Arcanum Unbounded compiles stories and novellas set within the Cosmere, a shared universe where various planets host unique magical systems. The collection includes notable entries like Mistborn: Secret History, which reveals Kelsier’s actions behind the scenes of the original trilogy, and The Emperor’s Soul, a study of magical forgery on Sel. Each planetary system receives an introductory essay by the scholar Khriss, explaining the astronomical data and the specific manifestation of Investiture, such as the bioluminescent sand on Taldain or the avian-linked abilities on First of the Sun.
Readers invested in the mechanics of high fantasy use this volume to connect the hidden threads between separate series like The Stormlight Archive and Elantris. It functions as a technical manual for the universe’s underlying physics and the history of the Shards of Adonalsium. By moving through these shorter works, the reader gains a structural understanding of how different worlds interact and learns the motives of recurring background characters who cross planetary borders. This book clarifies the overarching timeline and the specific constraints governing each magic system.
Clear-cut and escapist; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Escapist Adventurer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2016
- Language
- EN
