The Emperor’s Soul

by Brandon Sanderson · 2012

The Emperor's Soul, a Hugo‑Award‑winning novella by Brandon Sanderson, follows Shai, a master Forger who can rewrite the history of objects. Caught replacing the Moon Scepter with a flawless forgery, she is sentenced to death but offered a chance at redemption: forge a new soul for the comatose Emperor Ashravan within 100 days, or see the empire fall into chaos. Confined in a tiny cell and watched by hostile guards, Shai must navigate political intrigue, uncover hidden motives, and devise an escape plan while mastering a magic system that rewrites reality itself. The story blends high fantasy, intricate world‑building, and themes of identity, art, and sacrifice.