Title: Legion
Author: Brandon Sanderson
First published August 31, 2012
88 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781596064850 (ISBN10: 1596064854)
Rating: 4.14
Overview
Meet Stephen Leeds, also known as “Legion.” He possesses a rare mental condition that enables him to conjure a myriad of personae, each with their own distinctive traits and expertise. When Balubal Razon, the inventor of a groundbreaking camera with the power to revolutionize society, goes missing, Leeds and his inner circle of “aspects” are called upon to find him.
Can they locate Razon and unlock the secrets of his invention before it falls into the wrong hands? Join Leeds on a thrilling adventure filled with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
About the Author
Brandon Sanderson, the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Reckoners trilogy, is set to release two major books in the second half of 2016. These are The Dark Talent, which concludes Alcatraz Smedry’s story about his fight against the secret rulers of the world, the Evil Librarians, and Arcanum Unbounded, a collection of short fiction from the Cosmere universe that includes the Mistborn series and the Stormlight Archive.
The collection features The Emperor’s Soul, Mistborn: Secret History and a new Stormlight Archive novella.
Born in 1975 in Lincoln, Nebraska, Sanderson was not interested in reading as a child, struggling with the titles he was given. However, an eighth grade teacher changed that by introducing him to Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambly.
Sanderson has since become a prolific writer, with Tor Books publishing several of his works, including the Mistborn trilogy and its follow-up, and two of the ten volumes planned for The Stormlight Archive series. He was also chosen to complete Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series.
Sanderson has won multiple awards, including the David Gemmell Legend Award in 2011 for The Way of Kings, and the 2013 Hugo Award for Best Novella for The Emperor’s Soul.
Living in Utah with his family, Sanderson teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University.
Editoral Review
In Brandon Sanderson’s sci-fi novella Legion, the acclaimed writer once again successfully immerses readers in an innovative fictional world, filled with multi-faceted characters and intricate storylines. First published in August 2012, this fast-paced novella thrusts readers into the world of protagonist Stephen Leeds, a man with multiple personalities, each of whom has their own distinct set of skills, memories, and ability to interact with the outside world.
The novella, set in the present day, follows Stephen as he is hired by a wealthy businessman to retrieve a stolen camera containing important information. With the help of his unique team of “aspects,” as he calls them, Stephen embarks on a dangerous adventure that takes him from the streets of New York to the depths of the Caribbean.
Sanderson once again demonstrates his prowess in world-building, crafting intricate and vivid landscapes for his characters to traverse. The novella’s themes of identity, mental health, and the blurred line between reality and delusion are thoughtfully explored, revealing a deep understanding of what it means to be a fully-realized person.
Sanderson’s writing style is succinct, yet poignant, allowing him to tell a complete story in a mere 88 pages. The character of Stephen Leeds is particularly well-drawn, as his multiple personalities allow him to be both sympathetic and complex.
Sanderson handles this aspect of the novella with skill and sensitivity, never falling into the trap of caricaturing mental illness, which can often happen in lesser works of fiction. One weakness of the novella, however, is its brevity.
While it is fast-paced and action-packed, there is little room for character development beyond Stephen. The supporting cast of “aspects” are well-executed, but lack the depth and nuance of the main character.
Overall, Legion is a worthy addition to Brandon Sanderson’s oeuvre. While not without its flaws, the novella is a thrilling ride through a world both familiar and fantastical.
Fans of Sanderson’s work will undoubtedly flock to this novella, as will fans of sci-fi and action-adventure in general. It is a well-crafted tale that provides both entertainment and food for thought.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommended for fans of sci-fi and action-adventure.
