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The Emperor’s Soul: 4/5 stars
This is a fantastic little story. Of all the magic systems Sanderson has created, Forgery might be my favorite. The concept of rewriting an object’s (or person’s) history into a plausible-but-untrue alternate reality is fascinating enough; the use of intricately carved magic stamps to accomplish this task is even cooler.
Beginnings are often the Sanderson’s weakest points, and while that’s true here, the effect isn’t as jarring as it would be in a novel. The stage is set quickly, and the tale that follows is a delightful, compelling glimpse into what makes humans tick.
Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell: 3/5 stars
If I were a Gothic horror fan, I’d probably have given this story a higher rating. That said, I liked it well enough. This is a bleak world where spirits of the dead roam free, their fury easy to invoke. Each character is compelling in her own right, and the central relationship—that between the protagonist and her dead grandmother—gives the story a powerful emotional backbone. Sadly, I never found myself too invested in the outcome of the central conflict—if they live, the grimdarkness feels unfulfilled, but if they die, what’s the point?—although I’d guess this is just a symptom of my disinterest toward horror.
Sixth of the Dusk: 4/5 stars
Taking place on a deadly tropical island, a battleground for the clash between tradition and progress, “Sixth of the Dusk” is almost perfect. It’s certainly one of the most well-paced stories from Arcanum Unbounded: the magic system is revealed slowly over the course of the narrative, without a single exposition dump.
Only the ending bothers me. Tension climbs slowly throughout the story, building to a crescendo—but the ending fails to play off the building suspense. It’s not bad, just unceremonious, a sharp and disappointing contrast from the dramatic climax I’d been expecting.
Still, a fantastic read.
This is a fantastic little story. Of all the magic systems Sanderson has created, Forgery might be my favorite. The concept of rewriting an object’s (or person’s) history into a plausible-but-untrue alternate reality is fascinating enough; the use of intricately carved magic stamps to accomplish this task is even cooler.
Beginnings are often the Sanderson’s weakest points, and while that’s true here, the effect isn’t as jarring as it would be in a novel. The stage is set quickly, and the tale that follows is a delightful, compelling glimpse into what makes humans tick.
Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell: 3/5 stars
If I were a Gothic horror fan, I’d probably have given this story a higher rating. That said, I liked it well enough. This is a bleak world where spirits of the dead roam free, their fury easy to invoke. Each character is compelling in her own right, and the central relationship—that between the protagonist and her dead grandmother—gives the story a powerful emotional backbone. Sadly, I never found myself too invested in the outcome of the central conflict—if they live, the grimdarkness feels unfulfilled, but if they die, what’s the point?—although I’d guess this is just a symptom of my disinterest toward horror.
Sixth of the Dusk: 4/5 stars
Taking place on a deadly tropical island, a battleground for the clash between tradition and progress, “Sixth of the Dusk” is almost perfect. It’s certainly one of the most well-paced stories from Arcanum Unbounded: the magic system is revealed slowly over the course of the narrative, without a single exposition dump.
Only the ending bothers me. Tension climbs slowly throughout the story, building to a crescendo—but the ending fails to play off the building suspense. It’s not bad, just unceremonious, a sharp and disappointing contrast from the dramatic climax I’d been expecting.
Still, a fantastic read.
