed to craft such an intricate and fascinating plot in such a short number of pages. The premise of this book is so original and interesting. You should never doubt his abilities as an author; he truly is one of the best.

The magic system in this story is top notch. One of the most originals I've read. I want to read more of it. I want a million books set in this world and with this magic system. I need to smoke it, snort it, inject it.

I don't have much else to say about The Emperor's Soul other than it was brilliant in every way and that you should read it. Right now. Go on Kindle and read it. I'm waiting.

Now I want to talk about the audio book by GraphicAudio. I absolutely love it. I love love love love love love love love love love love love it. I love it more than life itself. Their work is of such high quality: the narration, the different voice actors (I particularly really enjoyed Shai's voice and accent), the sound effects, the music, it's all amazing. I can't stress it enough. Everyone should listen to their audiobooks. They upgrade the reading experience and make you enjoy the book so much more.

07/02/2024 Update

Second time listening to this audiobook! I love it so much.

[Mememomo · Rating 1 out of 5]

you know how when people turn 25 they get this sense of mental clarity seemingly overnight?

i feel like this happened to me with sanderson novels after I turned 25 lmaooo, i literally cannot stand his writing anymore. It’s so… juvenile?

the characters in this are as two dimensional and repetitive as 90% of his other characters are

I tried reading it at first but couldn’t stand the writing, thought listening to it as graphic audio would work and holy shit it made it 10x more annoying, so obv I only kept listening bc I enjoy annoying myself

[Afra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The magic concept in this novella was really amazing. However, I cannot give 5 stars due to the length of the book because I hope more story about Shai.

[Heiki Eesmaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

In general I have complicated feelings about Sanderson's work. In all honesty, some of the reasons I dislike him for are actually his strengths, and I have to take a moment to remind myself of that. And some faults of his writing he seems to have improved upon as he has been writing more.

Very briefly and most importantly, I dislike him turning fantasy into a form of hard SF. Describing magic systems exactly and establishing predictable causal links is the essence of this transformation. I mean, you could argue for it and against it -- and smart people have -- but that's what I dislike.

Yet, somehow, in this novella -- 3+ hours of listening -- this leveling of distinctions turns into a fascinating trip and some meditation into the nature of art, and forgery, and technology, and nature of one's essential being. Well, that's what I found, anyway.

I doubt, even so, that it would get such a high rating from me were it not for the lavish production of the Graphic Audio format. The actor reading the main character turns yet another strong female main character with some doubts of her own strength into a real individual. The Wise Old Man becomes alive as well due to the efforts of another actor. The villain characters are two-dimensional in the best sense -- their moustache-twirling and insult-hurling adds a necessary sense of safety in otherwise inventive frame of a story.

There is lots of drama to be had and I don't even mind when Sanderson begins pulling threads together and it becomes predictable. Completing half-completed things, mastery of structure, is Sanderson's strength, after all.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, detailed, unique power system.

[PAR · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars! This was actually quite cool. I listened to the Graphic Audio version and while I couldn’t get into it right away, I stuck with it and then got pretty hooked. I’m not big on Audiobooks but this was well done and the actors did a great job! Gaotona was definitely my favorite!.. The concept was strange to me at first but grew on me the more I listened. Definitely worth checking out, even if it’s not your genre. I didn’t think it would be for me, but I was wrong. Enjoy!

[Malik Glossop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal. One of the best books I've ever read. It was short but impactful, a true masterpiece.

[Uma Leitora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Há vários anos, quando tudo o que se tinha de Brandon Sanderson no Brasil eram Elantris e a 1ª era de Mistborn, a capa e a sinopse desta novela me chamaram a atenção. Sempre quis ler algo do autor desde então, inclusive The Emperor's Soul, mas eu desejava ler o livro físico de Elantris antes. Resumo da ópera: não deu certo, e ainda estou esperando pelo relançamento do romance no Brasil. Entretanto, de repente, decidi começar minha jornada pelo universo literário de Sanderson pela mesma novela que havia me chamado a atenção todos aqueles anos antes.

Já ouvi muitas coisas sobre o autor e sua escrita: seus sistemas mágicos inventivos, construção de mundo robusta, clímaxes explosivos, grande otimismo nas histórias, "infodumping" e estilo de escrita simples e direto. Bom, parte disso se provou verdade durante a minha leitura da novela, mas não é o suficiente para contar a história completa.

O que encontrei em The Emperor's Soul foi (ALERTA de SPOILER):

–> Shai, uma protagonista intrigante, sagaz e de temperamento forte, cujo passado me enchia (e ainda enche) de curiosidade;

–> Uma atmosfera sombria e um senso de urgência pelo desfecho e pelo que poderia acontecer à protagonista;

–> Um sistema de magia intrigante e muito bem pensado;

–> Um mundo repleto de diferentes culturas, religiões e povos entrando em contato – e em choque – uns com os outros;

–> Uma figura intrigante em Gaotona e seus relacionamentos com a protagonista e o imperador;

–> Certa decepção com a figura do imperador em si (acho que eu precisava de mais informações sobre ele, algo que o tornasse mais extraordinário como personagem);

–> Um clímax que não foi ruim, mas também não foi tão enlouquecedor quanto eu esperava;

–> Um final otimista (isso não é algo ruim por si só, mas, pessoalmente, eu gosto quando as histórias vão para um lado mais sombrio).

Levando tudo isso em conta, posso dizer que a minha primeira experiência com o autor foi bem positiva. Que venha mais Brandon Sanderson por aí!

(Sobre o audiobook em si, tudo o que tenho a dizer é que a produção e os atores foram sensacionais. Muito bom mesmo!)

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've started dipping my toe into the Cosmere, and this was a suggested beginner book from the author, so I listened to it on graphic audio. It is a really beautiful story of how a thief and forger is forced to do a task, but ultimately leaves a mark that may change the world. I loved it.

The characters were very rich and complex, and the magic system of the stamps was very interesting and cool to imagine. I feel like I am inching closer to diving headlong into the Cosmere...maybe 2026 will be the year!

[Sarah Wolfe Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, interesting, and intriguing. Sanderson’s character development and world building are fascination and I thoroughly enjoy his writing. 4/5 stars because I just kept getting tired of some repetitive plot points.

[Ashley Kemp · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really did not enjoy, struggled to follow it and it was also fantasy which is not my thing. Could have potential to be good if you enjoy fantasy and are able to follow.

[Tarun Byaragi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure poetry.

Perhaps his best written work.

[Derrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I've read Elisium...so this might have been better when i was reading that series, but overall it was a good story for something that I don't recall anything. Ha.

[Jack Bushway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good listen. Hard to get into initially but I enjoyed the latter part of the book.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.9
Such a beautifully written book. If I didn't know this was Brandon Sanderson's writing going into it, I would not have believed it was. It seemed he was exploring different styles of writing, which I'm here for all day long if this is the result. Outstanding. I only wish it didn't end so soon.

[Yuval Omer · Rating 4 out of 5]

solid 4 stars

[Diane (I'm moving! And behind! BRB ASAP) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy these Graphic Audio Productions. The voice actors are terrific, sound effects (when there are any) are well done, everything is just put together well.

This is a cleverly told story, a novella featuring a young woman named Shai and her practice of magical forgery. The magic is fascinating! I really would love to read more books featuring this magic system. I particularly enjoyed the way that Shai needs to really understand people, things, and the history of her subject in order to utilize her power. The ability itself is extremely powerful, but requires careful preparation and planning- it's not easy to do correctly and that combination is really fun to read.

The characters are developed very well given how short this story is. Tension builds throughout- the pacing is perfect. My biggest complaint is that this wasn't longer- something that can rarely be said for fantasy books! "A-"

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a feeling that the main reason I didn't like this book was that I didn't like the graphic audio. I haven't really listed to much of graphic audio beyond some samples and I don't think it is my cup of tea. The noises that they chose to add were weird - like grunts here and there and some slammed doors every once in a while. I'd rather just imagine it in my head, I guess. The story was okay, but I don't think that the author gave enough credit to Shai for being as smart as she was. She doubted herself the whole time, and it got a little repetitive. Again, it could have been the recording, but I felt like there are better ways to show that your protagonist is always a few steps ahead of everyone, including the reader. At the end, it just kind of happened, even though it was crazy clever. I liked the ending and it was a fun idea, but I was kind of hoping for it to end the whole time so I wouldn't have to listen to it any more.

[Lio Leeuwerink · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second time finishing this novella. It's just like I remembered it being. In my opinion this is Sanderson's best work. It has a good structure, interesting setting and characters and it expands on the magic systems we first saw in Elantris. Most importantly of all: this story has heart. The emotional journey the characters undergo is believable and gripping.

I listened to the Graphic Audio version for this reread. Once again the performances were steller and the audio design excellent. I love the range of the voice actors. They're great at using accents and modifying their voices; I usually end up recognizing most of them, but some leave me stumped as to which other characters they've done.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this in the car and thought it was really good. Want to actually read it as a book. Main character was awesome and the way magic was used was really interesting/unique.

[Taniya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in awe with how Sanderson is able to build such an amazing story in such short length. The magic system is some of the most interesting ones I have come across. I want a whole series on Shai that’s how much I was invested in her.

The story does take some convenience on things(most likely because of the length) like how Shai knows people too well to manipulate them. Her powers come across as something OP but I can ignore it as it still made for an intriguing plot.

I loved it so much that I can see myself experience it again later on

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy hell, what a mindfuck. Sanderson kicked my ass in the best way with this novella.

Shai is such an incredible character, truly. She is so brave and wicked smart. And her relationship with Gaotona really got to me. In such a small story, Sanderson packed such a punch I feel like I've been knocked out.

This is a masterwork.


Also please if you can go the graphic audio route it's the best way

[Heather-Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cool concept!

I had the opportunity to switch between two different audiobook versions. The graphic audio was indeed dynamic with the sound effects and various narrators. The narrator that plays our main character has a lovely voice and accent, but is very emotionally intense. As in, her stress and strategizing became rather exhausting. The regular audiobook was less exciting but also less strenuous.

[Monika M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was surprising, how such a short book can be enough to develop characters, to explain intricate magical lore, to have a lot of philosophical ideas about art and nature of artist, depths of what makes us human and more!
Listening to this book was my first attempt at Graphic Audio and I really enjoyed it! Both from story side and from performance.

[Sahil Aery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing! This was my first Sanderson story and I can see why he has such a strong fan following.
The novella was very well written with a very different magic system and good characters. Additionally, the full cast performance by Graphic Audio made it into an audio film rather than an audiobook.
Loved it!

[Daria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyment 8/10
Concept 10/10
Execution 9/10
Writing 5/10
Plot & Logic 9/10
Pacing & Structure 9/10
Atmosphere 10/10
Characters 7/10
Intrigue 8/10
World Building 10/10
Audio Performance 10/10

Rating: 4.3/5

[Irma Ivonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good novel, I liked the magic system but the main character was the most interesting. Her ability to read and understand the human behavior really got me. This novel It's A good option for a quick and interesting read.

[Alle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best books I’ve read of late. The premise was so interesting and the magic system was astonishingly interesting. So few characters but so few are needed to tell such a story.

[Mag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very unusual and thought through. Loved it. (Read it in one go.)