Legion

This is the first Sanderson work I've read, and I didn't know what to expect. I loved the plot, the characterization, and the pacing. I'm definitely looking forward to reading other works of his now.

This book is another example of BrandSand's adept skill and craft. My only complaint is the fact that the story is so short. Make no mistake: this book is not a novel, or a novella, or a novelette. It's a short story put in hardback. You might prefer the ebook version.

But whatever the format, you should still read this book.

Loved the character idea behind this book. The actual story he chooses to tell.... meh, I can take it or leave it. To be honest, if he can spin this out of the ridiculous and focus on plot lines that lie within the realm of possibility, I'd be happy to read more.

Definitely one I'd like to see explored in a larger novel. I finished this very quickly (especially on the kindle where every page flip is 2%..) and its a good story with a very interesting concept.

Check it out - worth the $3

A little short. Interesting, but not in a typical fashion. I found the story a little dry. The real star was Stephen Leeds. He's a fascinating character and would do well with a more interesting plot.

The characters were distinct and believable; the story, short but memorable. Sanderson is my favorite fantasy writer right now. If you haven read much of His work, start with Emperor's Soul, Mistborn or Warbreaker.

This book is really much too short! It's a nice little story. Undoubtedly mr. Sanderson could turn the idea behind the book into a very good novel.

Too short but I'd buy a follow-up in a heartbeat... provided the (Kindle) price would be just as attractive.

This book was interesting only for it's portrayal of multiple personality disorder. It didn't really have a plot otherwise and what little plot it did have didn't get addressed in any type of fullfilling manner. The guy has a bunch of personalities (aspects) that he uses to solve problems and makes him seem hyper intelligent, but the author didn't give this fact enough play to actually make that interesting. The main charecter Stephen just randomly talks to himself or these aspects and thats how the story progresses or trys to. These aspects barely do anything important or detrimental to the story and the whole thing culminates to an unsatifying finish that is an obvious ploy to make a continuation story. The author alludes to past events in the charecters life without giving any background or reason for doing so and the story ends so abruptly that it leaves you wondering why you wasted your time reading it in the first place. You never actually care about any of the characters or story line whatsoever. I'd say pass on this story and read a magezine instead. Also, the synopsis is very misleading. The story never delves into anything religeon shaking and focuses mainly on a lost camera that supposedly takes pictures of the past. Even the camara isn't a major plot point until almost the end. Most of the story is about Stephen and his aspects and him talking to them and the author showing how these aspects can be benificial. Again pass on this unless you can get it for free.

I am a fan of Mr. Sanderson from several series. That being said Legion is one of the most unique books that I have ever read. I think the concept behind this story would play well into a television series or a movie.

Although I have a preference for Sanderson's fantasy novels, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Legion. The concept is interesting and entertaining. Sanderson always has a way of putting together intelligent, unpredictable plots. Solid, good read.

Having read every book Brandon has written and loved them all, my disappointment was a surprise upon completing this book. I thought the first half to three fourths of the book up to Brandon's standards (almost) the main character was interesting and his relationship with his alters was quite good I felt. The photographs out of nowhere even seemed plausible, with the trip to Jerusalem things began to get very shaky - It is as if Dan Brown had become one of Brandon's alters and took over writing the book with the result that the last portion of the book, had I read it out of context, I would have thought to be written by Brown, although clearly not written as well as Dan would have done. After the bomb in Jerusalem the flow of action became jerky, unbelievable and failed to capture my interest for the remainder of the book. The price was absurdly high! What's up with these prices Brandon??

I have always loved the different systems of magic that Sanderson creates and in this book, while not magic, I found incredibly fascinating. I hope he expands on this book at some point because I would love to read it.

Having finished this short I have to say that it was excellent. If you are unfamiliar with his (Brandon Sanderson)work I can recommend him without reservation. His ideas are fresh and certainly original.

I found this ebook a bit bizarre with all the imaginary characters. Sometimes it was hard to sort out who or what was real and what wasn't. Characters with mental issues are difficult to follow. The plot also didn't draw me in as I expected. However, I've heard wonderful things about this author though, so perhaps I started reading his material with the wrong book.

Legion is a novella worthy of Philip K. Dick. It messes with reality in a really interesting way. I am extremely proud of Sanderson for branching out to the modern thriller style, and doing so well at it. He's really showing off his skill here.

If you can't afford the cost of this book, then it's not worth it to you. But don't complain about it--just buy the ebook and let the rest of us enjoy this quality binding and spellbinding story.

One of the more novel characters from the fiction genre. Not what he seems. Or is he. That's part of the novelty. Two books and I'm still not sure. These are different then the usual Sanderson works. Usually, it's about the story. In the Legion books, its more about developing an interesting character(s).

This was a decent story, but nothing spectacular. The concept is interesting but there really is not much to it and the ending left me saying "meh". Plus Brandon Sanderson needs to stop trying to leave open ever novel/short story he writes as if it will become a full series.

The story is almost unique if you don't count two decades of Marvel Comics. It is still well written, but it is largely uninspired and uninspiring. Given the usual excellence of Sanderson's work, this was quite the disappointment.

While I applaud Sanderson's latest 'gimmick' of individual "hallucinations" to aid his hero (I got a lttle tired of all the 'metal-mixes' in the Mistborn series), this was way too short...didn't realize it was a novella when I purchased.....not sure $1.99 is worth my buy.....I look forward to a full-length novel by the author.......

I'm a huge Brandon Sanderson fan, so when this book came out I immediately got it. I have never been disappointed in one of his books before. I was when I finished this one, though. The idea of the story is fascinating. A guy who hallucinates and solves mysteries? Awesome. However, there wasn't enough time in the short story to flesh out the main character, let alone the others. I've read worse, but I expected better.

Got the book yesterday and read it in one night. This is a testament to both how good the book is and how short. This IS a novella, so as mentioned in other reviews it is short. In spite of that, I think it was absolutely worth every penny and I wish I had decided to shell out the money for a signed copy when they were available.

Pros
Brandon Sanderson wrote it
Engaging story
Interesting twists
Great Characters

Cons
Only ~90 pages long, finished in a single night of reading
Haven't heard that there will be a sequel yet

I wanted to like this book; Sanderson usually writes extremely engaging characters, involved worlds with intricate, "realistic" magic (not to torture the metaphor), and breathless conclusions. So what happened here?

Too Short: Yes, I know it's a novella. Still, there was a lot of HINTING at things that should have been edited out. This read more like a TV movie that was a backdoor pilot. What about the ex-girlfriend? Who was really behind the plot?

Too Trite: The alternate personalities were straight out of Central Casting. J.C. in particular had no business being there except for ONE scene in the climax, but he's brought along instead of the technical personality who might have actually been of use in a 'case' like this. But J.C. gets to be in almost every scene, being a sterotypical gun nut and even "getting the girl" (eww).

Too Quick: The ending felt extremely rushed. Without spoiling anything, I literally looked at the page and went "That's it?" Again, if this was supposed to be a series, it would be one thing, but then why not write a full first novel?

Let me preface this by saying that Brandon Sanderson`s writings are some of the most enjoyable books I've read. I cannot say the same for Legion. This is a novella, so the high level of detail and creative world-building he is known for just isn't present. It's an interesting idea behind the main character's abilities, but it wasn't great.

While I usually encourage people to read his works, many of which I've reread numerous times, I would not recommend Legion.

I usually like Brandon Sanderson a lot, but this is a minor work, and I'm not talking about the lenght of the story. The characters and the story are unremarkable, and the idea for the story does not appeal to me.

That said, a minor work from Brandon Sanderson is still a good book.

I have read almost all of Sanderson's stuff and enjoyed it greatly. That said, I think even fans can safely skip this.

Why? Well this sci-fi story feels even shorter than its 80-something pages. There is a bit of a sci-fi idea, a bit of a mystery, a bit of action and, ultimately, a bit of a story. Its not that its poorly done - its not - its just that its not a very ambitious story, walking a fairly quiet path without really focusing on the sci-fi, the action, or the story. In a novella of this length, maybe you cant really hit a home run in every aspect of a book, but this book doesnt even try...rather, it provides you just a little bit of everything (idea, action, story, character), and the result, while pleasant enough, is rather forgettable. Comparatively speaking, Sanderson's full length novels seem to pack in even more action, imagination and story than the gap in page length would suggest, perhaps because the 80 pages isnt enough to gather momentum.

Verdict: Pleasant, but forgettable. Worth the $2.99, but you can probably find something that deserves to be higher on the to read pile -- most especially including any of Sanderson's full length novels you havent read.

P.S.: Sanderson's short story "Firstborn" (40 pages) fits more in the tradition of short sci-fi stories where you finish and are blown away by the fully revealed premise. Although shorter than Legion, it is memorable due to the power of its central idea. On the somewhat longer side, at 180 pages, Sanderson's The Emperor's Soul feels like a full novel; although it is a little light on action, the magic system, characterization and premise are terrific and the book just works. By comparison, "Legion" occupies some sort of awkward middle ground between the two lengths, and as a result doesnt shine.

I was a huge Sandersn fan until the last two "books". The Alloy Of Law was ok but barely a novel and not up to the previous Mistborn books. This one-Legion-was just a waste. It is an intresting story but the 80 pages read more like a pitch for a tv show than anything more involved. Basically no character development or background. Save your money. The 2.99 price on Kindle was abount what it was worth.

Awww, Brandon's gotten better at writing dialogue. I'm so proud!

Unfortunately, though, the "revelation" at the end was no revelation at all. :( I suppose I can forgive this weirdly pointless storyline because of the fun characters, but I'm not giving this one a high rating. Maybe only three stars.

This novella was a disappointment. I've thoroughly enjoyed all of Sanderson's other works, but this just felt like it was written by a high schooler who stole stock characters from Central Casting. Admittedly, Sanderson does say in the beginning that it's not his typical story and he did try to give the idea to a writer better suited to the topic. I wish he had. I'm also glad I got it for $3 on the Kindle and didn't spend $14 on a hardcover copy. Sorry, Brandon, but this one was a total bust. The only reason I gave you 2 stars here is because I can't bring myself to give you a single star.

I w as s very disappointed in this book. With such a cool idea Sanderson could have kept writing for a thousand more pages an I would have read right along till the end. What happens to the darker Side of his aspects? All in all I would say it was a let down.

The world considers Stephen Leeds a genius. Psychologists want to study him, and the rest of the world would like to use him to fix problems nobody else can. Stephen just wants to be left alone, well alone as anyone can be when they have extraordinary friends that only they can see. It's how he got the title of genius. If he runs into a problem one of his "friends" comes in to help. You see, Stephen is psychotic. He has a mental disorder that causes him to dream up imaginary people, with imaginary personalities and emotional quirks that give them a level of detail that would make almost anyone believe in them, if anyone but Stephen could see them.

In Legion Stephen Leeds shows the reader how extraordinary his `problem' is when he works on a case to track down a missing scientist. The strange man has created a camera that takes pictures of the past, and the company who financed the development of the camera wants control of the device.

Brandon Sanderson has shown his imaginative brilliance in this unique tale. In Stephen Leeds he has created a bizarre character who imagines other bizarre characters that work together to make a single individual who is amazing in his depth and uniqueness. That in itself is a solid piece of the story, but the camera is another, at least in the ramifications of such a device. In Legion Brandon Sanderson takes the camera and asks what are the potential hazard of such a device to politics, religion, and blackmail. He shows that such a camera would be a wonderful device, but one that could bolster, or destroy all our beliefs. Would the world be prepared for such truths, and would such a camera do more to destroy or help?

If you're looking for a story that is truly unique with a little mystery, comedy, and science fiction then I would strongly recommend this tale.

In Legion, Brandon Sanderson takes an interesting detour from epic fantasy and introduces us to Stephen Leeds, a schizophrenic who divides his time between avoiding academics who will con their way into studying him, and using the expertise of his personalities to solve problems for hire.

And his personalities are indeed experts. Ranging from the gun-ho persona of J.C. to the timid, but linguistically talented Kalyani, Brandon Sanderson creates a story that lightheartedly questions our definition of sanity. Stephen Leeds' personalities are reminiscent of the personalities of Whedon's character Echo (Dollhouse), only unlike Echo, Stephen does not become each of his personalities; they are simply "friends" that have skillsets and talents unavailable to Stephen himself. Of course, the catch is that they ARE all Stephen.

Without giving too many details, Stephen and his "friends" work on a case that takes them halfway across the world and causes them to reexamine the relationship between scientific proof and faith.

This novella is a fun change of pace for Sanderson, and demonstrates just how wide ranging and varied his interests and talents are.

On the Sanderson scale, with the last volume of "Wheel of Time" on one end and books like "Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians" on the other, this looks to me like it falls a little to the "Alcatraz..." side of the scale, but that's fine. There aren't a lot of really good slightly tongue in cheek speculative fiction tales out there and this is most definitely a fun one.

It is certainly the case that the hero, the premise, the pace, and the tone all whet the appetite for more. The set up looks a bit cumbersome at the outset, and the idea that our hero's "aspects" manifest themselves as almost real is a stretch that could have become coy or precious. But Sanderson keeps it light and lively and the elegant illusion is sustained. I can see why these are novellas, because I don't know if the premise could be maintained over the course of a novel length work, but as shorter treats everything works.

It helps that Sanderson doesn't try too hard to explain or justify. The reader has to just sign on to the premise and go with the flow. And that flow is witty, creative, extremely fast paced, and entertaining. There are a few serious themes underneath it all, and they are there if the reader cares to follow them. If not, it's still a rollicking good time.

(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this novella without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

Reader thoughts:
It's a different flavor than Sanderson's other works, even his other novellas. It still has his tight pacing, creative ideas with limited resources, and dramatic flare at the climax.

I like the idea of a genius embodying his intellect into hallucinations so that he doesn't go crazy, and I love the speculation behind whether Steven Leeds really is crazy or not. He's convinced he's not, but any insane person would say the same.

Plus, there's the philosophical (or theoretical? Or theological?) question. If you had a camera that could take pictures of the past, what would you take pictures of?

I just love how much Sanderson's stories make me think.

Writer thoughts:
Sanderson is a master at bringing up objections to his own plots. His characters will ask each other things like, "But why didn't you..." or "Could we just..?" and the other characters have to explain. As a reader, I appreciate that the author has considered all angles and has valid reasons for rejecting those plot points (or ways to explain away the plot holes). This technique is akin to "hanging a lantern on it." Other authors would do well to follow this example. If you ignore potential plot holes, you will get readers who notice, and they'll either consider you negligent or lazy or short sighted for not addressing said issue.

Example from this story: Leeds asks Monica how the inventor could have stolen ALL of the prototypes. Didn't the company have backups? She explains that the inventor was the only one who could make the camera work. Later, the reader finds out why.

If Sanderson had simply ignored this issue, readers would have been annoyed, and then the end sabotage wouldn't have been foreshadowed as well.

Legion (2012) is the first Fantasy novel in the Legion series. It apparently takes place in the contemporary era within the USA and Israel.

In this novel, Steven Leeds has hallucinations. Steve calls them aspects. They only know information that he has absorbed. Psychologists love to analyze him, but he is tired of their efforts.

Ivy is an aspect. She is a psychologist. She is afraid of spiders.

Tobias is an aspect. He know everything that Steven does. He also has hallucinations of an astronaut that gives him weather reports.

J.C. is an aspect. He is a former SEAL. He believes himself to be real despite people walking through him.

Audrey is an aspect. She is a handwriting analyst. She has a sense of humor.

Armando is an aspect. He is an expert on photography. He is also a megalomaniac.

Monica is an executive at Azari Laboratories. She sends photographs to Steve.

Balubal Razon is a Filipino physicist. He has invented a special camera.

In this story, Steve is trying to complete a session with Ivy, but J.C. is firing his pistol. Steve goes to talk to him. When he comes back, Tobias reminds Steve that a petitioner is waiting for him.

Steve goes to talk to the man. The petitioner says that his fiancee has disappeared. He give Steve a note that she left behind.

Steve sends for Audrey to compare the writing on the note with the petitioners handwriting. The writing is identical. The man is a psychology doctoral student trying to write a thesis on him.

Steve gets a photograph in the mail. It is a photo of the Lone Cypress when it was a ten year old sapling. Steve gives the photo to Armando to analyze. He says it appears to be real.

Then he receives a picture of George Washington shaving. The photo has a phone number of the back. Steve decides to call that number.

Monica answers the phone. She is right outside his gate. Steve invites her inside.

Razon has invented a camera that will take pictures of the past. But it doesn't work properly. He is using Azari Labs to perfect the camera.

This tale has Azari trying to copy the camera. They refuse to take pictures Razon wants, but are taking shots of influential people. So Razon destroys all the copies and runs away. Monica wants Steve to find him.

Is the company going to use the camera for blackmail? The next installment in this sequence is Skin Deep.

This story is also available in the omnibus edition Legion and the Emperor's Soul.

Highly recommended for Sanderson fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of psychological cases, collective action, and a bit of genius. Read and enjoy!

-Arthur W. Jordin

Stephen Leeds is a genius who has formed a unique way of coping with the masses of knowledge crowded into his brain. He's created 'aspects', each of whom has a complete personality and a separate set of skills. Some people call him a genius, some people call him insane, but no one can deny that he's extraordinary.

I love everything Brandon Sanderson has written, and Legion is no exception. Each new story or novel he publishes is astoundingly imaginative. This novella left me wanting more and I immediately picked up the sequel.

The idea of the aspects is clever and well written. I love that each one has their own mental disorder. It's easy to forget how intelligent Stephen is, he seems like a regular joe until his genius flashes out through the pages. The narration is consistent, the narrator performs subtle character voices and his voice fits well with the story.

I'd recommend this book as an introduction to Sanderson's work, you won't be disappointed.

So this book had some hard acts to follow. Just before I read this I read Everless and The Cruel Prince which were both 5/5 stars for me and surpassed all my expectations. While they are not Contemporary, they did give this book something to live up to.

I was sceptical at first because of all the hype surrounding this book. I wasn't sold right away and it took me a bit but by half way through it I was hooked and emotionally attached to Simon and his upbeat, hopeful demeanor.

Being a YA book, I wouldn't say this was epic. But I would say this is a pleasurable read with a great cast of characters and amazing representation. It didn't quite live up to the hype for me, but I can't deny that it was a sweet story that gave me all the feels.

I think Brandon Sanderson is brilliant as he delivers up one of the best/strangest protagonists ever... Meet Stephen Leeds... and as Stephen puts it... He is quite Sane! However, his other "aspects" the (imaginary friends) of his persona are all quite mad! He is also a genus... Each of his imaginary friends is a genius too, but only in a single field. Each of his 'friends' are so different from each other plus they're funny and always squabbling... But, it's only with their help that he's able to solve the mystery set forth in this fantastic novella. I have just finished listening to the audible version and I loved it! Oliver Wyman really captures the flavor of the book catching Stephen and all his aspects perfectly... So get the book or even better the audio copy and have fun!

There are plenty of other reviews that go into detail about how awesome the story is and how much they love Brandon Sanderson. My review is simply to recommend that you do yourself a favor and get the audiobook.

I'm leery of certain audiobooks, b/c a bad narrator has ruined a book for me before (I can't even read the print version of Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning without hearing the horrible narrator's voice in my head). But Oliver Wyman does a phenomenal job (instead of taking away, it adds a layer to the experience and I feel I know the characters better now). And a book such as this, where Leeds has so many different aspects representing so many different ethnicities, must be a special challenge. But Wyman more than rose to the occasion. He voices: an older black gentleman, a Midwestern woman, an Indian woman, a tough ex-Navy guy, an Israeli man, a Filipino man and others.

I think I would have enjoyed the book had I read only the print version, but I truly adore the audio version. The voices are distinctive and with so many characters it would be easy to lose track of who's speaking with a poor narrator. But I was able to follow the story here with no trouble at all.

And to give credit where credit is due, Brandon Sanderson's descriptions are so crisp and clear that it's easy just to fall into the story you're hearing and not think about the author or even narrator after awhile. So kudos to them both. Honestly, I wish Oliver Wyman voiced all of Brandon Sanderson's books. I especially wish he was the narrator for The Way of Kings. I sampled the audio on that one and didn't like the narrator nearly as much. So I just got a print and kindle version instead.

"My name is Stephen Leeds, and I'm perfectly sane. My hallucinations, however, are all quite mad."

This is the best opening line in a book I have ever read. If you can only say one thing about Brandon Sanderson you can say he writes an amazing story. This one is no exception in spite of the fact it is only 88 pages.

Stephen Leeds is a certifiable genius, maybe the smartest man who ever lived. He doesn't believe it though and believes he is shockingly average while his aspects (read: hallucinations), are bits of himself that he creates with the skills he needs to get the job done. Seriously, any job. Need to learn Hebrew? Flip through an Hebrew dictionary on the plane and voilà, instant aspect with the relevant skills. This makes him a curiosity for psychologists everywhere and an amazing problem solver. Queue the search for a camera that takes pictures of the past and the scientist who ran off with it. The camera can take pictures of any specific date but it will only capture the current location. No surprise the journey takes the group to Jerusalem as the scientist tries to prove, or disprove, the existence of Jesus. The ties between religion and science and asking the question, "Can a devoted scientist be religious?", was handled well without being preachy in any way. Combined with a gaggle of personalities that only Mr. Leeds can see including, an ex-Navy seal, a scholar who knows more than any encyclopedia, an Indian linguist among other equally fascinating ones and the whole thing flows from thought provoking to hilariously insane.

This whole setup had so much going for it I wanted so bad for it to be a full on epic novel but, it is a worthy read albeit one that is over far too soon.

"My name is Stephen Leeds, and I'm perfectly sane. My hallucinations, however, are all quite mad."

This is the best opening line in a book I have ever read. If you can only say one thing about Brandon Sanderson you can say he writes an amazing story. This one is no exception in spite of the fact it is only 88 pages.

Stephen Leeds is a certifiable genius, maybe the smartest man who ever lived. He doesn't believe it though and believes he is shockingly average while his aspects (read: hallucinations), are bits of himself that he creates with the skills he needs to get the job done. Seriously, any job. Need to learn Hebrew? Flip through an Hebrew dictionary on the plane and voilà, instant aspect with the relevant skills. This makes him a curiosity for psychologists everywhere and an amazing problem solver. Queue the search for a camera that takes pictures of the past and the scientist who ran off with it. The camera can take pictures of any specific date but it will only capture the current location. No surprise the journey takes the group to Jerusalem as the scientist tries to prove, or disprove, the existence of Jesus. The ties between religion and science and asking the question, "Can a devoted scientist be religious?", was handled well without being preachy in any way. Combined with a gaggle of personalities that only Mr. Leeds can see including, an ex-Navy seal, a scholar who knows more than any encyclopedia, an Indian linguist among other equally fascinating ones and the whole thing flows from thought provoking to hilariously insane.

This whole setup had so much going for it I wanted so bad for it to be a full on epic novel but, it is a worthy read albeit one that is over far too soon.

What do you do when you have 47 personalities who act separately from you and with each other? Solve crimes, of course. Stephen Leeds does not have personality disorder (at least according to him), he is completely aware of his many personalities, knows they are not real, yet interacts with them as people. Essentially they are different aspects of his brilliant mind that each have unique skills. He can call on them to help him with cryptography, handwriting analysis, chemical engineering, even languages, and come in pretty handy to solve the most challenging mysteries.

Steven Leeds and his several personalities (you don’t meet all of them, about 10) are funny, neurotic, helpful, strange and just fun. Written in the first person, you get a myopic view of Stephen Leeds’ life, but one couldn’t imagine doing this another way.

The book is very short, not much longer than a lengthy short story, even less than a novella. That is fine, it works, though if you used one credit on Audible, you might be a little disappointed how quickly it goes. The plot and the supporting characters are ridiculous and forgettable. The point of the story is the personalities and how they interact with each other and the world. It’s good fun and worth the two hour listen.

Oliver Wyman does a fine job with the narration, keeping the characters clearly defined in your ear. His pacing is good and he remains “transparent” throughout the book, leaving the story for the listener to imagine.

Don’t look for earth shattering revelations or philosophical enlightenment from Legion, just a couple of hours distraction. Overall this is a fun listen and you’ll get through it quickly with a smile on your face.

Audiobook purchased for review by ABR.

Please find this complete review and many others at audiobookreviewer dot com

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I read this last night, and I absolutely loved it. The writing is of course great, and the ideas present are very interesting. My only problem with his concept of a camera seeing into the past is that at one point he debunks it, but then when it works he just kind of goes "oh well". It seemed slightly lazy for a master in magic systems, however there are hints that Leeds is trying to figure it out at the end. At the same time, I enjoyed how the possibility of the different unlikely factors in the book were examined, it was very interesting. I really enjoyed the characters in this book, and not just the real ones. I loved how Leed's different aspects are all fully formed characters and are very interesting as well. The interactions between the imaginary characters are all just very enjoyable, and it's not only with the real character of Leeds, but also with each other. The concept is great too, he's not just a schizophrenic, it is implied that the character is a genius, but to compensate for his brain's immense intellect, his imagination creates these fully formed people that are masters of various subjects. Then he acts as almost a sort of middle man since no one else can hear or see his aspects. I also think there is an immense potential in this character, not only is he a fully formed character with a riddled past, there's also so much you can do with him in the future. Apparently he can only have 5 or so aspects around him at a time without causing problems, but there are an unlimited amount of possible aspects as long as his mansion has enough rooms to accommodate them. I would absolutely love to see a full novel with all of these different character, or a TV show which is actually a strong possibility (though it was slightly lessened with the release of the slightly similar show Perception). For this novel, I was really getting into the character and the story, only to be kicked out rather abruptly. Not only did I want to see more cases for Leeds to solve, I also thought that this case came to a halt a little prematurely. I mean it is an awesome ending, but I kind of expected more of a chase, or more of a mystery to be solved.

I would definitely recommend this novella, and I'm giving it 5 stars because I really loved it, but I would say that you should try not to get too involved as it ends way too soon.

This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon.com. Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.

My name is Stephen Leeds, and I’m perfectly sane. My hallucinations, however, are all quite mad. Steven 'suffers' from having multiple, well-informed hallucinations. Using those hallucinations, he is a quite sort after man for scientists and engineers alike.

If I had to put this book in a genre, I'd say Mystery! And I've just enjoyed a mystery novel... It's a fantasy that could logically take place in the real world, and that to me, could even not be a fantasy in the future. I guess that makes it Urban Fiction, with a hint of Mystery...

It's really fascinating how initially, I accept the hallucinations as normal, and unspectacular, until suddenly, you realize the advantages of having specialists in each area. Not only can they advise him, they are able to take over his body to protect him.

What I find interesting is the way that the hallucinations interact. That they are all aware of each other, and that they are able to grow and change. I only wish I knew more about all of them. I am sure that each has a backstory that Sanderson has come up with.

As this is a novella, I struggle to say too much about it, just that it was awesome, and amazing, and please go and pick yourself up a copy today. This novella feels like it's worth reading more than once, just to pick out all the nuances in it. I wish it was full-length book.

My awesome partner bought me this novel for Christmas. She entirely got this choice right! I could not put this novella down, and I can't wait to get my hands on the second in the series.

Well, let’s first say OOPS. I was so excited about getting the free ebook from Audible for LEGION: SKIN DEEP that I didn’t realize that was book two in stead of book one in this series of novellas (also an issue I have when series titles end up being book titles too) so I listened to the second one first and the first one second. Actually, I think I ended up liking LEGION: SKIN DEEP better because of that! (Though I would have liked it better either way… Okay, I’m just rambling.

Anyway — I really enjoyed these novellas! They were a bit more science-fiction than fantasy with a psychological twist. Since I actually read the second one first, I got more info about Stephen Leeds than is divulged in the first book (obviously) but I didn’t really feel lost either. His aspects were incredibly interesting and there were some hints at what exactly they were — or weren’t — that kept me guessing. I really loved the various characters — both real and imaginary — and it was really interesting to see how the scenes unfolded when Leeds was the only person who could see and interact with this aspects.

SKIN DEEP had much more of a plot than LEGION (it was much longer as well) so that was my favorite of the two. I sort of just felt like I was catching up and there wasn’t a whole ton of substance to the original novella besides the introduction that I’d already received (plus some plot, but the fact that I had the bulk of this knowledge about the aspects kind of slowed the book down a bit for me — my own fault, obviously). Reading these two really had me craving more, though! I can’t wait for the next novella and I love that I was able to read (listen) to this so quickly!

Even though they were novellas, they still had plenty of plot (especially book two) and I was really hooked on the second book! I love that it was a bit more mystery and sci-fi than fantasy this time around and I can’t wait to see where else this series plot goes because so far I’m definitely intrigued and very excited!

There has never really been a thriving market for novellas. Along with its misfit sister format the novelette, novellas can be difficult to sell. However, the rise of ebooks is changing the market for novellas. Instead of abandoning these in-between stories, authors can sell them directly to consumers. But will this new experiment work for all authors?

Brandon Sanderson, a notoriously productive bestselling author, who is known for epic fantasies that span several volumes each containing hundreds of thousands words, decided to give it a try. And for added difficulty, he is selling a story that is not only much shorter, but also in a different subgenre. I'm glad to say that Sanderson's novella, "Legion," is a successful novella experiment.

"Legion" is the story of Stephen Leeds, AKA Legion, a man who has a reputation as a brilliant problem solver. Not just brilliant, but crazy good, you might say, because Leeds relies upon a menagerie of hallucinations (each possessing a unique skill) to solve those problems. Although he's quite good at what he does, Leeds would rather be left alone. Well, relatively speaking. Alone with his hallucinations, or "aspects" would be more accurate. Away from the researchers and psychologists who want to get to the bottom of his abilities.

But even some riddles are too intriguing for Leeds and his aspects to ignore. In this case, Leeds and his aspects try to track down a missing inventor who disappeared with a camera that takes pictures of the past. If they can't find him, those photos may rewrite history and religions, sparking a conflict who knows how large.

In "Legion," Sanderson has created a unique character (or should I say characters?). "Legion" is told using first person point of view, so Sanderson lets you see through the eyes of a man who is very aware of his unique condition, the implications of it, and the struggles to keep control of his mind. And yet Sanderson tells Leeds's story with a sense of humor and wonder.

Sanderson also packs a number of compelling issues into such a short story: science, faith, corporate espionage, and terrorism, just to name a few. These issues propel the story forward at a fast clip. In fact, this novella has a comic book's or action movie's pacing.

But it's not all mindless fluff and action. Readers will get the sense that there is a much larger back story here, and "Legion" offers us only a small glimpse of a much larger, well developed world. Hopefully, "Legion" is the first of many novellas, or maybe Sanderson will expand the story into a full novel, comic, or some other form.

"Legion" isn't without its faults, though. The issues in "Legion" and the troubled yet brilliant problem solver aren't exactly original material. Science vs. faith is a common idea in fiction. Asimov also wrote a story about a camera that sees into the past. And fans of TV procedurals will probably think Leeds would fit in well among the ranks of many primetime protagonists. Heck, even Marvel has a character with multiple personalities named Legion.

But lest I talk you out of reading "Legion," remember that you are in the hands of a master storyteller. Sanderson's Legion is different from Marvel's, and Sanderson approaches issues from an oblique angle, offering a creative take on the matter.

And while Leeds's ability to summon an expert-level aspect exactly when needed, risks becoming a deus ex machina solution that saps all the tension of the story, Sanderson doesn't let that happen. Thankfully, Leeds hints that he has to struggle to keep control of his aspects. That big risk--of his mental state coming apart at the seams--also helps keep the reader interested.

At 88 pages, this is a short, fun read. Sanderson's experiment with urban fantasy was quite enjoyable, and now I can add a potential "Legion" sequel to my list of Sanderson works I'm looking forward to, right under the final Eye of the World book and the next Stormlight Archive book.

The hardback and paperback versions of "Legion" have sold out on Subterranean Press's website, but you can still buy the ebook version at various online retailers, or you can get the audio book version (as narrated by Oliver Wyman) for free from Audible.

Brandon Sanderson’s book Legion is, on all accounts, innovative and entertaining. Though the book is directed toward a more juvenile audience, my adult self was thoroughly charmed by Stephen’s idiosyncratic friends, especially because no one can see them but him. Stephen, a remarkably intelligent man with an evident psychological illness, has somehow harnessed his disability and made use of the psychological characters that his mind invents. Though the story is short, it is captivating, and you always find yourself rooting for Stephen, despite his often cold and apparently schizophrenic personality.

One of the most intriguing elements of this novel is the fact that Stephen imagines characters who come with knowledge and skills that help make him one of the most intelligent humans in the world; with the assistance of the various different hallucinated people, he is able to learn other languages, perform technological repairs, and solve complicated puzzles. These characters’ unique attributes, proving to be at times useful and at other times annoying, combine to make Stephen who he is. There is Ivy, a secretary-ish sidekick who offers her rational logic; J.C, a brutish ex-Navy SEAL who is constantly carrying an imaginary gun for protection; and Tobias, a brilliant, old scholar whose voice calms Stephen’s often frantic mind.

On top of it all, you get to follow an interesting mystery as it unfolds before you as Stephen and his “aspects” (that’s what he calls his imaginary friends) uncover hidden secrets. The intertwining of events that make up the plot keeps you on your toes as you wonder what Stephen’s connection to Sandra is and how the photographs that mysteriously arrive in the mail have to do with a greater scheme. With all its humor, loveable characters, and peculiar turns-of-events, this book will surely not disappoint.

"My name is Stephen Leeds, and I'm perfectly sane. My hallucinations, however, are all quite mad."

This is the best opening line in a book I have ever read. If you can only say one thing about Brandon Sanderson you can say he writes an amazing story. This one is no exception in spite of the fact it is only 88 pages.

Stephen Leeds is a certifiable genius, maybe the smartest man who ever lived. He doesn't believe it though and believes he is shockingly average while his aspects (read: hallucinations), are bits of himself that he creates with the skills he needs to get the job done. Seriously, any job. Need to learn Hebrew? Flip through an Hebrew dictionary on the plane and voilà, instant aspect with the relevant skills. This makes him a curiosity for psychologists everywhere and an amazing problem solver. Queue the search for a camera that takes pictures of the past and the scientist who ran off with it. The camera can take pictures of any specific date but it will only capture the current location. No surprise the journey takes the group to Jerusalem as the scientist tries to prove, or disprove, the existence of Jesus. The ties between religion and science and asking the question, "Can a devoted scientist be religious?", was handled well without being preachy in any way. Combined with a gaggle of personalities that only Mr. Leeds can see including, an ex-Navy seal, a scholar who knows more than any encyclopedia, an Indian linguist among other equally fascinating ones and the whole thing flows from thought provoking to hilariously insane.

This whole setup had so much going for it I wanted so bad for it to be a full on epic novel but, it is a worthy read albeit one that is over far too soon.

I don't know why but there is some of Brandon Sanderson's work that just doesn't call to me. Legion is one of those. I bought it a long time ago and just never read it because the idea was so silly that it got overlooked. I am so glad I finally picked this up and read it.

Legion has great ideas pouring out of it. What the heroes power I guess you would call it is mined for great effect. Don't be fooled by how short this book is. It is chock full of good stuff. There is tons of backstory that provide fascinating glimpses into the story.

I remember reading somewhere that Sanderson wanted to develop this as a TV Pilot. I think that would be great. I would see this being a great series.

I loved every minute I spent reading this. Sanderson is at his best when writing Epic Fantasy. Yet if he can crack something like this out I am thinking that no matter what he writes I need to purchase and read immediately.

Legion by Brandon Sanderson is a quick yet fun novella by one of the premier fantasy authors of our time. When reviewers say quick, you can expect to plow through this book in one whole sitting. Personally, I think it took me about an hour and a half to finish. Therefore, Legion is a good read during that morning commute on the train or bus. This is obviously not the author's best work but more like a side project. In fact, I couldn't even tell this was written by one of my favorite authors! But don't let that fool you. The story does have that "Hey, I've heard of that somewhere before" feeling but other than that, it's a good quick read.
We follow the character of Stephen Leeds, a perfectly "sane" individual who just happens to have a bunch of hallucination characters living in his mind. Call it a gift or a curse but the multiple personalities of these characters has earn Stephen a great deal of money and has even researchers worldwide trying to figure out just what the heck is going on in his mind. Due to him being able to create characters in his mind that has a specific talent, Stephen is consulted with a very special job in which he is tasked to recover a very special type of camera.

What obviously makes this book so fun to read is due to the array of hallucinated characters that exist inside only Stephen's mind. Okay, well to be to honest, we're talking about just 3-4 here but nonetheless, each character doesn't have its own personality. I did find some of them to be the stereotypical types though. Nevertheless, the book is short enough to forgive these minor shortcomings.

Legion is short paced yet full of action as the characters are usually in motion except in the introduction part. I did find myself not really liking the idea of what the camera was being used for once it was revealed to the readers. I was like oh no, not this angle again! It felt to me just a tad bit lazy coming from such a brilliant mind of an author. I expected something besides the ordinary even for a book of this size. But like many others have mentioned before me, Legion is a good quick read that doesn't let up once you start!

Legion by Brandon Sanderson is one of two novellas he published in 2012. I very much enjoyed The Emperor's Soul and so was quite excited to find Legion on Audible! Legion has a crazy interesting premise and I was for once quite pleased with the male narrator. This one is definitely a bit different than the Sanderson I've read previously (I don't think I've ever read any sci-fi from him before actually), so it was cool to see him writing for another genre ;-).

Strengths:
There are some really interesting ideas in Legion. For one thing, having a main character who has countless hallucinations that know things that he doesn't seem to was just a great take on the human mind. Then there is this whole other awesome sci-fi element that was just too cool, especially because the characters discussed it with insights that I hadn't thought of :D.
I loved the narration of the audio version! I usually really dislike male narrators, but I really enjoyed Legion's including when he portrayed female characters. It's a miracle!
Sanderson has proven to be very good at pacing his novellas and I was entranced the entire time.
Legion has a brief explanation for the main character's hallucinations that was something I hadn't thought of, but also a very intriguing thought. Have you read Legion and know what I mean?? *wiggly eyebrows*

Weaknesses:
Legion unfortunately left me with more questions D: This can be the problem with novellas with such rich ideas, since there isn't room to completely flesh them out it seems.
While I liked both of the two sci-fi elements of Legion, they were rather disconnected and seemed to be too much for a novella.
I really wish that Legion had been a full length novel instead, it had the potential to be!

Summary:
Legion is a really cool sci-fi novella and I highly recommend it for Sanderson fans who also like sci-fi. Legion has Sanderson's characteristic rich ideas and writing, while being a little too short for its good! I also recommend the audio version if you are looking for something quick to listen to, since I quite enjoyed all the voices that were packed in; you needed a talented narrator for Legion, haha.

"Legion" is very different from everything else that Brandon Sanderson has written thus far, most of which is high fantasy.

Instead, this novella is more of a blend of quirky urban fantasy and science fiction, although at times the short story feels kind of like a dry run for a potential new series. It also has a progagonist who is literally accompanied by a merry band of imaginary friends.

Stephen Leeds is known as "Legion": he has several "aspects" that he hallucinates, each with valuable skills and knowledge that allow him to do almost anything. One is a deductive genius, one is an elite soldier, one is a linguist, and so on.

Then a woman named Monica approaches him with a very odd mission: find a scientist named Balubal Razon, who has somehow developed a camera that can see back in time. Now he's gone to Jerusalem to find out if Jesus Christ truly existed (although how he would know where Jesus was is never really explained).

So Stephen, Monica and the various aspects set out for Israel. But soon they find that locating Razon isn't their only problem, because a dangerous terrorist group also wants his camera.

"Legion" is an odd story, because it feels like it's not over at the end. Now, Sanderson wraps up the main plot about the camera, but there's a running subplot about Stephen's ex-girlfriend that is never concluded. It feels like Sanderson wrote this as a potential springboard for a new series.

Sanderson's writing is brisk and swift, climaxing in a bloody explosive shoot-em-up at the climax, and lots of dry humor. But the real draw here is Stephen and his aspects -- it's kind of fun to imagine this guy talking to his invisible friends, who really act like actual people with quirks and dry humor.

Brandon Sanderson may or may not pick up the story of "Legion," but it's certainly a nice, solid little story with a very unique hero (and his invisible sidekicks).

The best thing about short stories is the ability to get in and out in a reasonable amount of time. There is a beginning, a middle, and an END (aka no cliffhangers) and they are great for wasting short periods of time. For example: while waiting for a doctors appointment. I love this about them. Their shortness that is, and it is very VERY rare that I ever hunger for more once I've flipped that last page and found everyone nestled up nicely in their beds. This is not one of those times.

I have read several full-length Sanderson novels and been impressed each and every time. There is just something about the way his characters interact that suck me in like a moth to a flame. But I wasn't sure he could pull off the same pizazz with such limited space. I was wrong. (*smacks hand for being naive*)

"Legion" was unique in a way I had never experienced before. While the story read as if it was bursting at the seams with characters and their many nuances, the fact of the matter was...it wasn't. In short...Leeds is a little bit whack. (That's code for: there's a very good chance he's a schizophrenic.) And the majority of the characters in Legion are figments (or hallucinations as they are referred to in this instance) of his imagination.

Who here has seen the movie "A Beautiful Mind" and understands the saying "there is a very thin line between brilliance and insanity.?" That is where Leeds lives. That very thin line. HE claims to be an ordinary guy. "Me? Pfft. I'm nothing special." But to everyone else he is a genius. A very eccentric genius, but a genius all the same. The truth is...he IS ordinary, it's the characters he hallucinates (in full on technicolor) that are the smart/skilled ones. He just (for all intents and purposes) passes on that wisdom whenever the timing is appropriate. So, in the end, what you get is a story that is full of lively, smart and well fetted out characters. When in REALITY (are you still following me?) there are maybe only 3 or 4 "real" people in the entire book. (Does that make sense?)

I promise you, as completely illogical (and brain numbing) as the entire scenario sounds (or my complete lack of talent describing it) it is completely and utterly fascinating to read. I was literally on the edge of my seat the entire time trying to piece it all together.

In other words...2 hours well spent.

Favorite Quote: "My name is Steven Leeds and I am perfectly sane. My hallucinations however are all quite mad."

One of the things that made me love Garth Nix's work (yes, a different author), is his imagination is just mind-blowing at times. Then I found Brandon Sanderson and each book I read had a completely different magic system and some amazing imagination that made me love his work.

Then comes Legion, which is not Sanderson's typical high-fantasy story.

My notes on this novella. . .

1. It's a novella. It's short and an entire sub-plot is left unresolved to say the least. But I was okay with it in the end.

2. The motives of each of the characters was explained versus "showed". At first I thought something had totally gone wrong with the story, but as it's various "hallucinations" of Steven's that is providing the Sherlock Holmes observations, it fit.

3. There is a sense of Sherlock Holmes in this mystery, which was fun. I'm expecting this turning into a regular TV show, with our protagonist being hired to solve an issue each episode. Nice marketing if that is your intent Mr. Sanderson!!

4. Because it was a novella, the story moved along fast at what I felt was at the expense of a mood piece.
The interaction between the hallucinations and the protagonist should have created a certain mood that I can't quite put my finger on, and maybe because it didn't deliver that is why I can't describe it. I think it was the reduced (not lack of) internal dialogue of the protagonist in how he feels about each of the hallucinations (even though speaking with the hallucinations is basically internal dialog). It's like the missing mood is what Dexter in Dexter creates with his thoughts and dealing with his Dark Passenger.

5. I knew there was a reason to keep JC around! *wink* (gotta read the story!)

6. Character has flaws and has some growth. Well done in such few words.

OVERALL: I enjoyed this quick read and anyone who judges Sanderson on this work is mistaken. . .it's just different. Different isn't bad, but it's not necessarily better. He's a great author and I'm enriched for having read something different from him.

Anyone who's read Brandon Sanderson knows he's a prolific writer with a number of epic fantasy tomes under his belt already. When done with a big project, Sanderson takes a sort of break from working on the next long book and works on something shorter and different. Legion is exactly that: something very short and different from what his fans are used to, but at the same time it shows his breadth and ability as a writer.

Stephen Leeds (AKA Legion) is a troubled man who sees imaginary people. They are hallucinations that only he can see, but when he has a question to answer or a problem to solve, these hallucinations (which are logically just figments of his imagination) are able to provide an answer to said question or skillfully solve said problem. Legion is also able to create further hallucinations to fit his needs: if he needs to learn a specific language, he creates a hallucination who speaks it; if he needs to know a particular type of engineering, he creates that engineer. And now Legion's services are being required once more, as he must search for the missing Balubal Razon, who has a very special camera in his possession that could change the very world as we know it.

Sanderson has done what he does best: creating a compelling story, with powerful characters, and a riveting plot, only this time the stage is not that of epic fantasy. Also in Sanderson's classic style, while the main mystery is solved, the reader is left wanting more of this unique world and its fascinating characters.

Originally written on September 12, 2012 ©Alex C. Telander.

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As expected from one of my favorite authors, it's another splendid book!

The story is about a man who has a LEGION (Oh, see what I did there? Hehehe...sorry) of aspects or hallucinations, each with a specialty. He uses them to help him solve mysteries that no one else can. Now he's been offered a case involving a time-travelling camera. Intrigued (eventually), he goes on to look for the inventor. If you couldn't tell from the summaries, Sanderson has taken a stab at something more urban. Do not fret, fans, as this has had no impact on his drool-worthy writing style.

I enjoyed the quirky aspects and how they have such distinctive personalities. Sanderson does a fine job of making them realistic and intelligent and yet not real. This is no mean feat. I don't think anyone else can get away with writing something so potentially ridiculous. Seriously, try writing about hallucinations that everyone, including themselves, know are not real and then have them still manage to interact with the world. And everyone still seems reasonably sane. If you manage that, I'll accuse you of copyright infringement.

Anyway! My only complaint is that, as with all good novellas, it's too short! The book is 88 pages. As much as I enjoyed this book, I do not know if it's worth the price. I personally think it was a well-spent morning read but I'll have to leave that for you to decide for yourself. It's your money after all.

I would definitely recommend this book to any fans of Brandon Sanderson or just anyone at all! Overall, this novella seems to be an introduction or a prequel to a hopefully future book. As such, it seems like he devoted a lot more time to fleshing out the various characters than the plot itself. So don't expect a deliciously intricate plot as you'd get from most of his works. The story also ends with plenty of questions that begs for a sequel. Still, this book is a refreshing change from the urban literature that litter the bookshelves nowadays. A writer who's willing to try new things and go beyond the standard is always welcome on my to-read list!

Stephen Leeds is an ordinary guy. Well, except for the mansion. And how he got the mansion. That's not really ordinary. You see, Stephen has hallucinations. But aside from that, he's perfectly sane. His hallucinations are experts in various fields, and they have helped him solve mysteries, make good business decisions, and more. As the story opens, we are treated to a look at Stephen's current life - each hallucination has their own personality, relationships with the other `figments,' and their own room in the mansion. Stephen's butler is particularly accommodating to his master's eccentricities. Before long, though, a kink is thrown into this idyllic scene - a mysterious photograph arrives in the mail. A photograph could not possibly have been taken, and yet exists.

As Stephen and his assistant mental companions navigate the world of corporate espionage and travel all the way to Israel, they are constantly struggling to understand what's really going on. And going along with them is quite the wild ride.

Mr. Sanderson skates close to some touchy subjects, as can often happen when authors deal with time-travel in the middle east. But he avoids serious pitfalls, and enjoys himself in the process. Different points of view are also represented, some of which point to the protagonists' own conflicting worldviews.

If you're looking for a light, quick mystery read with a twist, you can't do much better.

Legion is also available as an Audible.com audiobook. The narration is excellent, with beautiful voice performances and great pacing. Brandon Sanderson has made the audio version available for free through December 31, 2012, so don't miss out!

Legion is rated for 15 and up on the Aardvark scale for some torture and other violent mayhem. However, overall the tone manages to stay fairly light and appropriate. If you have concerns about the religious matters portrayed in the book, I urge you to discuss them with your younger readers.

You can find more reviews on my website.

Legion was an interesting novella with a truly great conceit. Brandon Sanderson has created his version of Sherlock Holmes and introduced him in a whimsical, yet thought-provoking investigation.

Stephen Leeds is a genius and a mental case, a man with gifted personalities that appear, disappear, are masters of innumerable skillsets - and they tend to quite often have lives of their own. That concept alone had me because I've been fascinated by Jamie Madrox, a character in the Marvel Comics universe who has an ability to create physical duplicates of himself after getting hit.

I love the idea of being able to create copies of yourself, sending them out in the world to learn things, and then having access to that information. Leeds's ability is different, though. He can read up on whatever topic he needs to become a sudden expert in, then a new personality steps into his head and begins aiding him.

The puzzle in this one fits the character, too: a camera that everyone believes takes pictures of the future. That's an idea that's been done to death in so many ways, even as a Twilight Zone episode, but Sanderson still finds a way to make it exciting and new.

Sanderson delivers quick action and easily readable dialogue that illustrates his characters very nicely. I'm hoping that this is the first of a series because that's the way it feels. I look forward to seeing Leeds and his other selves again soon.

I downloaded this as an audiobook for free on the iTunes store. This was the first Brandon Sanderson book that I have experienced, and it was an enjoyable read.

In this book, the main character, Stephen Leeds creates hallucinations that are manifestations of parts of himself. Leeds converses with the hallucinations to come to conclusions about life issues. Leeds is considered to be a genius by some and has done work for different organizations in the past. While living as a bit of a recluse with his hallucinations, he is asked to travel across the world to help find a camera that can take pictures of the past, and, thus, it can possibly prove past events.

Leeds and his hallucinations were interesting characters, and some of their interactions were quite humorous. There were some elements of suspense, and there was a decent amount of action in this story.

However, in the end, there were some unanswered questions, which made me wonder if there is more to come. I hope there is more to come since, overall, this was an interesting, short, science fiction read. I recommend it even if you missed it while it was free.

Note: This review was originally posted on Goodreads.com

Stephen Leeds is a very sought after man. Many seek him out because they want to study him, others seek him out because they need him to provide the type of help no one else can provide.

Stephen's brain plays constant host to an ever-increasing number of hallucinations. To him, these hallucinations are quite real, and he knows that no else can see or hear them. They are a collection of hundreds of separate and distinct characters, each one being an expert in a particular field or on a specific topic. Anytime Stephen needs to "consult" with an expert, his brain manifests a new hallucination who is immediately able to provide him with everything he needs to know on the subject.

The idea behind the story Sanderson tells is brilliant and the story itself is great. My only complaint is that it's far too short. It's a novella and only takes an hour or so to read, so I don't feel the need to summarize the plot. Pay a couple of dollars to download it and get a sample of Sanderson's creativity and the broad depth of the worlds he creates. I'm confident you'll enjoy it.

I was very interested to read a novella by Brandon Sanderson. His novels are usually in the huge category - so something much, much smaller was rather appealing.

The problem with going smaller for this story is that it just didn't translate as well. The ideas are certainly unique - a camera that can take pictures of past events and a genius who's vast sums of knowledge are stored in multiple personalities in his head.

There just isn't enough compelling story here. I have a feeling if this idea where completely fleshed out into a 200 - 300 pages, this would be a fantastic tale. However, with the missing motivations for the characters the story seems to go a little herky-jerky. Some sections work really well, and then others just aren't there. Gives me the feeling that there was a page limit where some heavy editing took place.

Either way, this is a very quick read and at least an interesting one.

Overall - just an ok book. If you got an hour or two to spare, this can fill the void.

I liked "Legion" quite a lot. The one great strength of this story is that the magic system flows somewhat more naturally than many of Sanderson's other magic systems. This story is a novella in length, much like "The Emperor's Soul," so it's pretty quick read. Why I say that the magic system flows remarkably well is that many magic systems impose very arbitrary artificial rules in order to define limitations and consistent structure to the magic --Sanderson is sometimes very clunky with this. In this particular story, the magic stems quite naturally from some fairly non-arbitrary set-up rules, namely that a person's schizophrenic hallucinations might actually be functionally real. The magic of how these hallucinations help the protagonist accomplish his ends flows naturally from that.

Originally posted at FanLit.
I'm a fan of Brandon Sanderson's vivid imagination, so I was happy to get a copy of Legion, his new 88 page stand-alone novella. It's about Stephen Leeds, a man who's been diagnosed with schizophrenia because he sees and hears people who don't exist. The thing about Stephen, though, is that unlike most schizophrenics' hallucinations, the people in Stephen's head actually help him. They all have their own talents and areas of expertise (and their own mental illnesses) and if Stephen needs to know something they don't know, some other "aspect" is likely to show up to offer some help. This makes him valuable to anyone who needs help -- it's like hiring a "legion" instead of just one guy. Therefore, Stephen is highly paid and lives in a mansion with enough rooms to house all his special friends.

Stephen's current petitioner is unusual. Monica, and the people she works for, have lost a camera that can take photographs of the past. It seems to be an inside job and they need Stephen and his aspects to find the guy who stole it. Intrigued, they take the job when they realize that the thief hopes to produce photographs that will change the world, or at least the worldview, of millions of people. They know the photos will have a huge impact, but they don't know if it will bring world peace or world war.
As I mentioned, I love Brandon Sanderson's imagination, and he doesn't disappoint in Legion. Stephen and his crew are unique characters -- each of the aspects has its own personality and is a character in his or her own right. Due to the shortness of this novella, they don't get developed as much as we'd like, and some of their dialog is a bit stilted, but I certainly hope we'll be seeing more of them in future stories. They're all interesting and the hallucinatory nature of Stephen's aspects' existence offers plenty of opportunities for humor.

I don't want to give away any more of the plot, especially in so short a story, but I will say that, like Stephen and his friends, I was intrigued and excited by the possibilities the camera offered, though I had to work harder than usual to suspend my disbelief because I couldn't figure out how the camera could take a picture of the exact historical person or object desired when there would be so much "noise" from all the history that a single place would hold.

Legion asks us to consider past and current world events (especially in the area of religion and politics) and our own personal religious beliefs. What would our world be like if we had scientific evidence to back up our faith? Or if religious beliefs other than our own could be empirically verified? And if we could prove our beliefs, what is the meaning of faith?
Legion is a quick exciting read. This concept and plot is worthy of many more pages, though, so I sincerely hope that Brandon Sanderson will be writing more stories about Stephen Leeds and his legion.

Earlier this year, I heard that Subterranean Press was going to be releasing a signed, limited edition Brandon Sanderson novella. It was a no-brainer of a pre-order. And, boy was I glad to get it. I snagged copy 295!

When it came last week, I sat down and really enjoyed this little gem. It's a fun story that makes a great Saturday Morning read. The plot's fun, if a bit simplistic for a Sanderson work. Of course, the length of the work does limit how much can go into it. It had several really enjoyable aspects, though. I liked the idea of exploring the lines between sanity and insanity. And there is an absolutely hilarious romantic interlude that I had to read over a couple of times just to get how kooky it was.

So, as you can guess, I didn't purchase this novel from the store. And I actually payed a lot more than the the store price to get LEGION. But there's a reason that I got it the way that I did. I rarely buy books in a physical format anymore. If I really want to read something, I get it for my kindle or I borrow it from the library. I do this with comics and movies, too. It's just less expensive in the long run, and it saves on space. But there are some things I want to own. I want the pleasure of possession. And Sanderson's novels fall into this category. It's going onto the shelf next to all the other pretty Sanderson novels to be adored. Every once in a while, I'll take it down and mutter something about "precious," eat some raw fish, and indulge in a phlegmy cough.

Between this, the Mistborn Adventure Game, and The Emperor's Soul, I've got plenty of collecting to add to the shelf this year.

Just a quick edit. I've decided to purchase the e-book version of this through the store. I did get a free copy of that from Dragonsteel Entertainment, but I'm a member of lendle.me and would like there to be a copy available for someone else. Also, if you're interested in more of this character, Brandon said over twitter that he's sold rights to a television show to Lionsgate. That's currently in development.

An audio novella by the author of the Mistborn trilogy sounded like just what I needed when I downloaded Legion. Something easily digestible that would show me more of what Brandon Sanderson could and would do with his world-building talents. I was in the middle of reading the paperback edition of the first Mistborn book and really wanted a light, easy way to encounter some more of this apparently excellent writer.

Sanderson's style and wide-range of ideas are a lot of fun, and unlike many fantasy writers who put so much emphasis on their ideas, his execution actually matches up with his intentions. Two hours after downloading, I wished Legion was a series, but like any good novella, it did a great job of making me see that there exists a whole world in the story--living in the background and around the periphery--while still standing on its own.

Yes, it's a short read; I knew that going in, but I was still surprised at how fast it went. Eighty-eight pages flew by in about 30 minutes. As far as a review goes, I loved it! The story sucked me in right away. Even when dealing with novella length Sanderson was able to bring some pretty weighty themes to the table. The story really grows in your own imagination to be larger than the actual print length. To me, this is the true mark of a great story. I cannot stop thinking about the book and the ramifications of the camera getting recreated. Hopefully Sanderson will revisit this story someday and give us a full length novel.

this is worth the time and effort to download for free on audible.com. It is a very short, enjoyable audio experience (around 2 hours long) and great for a car ride.

The story is interesting and unique, but what really makes it good is the narration. The main character has multiple "characters" stuck in his head and the narrator expertly assigns a believable and entertaining voice to each character without over-acting the parts.

The story itself is a bit far-fetched, but still entertaining. I could have done without some of the trite cliched villains, which I won't spoil for you, but let's just say the ending leaves a lot to be desired. Still, it's an entertaining listening experience.

I am a new fan of Sanderson's work. This is a very short story and the plot premise is amazing. That said, please do not compare this to any of his bigger works and be disappointed. As the story is very short, I will not delve in to the plot at all for anything I mention will be a spoiler.
Considering Sanderson's age, I believe we are living in a golden age for fiction.
Disclaimer: I got the audible audiobook free (during one of the promotions I suppose). I presume free vs paying may make a difference in the rating.

I love the premise where a super genius creates hallucinations to help him track, categorize and process the vast amounts of knowledge that he has. The characters (including the hallucinations) are interesting, funny and quirky and combined with great writing it makes for a great base but in the end it’s a short story and in this case it’s just too short of a story to deliver a great product.

I didn't like it. It's a short story (about 70 pages) and I read it in under one hour. It isn't memorable. It felt more like a YA book. As in Steelheart I'm afraid I was let down since I love so much other works by Brandon Sanderson like the last books of The Wheel of Time or Stormlight Archives (which are among my favourite books ever). A pity. I guess they can't all be as good.

For me, Sanderson's shorter stories generally fallen short of the longer plotlines such as the Mistborn trilogy and Stormlight archives. It makes sense-- the shorter books just don't have enough room to be compared on an equal level.

This one was different. I would place it on equal footing with tWoK, which is mind-boggling to me.

What is more mind-boggling is that after reading the e-book version, I feel compelled to purchase the hardcover for my collection. The premise, character, humor, and execution still has me in a daze of awe.

Let's just say I am reconsidering some of my 5-star reviews of Sanderson's other works now that he has given me a new benchmark for these stand-alones.

I'm happy to have received it as an early birthday present, though I do hope that one day the author makes it available in a collection of other short stories and novellas that he has been publishing on and off. The price of this 88 page book was $20, $45 for the limited edition, and while I do think that is a fair price tag for a collector's item to a huge Sanderson fan like myself, the promised ebook priced at a couple of bucks makes far more sense for most people who simply want to read the story.

Enjoyable read! Fun characters, development, and plot. Contemporary time frame - proving Sanderson can write to almost any genre. The book is short, but the ending is unpredictable, and it opens itself to a whole new series. Recommended for anyone who likes a good read for a couple of days.

I thought it was a sci-fi book. I was lead to believe this from the description of the book: " '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."

I suppose it is sci-fi, in a very loose and weak sense. Mixing mental disorders (schizophrenia) with mystery plots (based on religion)... it branches into too many areas that I didn't expect, and don't enjoy.

Legion is fantastic. One thing Brandon Sanderson excells at is character creation. Falling in tune with this character - all of this characters?? - takes absolutely no time at all. The only problem with this book, as with many of Mr. Sandersons other books, is that you don't want it to end. He creates such magnificent worlds that you want the journey to continue. I almost wish he'd pick one and stick with it so we can keep going.

I love Brandon Sanderson. I happily shucked out my dinero for a signed/numbered copy of this limited press edition, and know that I got a bargain. Sanderson is the real deal....a genuinely original fantasy voice in a market crowded with me too's. Legion is very short--88 pages which I finished in about 45 min--but boy was it delicious. I love this character, his world, and the concept. This would make a wondrous movie, and I sincerely hope that we get a full length series for this guy. Sanderson's imagination is so fecund that he can pull stuff off like this in his sleep, and he leaves amazing worlds scattered behind him like so many magical toys.... The only solution that I can imagine is that he must write more! And despite the fact that he is one of the most prolific young authors, he must write even faster! Hehehe. a real treat. Catch it if you can. A real winner.

What a thought provoking idea! I hesitated to buy this book because it is so short (less than 3 hours), but it was well worth it. In truth this story felt like it should have been the pilot for a new TV show. Although the story is self contained and doesn't leave you hanging, it does leave you wanting more. I feel as though I am just getting to know Legion and his alter-egos. Previously, I've known Sanderson's writing for his epic fantasy (which is excellent), but he does a quality detective story as well.

Part of me wishes this novella was a full novel, but then another part of me thinks it is perfect and shouldn't be tampered with. That's pretty much what Legion is about though. Two sides of one coin. It was great, and I couldn't stop until I was done. It's great for a drive in the car, or just a quiet afternoon.

What this book sets up ends so abruptly I'm left wondering if a deadline killed the plot before it had a chance to go somewhere. It's difficult not to like Stephen Leeds and his aspects as characters, and the way they interact. But by the time the arc with the camera is over (an absurd plot point only pulled off by the absurdity of the characters) it still feels like there's further character development to be had.

I'm not sorry I read this book. It's thrilling, funny and engaging. Just be prepared to have a tonne of unanswered questions by the end of it.

Brandon's ability to come up with new ideas never ceases to amaze me, the new concept is brilliant and of course it's excellently written, however (possible spoiler)

....I tend to hate stories without endings...grrr. I can only assume there are (or will be) sequels. I'll be buying them :/

Wow. That has to be one of my favorite Sanderson stories to date and considering how much I enjoyed both Elantris and the Mistborn books, that's saying something.

Great main character, great story premise, great potential for more stories to come. Go get it from Audible while it's still free!

An intriguing concept. Can a man and his "aspects" come together to form a genius mystery solver or is he just an insane recluse? I loved the mystery and this new idea of the main character and his hallucinations coming together to create genius.

Different from the other Sanderson works I've read, "Legion" is still a great read. The main character's psychological anomaly was the draw for me although the idea of a camera taking pictures of the past was also excellent food for thought.

I listened to this wonderful novella while working, and it was very captivating and fascinating. The plot is solid, the characters are awesome, and all in all it was prety good! I can't wait for the next one! I hope that he gets around to making Legion a series (too bad he has a gazillion ongoing series..)
Alas, a wonderful read, and I would love to know if Stephen finds his lady! :)

Great short story by Brandon Sanderson. I really hope he continues fleshing out this character in subsequent stories - the concept is great and the characters are memorable.

If you're a Sanderson fan, or a fan of quick and easy mysteries, give it a read!

I am a huge Sanderson fan and this book provides no exception to it. The book is all the way until the last page or two where, I feel, the suspense of the story was somewhat ruined. However, this is still a story I will read again and again.

Can somebody really, really do something so well? As Mr. Sanderson writing? Could he be the Legion man? I truly suspect it.

You may go to Mr. Sanderson web-page and see the story behind this story... it was simply an exercise! Yet it is a dmned good story! I hte him!

This is a short story. Do not expect a novel, or epic series. Many other reviews complain that it is too short, I'm not sure what they were expecting from a short story... Excellent read, my only complaint would be the price (although I think the ebook is priced more appropriately), I hope most of that money is going to Brandon.

I am def hoping that Sanderson writes more with this character!!!! I love reading this, start to finish, it was amazing. Different from what he normally writes, but I would be first in line for a sequel!

Yes its short story and yes we all wish it was not only a full novel but a long running series!

The story was unique, well crafted, witty, and well paced. God, what an amazing premise for a character and story.

My hat off to you Mr. Sanderson. When are you writing a book to expand on this novella?

The book Legion introduces not just one deep, likeable character, but several. That's right; each of the main character's "projections" has its own intriguing and sometimes loveable personality. The book was exciting and interesting, and my only problem with it is that it turned out to be much shorter than I expected. If Sanderson were to write a sequel I would indubitably read it as well.

It actually took me two tries to get into it, but once I did, Legion depicts an amazing concept about split-personality abilities.

I guess I had the wrong one trying to read it the first time ;D

I highly recommend it!

This was an amazing book even by brandon sandersons standards. He writes amazing books and series like this as well as churning out large quantities of them so you can get your Sanderson once per year not once per 3 years. It took a well known thing and made it into an incredibly useful ability. It is amazing. It deserves 100 stars out of a 2 star rating.

The most this story can qualify for is a short story - it's not really a novella, even if I've seen people calling it as such. Really easy to read and it goes by fast - I did wish it was longer, and the ending was a little disappointing.

Well, scratch that, I was very disappointed with the ending. I will get into that a bit later.

I really enjoyed the premise of the story - a man with many hallucinatory personalities competing for his attention, each an expert in their own field. It's much closer to the realm of 'possible' than a lot of his other work, especially since it takes place in what is ostensibly modern-day America. Stories that blur the line between reality in such a subtle way are always exciting because it feels like it could truly be happening somewhere.

Sadly that suspension of disbelief is challenged often - either through bad editing or just poor plot choice. One of Stephen's hallucinations reads a piece of paper out loud to him, a source of information that is never accounted for outside of his own head. It's insinuated that his hallucinations are a result of his incapability of dealing with his level of intellect, leaving his genius to manifest in multiple personalities - yet they somehow wander off, need to be 'found', and are discovered having romantic relations with each other. It's quite a stretch of the imagination, and while Sanderson is definitely one of the most talented in a business that deals largely with stretching the imagination, it doesn't quite work here.

The conclusion I found to be kind of dissatisfying. I am aware that Sanderson is a religious person, but I am not. While I usually don't mind most of his religious overtones - the Mistborn series as a case in point, books that I absolutely loved - having the plot end with a picture of Jesus Christ just left a bad taste in my mouth. I didn't particularly enjoy the DaVinci Code, and this seemed cut from a very similar cloth. Personal preference, perhaps, but there you have it.

I still enjoyed reading it and I will say that 2.99 is not a bad price for a fun read like this. It's not offensive or bad, and for Sanderson fans it's an easy purchase to tide us over until he finishes the sequel to Alloy of Law.

A quite funny and interesting twist to the "very intelligent crime-puzzle-solver" section.

The main charachters many personalities are both fun and intriguing, and the way they all work together is really nice. But at the same time, it is a wee bit to fantastic. But if you can just give into it, it's cool.

As always, Brandon Sanderson completly enthralls the reader in a fantastic story. This little book is like an episode of an epic story with a history that is hinted at and dark secrets to be feared. Highly recommend .

This was a fantastic listen (Audible.com)! Brandon Sanderson is brilliant and I just love his characters! I hope that we will get to experience more stories involving Stephen Leeds and his 40+ "aspects".

Sanderson's specialty has always been coming up with a fun concept and running with it. This works especially well in this short novella format, were hinting at depth is enough.

Hope to see more!

What a wonder full concept of a man who is able to survive with such difficulty, who is lost and found at the same time. The concept is well worth pursuing. It's a shame that it was so short but so much more to come I would imagine.

I read the excerpt for this book on tordotcom and was intrigued enough to come here and buy it. I did read the one comment about the high price for the short story and I agree. But I also wanted to support the author and read the book so I ended up buying it (after searching on tordotcom and reading the Firstborn short too). I don't have an e-reader yet, but maybe I should invest in one for future releases.

I'm a long-time fan of Brandon Sanderson, so the moment I saw Legion I just went ahead and bought it. Wow! A new Sanderson novel. Then the *thin* package arrived and I opened it to find out I'd spent $14 on 88 pages of what appears to be larger-than-normal-for-hardcover typeface. This is the mathematical equivalent of paying $47 for a 300-page hardcover. I was stupid enough not to scroll down to the AMZ fine print where I would have learned about the 88 pages and not wasted my money. My bad. Bottom line: No short story or novella (or whatever the technical term for this is) is worth $14, not even by Sanderson. Wait and see what the ebook price is, but if it's anything more than $1.99 (the math equivalent of paying $8 for a 350 page paperback), unless you're a Sanderson addict...you can do without. Just my USD .02.

Edit 2: Sanderson is releasing the ebook for $2.99. Updated the rating to reflect that price.

Edit: A note on Sanderson's blog indicates that he will be releasing the eBook himself in the coming weeks (which means it will probably be reasonably priced). As such I've changed my rating to reduce negative impact to his sales because I do love his work.

88 Pages for $14. Brandon Sanderson sir, I love your work. I dislike your publishers pricing. I would buy this book right now if it was priced reasonably. In fact, I want to buy it right now, that's why I came to the site. Now I'm just irritated because first, it's not available on kindle yet. Second, if it's that short it should be reflected in the price. Take for example firstborn Firstborn: A Tor.Com Original Which is fantastic and only 47 pages. Awesome.

This price? /SADFACE.

I haven't read anything but the introduction, but neither has the other individual that has left a review. The preview I have read, though, has me hooked. I am an e-book reader. I am waiting for it to come out in that form.

I'm in the same boat as the other two reviewers--I haven't yet read the book. It sounds really interesting, and I'm been so impressed with Sanderson's work that I've been inspired to start writing myself. Still, I can't conscience paying $14 for 88 pages. Mr. Sanderson, please get your publishers to change their prices. I was introduced to your work by someone who took your class at BYU, and from what he's told me I know you're not in this for the money. Alloy of Law should also have been cheaper, so it seems like there's a trend. Color me concerned.