Legion

Legion (2012) Brandon Sanderson

Important note: this is a novella. I love novellas and short stories, but some people don’t, so there’s your heads up.

Stephen Leeds has multiple aspects–full fledged personalities that he sees as distinct individuals, yet knows are hallucinations. These hallucinations allow him to solve mysteries and conundrums and have made him very rich and very famous, but also very very tired of being studied and examined.

“Well, true. They’re my hallucinations. But Stan is something special. Only Tobias hears him. Tobias is a schizophrenic.”
She blinked in surprise. “Your hallucination . . .”
“Yes?”
“Your hallucination has hallucinations.”

It’s a complicated idea, and it is very very well done. I adore the idea that someone might have hallucinations, know they are hallucinations, and be able to put them to use.

“No offense intended, Monica, but you’re a sneaky corporate type. Ivy and J.C. figured out ages ago that you’re not an engineer. You’re either a slimy executive tasked with handling undesirable elements, or you’re a slimy security forces leader who does the same.”
“What part of that am I not supposed to take offense at?” she asked coolly.

Utterly marvelous.
Rating: 8.5/10

Published by Dragonsteel Entertainment, LLC

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