Perfect State by Brandon Sanderson

A 2016 HUGO AWARD NOMINEE FOR BEST NOVELLA From the author of Legion and the #1 New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive comes an action-filled novella about privilege, culture clash, and expectations. God-Emperor Kairominas is lord of all he surveys. He has defeated all foes, has united the entire world beneath his rule, and has mastered the arcane arts. He spends his time sparring with his nemesis, who keeps trying to invade Kai's world. Except for today. Today, Kai has to go on a date. Forces have conspired to require him to meet with his equal—a woman from another world who has achieved just as much as he has. What happens when the most important man in the world is forced to have dinner with the most important woman in the world?

At the beginning of this one, I really wasn't into it. I think that was the point. Perfect State takes a look at what would happen if you started with a somewhat boring character and shape them into a hero – but in a non-traditional short story. This could be described (and this isn't spoiling anything, as it's explained early on) as the first version of the Matrix, the one where people got everything they wanted, but where each person is in their own isolated universe. When people who have only talked to AIs decide to talk to other actual humans, things get interesting.

Sanderson can't write a short story to save his life, but this was a nice interlude.

Perfect State is the story of Kai, the conquerer of the world. Well, at least of his world. Kai is actually living in a simulated world that is perfectly tailored to making him a hero. Which means he is fantastic at everything. Until he is told by the higher powers that he need to procreate, and is forced to go on a date. With the usual Brandon Sanderson flare, hilarity and awesome adventures ensue.

I've read nearly all of Brandon Sanderson's works, so I've become quite used to his style as an author. I have to say that Perfect State stood out from the rest, in a good way. Sanderson gets a bit edgier than in his other works, and it really worked for this story. The world-building and plot, as always, are fantastic. The setup of the story allows for all the cool things, while still making total sense, which makes my geeky little heart do a happy dance. The characters are fun, and definitely have the typical Sanderson snark that I've come to expect from the non-cosmere crowd. I suppose one could criticize how all of his characters have the same tone when they banter, but it's fun banter, so I really don't mind at all.

I really loved the ending of this story. It is the perfect blend of depressing, thought provoking, and hopeful. There are so many little details that I loved about this story, but I don't want to give away too many spoilers, so I won't list them here. I'm just going to say “I loved it” and leave it at that. The story is fairly short and reads very quickly - I read it while traveling and finished it in one sitting between other books during the trip. This is the sort of story I think everyone will enjoy. It's fun, it's quick, it's inexpensive, and it's good. Highly recommended.