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serena_hien's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Minor: Death
leontyna's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I loved the premise of the book and the execution. I wish I had more of this world but at the same time the story seems better in its short form. I really enjoyed learning about the inspiration for the book from the afterword, it's such a clever reimagining of the real phenomenon.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Blood
miguelito_juanito's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Blood, and Gaslighting
kassidyreads's review against another edition
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: Violence and Blood
rheagoveas's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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: Body horror, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Medical content and Murder
jadejade's review against another edition
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: Death and Blood
oldladysadie's review against another edition
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: Body horror and Blood