Stephen Leeds, a genius who compartmentalizes different skills by creating personalized aspects that only he can see, is contacted by on old acquaintance named Yol, a high profile Korean businessman. Yol has recently acquired a new bio-tech company which was working on a way to encode data directly into the human body. Only catch is it can be used to produce cancer. One of the lead scientist recently died in a skiing accident and his body has gone missing, with much of the data encoded within. If its falls into the wrong hands the result could be catastrophic.
Sanderson capitalizes on Stephen unique condition by showing him interacting in everyday situations (for example the book opens up with him on a date) as well has having some of enemies capitalize on it which I thought added clever layers of depth. I also enjoyed the way different aspects accepted/rejected their imaginary status.
Thankfully Sanderson doesn't overplay the humour aspect and what he does include works because of its subtly. This is definitely key for him moving forward.
Pacing is brisk with a clever plot twist.
Overall Sanderson continues to deliver in the shorter formats, combining a well worked story with clever uses of the overall concept. 8.25/10.
Pacing is brisk ...
ReplyDeleteSee, I might just need to check out Sanderson's shorter works. I picked up The Way of Kings, but got totally bogged down in the herky-jerky pacing and copious infodumps.
I'd agree with that Loren. The first legion novella or the Emperor's Soul are worth a try.
ReplyDelete