A review by mattiedancer
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Writing: 4.75⭐️/5 
I’m fairly convinced Sanderson can write anything with ease and beauty. A blend of science fiction and fantasy, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter is extraordinarily well-written. A bit of the world-building is slightly jarring or unexpected, but I loved every other moment of the novel. Sanderson writes romance – slow burn and all – very well, drawing me in with every turned page.

Characters: 5⭐️/5
Yumi’s dedication, Painter’s self-hatred: both feel wonderfully well-written and full of characters with backstories, desires, and motives. I love the completeness of their characters. I also appreciate that Painter’s backstory made perfect sense. His tragic tale of how he lost his friends was not overindulged or dramatic, nor was it unbelievable. In fact, it was one of the most believable betrayals I’d read in a book recently. 

Plot: 4.75⭐️/5 
A fabulous plot bolstered by a fabulous romance story. The world in which Sanderson imagines is stunning. The romance story, slowly growing in intensity and clarity, is such a treasure to unravel.

Who Should Read This Book? 
  • Fans of Brandon Sanderson
  • Those looking for a high-fantasy/sci-fi romance novel
  • Fans of other Sanderson novels, especially the Stormlight Archive series
  • Those looking for a romance and fantasy story with amazing writing

Content Warnings? 
  • Gaslighting, confinement, emotional abuse, abuse, death, murder, toxic relationships, 

Post-Reading Rating:  5⭐️/5
A cute little ending for my cute little pairing. Thanks, Sanderson!

Final Rating: 4.75⭐️/5
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