also available in arcanum unbounded the cosmere collectiona heretic thief is the empires only hope in this fascinating tale that inhabits the same world as the popular novel elantrisshai is a forger a foreigner who can flawlessly copy and recreate any item by rewriting its history with skillful magic condemned to death after trying to steal the emperors scepter she is given one opportunity to save herself though her skill as a forger is considered an abomination by her captors shai will attempt to create a new soul for the emperor who is almost dead probing deeply into his life she discovers emperor ashravans truest natureand the opportunity to exploit it her only possible ally is one who is truly loyal to the emperor but councilor gaotona must overcome his prejudices to understand that shais forgery is as much artistry as it is deception brimming with magic and political intrigue this deftly woven fantasy delves into the essence of a living spirit