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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
God-Emperor Kairominas in 300 years has mastered everything in his world, well except weather but given another 50 years he’ll conquer that too. Now he has been informed by the powers that be that he must procreate. You’re probably thinking ‘hey if he is a God-Emperor who are these powers that be that can tell a God Emperor what to do’. Hahaha that is little twist #1 Kairominas lives in a simulated world.
After 300 years of simulation he has pretty much run out of things to do. He has a concept for a best friend and companion.
And a personal assistant Besk that keeps him on task. Besides the minor torment of his nemesis Melhi and his Robot invaders everything else in his world has become predictable. So a date with another ruler of there simulated world, how bad could it be?
This was a fun world to dip a toe in. It is a little bit the Matrixx, with a minor splash of steampunk, Pacific Rim like Robots and that special something that Brandon Sanderson always brings to a story.
Sophie ‘The Date’ was an interesting character and I really liked the spin made on her. She is a conundrum but so much fun and not what the God-Emperor was expecting.
Because this is only an 85 page novella there is a bit of rush to the plot and I definitely didn’t get enough time in this world. It was all interesting and so full of possibilities just because of the simulated reality of it all anything can happen, Brandon Sanderson almost wrote a sex scene *blush (for him, not for me)* but it is Brandon Sanderson so…
Not that that is a bad thing. He is my favorite High Fantasy writer with or without sex scenes. This leaves off unexpectedly with a pretty good twist to the end. I’m hoping that we will meet up with God-Emperor Kairominas and his nemesis Melhi again in the future.
After 300 years of simulation he has pretty much run out of things to do. He has a concept for a best friend and companion.
“You’re just saying that because it’s part of your Concept,” I said. “The dashing knight riding on horseback, winning the hands of fair maidens.”
“Sure, sure. I had quite the collection of hands. Couple of arms, the occasional foot . . .”
And a personal assistant Besk that keeps him on task. Besides the minor torment of his nemesis Melhi and his Robot invaders everything else in his world has become predictable. So a date with another ruler of there simulated world, how bad could it be?
This was a fun world to dip a toe in. It is a little bit the Matrixx, with a minor splash of steampunk, Pacific Rim like Robots and that special something that Brandon Sanderson always brings to a story.
Sophie ‘The Date’ was an interesting character and I really liked the spin made on her. She is a conundrum but so much fun and not what the God-Emperor was expecting.
“Unhand me,” Sophie muttered, dazed. “I’m not some damsel from your barbarian lands. . . .”
I reached a sheltered alleyway out of the robot’s sight, and set her down inside. She was limp, her eyes drooping.
“I’m not . . .” she said. “I don’t need to be saved, I . . .”
“Think of it this way,” I said. “Your inner feminist must be going insane at the idea of being rescued.”
Because this is only an 85 page novella there is a bit of rush to the plot and I definitely didn’t get enough time in this world. It was all interesting and so full of possibilities just because of the simulated reality of it all anything can happen, Brandon Sanderson almost wrote a sex scene *blush (for him, not for me)* but it is Brandon Sanderson so…
“Breasts later, giant robot now.”
Not that that is a bad thing. He is my favorite High Fantasy writer with or without sex scenes. This leaves off unexpectedly with a pretty good twist to the end. I’m hoping that we will meet up with God-Emperor Kairominas and his nemesis Melhi again in the future.
impressive world because duh, it's Brando.
but didn't shine as a novella, would've been a crazy good full length standalone though, I'm sure.
but didn't shine as a novella, would've been a crazy good full length standalone though, I'm sure.
adventurous
funny
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
reflective
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
So intriguing, I want a whole world unpacking this concept. It felt almost like how the Matrix feels, but the reasons behind doing it are different.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence
fast-paced
Not amazing or groundbreaking, but it is an interesting world that raises interesting questions.
This is Brandon's take on the whole impressive-nerd-in-VR sci-fi genre, and... it's an interesting one. The whole world built for this is interesting, and the plot itself is good, for a short story.
However, this being a short story in this genre in special, it also uses some tired power fantasy tropes that are just kinda boring, or even kinda... mysoginistic? It's weird, because in the end I feel the use of those tropes were justified, and the book being in first person, on a person that thinks he's the best, kinda explains it all.
It's... interesting, but I don't know if I would recommend it to anyone. I would, however, be interested in more stories on this world.
However, this being a short story in this genre in special, it also uses some tired power fantasy tropes that are just kinda boring, or even kinda... mysoginistic? It's weird, because in the end I feel the use of those tropes were justified, and the book being in first person, on a person that thinks he's the best, kinda explains it all.
It's... interesting, but I don't know if I would recommend it to anyone. I would, however, be interested in more stories on this world.
Sometimes I miss reading Brandon Sanderson so much I start digging around for ones I might not have read... and then realize I actually have read it! This one is fun... a brain existing in a virtual fantasy world, ruler of his own kingdom, interacting with other brains existing in other virtual worlds... What's real? What's a construct? What's friendship?
Despite I liked this sci-fantasy blend in general mainly for how it works with limits and nature of human temperament and bizarre boundaries of ethics and morality, Kai could be replaced with Waxillium or Elend, Besk could be Sazed and damsel in red Steris or Jasnah, and I would not spot a difference. Brandon became so good in creating bonds and interaction between his characters that they started to feel the same. The same problem I have with the story outline. Each book / world / story feels to me like a train departing to its destination, but imagine that there are many trains departing from the same station at the same time and heading to the same place, they are in a broad space copying trails of each other but only the panorama around trains differs. Yes, the panorama itself leads me to amazement because I am a fething romantic, but expecting familiar twists is ruining the view.