Legion is a newly released novella by Brandon Sanderson.
Of course, the first question any Sanderson devotee will ask is, "What's the world and magic system like?"
The world is our own. Instead of creating a new world, Sanderson has published his first story (as far as I know) set in the modern world. (I suppose one could argue that the Alcatraz books deserve that title, but whatever)
The "magic?" Our main character, Stephen Leeds, is... odd. He has other people living inside his head. And not just their voices- he hallucinates them as real people, people who walk around and talk and comment on things. He lives in a mansion (with a very understanding butler) with a room for each hallucination. And each hallucination has its own expertise- one is excellent at psychology and body language, another can speak Hebrew fluently, one is a gun nut, and so on.
The hallucinations obey and advise him. And, that's it. Otherwise, he's just a normal guy- the hallucinations can't "possess" him, he doesn't have any other mental powers.
The book is short at 86 pages, so the plot isn't very detailed. The first third of the book or so sets up Leeds' situation and powers, and introduces us to some of his "aspects." The plot kicks off when he is hired to investigate a missing person (who has invented a special camera, the only other tinge of the supernatural in the book)
Legion is filled with hooks for a sequel- mentions of past benefactors, future goals, hints of his evolving power- and I for one would definitely be willing to read one.
Oh, one last thing- the book is written in first person, which I believe is unusual for Sanderson (off the top of my head, I believe most of his books have been third person limited?). I like it, and I hope he writes more from this perspective.
I recommend reading Legion, but if you want to buy it, I highly suggest getting the ebook at only a few dollars. I got the printed version from Subterranean Press, and while I don't object to giving BS money, I was still paying at least 15 bucks for an 80 page hardcover book.
(I'll also mention that Sanderson has said that anyone who buys the hardcover book and takes a picture of the receipt will get a free ebook copy. The dude is good to his fans.)
I've included a link to a bunch of ebook format sellers from Sanderson's website.
Of course, the first question any Sanderson devotee will ask is, "What's the world and magic system like?"
The world is our own. Instead of creating a new world, Sanderson has published his first story (as far as I know) set in the modern world. (I suppose one could argue that the Alcatraz books deserve that title, but whatever)
The "magic?" Our main character, Stephen Leeds, is... odd. He has other people living inside his head. And not just their voices- he hallucinates them as real people, people who walk around and talk and comment on things. He lives in a mansion (with a very understanding butler) with a room for each hallucination. And each hallucination has its own expertise- one is excellent at psychology and body language, another can speak Hebrew fluently, one is a gun nut, and so on.
The hallucinations obey and advise him. And, that's it. Otherwise, he's just a normal guy- the hallucinations can't "possess" him, he doesn't have any other mental powers.
The book is short at 86 pages, so the plot isn't very detailed. The first third of the book or so sets up Leeds' situation and powers, and introduces us to some of his "aspects." The plot kicks off when he is hired to investigate a missing person (who has invented a special camera, the only other tinge of the supernatural in the book)
Legion is filled with hooks for a sequel- mentions of past benefactors, future goals, hints of his evolving power- and I for one would definitely be willing to read one.
Oh, one last thing- the book is written in first person, which I believe is unusual for Sanderson (off the top of my head, I believe most of his books have been third person limited?). I like it, and I hope he writes more from this perspective.
I recommend reading Legion, but if you want to buy it, I highly suggest getting the ebook at only a few dollars. I got the printed version from Subterranean Press, and while I don't object to giving BS money, I was still paying at least 15 bucks for an 80 page hardcover book.
(I'll also mention that Sanderson has said that anyone who buys the hardcover book and takes a picture of the receipt will get a free ebook copy. The dude is good to his fans.)
I've included a link to a bunch of ebook format sellers from Sanderson's website.
I amuse myself.
Legion, by Brandon Sanderson
- 06/10/2012 04:19:26 PM
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