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A review by nataliestorozhenko
Arcanum Unbounded by Brandon Sanderson
4.0
THE EMPEROR'S SOUL
This novella is a crucial component of the Cosmere universe as it provides a better understanding of the cognitive realm, explaining further how objects possess souls and perceive themselves in a specific way. Despite our frequent jokes about The Stick that defeated Shallan, this detail created by Sanderson is genuinely fascinating. It can be woven into beautiful tales, like in this instance, where a window yearns to be filled with stained glass once again. “Even after all this time, the window had seen itself as something beautiful.”
This read was very good indeed. The way we contemplate the role of art in this novella is something else. Combined with such an interesting branch of magic as Forgery makes for a perfect duo. I absolutely loved this beautiful human connection between Shai and Gaotona and how she opened up herself to him despite the circumstances of their meeting.
"I did manipulate you, Gaotona," she admitted. "But I had to do it in the most difficult way possible."
"Which was?"
"By being genuine," she replied.
The part where she pleads to the Emperor’s soul before stamping him with her seal was such a tender and teary moment for me too.
"I wish that I could know you. Not your soul, but you. I've read about you; I've seen into your heart. I've rebuilt your soul, as best I could. But that isn't the same. It isn't knowing someone, is it? That's knowing about someone."
"I don't ask much of you," she said softly. "Just that you live. Just that you be. I've done what I can. Let it be enough."
I am glad that I correctly identified the inspiration for the stamps in Sanderson's work. I imagined them to be similar to the stamps used in Korean and Chinese culture, which made me feel in tune with the idea of this particular magic form on Sel. However, despite enjoying Sanderson's work, I still associate Sel primarily with Elantris and their AonDor. In contrast, everything else on the planet seems to pale in comparison. I am particularly curious about the historical period in this novella, especially from the point of view of the Fjordell invasion of Arelon. And how this empire is never mentioned in "Elantris". I hope there will be some explanation later on, as for now, we only know from Khriss that there are three major empires that are unaware of each other. I am wondering how that is possible.
P.S. Hoid is mentioned here as an Imperial Fool from the Rose Empire who deceived Shai.
THE HOPE OF ELANTRIS
I mean, even spending just a few short moments with Prince Raoden is already heartwarming and could be enough for me.
This short story proves once again, that Elantrians are not turned that randomly and I get the same feeling with how spren choose the people to bond with. All of the characters, even minor ones, have a lot of potential and the story of Matisse who was ready to die to protect Elantrian children is not an exception. Also this small detail about who this story was devoted to makes it all even more endearing.
THE ELEVENTH METAL
Kelsier had always loved the mists for reasons he couldn't describe.
Marsh claimed it was because everyone else feared them, and Kelsier was too arrogant to do what everyone else did.
After finishing reading Mistborn Era 1, you learn to be somehow appreciative of Lord Ruler, because by the end of Hero of Ages, you see a much bigger picture and that he did try his best not to play Ruin’s tune and try to fix the things by himself. Yet, here we go again, being reminded of how terrible the fate of skaa was during his rule. The beatings and tortures to try to invoke snapping and other horrible things.
This particular short story depicts Kelsier’s grief and showcases the part of his journey that made him the way he is and his obvious shift in his goals and morality
This novella is a crucial component of the Cosmere universe as it provides a better understanding of the cognitive realm, explaining further how objects possess souls and perceive themselves in a specific way. Despite our frequent jokes about The Stick that defeated Shallan, this detail created by Sanderson is genuinely fascinating. It can be woven into beautiful tales, like in this instance, where a window yearns to be filled with stained glass once again. “Even after all this time, the window had seen itself as something beautiful.”
This read was very good indeed. The way we contemplate the role of art in this novella is something else. Combined with such an interesting branch of magic as Forgery makes for a perfect duo. I absolutely loved this beautiful human connection between Shai and Gaotona and how she opened up herself to him despite the circumstances of their meeting.
"I did manipulate you, Gaotona," she admitted. "But I had to do it in the most difficult way possible."
"Which was?"
"By being genuine," she replied.
The part where she pleads to the Emperor’s soul before stamping him with her seal was such a tender and teary moment for me too.
"I wish that I could know you. Not your soul, but you. I've read about you; I've seen into your heart. I've rebuilt your soul, as best I could. But that isn't the same. It isn't knowing someone, is it? That's knowing about someone."
"I don't ask much of you," she said softly. "Just that you live. Just that you be. I've done what I can. Let it be enough."
I am glad that I correctly identified the inspiration for the stamps in Sanderson's work. I imagined them to be similar to the stamps used in Korean and Chinese culture, which made me feel in tune with the idea of this particular magic form on Sel. However, despite enjoying Sanderson's work, I still associate Sel primarily with Elantris and their AonDor. In contrast, everything else on the planet seems to pale in comparison. I am particularly curious about the historical period in this novella, especially from the point of view of the Fjordell invasion of Arelon. And how this empire is never mentioned in "Elantris". I hope there will be some explanation later on, as for now, we only know from Khriss that there are three major empires that are unaware of each other. I am wondering how that is possible.
P.S. Hoid is mentioned here as an Imperial Fool from the Rose Empire who deceived Shai.
THE HOPE OF ELANTRIS
I mean, even spending just a few short moments with Prince Raoden is already heartwarming and could be enough for me.
This short story proves once again, that Elantrians are not turned that randomly and I get the same feeling with how spren choose the people to bond with. All of the characters, even minor ones, have a lot of potential and the story of Matisse who was ready to die to protect Elantrian children is not an exception. Also this small detail about who this story was devoted to makes it all even more endearing.
THE ELEVENTH METAL
Kelsier had always loved the mists for reasons he couldn't describe.
Marsh claimed it was because everyone else feared them, and Kelsier was too arrogant to do what everyone else did.
After finishing reading Mistborn Era 1, you learn to be somehow appreciative of Lord Ruler, because by the end of Hero of Ages, you see a much bigger picture and that he did try his best not to play Ruin’s tune and try to fix the things by himself. Yet, here we go again, being reminded of how terrible the fate of skaa was during his rule. The beatings and tortures to try to invoke snapping and other horrible things.
This particular short story depicts Kelsier’s grief and showcases the part of his journey that made him the way he is and his obvious shift in his goals and morality