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loki_doki's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ghostnayto's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
First, if I didn't know this was written by Sanderson, I would have had no idea. It seems so far out of his usual, but still done fair enough which speaks for his range. It's just a shame I didn't end up enjoying it as much as I thought I would. The concept was so interesting. I enjoyed most of the aspects, but JC's weird not quite but almost racist comments made me side eye him. And Ivy even though I liked her. Just for dating him. I found Stephen himself to be bland. Which I guess is the point. It said somewhere in the book that he gave his aspects everything so he could be bland and normal. My favorite aspect was Tobias. What a guy.
dabrander's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.5
abeingbecoming's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this book because I love Sanderson’s writing. But I just didn’t like it at all. I found not one single one of the characters to be even remotely likeable. Not even the main character. And this complaint is unique to the audiobook, but I did not care for the forced dramatacism from the narrator. Every third sentence does not need to be read as if you are narrating an action movie trailer. I suffered through it because it’s a short read (or listen) and because I had nothing else to read, but I can’t recommend this one from Sanderson.
mrjack's review against another edition
3.0
A story told in three combined novellas, Brandon Sanderson's Legion introduces readers to the memorable Stephen Leeds and his many aspects. Leeds is so incredibly knowledgeable that he can't contain all of it himself; his brain compartmentalizes information and places it into separate personalities that he hallucinates around called aspects. These hallucinatory characters encounter him as he is hired to solve cases and mysteries, filling the pages with vibrant and energetic characterization and comic relief. Leeds can only take a few of them with him at a time. They all have their own imaginary lives.
The three cases that Leeds solves in this volume are all very unique. Legion is just waiting to be made into a TV show, and three episodes are sitting here ready: a pilot, a middle episode, and a season 1 finale. These aren't your run of the mill procedurals of murderers and kidnappers. Leeds chases after cameras that can take pictures of the past, computer data in corpse's fingers, and (most importantly) the woman who taught him to be how he is.
While Leeds and his hallucinated aspects are plenty fun, the characters around them are incredibly uninteresting even when they shouldn't be. Butlers, CEOs, and hitmen are all sometimes painfully generic.
Still, if you're looking for more unique mysteries or are already a fan of Brandon Sanderon's work, this one will be sure to please.
The three cases that Leeds solves in this volume are all very unique. Legion is just waiting to be made into a TV show, and three episodes are sitting here ready: a pilot, a middle episode, and a season 1 finale. These aren't your run of the mill procedurals of murderers and kidnappers. Leeds chases after cameras that can take pictures of the past, computer data in corpse's fingers, and (most importantly) the woman who taught him to be how he is.
While Leeds and his hallucinated aspects are plenty fun, the characters around them are incredibly uninteresting even when they shouldn't be. Butlers, CEOs, and hitmen are all sometimes painfully generic.
Still, if you're looking for more unique mysteries or are already a fan of Brandon Sanderon's work, this one will be sure to please.
rheren's review against another edition
3.0
This was pretty enjoyable, but I think it was my least favorite from Brandon Sanderson. That still leaves quite a lot of good things to be said about it: it was fun to read, creative, unexpected and surprising. Nothing Brandon Sanderson writes is a waste of time. The premise was a little hard to take seriously, but with a little suspension of disbelief, it was rather fun. I was a little dissatisfied with the ending, but the journey was an interesting experience.
crimsonsparrow's review against another edition
4.0
Book One is a Sanderson classic: Unprecedented, fascinating, well-played. The man truly possesses one-shot short story magic (though this definitely ranks below the Emperor's Soul and Snapshot). The main character(s) is (are) captivating, the premise an immediate hook, and even the unbelievable plot element is quickly caught up and carried by the eddies of just-plain-intelligent writing.
Book Two is filler - but a reader could do worse?
Book Three is surprisingly ... introspective? Decidedly different from the others, it offered the deep, complex, and unexpected elements I appreciate in Sanderson's work.
And the whole thing reads like a movie, complete with all-star cast. Boom.
Book Two is filler - but a reader could do worse?
Book Three is surprisingly ... introspective? Decidedly different from the others, it offered the deep, complex, and unexpected elements I appreciate in Sanderson's work.
And the whole thing reads like a movie, complete with all-star cast. Boom.
teachinsci's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting take on abnormal psychology and a fascinating set of characters. Would have liked to experience more stories (including some alluded to in the novellas), but the author did a good job of not making it a repetitive "personality of the week" kind of stories. Each novella gives a piece of the overall picture... just as Stephen Leeds aspects gave the pieces to view him.
clarke11235's review against another edition
4.0
A fun and at times surprisingly insightful read. Nice to have all three Legion novellas in one.
susani_'s review against another edition
4.0
NetGalley provided a Preview ARC for this book. This collection will be released in September and will include the science fiction novellas Legion and Legion: Skin Deep, published together for the first time, as well as a brand new Stephen Leeds novella, Lies of the Beholder.
Another hit by the brilliant write Brandon Sanderson!
Stephen Leeds, AKA 'Legion,' is a man whose unique mental condition allows him to generate a multitude of personae: hallucinatory entities with a wide variety of personal characteristics and a vast array of highly specialized skills. Now imagine if you wish to understand human anatomy, he hallucinates a persona who happens to know everything about human anatomy. While that is absolutely brilliant it also must drive someone mad crazy.
Stephen gets drawn into the search for the missing Balubal Razon, inventor of a camera that can alter our understanding of human history and change the very structure of society. This is a fantastic, brilliantly written and a quick read that I would recommend for everyone.
Once again Brandon Sanderson shows whether he is writing a masterpiece like Stormlight Archive/Mistborn or a short story; he excels all expectations.
4.25 stars
Another hit by the brilliant write Brandon Sanderson!
Stephen Leeds, AKA 'Legion,' is a man whose unique mental condition allows him to generate a multitude of personae: hallucinatory entities with a wide variety of personal characteristics and a vast array of highly specialized skills. Now imagine if you wish to understand human anatomy, he hallucinates a persona who happens to know everything about human anatomy. While that is absolutely brilliant it also must drive someone mad crazy.
Stephen gets drawn into the search for the missing Balubal Razon, inventor of a camera that can alter our understanding of human history and change the very structure of society. This is a fantastic, brilliantly written and a quick read that I would recommend for everyone.
Once again Brandon Sanderson shows whether he is writing a masterpiece like Stormlight Archive/Mistborn or a short story; he excels all expectations.
4.25 stars