Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
Description
Yumi has spent her entire life in strict obedience, granting her the power to summon the spirits that bestow vital aid upon her society - but she longs for even a single day as a normal person. Painter patrols the dark streets dreaming of being a hero - a goal that has led to nothing but heartache and isolation, leaving him always on the outside looking in. In their own ways, both of them face the world alone.
Reviewed on 17th September 2023
I allowed myself to take this Cosmere story slowly, and only to read two chapters at a time, up until the traditional Sanderlanch ending kicked in and then I raced to the finish line.
It’s the story of two people with very different lives who are mysteriously thrown together, and into each others’ shoes, and have to work out who they are and what’s going on with them and their world.
The narrative alternates between the characters, although this format becomes more fluid as things proceed, and that follows the nature of the story and characters as well.
I really enjoyed this one. It’s nice to have a full-length stand-alone novel-length Cosmere story again, and to explore some totally new dynamics but with moments of familiarity.
The only weakness I think comes towards the end, where a lot of exposition ends up happening in a slightly clunky way, rather than smoothly through the narrative as I would have expected.
It’s a great trip to the Cosmere though, and another excellent bonus from Sanderson’s year of releasing secret projects.
