Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
2023
Ratings99
Average rating4.6
15
Ratings99
Average rating4.6
#1 New York Times Bestselling author Brandon Sanderson brings us deeper into the Cosmere Universe in a standalone adventure where two people from incredibly different worlds must compromise and work together to save their worlds from ruin.
Yumi comes from a land of gardens, meditation, and spirits, while Painter lives in a world of darkness, technology, and nightmares.
When their lives suddenly become intertwined in strange ways, can they put aside their differences and work together to uncover the mysteries of their situation and save each other's communities from certain disaster?
Featured Series
4 primary booksSecret Projects is a 4-book series with 4 primary works first released in 2023 with contributions by Brandon Sanderson.
Series
1 primary book31 released booksThe Cosmere is a 31-book series with 1 primary work first released in 2005 with contributions by Brandon Sanderson, Michael Kramer, and Rik Hoskin. The next book is scheduled for release on 12/14/2024.
Reviews with the most likes.
Sanderson followed up his worst book ever (Frugal Wizard) with imho the best thing he's written.
Came for the story, stayed for some of the most beautiful art I've ever seen. Aliya Chen has given it her best in this one.
Romantasy is definitely very much in the zeitgeist at the moment and I am really not sure what to make of it. It is far from my favourite sub-genre. That being said I certainly was intrigued to see what the Sanderson could bring to it so I was intrigued by this latest Cosmere entry. And ultimately I am not disappointed - this was definitely one of the better attempts at this trope, and whilst I would not call it his best it certainly far from his worst work.
As the title suggests, we are following two MCs - Yumi and Painter. When some spiritual connection links the two together they are thrust into each others radically different worlds, bringing one of the classic romance tropes into play with this forced connection. The differences between these worlds are fascinating, with Painter existing in a semi-modern world driven by some mysterious power source, but where the world is veiled in permanent darkness. His job is to fend off nightmares, painting them so that his will confines them to non-threatening things. Yumi comes from a more primitive world, where she is revered as a link to the spiritual - she summons spirits who are bound to tools to allow the world to exist. Her world is one of a hot bright sun and floating plants.
This kind on yin/yang pairing is quite central to the story. Everything here is a study in contrasts. As always, Sanderson's world building is top class. This is another story told through the voice of Wit, so there is also a fun voicing to the story with a decent level of humour. There are some clever links to current issues in play here as well. The idea of a machine replacing a human to create art feels very current with the current discourse on AI art (perhaps there is a good parable to the hubris around this at the moment).
The prose is eminently readable as always, the book definitely flowed well for me. There is some quite nice art as well included in this, which I definitely appreciate. Of the secret project books released so far this is solidly in the middle for me.
Featured Prompt
1,222 booksWhen you think back on every book you've ever read, what are some of your favorites? These can be from any time of your life – books that resonated with you as a kid, ones that shaped your personal...
